Billionaire’s Trust(16)

“Grey, I want to be with you and married to you. Of course. More than anything!”

Grey nodded as he looked up at me. “I hear a ‘but’ coming.”

“Yes, well, I just…” I stammered as I searched for the right words. “I know our relationship isn’t perfect or anything. No one’s is. That’s not what I’m trying to say.”

“Well, what are you trying to say Maddie?”

“I’ve agreed to give the respect you deserve and I’m sorry if I ever did or said anything to make you feel like I don’t have that for you because I do. But, Grey, I can’t be with you as your wife if you don’t change.”

Grey wrinkled his brow in confusion.

“Change? What are you talking about, Maddie?”

“Look, please. Just hear me out. This is something I’ve needed to say for a long time. I know I can be silly, dramatic and immature sometimes. I’m not saying I’m without blame, okay?”

“Come on, Maddie. Out with it,” he said with a smirk. “My knee is getting sore.”

“Hah, hah,” I deadpanned. “Grey, if I am to be your wife, we have to be equals with one another. I won’t be with someone, not for all the money in the world, if they can’t trust me to be myself, make my own mistakes and grow as a person.”

Grey listened intently. “Okay Maddie, I’ve got no problem with any of that.”

“Yes. I hear the words from your lips. But your actions don’t match, Grey. You have to stop meddling in everything I do. You have to stop trying control me. That is my dealbreaker, Grey. If you can’t make that change, then no, I’m sorry but I won’t marry you. I can’t.”

Grey grimaced as he looked up at me. Furrowing his brow, he said, “Okay, Maddie. Fair enough. For what it’s worth, yes, you have behaved in childish and immature ways at times. On the one hand, that’s not something I want in a business partner, let alone a wife. But, on the other, you’re damn young. Frankly, the way you handled the pregnancy, the courage you showed throughout it, impressed me.”

As he finished his thought, I felt a swell of pride gather inside of me.

“Grey, thank you. And yes, I know I’m young. I also know I can learn a great deal from you. I’d be crazy not to take advantage of that."

Grey waved my compliments off. “Flattery aside, tell me, Maddie. What do I have to do to convince you I’m a man of my word? What is this about? The business? Fine. You never have to work there again. Carmen will become the CEO. Is it acting? The movie is on hold until you’re feeling better.”

I stood in disbelief as Grey Sinclair negotiated his way to my hand in marriage.

“But I need something from you, Maddie. I’m more than willing to give you all the things you want. Don’t make me look foolish. I’m trusting you to show me you deserve my respect. This is the only time I’ll say this to you. Do you understand?”

I nodded. “Yes Grey, I promise. I won’t. And thank you.”

“Okay,” he replied as he repositioned himself on his knee. “Let’s try this again. Shall we?”

My spine prickled with excitement as he reached inside of the box. Removing the ring with a gentle tug, he slid the box back inside of his pocket and turned his attention to me once again. I looked down at his face. Grey’s almond-shaped, dark brown eyes flickered like the diamond he now held between his fingertips. I watched his chest fill with a deep breath and as he exhaled, he spoke once more.

“Madeline Olsen.” He said as he took my hand. “I love you. I want you to be my wife. And even though you drive me fucking crazy half the time, I can’t imagine another day in my life without you in it. Will you marry me?”

My entire being flushed as he slid the ring over my finger. I gasped and covered my mouth. Fighting back tears, I started to nod my head, slowly at first then with greater vigor as my answer welled up inside. I cast one final look at the ring. I’d never seen anything so beautiful. As I looked back at Grey once more, my tears betrayed me.

“Yes!” I cried out as I dove into his waiting embrace. Grey swept me into his arms, spinning me around as I screamed through tears of joy, “Forever yes! Oh my God, Grey! I love you! I love you!”



MADDIE

Grey left later that afternoon to return to Chicago and handle more details relating to his grandfather’s trust.

I hated to see him go. I wanted so badly for us to be together and celebrate. Grey wanted the same of course, but he explained until he handled estate matters, he’d never get any free time. In any case, he promised a celebration as soon as he returned. Still though, as depressing as it was to see him go, I was just as excited to tell Katy all about it.