🖤 RAFE:
Sitting outside the waiting area, I'm still bewildered with what just happened.
Maybe if she passed out hearing what I have to offer, I'd have understood and checked it out being reasonable. But I did not expect her to pass out on me before I even broke the news.
Two days ago, Gran just popped the most annoying question for me. Although I was very reluctant, thinking about it for a while, I came up with the decision today when I met her.
*2 days ago*
After I went home extremely furious after learning about Viviana, Ella was waiting for me all ready with a grin on her face. The kind of grin you know is oath to bring trouble.
"Whats is it?" I asked instantly knowing I'd hate the answer.
"Gran called for dinner." She replied as I let out a sigh.
"Ella, aren't we suppose to be on non talking grounds. Tell her I avoided you when you asked." I replied feeling more tired than I am.
"Luc came and bought Leo along, both are already there, you can't dodge it anymore. She didn't ask me to tell you but to bring you along since she knows you'd avoid it." She replied confidently taking my coat and pulling me up the stairs.
"Where the hell are you taking me?" I replied confused but was too tired to fight.
"You look like a 50 years old employee who haven't got his pay check in months. Go freshen up and change, I'll wait for you." She said pushing me in my room as I kept sighing the whole time.
Arriving at the house, I was immediately engulfed in a hug as usual by Gran.
"Hey, Gran." I slowly replied back following the gesture.
"Don't bloody hey me, you ignore me like I'm your ex or something." She said with a scowl which held annoyance rather than anger.
"Gran, he even meets his ex but not us." I looked up to see Luc smirking at us leaning by the wall.
"Can we get this over with, I'm both hungry and tired. And greeting him like he's a long lost child is idiotic." Leo groaned with the never changing grumpy child attitude. I just glared at him.
"Hey bro!" We all turned as Max ran down the stairs with the usual million dollar smile everyone dies for, especially girls.
I simply hugged him back as always. Despite having a good age difference between us all, we're not that far apart and none of us really act like big brother or small except for Max who only calls me bro since he was just three. Luc and Leo always complained how I was his favorite but I knew the twins were much more his favorite than me.
"Come along, boys! I have an amazing news for you." Gran ushered us to enter the open dinning room adjoined to our huge ass living room. This house looked more like a holiday luxurious cabin than home. And it looked the part too since it was way out of the city and between literal woods. Gran moved here after Grandfather passed away.
"So, what's this all about?" I asked sitting down.
"Yea, so remind me again, how old are you boys?" Gran said with a usual mocking grin and we all let out a curse except for Ella who still had her mocking grin on.
"Gran, come on. Not this again." This time Leo let out a groan before me. I can understand her issue but it still nevertheless annoying.
"Do you want to watch me walk on a stick as I watch you to get married?" She asked raising an eyebrow.
"Gran, come on. You know us, we're still very busy. We're not that old to get married yet." Luc reasoned slowly.
"I've heard things about you, you know. Don't give me the bachelor excuse." She pointed at him which worked like a charm making him instantly shut up. Did he get a girlfriend or something?
"Come on, you're not that old either. We can marry when we are ready. Don't you want us for yourself more." I put in to help all of us. I'd use anything to coax her now.
"Please spear me this excuses, honey. I know what you think about getting married. In fact, I know all of your idea of marriage is as good as being a punishment. You too Ella!" She said pointing wiping the grin of our dear sister instantly.
"I'm off limits here." Max suddenly declared as we all glared at him. Sometime, I found it annoying how he gets laid off everything just because he's the youngest.
"Your almost 26, shut up." Ella said pointing out. There we go again.
"Have you ever heard of a man get married at 25, El? You're almost going to be a grandma, get yourself one before you pick on me." He shoot at her which immediately made her flush in anger.
"Max, don't pick on her. She's very young too." Luc said slowly stopping the lash out that might have just started.
