❤ VIVIA:
What of earth is happening in my life?
Have I finally lost it and have started hallucinating? Was that some kind of prank? Is this a joke?
But he sounded serious. I know the offer he made is helpful for me. If we sign up a deal that he'll help me pull my company as I help him get his shares, we'd even out. But making a deal with him is like a deal with the devil himself.
Yea, he was saying the truth. After my wondrous adventure with him, I engulfed myself to check all the previous records and details on the company and there were numbers missing. Cynthia didn't notice this since she doesn't have good idea about marketing or management. I thank the lord for making me study them or else I'd be as clueless as her. And his prediction of me falling in a ditch in the next few years is true too. But I failed to find the snitches in all these. He wasn't wrong about having more connection than me. But can he blame me, he's a bloody Sinclair. I'm nobody.
Thinking about that, how did he even manage to accept the idea of a nobody like me to be his wife? It is true that we both do have a common ideology over the word and feeling called love but that's not exactly a good theory or base to put in a convenient relationship.
It's true, I don't believe in the so called love. I've had my fair share of experience to know how it doesn't exist. Maybe other's opinion would differ, maybe for them it exists. But for me, it doesn't. I don't dream of a happy marriage and I don't need a lover to fall for either. The ideal wish of a happy ever after is not on my bucket list. My ever after is sitting on my favorite bed and watching movies and playing games. Although that might change in a not very happy ever after if I marry him.
Do I want to follow through with this deal? I do need help. It's not a lie I can kill for this company. I may have become the CEO for just a year but for the last 5 years, I've put my blood and sweat in this organisation to pull through. And since becoming in-charge, I don't remember having a proper sleep. Some might ask what's the fun in that but I find joy in being supportive and bringing success to those working for me. I like when we complete a project and overcome challenges. I don't care if I get less sleep but this drill life keeps me in check, keeps my mind in check. Helps me to stay focused and away from the nightmares following my life. I would kill for this drill of a life which is this company.
"Earth to Vi! Yo!" I flinched when Cynthia flicked her fingers in front of me.
"What?" I asked slowly. I blinked out of my thoughts and turned to look at her.
"You've been staring at the window for exactly one hour. Sam had to call me to ask whats up." She said crossing her arm. I moved away and sat down on my chair sighing.
"What did that idiotic Rafael Sinclair did this time? He seems like the only problem we have these day." She commented the obvious. Trust me, I have the same thought.
"He is, isn't he?" I let out. I let out a small chuckle which sounded much bitter than I meant to.
"So what did he do? Did he ask you out or something or did he tell you they'd sell us out? Or make us go bankrupt?" She kept giving me option which turns out, most of them are right.
"What did he do?" She asked again flopping down on the chair in front of my table.
"Well, you're partly right." I replied in hesitation. What do I even tell her?
"So he asked you out?" She said as I stared as her. It is partly right.
"And he said we'll go bankrupt." She added as I let out a smile to the obvious.
"And he offered to help if you go out with him." She completed as I groaned and put my head down.
"Yep, I'm psychic." She said with a clap.
"Shut up, Cyn. I'm dying from being worried." I let out frustrated.
"Why though? I mean I get he can be annoying but you said he was fun to talk to. In business he's an ass, but maybe in a relationship he might end up being fun. And he's hell hot, what's the loss?" She said shrugging.
"I don't do relationship, Cyn. You know me." I stated.
"Yea, for the last million years, I do. You're still stuck on the past that doesn't matter. It's not just one or two years, Vi. Bloody 7 years it's been since all the crap went down. Now, things are different. You're not the naive sweet little plum. You're a young, beautiful, successful and dare I say rich woman. Men should die on your feet and walk on your command. But because of your famous reputation of having the great long rejection list, no one dares to even ask you out anymore. You act like you're married to your job. You're called a nun now a days. Men are scared of how seductive you are but also realizes how strict you are too. It's like Hitler in a sexy bikini." She started with her mild sexual joke like it's something serious. I ignored most of what she said, I've heard this phrases before a hundred times.
