“The two things coincide, Jemma,” says Derek, straight to the point.
“You can’t really think that the only way to repay my debts is marrying a stranger for her money!”
“Sure, Ashford, you can play the lottery if you think you’ll have more luck.” My friend isn’t very gentle with me, either.
“Derek, I believe in love at first sight, the one that gives you a quickened heartbeat and butterflies in your stomach. I believe in Prince Charming. You can’t just give me a cheque and tell me ‘get married and you will become a millionaire’.”
“Billionaire,” Derek corrects her.
“I feel as if I were on sale, or auctioned,” she mumbles.
My friend shrugs. “I’m not the one who put you in this position, it was your grandmother.”
“What a nice little family you have,” I can’t help but remark.
Jemma replies furiously: “Look who’s talking, your father left you broke.”
“Touché.” The situation has become so absurd that I’ve just decided to laugh about it.
Derek is expressionless. “I think you should at least consider this opportunity.”
“Derek, let’s say I accepted: have you seen her? Can you picture her as a duchess?”
Derek shrugs. “Why not?”
Jemma is reluctant, too. “No, Derek, let’s sayIaccepted: have you ever seen a princess rescuing Prince Charming from debt collectors? Never! Besides, what’s in it for me? I marry him, I inheritmymoney and I pay offhisdebts?”
“Jemma, one day, whenever you want, I will give you an inventory of your inheritance. Ashford’s debts are just a drop in the ocean.”
We remain silent, lost in our thoughts. Derek scrutinises us and waits for our verdict.
“It’s ridiculous,” I whisper.
“Totally ridiculous,” Jemma echoes.
“I should never have come,” I say, getting up from the table.
5
Jemma’s Version
Can you imagine me, married to a guy like that?
I want passion in my life, not planning and convenience. I want the warmth of a hug, the thrill of a kiss!
Ashford is not even close. He’s so stiff in his immaculate shirt and constricting tie as he sits according to good manners. No, thank you.
Besides, I like Latin Americans: dark haired, tanned, with dark eyes, and full of testosterone. I have no use for his brown hair and green eyes.
I don’t understand how Derek can have thought of such a thing.
Then, he’s got such a terrible temper! He treats anyone as if they were his servants. If he’s not arrogant, then I don’t know what arrogance is. He might be a duke, but he can’t treat others as inferiors. I certainly don’t feel inferior.
I’m not sure if I’m more irritated or disheartened. Yesterday, when I read Derek’s text, I seriously thought that he had found a solution to avoid the marriage issue, but last night I had to deal with disappointment instead. Derek has no other solution apart from marrying Ashford, and that means that I will never inherit a single pound.
I’m not a greedy person, I don’t think that money makes people happy and I’ve never really considered the hypothesis of becoming rich, but now I can’t help thinking about it. With my grandmother’s inheritance, I could buy a nice flat in the centre of London and a house in the countryside for my parents, with many animals, and a nice car for myself, maybe a Porsche (who knows if they come in pink). I could buy designer clothes, like those I see inCosmopolitan, be through with flea markets and second hand shops.
I could go to Arsenal’s away matches every Sunday with all the other fans.