"None of you are young anymore. All of you are reaching your 30's in a few years. I need to at least have the privilege to have fun in my grandchildren's wedding since I'm not doing it being a puny old weakling. And thus to the reason of calling you all here." She said slowly looking at each one of us.
Here we go!
"As of today, I decided to hand over the S.S branches that belong to me to each one of you." She said as we all glance at each other both surprised and happy but it was cut short.
"But?" Luc asked knowing she won't offer anything for free. She's our grandmother after all.
She smiled her most polished sophisticated smile and replied,
"I'll only hand them over when each of you get married. Whoever marries first would get his or her portion first. I'm getting old and as much as I enjoy doing business, it's starting to bore me out. As for the S.S Enterprise, it will be divided between all 5 of you once you all get married." She concluded dropping the bomb on us.
Ella and Max literally had their mouth hanging open and Luc and Leo looked way too grim. I have no idea how I looked. Probably pissed, but I m good at hiding it. Showing attitude will never work with her. Grandmother or not, she's a business woman first, nothing is easy with her. it's always a negotiation with her.
She wasn't wrong, I hate the idea of marriage and everything related to it. Woman, I like but that's only for the fun we can have together. Living under the same roof was not an option in my life. I've had that experience once and I refuse to get on with it again. No one is trustworthy enough to enter my private life. And the same probably goes for all of us siblings.
Although Luc looked a bit less shocked than us which surprised me since he was the most conserved one of us all regarding woman. Did he what, fall in love or something? Is that even possible for that glass of a person? He looks calm and poised but if you live with him, you'd notice how annoyingly calm and poised he is. He's like the living image of perfection. Never a fight, never a complain, never a wish. Almost too bland. He liked things simple but sophisticated almost unlike any of us. He liked being left alone. Who'd like to fall for him even?
I pushed the thought away since I need to worry about myself first.
"Gran, that is a bit unreasonable. We all worked hell hard to come where we are. You can't just ask such a condition based on marriage." I replied as she looked as confident as she does being the boss forever.
"The company you all have is more than enough, I'm aware of it. I will not stripe you of that. But the majority shares in S.S Enterprise that I own which you all have always wanted to be a part of, I won't let you have it unless you all settle down. Because I'm experienced enough to know how much maturing you all need to do to run the S.S. And marriage would do that to you all. You may be good at business but you're ruthless and stoic nature needs to be changed if you want to run the S.S. Otherwise, I'll be handing it over to the board of directors and sell it to the other members of the S.S. If you want, you can buy them off after I die." She confirmed without giving us as much as an opening for argument. This conversation is going no where.
She knows how much we dread the term of dying and she finally used it against us. We can do anything as long as she is happy. She is aware of this fact. Even if it means we'll have to give up our own wishes.
"We'll think about it, Gran." Luc replied for all of us who all seemed too shocked to reply including me.
Thinking about it was a good reply. I did indeed think about it. The company we all own as she said is worth billions, we'll never need S.S Enterprise but it wasn't about the money here but the heritage it had. The Sinclairs Enterprise is so old that almost every damn company in the world is aware of it. And such respects it. It was never about how much it owned but how much respect, name, and image it had throughout the centuries. We'd rather die than let it leave the Sinclair name.
"Mr. Sinclair?" I blinked realizing where I am. Pulling myself out of my thoughts I looked up.
"Yes?" I stood up to the man who seemed like the doctor in charge.
"Miss Lee is stable now. She can go home." He informed with a small smile.
"What happened to her? That wasn't normal." I asked guessing it had something to do with the food.
"It was a walnut allergy. She's severely sensitive to it. And since she consumed them in its mashed form, it took effect immediately. Thus the rash, itching and swelling." He explained.
"That's all?" I asked because Ella has allergies too but she never reacted like this.
"I think she had a bit of a low pressure and most probably caused by her unhealthy habits. I'm guessing that's what caused her to faint."
In short, she doesn't eat much neither does she sleeps. It's clear as day once you notice her face up close with how tired she looks.