"Do I look like I care?" I cut her in. And I mean it, I don't care.
"Well, you should. Staying with you, I'm turning into a nun too." She whined. I don't think that's my fault though.
"I think you're to blame for that." I smirked but she glared back at me.
"Shut up. I'll manage just fine. I haven't signed my chastity to god yet. I'd rather do it to a devil for my own soul's sanity. Anyway, as for the hot sexy Rafael Sinclair. He had the courage to ask you out of the titled virgin Mary. Go along with it." She said sitting forward.
"I thought you don't like him." I said raising an eyebrow. When did she turn completely 360 on him now?
"I also don't like tomatoes. It's irrelevant to me but to you it's not. Even Sam admitted how he stares at you. He's almost whipped." She smirked as I remembered his intense looks on me.
It could lit a fire in me that I'd fail to contain. I may be inexperienced but I know when a man looks at a woman like he wants her. If not for love, for lust. It's not bad, for me at least.
But then what about the remorseful look he hides but still seeps through when he's pissed. I doubt I can take much of that.
I doubt your theory, Cyn. The whipping is not him. He's up to something.
"Give it a try at least, Vi. I've heard a lot about the Sinclairs, including him. But despite having his long list of lovers and girlfriends, when he breaks up or any kind of clashes happen, he makes sure the woman's reputation doesn't get hurt. He still has yet to turn into a complete jerk." She commented again.
"And that's suppose to convince me? Why are you so onto me to accept his proposals anyway?" I asked curiously.
"Both because you will come out of your shell and because it will help the image of the company." She shrugged looking away. I doubt it's just that.
"Not if I break up soon after." I said rolling my eyes. I can't even imagine the scandal that will follow.
"Actually even if you do break up, it's cool. There's a saying honey, regarding publicity, may it be positive or negative, it'll rise you up. Plus, it's not odd for a CEO to date another CEO. It's natural. Even expected. So, clashes are also to be expected." She shrugged.
"Can you imagine what it will do to my reputation?" I asked scoffing.
"Yea, wipe out your nun tittle. Nothing much. They'll gossip for two days like their nosy selves and then go back to being their nerdy selves. You're no celebrity that you'd have the entire world looking at your every move. Rafael might, but not you. Just give it a damn try, if it doesn't work out I'll help you wipe him up." She winked.
That I'll have to avoid. I don't need more of his grudges on me.
"Fine, only cause you said though." I smiled as she ran up and hugged me.
"Ah, my girl's all grown-up." She kissed my cheek.
"It's more like the other way around, Cyn." I laughed and rolled my eyes.
Oh, what a liar you are Vivia. And you said you never lie. Lol.
In the next few days, I got worried how I'll face him. We can't just get married like a two days thing. It'll rise suspicion and not to forget how people know us. I may not be in the cover of magazines like him but people still know me. Marrying him out of the blue would mean being chewed by the public and thrown out.
I decided to play out an alternation which he probably will agree to.
"Ma'am," I looked up from my computer to Sam.
When did she start calling me ma'am?
"What happened, Sam? You sound nervous. And what's with the ma'am?" I asked letting out a laugh.
"Um, Mr. Sinclair has come to meet you, personally." To that I immediately halted and dropped the pen I was holding.
"What?" I asked again either for confirmation or from shock.
"Mr. Sinclair in coming up." She informed as I immediately stood up.
"Uh, um, okay. When he arrives, let me know." I replied as she nodded and left.
Instantly I turned to look at my self in the opposite mirror by my desk. When I don't have meetings, I look like a hooligan. Being an employee is one thing but when your the face of your company, it's another drama entirely.
