Summer stared at Alex for a good minute, and kept repeating his words in her head over and over again. 'Bound not by sacred vows, but by a contract' What did he mean?! Was he asking her to marry him? Based on some type of contract? Her mind was wreaking havoc.

"Sum-mmer?" Alex asked slowly. He was anxiously waiting for her response. But he needed to find out first, if she had even understood the proposition.

"Yes, Alex."

"Say something." Alex was getting increasingly more nervous. He was worried Summer was going to react very badly to him, and sever all ties with him.

"What exactly do you mean? 'Bound by a contract?'" Summer's eyebrows were raised. She had a hard time figuring out what he meant and how she should react. Something was inherently immoral to her about a "fake marriage". She had seen it being done in movies, but she truly believed she would never ever be in a same type of situation ever. She wanted to marry someone someday, only because she was in love.

"I mean to propose to you a marriage... of convenience. Both yours and mine." Alex's words came out slow, as if he was putting in a lot of thought behind each and every one of them. "I know your family needs money to sustain this.... predicament. And I need a wife, to please my grandfather. To give him this one last gift of joy, before he's gone. We can help each other, I believe."

Summer let Alex's words sink in. She understood what he wanted from her. And she definitely understood what she would get in return. What her family would get out of it. But the whole marriage part... was where her mind stopped working.

"Alex," she exhaled loudly and began, "I appreciate you worrying about me, and my family. And even though we do need the money, I think it's.... just wrong. To marry without love! I just don't think I can do it."

Alex's heart sank as he heard the words 'without love'. It was crystal clear to him that she didn't have any feelings for him. But to hear it loud and clear, it was definitely a blow to his hope.

"Why not?" He still argued, though. Alex wasn't one to give up. He was a businessman after all, and this was business. "Desperate times call for desperate measures. How else do you plan to save your family?"

"I'll find a way." Summer's tone got offensive. "I'm sure this isn't my only option. I guess I'll find something less.... desperate."

Alex smiled at her. "Then, Summer, I guess you're gonna choose something dangerous. Because the time I've spent building my company from the ground up, I know that a lot of money in a little amount of time, can only be made by doing something illegal. What I offer though, is the safest option you're gonna get. There will be a proper contract, and you'll be protected by law." Alex noticed the change in Summer's expression, and smiled internally. "And about the desperate part..... I don't think it's that desperate. You'll be doing something really good and kind. Don't you wanna give my granddad this piece of joy?"

Summer was speechless. Everything Alex said sounded.... not so bad. He seemed right about the part where this would be safe, or at least safer than whatever she would've had to do. But the part that really clawed out a part of her heart was the one about Grandpa Lewis. Summer knew how much he loved Alex. She could understand his wish to see him settle down before he passed away. To give him that relief and happiness, even if it may be a lie... Summer asked herself wouldn't it be such a beautiful thing?

"I do care about him a lot." Summer admitted finally. "I feel deeply against lies, but I understand why you may wanna lie to him to make him happy." Summer's eyes were sympathetic. She knew Alex must be heartbroken to see his grandfather, the only person he had a real bond with, on his deathbed. "I want to help you with it. But... my family, my friends... I have many people to answer to. Unlike you."

"We can figure something out." Alex jumped at the opportunity to convince her. He could sense her actually considering his proposition. "You can tell them that... we are dating."

Alex felt a rush of spark go through him as he imagined himself taking her out on a date. A nice, cozy restaurant with some fine food and wine.... oh yes, he knew exactly how he would treat her if there ever came a day when she chose him....

"But.... but that would be," Summer's voice trailed off. 'That would be a lie' is what she wanted to say. But then she thought again. What else could she say, anyways? She wouldn't dare to tell her parents or friends the truth. They wouldn't understand. But she knew she must do it, to protect her family. From where she saw, there weren't very many options to save her family without giving up the factory. Perhaps even after giving it up, they wouldn't have a choice but to run away from Vance's wrath. Maybe telling them that she was dating Alex, wouldn't be so bad... if in the end her family could be saved.

"I don't think they will buy it," her tone changed. She spoke sure of what she had to do. That made Alex's heart race in excitement. "And even if they do, I am absolutely sure they wouldn't just accept your money."

Alex looked down for a second. A rush of flashbacks engulfed his head, but he fought them and tucked them away into his subconscious. He couldn't dare to think about the past, now that he was so close to getting what he wanted.

"I'll deal with that part," Alex looked deep within Summer's eyes, making her a promise he knew he would keep with his soul. "Don't worry about that." He extended his hand to lightly pat the back of her hand.

The touch was different to both of them. For Summer it was one among many, she had always had many loved ones. But to Alex it was a parched man feeling the sensation of the first drop of desert rain. He enjoyed the deliciousness of it. It was broken only by Summer's voice.

"But I have a condition, Alex."