"Is she going to be fine from now on?" I asked slowly feeling a little guilty.
"Yea, as long as she follows up her medicines, nutrition and avoids eating walnuts again. It could've been way more dangerous if she consumed more or realized it too late. But she's fine now." He said with a nod and left.
Now, I did felt a pang of guilt since I didn't let her order just to annoy her. She looked to be way too much in pain too when I drove her here. Her small face had turned completely puffy and her white skin which always glowed had dulled into a bright painful shade of red and pink. She was breathing too hard that I feared if she was hyperventilating.
"Come on in, it's okay. I look human now." I heard her chuckle and literally flinched a little.
What the hell? I never flinch.
"Are you okay?" Putting my hands in my pocket to shake off the feeling, I walked in on her sitting on the bed wiping her nose.
"Yea, I'm alive. You look like you saw a ghost though." She said finally looking up.
He skin was still puffy and eyes and nose were as red as it could get.
"Well, you look like one." I replied slowly.
"I wonder whose fault it is." She squinted her eyes, more in a statement than a question.
"I know I'm at fault. I should've asked about the menu before ordering." I sighed. I never would have thought I'd admit to her.
"A sorry would've been nice. Though I know your too proud for that. But anyway, it's okay. You didn't know and pulling a prank to annoy me isn't exactly held being responsible for an unknown allergy reaction." She said like its the most obvious fact. Most woman would rant so I'm a little surprised.
She always keeps surprising me. I've never seen anyone this chill about everything either.
"You're not pissed?" I asked curiously.
"If it's regarding my allergy, no. But if it's regarding you playing with my mind, yes. I'm still pissed about that." She replied looking directly at me and I knew she wasn't joking.
"I never really played with your mind to be honest." I replied pulling on a smirk. I'm just good at capturing people where I need them.
"Yea, sure." She replied sarcastically. Despite sounding mocking, she looked more tired than ever.
I wonder why I have this feeling that getting her involved in this is not a good idea. But I can't stop here, I need to get to the bottom of the truth and she's my only way. No matter how much I feel bad, I need her. And she's not someone who'd help me without force. Maybe if I tell her everything, she might. But I simply cannot risk it at this point.
"Come on, I'll drive you home." I asked giving her a hand to get off the bed.
She seemed hesitant but still gave in. When her hand touched mine, I felt how cold they were. It's almost frightening with how cold her hands were and how thin. Does she even properly eats? I've noticed how little she eats and orders. Partly I ordered for her because she might order less than I did. She seem to have bags under her eyes too. Don't woman normally die for their beauty sleep?
"Can you pass me my jacket?" She asked slowly.
Instantly I realized her sleeveless top she was wearing. I was so busy admiring her face, I didn't notice her white stone like skin. There was not a single spot on it except a forming bruise on both her arms.
"How'd you get that?" I heard myself ask without realizing.
She seemed confused at first before realizing what I was talking about.
"Oh, these?" She showed her lower arm's skin which now with a clear view I could see a almost blistering red bruise formed on them.
"That does not look like a simple scar." I let out a comment observing carefully.
She didn't pay any heed to it and put her jacket back on shrugging.
"It's just a coffee burn."
"Huh? On both hands?" It seemed weird.
"Yea, some rude guy bumped into me while I was crossing the road with two cups of coffee. It spilled on me. Unfortunately for me both were burning hot and I wasn't wearing my coat and my sleeves open." She said as we left the room.
"Must have hurt." I let out in a mumble but she caught it immediately.
"I was more annoyed by the guy breaking into my house." She said nonchalantly.
I immediately halted. Hang on, what did she just say?
"What?"
She turned when I stopped and realized what she just said. As usual when she talks and opens up, she's in her own little world inside her head. She never even focuses on what she's saying. It's obvious by the shocked look on her face every time she realizes it.
"Um, it's nothing. Just a stupid break in." She said looking away.
"Just a stupid break in? If I'm not wrong, you live on a freaking penthouse." I said catching up to her.