I was wearing a dark blue shirt with white casual pants. Thinking out how I looked, I pulled on my light pink coat matching my stilettos that I bought but didn't wear since it was just an emergency measure if by any change I have a meeting. I guess now's a good time to use it. Suddenly I realized, I had tied up my hair with a bloody pen, so I instantly pull it out and brush it to look at least human. Then I heard the knock which result in my stupid flinch.
"Ma'am, Mr. Sinclair is here." I heard as I jumped to sit down on my desk.
"L-let him in." I shutters and cursing myself for it.
And as usual, the man in question stepped inside in all his glory. Although this time, he looked almost boyish than a president. His hair was casually brushed and he was wearing full black underneath this nude coat. His usual smirk highlighting his jawline and looks. Well, I can see why girls drool on him. Looking up directly, I noticed something, a tiny dimple forming on his lip as he smiled at me.
Okay fine, dimples are my weakness. I admit, but only to myself.
"I didn't expect such a sudden surprise so late in the afternoon." I said getting up.
"Hi to you too. I'm fine." He said walking closer to my table as I stood up.
Don't smile, don't smile, don't!
"Have a seat, Mr. Sinclair." I said rolling my eyes.
"Just call me Rafael already. We're already past the formality now when you fell on my feet." He joked.
"Keep dreaming." I scoffed.
"You look nice in casuals too by the way." He replied.
Oh, so you noticed.
"I can't always be the posh CEO. Trust me, even pulling this much off is a curse for me. I prefer hoodie over everything." I replied with a laugh.
"I'd like to see that." He mentioned nonchalantly. What's up with him today? Is he bipolar or what? Sometime, he's annoyed or pissed, sometime sly and clever and now he's all fun and happy. Which one is even the real him?
"Trust me, you wouldn't wanna see that version of me." I shook my head. Dismissing my overthinking thoughts.
"So when are you getting off work?" He asked as I smiled. Now, what? Doesn't he have his own work? Why does he keeps bothering me?
"If that's a way to ask me to have dinner with you. I'd ask if you're planning on finally killing me or not." To that he just rolled his eyes.
"I wanted to take you on a date. You seem to take forever to reply, so I decided to just go along with my plan." He shrugged. It's true I have been avoiding him for a few days.
"Oh, so you have a plan." I asked raising my eyebrow.
"Both to break you and open you up." He said sarcastically. Or was it just sarcastic?
"What if I refuse?" I asked curiously.
"Would you dare to?" He asked smirking. He just loved playing games with his words, doesn't he?
"Why not? Will you threaten me again?" I ask almost in a whisper but he noticed it.
"Not today, since we both seem to be in a good mood." He shrugged again with a small chuckle.
"Plus, I know you won't reject since my intention is solely to remove the bitterness in between us." He said confident. What is this new approach? He's definitely planning something.
"Confident, are we now?" I wondered out loud.
"Since you still haven't rejected me yet like you would normally, says a lot." His arrogance is way too much to handle for anyone.
He is too good for his own good.
"I have two more files to check. I hope you'd hold in and won't blame me for wasting your time." I replied with a laugh. I might as well go with a flow at this point.
"So, is that a yes?" He smirked again.
"Did I even have an option?" I asked taking a glance.
"No, no you didn't." He replied grinning.
"What do you have in mind?" I asked curiously checking my files.
"Maybe a movie?" Instantly I turned to him.
"Movie date? At this age?" I asked confused. I thought he'd go for the usual typical rich guy type boring dates.
"Uh, why? Are you like 60 or something? Hidden by a plastic surgery?" He mocked making a fake surprised face.
Oh, whats this? He jokes.
"No, its just people don't go to movie dates anymore at this age. It's more of a classic thing for younger couples." I commented.
"Well, since we'd end up living under the same roof, we might as well know our movie choices." He replied playing with my pen. Irony how I just dropped it hearing his name.
"So sure of yourself, aren't you?" I asked looking at him.
"I'm told." He nodded. I simply let out a laugh.
