CHAPTER 6: THE OFFER

"I'm sorry, did it take so long?" I asked him as soon as I was seated back on my chair. "No." He said while sipping his glass of water. He really can't form a simple sentence to answer, can he? "So, what's with the deal you're going to offer me?" Honestly, I was freaking nervous inside. I wanted to blame Noelle for implanting some thoughts about his deal in my head. "Madi, I want you to listen to me carefully. Until I'm done talking, I don't want you to interrupt me, is that clear?" -'Whoa! Really? We cut the formalities but you're still ordering me.'- I mentally rolled my eyes as I straightened my seat. "Okay." "I want you to be my wife," he said straight to the point and I almost choke the air in my throat. -'What the---am I still hearing Noelle's words?'- "I - I'm so.. I'm sorry?" this time I brought the glass of water to my mouth because it suddenly went dry. I gulped three times. "Be my wife." Thank God, I've already swallowed the water. If not, I am sure I spit it all to his face. I need to inhale more air as his words cut my air passage. "What are you talking about?" I asked when my breathing relaxed. "Are you proposing to me right now? Wow, so where is the ring? And why are you not on your knees?" I tried to throw a joke to ease my nervousness, but it was just me who laughed at my own joke. His face was masked with pure coldness and seriousness. And I gulped again. "Listen, I'm not offering you to be my wife forever. What I am offering you is to pretend to be my loving wife for a certain someone and a certain period of time." I raised my eyebrow as my eyes followed his hand when he clutched his phone. I'm not sure if that certain someone is the same as what Sandy told me... the one I saw on his phone. "Alright....?" I urged him to continue. "I want this certain someone to make jealous and regret what she did." I saw how he clenched his jaws when he mentioned the word 'regret'. "But in the end you also want her to be back in your life." It's not a question, it's a statement. I looked directly into his eyes and I didn't miss the frown that suddenly formed on his forehead. "How did you know that it's a 'she' i am talking about and not he?" I don't know but his question made me laughed. Is he actually serious? "I didn't know Gabriel, you're also a comedian," I said between my laughter. "Why, if not a woman, does that mean you want a man to make jealous? And to answer your question, you mentioned the word 'she'... you just didn't notice." He didn't say anything but I heard him sigh. "I want to punish her. I want to give her back all the betrayals she'd given me. I want her to suffer the pain until she begs me to stop." His words sent goosebumps all over my body. It's the first time I've seen him with a deadly look on his face. "You want to punish her, I see," I said nodding. "So...who exactly is this certain 'her' in your life, and what did she do to you why you wanted her to make her jealous and punish her? Was she your ex? Because if she is, that means you haven't moved on from her yet. And you want revenge." The glare he's now giving me after what I said almost made me shrink in my seat. "Madi," he whispered my name so cold as if it were his warning to me not to ask some questions or to say something, but I'm not convinced with his little story. I want more. "I think it's none of your business." "Oh, none of my business, yeah. And I'm sorry if I am asking some questions out of curiosity. But you're offering me a deal, a deal that I don't know what I'm going to get into. And if you want me to agree, you have to at least give half of the story so that I can have at least an idea." I explained myself staring him directly in the eye. That's true, I don't really know what kind of deal he's offering me. Because if that were true, it would change half of my life. "And the deal you are offering is not that simple. Huh! To be your wife?" "How do I know if you agree the time I have you my story? How can I be sure I can trust you? That you won't betray me too?" "Wow! Big word--- betray! Then try me. I mean, you're offering a life-changing deal, so why don't you add some trust? Even if you've been betrayed by someone, it doesn't mean the next person you meet would also betray you. If you've lost trust or faith in that someone, that's no reason to judge everyone or anyone who comes into your life. Also, how could I trust you if you yourself don't trust the one you want to agree with what you are offering?" He looked at me intently and I did the same. We fell into a staring competition. "And by the way, what would I get in the end if I agreed to your deal to be your fake wife?" "You talk like a businesswoman, Madi." I was taken aback by his words, but I immediately masked it. "That I am, Gabriel." his eyes turned a bit darker. "I am working in a business company, so I consider myself as a businesswoman. He smirked. -'Shit! Even it's a smirked, he really looked so hot and handsome. I couldn't blame Noelle if she really lost her panty just by looking at him.'- "Here." he pushed a check towards me on top of the table. I scrunched my eyebrows. "What's this?" I asked picking up the check. "You asked me, what you would get if you agreed with my deal." I read the amount, and my eyes went wide in surprise. ($100,000,000.00) One hundred million dollars. A very huge amount. I was shocked and surprised not by the number of zeros on the check, but by the fact that I realized how desperate is the man in front of me with his plan. "$100 million?" I asked, shaking my head in disbelief. But he took it differently. "What... is it not enough? I'm going to add-----" "That's not what I mean, Gabriel!" I interrupted him with a hard tone and a snicker. He was a little surprised but I ignored him. "What I mean is that 100 million dollars are really a huge amount. And you're going to spend that amount just for her?" "Listen, Ms Davis!" I flinched a bit when he slapped his palms on the table with a loud thud. "I'm not asking for any of your opinions. I don't need it! And it's not for her, it's for you! I'm going to pay you that money if you agree with this deal!" his voice was laced with anger and seriousness. Take note, back with the formalities... again. But I held my stand. "Exactly my point! You're going to give me that money to pretend to be your wife, for what? To get even, to get revenge and to get her back! So still, the main point of this plan is for her. You're doing this for her!" I am not into his money, honestly. My mom is rich and so is my dad, but I don't ask them for anything because I too can have that amount of money in my hand, even if not as fast as this, I can have it through my business. "And why do you need to do that? What will you get after you punish her? And what kind of punishment are you going to give her after your plans? Making her jealous and then what, getting her back into your life---" "I think that questions aren't really part of your business! You're getting off your line here, Ms Davis!" He glared at me, his face was red as a tomato... not from blush but from anger. And if ever the look could kill, you will find me six feet under the ground "Ohh, is that so?" I paused and got to my feet. "Then, take your deal with yours, Mr Wilsons. I'm sorry, but I can't accept it. As you said, we're not in the office so that means, you can't order and boss me around here. And I suggest you take your check back...." I pushed it back towards him. "... Also, take your deal with yours or offer it to someone who will listen just to the side of your story. Goodnight, Mr Wilsons. Thanks for the invitation and also for the food." Rising to my feet, I smiled at him and took a deep breath before walking away from him. The look on his eyes after my little speech sent shivers down my spine. I know it's a bit rude to walk out, especially that he's my boss. But the same words came from him.. we're not in the office... so, we can cut the formalities. It means, he's not my boss at the moment. Actually, since I own the restaurant, I am the boss in my own place.