"Not exactly, I just have a big apartment on the top floor." She said shrugging as we reached my car.
"That's what a penthouse is, Viviana." I replied with a duh tone.
"Yea, whatever. It was nothing. I lost my keys yesterday and someone broke in while breaking in my security. Cynthia noticed and called me. I asked them to change it by tomorrow." She said sitting inside.
"Hang on, your staying in a house where someone broke in and you haven't changed the locks yet. How'd you sleep knowing that?" I asked shocked by her carelessness.
"I won't." She said looking away.
"As in?"
"I have work, I'll probably have to pull an all nighter. It's cool. Plus, Cynthia stays with me." She informed like it's the most obvious fact. I wondered why I'm getting so worked up as well. She's no one to me. Why does it matter what happens to her.
"How can I help you?" She suddenly asked.
"Huh?" I turned my attention to her.
"You said I can help you if you help me. How?" She said turning her head to me. So, her head's still in the right place. Not bad.
My eyes were straight on the road and I was debating if I should tell her what I want to ask. She is a smart woman, there's no doubt in that. And I need information only she has which she is still hiding for sure. She is a beautiful and attractive woman. But she's also extremely mysterious and I know almost nothing about her personally. She's extremely confident and bold. If need me she'd reject me out right and throw it back on me face. Or if she is a gold digger, she'll accept it like it's her winning price. I winder what will happen. And is it a good decision to pop the topic on the car while driving.
"Hello?" She asked as I forced to turn to her when we stop by a signal.
"Yea, I'm listening." I reply back. I go through all the possibilities before approaching. This is no less than a deal at this stage.
"I asked you something or have you changed your mind?" She asked looking suspicious.
Have I? No, I haven't. I cannot.
"Well, I just hope you wouldn't overreact." I said without looking back at her.
Because if I want to be even remotely cruel, I cannot do it looking directly at her. Her eyes seemed like it can look through me and I do not like it. I hate when people can read me and she seems exactly the type who would do it.
"Go on, I won't react to anything as majorly as I did to your mentioning my mother." She slowly replied. I could feel her words did not match her feeling because she sounded terrified.
"Two days ago, my Gran as in grandmother, I'm sure you know who?" I asked curiously.
"I do, I've heard great things about her." She smiled which almost pulled one on mine but I ignored it. I still fail to understand why she affects me the way she does.
"Yea, so she dropped a bomb on us. The S.S Enterprise is run by all of us brothers but the holder of its majority shares and owner of it as well as all the branches are still owned by her. We've been dreaming of getting a part in it since we were kids. We may be her grandchildren but she doesn't give you anything unless you earn it. Just when we thought that we're successful in pleasing her by becoming the best in our fields, she decided to flip the coin on us." I never thought I'd have to share this to someone other than family ever.
"What did she say?" She sounds curious now.
"She gave us an ultimatum, if we want part in the portions she owns, we need to get married. Personally I have no need or interest in it since I'm more than successful. But I refuse to let go of a family heritage just cause I hate marriage." I explained. Although I wondered why I was explaining and why do I need to explain anything to her.
Just drop in on her already.
But before I could, she broke it on me.
"And you need my help in what? Getting married or finding a good bride? I can help with that actually. I have amazing catalog on people since I work to check such things." She replied as if she was joking but then she turned to me like the innocent look she has and sounded absolutely oblivious to my interpretation. She was even giving me a small smile.
Is she an idiot or am I?
"I need you to marry me." I dropped it on her like it's obvious.
The small smile that pulled on her bright lips dropped into an absolute shock and then a frown and then shock again. It's interesting how her expression changes like a kid's.
"Excuse me?" She finally let out minutes later. Now that looked like a appropriate reaction.
"As I said we both can help each other out. I help pull your company out of the ditch you guys are about to fall. And you marry me to get my Gran off my back. You technically don't help, its more like a leverage." I shrugged. This is so much easier in a sense.
