Ashley's POV

I didn't know what to say. I was totally shocked. I didn't wait for this coming from him. He proposed to me.

"James...I..." I mumbled without knowing what to say.

"Ashley, don't get me wrong. Just for the baby. A fake marriage. If we get married, you can tell your parents about your pregnancy without feeling uncomfortable. Plus, that bastard will think that the baby is mine. And there will not be any problem. The problem is solved." He said.

It was sensible. But getting married... I didn't know what to think.

"Ashley, don't decide immediately. Think about it." He said as he placed his hand on top of my hand, giving me a reassuring smile.

"But you? Your life? I can not want this kind of sacrifice from you, James. It is too much." I said sincerely, shaking my head in disapproval.

"Ashley, don't worry about me. I was thinking about it for awhile. I didn't propose to you without thinking. And in some way, you will help me, too. There is a girl. We met up a few times. I didn't like her. But she is too clingy and I can not clarify that I don't like her. She asks to give her a chance, saying that everything will be good between us in the future. There is a partnership between our fathers in some projects. And they are our family friends. Because of that, I can not do anything more to keep her away. But if we get married, she will stay away from me."

I gave him an unconvinced look. "How about your family?" I asked.

"I will tell them we are married, too."

"I don't know, James." I sighed.

"Don't rush to give an answer right now. Think about it how long you want." He said; I nodded.

After talking to James, I went to Kelly's. I told her about James's proposal.

"What?!" She looked at me, shocked. "Wow, James!" She exclaimed, grinning. "I told you he loved you." She added, giving me a knowing smile.

"Kelly, don't be ridiculous. It is a fake marriage. He wants to help me and get rid of that girl."

"I don't believe this story. I think he lies to you to make you accept his proposal." Kelly commented.

"No,I don't think so."

"But still, I am all for telling Blaze about the baby. He should know."

"No,Kelly. I will not tell him. It is not up for discussion." I said confidently.

****

I wake up feeling nauseous. I rushed to the bathroom covering my mouth with my hand.

After throwing up, I washed my face. I went back to my bedroom and changed my clothes. I went downstairs and had breakfast with my parents. Then, I left to meet up with Kelly.

When I walked out, I saw Blaze. I closed my eyes as I sighed, annoyed. I walked towards him.

As soon as I approached him, I snapped at him. "What the hell are you doing here again? Don't you understand that I don't want to see you?!"

"Ashley, please. Forgive me." He pleaded, giving me a sad look.

"Ms. Parker, is there any problem?" The security guard interrupted us, looking at Blaze.

"No,Josh. He is leaving." I said firmly, giving Blaze a dirty look.

"Ok,Ashley. I am leaving now, but you will listen to me. I will not give up. I love you." He said with a serious expression and got in his car.

I breathed deeply and pulled my phone out from my bag.

'Yes, I accept it. But I have a condition. Let's meet up at the same cafe in twenty minutes.'

I sent a message to James. It was the only way. Otherwise, I could not keep Blaze away from me.

When I walked into the cafe, James was already here. After greeting each other, I ordered a cup of tea.

"I am so happy, Ashley. Because you accepted it." James said sincerely, giving me a boyish smile.

"James, I want to talk about my condition. We will not get married." His smile faded. "Everyone will think that we are married, but actually, we will not. After I give birth, we can move easily." I said in confidence.

His expression changed. He sighed as he mumbled. "Ok,Ashley. It will be as you want."

"Thank you, James. You are really a good friend." I smiled at him.

Blaze's POV

I was sitting in the living room, drinking. I had been drinking since I arrived.

Ashley had not been listening to me. I did not know what to do. But I wouldn't give up easily. I would make her forgive me at all cost. I couldn't lose her. I love her so much.

"Blaze,are you still drinking?" My father asked, annoyed.

"Yeah." I replied dryly as I rolled my eyes.

We were waiting for my brother. He called my father an hour ago and told him that he had a surprise for us. For that, my father didn't let me leave.

I looked at my wristwatch, bored. He was getting late. If it was not enough that I had a shitty day, now I was waiting for him under my father's annoying remarks. I breathed deeply and stood up.

I poured a glass of whiskey for myself under my father's death glare, ignoring him. He breathed deeply.

I took a sip from my drink. I was a little tipsy. So I leaned against the wall.

Ashley's POV

I gathered my strength as I walked towards my parents.

"Dear, are you okay? Your face is pale." My mother asked, concerned. My father was looking at me, too.

"Yes, Mom. Don't worry....Actually, I need to tell you something." I mumbled, looking at them. "I got married to James." I said all in one breath.

They looked at me in shock. My father's jaw clenched.

"Your friend James?" My mother asked, puzzled; I nodded.

My father stood up as he clenched his fist, looking at me angrily. "Thank you for informing us." He said sarcastically.

"Dad..." I looked at him sadly.

"Get out of my house!" He barked at me.

"Mark, please. Let's listen to her." My mother said, giving him a begging look.

"For what?! She came and said that she got married without telling us. She showed how she respected us. Like I am some caveman who doesn't let his daughter marry someone who she loves. And now, you want me to listen to her?!" He said angrily. "Now, take your stuff and leave my house. Go to your precious husband!" He shouted.

"Dad...." I muttered, crying.

"Get out of my house! Now!" He shouted.

I ran to my bedroom, crying. I took my suitcase and started packing. My mother walked in while I was packing my suitcase.

"Ashley." She said sadly.

I hugged her, still crying. "I am sorry, Mom. Please, forgive me." I muttered.

I pulled away and wiped my tears off my cheeks with my hand. I pulled my suitcase with me and left.

I was in James's car. We were going to his house. His parents were waiting for us.

I was playing with my fingers, lost in my thoughts.

"Everything will be good." James interrupted my thoughts as he said; I forced a smile.

"And when your father knows me better, he will soften up. Where will he find a son-in-law like me?!" He said playfully, trying to make me smile.

I couldn't hold myself and smiled slightly. "You are too humble." I commented sarcastically, smiling.

"Yes, I am. And don't judge early. You should see my lil bro. Humbleness is in our genes." He joked. I gave him a lazy smile.

He parked his car in front of a mansion. We got out of his car and walked towards the door.

The housekeeper opened the door and let us in. James placed his hand on my back as he led us towards the living room.

"Let me introduce to you my mother, Patricia." He told me, gesturing to a woman standing in front of us. "And my father, George." He added. They both gave me a warm smile.

"Nice to meet you, dear." His mother said as she gave me a hug. I hugged her back.

"And this is my brother, Blaze." He said as his parents moved to the side letting us see his brother. His back was towards us while he was pouring some drink for himself.

My face paled as I heard his name. I was frozen in my place as he turned around. It was him. Blaze. No,no, it is impossible. A real nightmare.

When he saw me, he looked at me, puzzled.

"And this is Ashley, my wife. We got married today." James said.