Disclaimer : I own nothing. Not One Tree Hill, not the characters, not the place, not the planet, not the universe. Absolutely nothing. I do own the dream that I may get to meet James Lafferty someday - but that's another discussion.

CHAPTER ONE

"A Proposal for Disaster..."

"You need to marry me."

It wasn't a sweet romantic question; it wasn't an offer; it wasn't a suggestion. It was simply Nathan Scott being the pompous arrogant jerk that he always was.

"Excuse me?" Haley said, spluttering most of her coffee on herself.

Nathan sighed loudly before looking at her with an expression that would make anyone believe that Haley was the one here making senseless remarks.

"You. Need. To. Marry. Me." He enunciated each word carefully.

She couldn't believe it. He was bloody commanding her to marry him. Was he nuts or was he playing his usual game of 'let's tease Haley'? She couldn't guess.

"Nathan, you want me to marry you?

"No," he shrugged. "I need you to marry me."

She was two seconds away from ripping his neck wide apart and grinding his skull into a juice. "You have two seconds. Explain. Or die," she gritted out.

His eyes shot wide open at her threat. What was wrong with her?

Her stern look didn't seem to diminish, so he didn't waste another moment.

"Alright, you know how much I want to launch a company, right?" She nodded, unsure of where he was headed to.

"Well," he continued. "I believe that I can actually start one up now. I've got the idea, and also a list of probable clients. The location, the whole line-up – I got everything outlined. But,"

She knew there was a but.

"But the one thing that I don't seem to possess is really the major obstacle I've got going on right now," he spoke solemnly making Haley almost believe in his words. But something still didn't add up.

"And marrying me would solve that how?" she quizzed him.

"Don't get excited, Hales. It isn't an option."

Was he seriously joking right now? If that was the tone he was going to use, then he can forget her assistance or whatever.

"The major obstacle is the money. Capital is what I lack. And before you start overworking your brain; Dan has decided to not lend me even a single penny for the company. He thinks, and I quote, I 'waste too much money on useless shit'." Nathan flailed his hands upwards as though his dad said something completely ridiculous – which was not the case.

"He's right, though. But what's the marriage equation?"

"Right, so Dad has this trust fund set up for me ever since I was a child. The money is absolutely ludicrous. But the only way I gain access to it is to marry someone for a year. And since my ex-girlfriends denied – well, a lot of them just cursed as soon as they picked up the phone and hung up right back – that leaves me with my only option. You."

"Me?" Haley exclaimed. Her mouth was slightly open as she tried to absorb this truck-load of news.

He nodded and gauged her reaction. She seemed to be taking quick short breaths to calm herself down. The shock and confusion blended in and was evident on her face. He paused for a minute before adding, "You get something out of it too."

Haley leaned back in her seat. "What?"

"Half of the money," Nathan replied nonchalantly. "Half a million."

"Half a –" she gasped at the amount. That was huge. Even for Dan Scott. She looked at Nathan who, too, leaned back in his seat with his arms folded. He wasn't wearing any look of dismay or of surprise or of hesitation. He simply sat there, looking at her, waiting for her to say something.

She thought about the entire situation and the absurdness of it. Nathan Scott was the arrogant, self-obsessed jerk who taunted her and made fun of her since kindergarten through high school. Being in the same group of friends made it worse. They had to bear each other at every hang-out and party and get-together. And now, a year after college – when she finally thinks he's gone for good except for the occasional meet – he comes back with a marriage proposal – no, marriage command in some café where he requested her to arrive. Urgent, he said.

It was utterly absurd.

Marriage with Nathan Scott? No way. No fucking way. Nope. A definite no.

"It gets over within a year?" she asked despite herself.

"Yes. We need to be the idealistic couple in love for a year, and then we get a divorce as soon as I get my money."

"You won't get the money in advance?" she asked, bewildered.

"No. Of course not. It's Dan, Hales. He has probably estimated every possible move which I could make to get the money. Which is exactly why I need you to for this. You're believable and you aren't like my exes. I honestly believe that we can pull this off – but I really need your complete support in this."

"Nathan, I –"

"Please, Hales. Please. It's a year, and I know how much it really matters to you. But with the money you could really catch up with your job. You're talented. You'll get into any place you want. But this company is the only chance I have." Nathan paused for a while. "It's the only thing which is going to make me, me. Not someone who is known as Dan Scott's son."

Haley looked at him with sincere care. She knew how much he struggled to be known for his own talent and skills. Nathan Scott wasn't a man who depended on others. She could see that he really wanted this.

But then she had plans for herself. And it wasn't about the money either. It was about being married to man whom she loathed all her life; and she had her job and her family to think about too.

She studied his face and could distinctly make out how desperate he was for his dream. She had never seen him this pleading for anything in his life. He really did want this, she thought.

This wasn't going to be easy – and she could already sense the cloud of turmoil approaching her.

Smiling a little, she said softly, "Okay."

Nathan couldn't believe it. She said yes! She agreed. His grin was full blown and he couldn't conceal his excitement.

"But, I need a proper proposal," she smirked at him. Two can play this game.

He looked surprised but the grin was remained full-fledged. He got up from his seat and walked over to hers. He knelt down and pulled out a black box from his pocket. He had to be prepared for everything.

Everyone in the café, including Haley, looked stunned and happy at the same time. Haley didn't think he would actually propose, let alone with a ring. Yet, she couldn't stop the squeal that emitted when he knelt down.

All eyes were on them when Nathan asked, "Haley James, will you marry me?"

Now, although it seemed real and true, she wasn't going to kiss him or cry tears of joy or anything. It was, after all, an act. But she could not disappoint the viewers, could she? A little compromise on both sides wouldn't hurt anybody.

She smiled again. "Yes, I will."

A/N : Yes this sounds very cliché, but (yes, there's always a 'but') I really want to try this plot for our favourite couple. So, what say? Should I or should I not?