"And this isn't one of your games? Like you're serious?" She asked in disbelief.
"I'm serious. You marry me, I pull your company up. We'll make a deal, we'll follow through till I get the part is S.S and you stabilize your company. Once done, we go our separate ways." I replied pulling up in front of her apartment.
Normally I'd expect her to rush out in anger since she looks the part. But she doesn't. I start to wonder if she will ditch her good act and actually turn into the gold digger she is supposed to be.
"Have you lost it?" She finally lets out almost as a whisper but loud enough for me to hear.
I wasn't expecting that.
"Why? It's not that big of a deal. You said you don't believe in the long term commitments and love. Neither do I. We both are good at business and can easily manage good conversation and relation. Despite how your relation is to Sally Pierre, I don't deny my first impression of you. You're a good companion. We both benefit from this. And there's no lose ends." I explain her again what I'm offering. I sound absolutely genius.
Come on, fall, damn it!
"I think you didn't get me. Let me repeat myself. Are you crazy?! Have you lose your mind? You want to marry a girl like me, with my background that you already know? Have you any idea where I come from? Who I really am? I might as well be a damn terrorist for all I care. I wiped clean my background like that of refugees in an enemy country does. You know nothing about me and we just met three days ago." She looked bewildered and looked at me like I'm a mental.
She is kinda right but then again this is just a game. A deal, that's all.
"I don't need so much. Your past, we can think about that later since we're not really getting married in a traditional sense or even really becoming a couple. It's a separate matter. Your identity I already know of. You can't hide much since I have bigger connection than you. As for knowing you personally I think I'll manage just fine." I reply knowing what I meant. She instantly turned her bewilderment into a raging glare. Before she can start her stupid reasoning again, I turn toward her to get her full attention and explain for the last time.
"Listen, what I offer is simple. We both live a civilized life as couple for a year or so. Get advantage of it and have fun while it lasts, since both of us will probably won't like another individual for the time being anyway or even as much as think of a happy ever after marriage. So it doesn't matter. It's convenient for both of us." I answered as she sighed.
"Plus," she looked up as I smiled.
"I'm sure your aware of how attracted we are to each other." I replied and as I hoped she turned a bright shade. She is indeed bad at hiding her feeling once she opens up and lets her guard down.
"That's exactly what scares me." I didn't miss her small reply looking the other way.
I slowly took her hand which make her instantly flinch. Her soft small hands are still as cold if not warm. Pulling it up my lips for a kiss as I watched her face turn into another version of shock, then embarrassment.
Embarrassment?
Wasn't she an experienced woman? She seemed to have a long list of lovers. She looks the part, why won't she be. I didn't believe her words when she said she never got involved with a guy, that's just impossible for a woman of her age at her position. Maybe it's been a while so she's pretending to be innocent. Although in my guts I felt like it wasn't a lie.
"Think about it. But since your already aware of how stubborn and logical I am. I'm sure you wouldn't reject me before thinking about the consequences. I like girl's playing hard. But let me remind you, as much as I'm attracted to your boldness, I crave to see you submit too. So think hard. This will help you more than me." I said letting her go. And she immediately snatched her hands back as if I burned her. But I wasn't hurt since the bright shade of pink she still has now isn't from the allergy but me.
She immediately unlocked the car and got out. But surprisingly when I thought she'd run away, she turned and stopped.
"Have a good night, Mr. Sinclair." She said looking down before turning and ran away.
And with that I knew, I won. Although unfortunately for her, attraction and benefits weren't the only thing I want from her. The things I need from her, she would've never thought on her wildest dreams.
It really is sad how we could've met in any other circumstances. I really would've liked her as an understanding companion. Maybe a beautiful and cute one at that too. It really is sad.
That night when I should've felt like a winner, somehow felt suffocated with myself as I drove off. But I knew one thing, offering her the deal was not a mistake. This, my mind and heart both agreed. But why, I'm not sure.