Well, he isn't wrong. At least this time. Maybe things won't be as bad as I thought. Despite his attitude and arrogance, he seems like a fun guy to be around.
Not when he's angry though. Don't forget what he knows.
My subconscious mind reminded me as I shook my head to get rid of it. I can't remember those now when he's here.
"How far along are you with our project?" He asked as I send in few emails.
"So, so. When you came in, didn't you hear Cynthia's first class screams?" I asked letting out a chuckle.
"Now that I wonder I was curious to that. I thought she was ranting on an ex or something." He remarked. So he knows about their issue too. I already guessed with how he poked her back at the dinner meeting.
"Well, removing annoying people off the list is like murdering her ex to her. It will take another week to settle in before we start the actual process." I explained.
"I've been wondering something." He asked as I let him continue.
"TRIPLE C is originally just a web designing company, how did it end up into online public relations establishment as well?" He asked the usual question we always answer to.
"We design web for many kinds of people. Sometimes for business purposes, sometime for personal preference, sometime for online users, sometime for a standard order. But along these, we also design forums for famous people. When we put in information for them and correct other's assumptions, we need to work with public relations. Thus the result. That's why it's called Click Consult Create, you know." I replied in the usual manner.
"Isn't it risky sometime to change other people's information they are putting themselves but are changed without their permission?" He asked curiously.
"It is. But putting random information and slandering the person involved in the article or media is also wrong. We work to protect our client's image online and help them protect their reputations. That's why we work with so many public relations companies." I answered turning.
"Don't you face public criticism?" He sounded genuinely interested in knowing, his usual mock also missing. That's new.
"Only when they notice and find out. Normally every website have a rule where they are allowed to change thing as per to the site owner's wish if anything is against their rules. We simply use that term to alter information. We take no credits in them. And anyway, we hack into their system, no one even realizes when we get in, change and get out." I smirked.
"Ah, sneaky work. Isn't that confidential?" He slowly asked.
"To people who can ruin us. Are you going to ruin us?" I asked closing in on my last file.
"Hopefully not." He shrugged.
"You can't either, Mr. Sinclair. We have enough bugs on you as it is. Bothering us is one thing, ruining our image and confidentiality is another. It won't be us who'd come after you but our clients who depends on us." I replied confidently before calling in Sam.
"Rafael." Is all he said to that as I just smiled when Sam stepped in.
"Yes, ma'am?" She answered.
"Cut the formality. He not here for the show. Get these files to the enlisted departments. Call in Cynthia and tell her I'm going to leave 10 minutes early and ask her to call me if anything goes wrong." I said as she smiled nodding and left.
"Did you change the locked at your apartment?" He asked as I got up to get my purse.
"Yea, I did it the day after the incident." I informed.
"Did you know who it was? Like catching it in a camera of something?"
"I did but the face wasn't clear, there were two of them and both were wearing hoods. Got in through the emergency exit, so no one noticed. The guard said they came in when they had a shift change, so no one was on the gate when they actually came in. Just simply bad timing." I shrugged as we got out of my office.
"Did they take anything?" He asked following.
"Nothing but some cash I had laying in my closet. I don't really have much at home anyway. My office cabin is more of a home than my room since I spend most of my time here." I laughed as we stepped into the elevator.
"No doubt in that. You don't look like you sleep much anyway." His answer surprised me.
"How'd you know?" I asked as he looked at me like I'm dumb.
"Anyone looking close would notice the bags under your eyes. Concealer can hide the dark circles but not the bags." He replied like it's a fact.
When the elevator opened, he suddenly closed in and whispered,
"Not that it ruins how hot or cute your look or anything." And then left, leaving me with a beating heart and burning face. This man might literally be the death of me.
Does he have to flirt every chance he gets?
We reach the movie theater and as usual bump into an argument on what to choose. I was surprised that for a man he was choosing a romantic theme while I was onto a more adventure one, like a switched soul.
"Aren't you a girl? You're supposed to love romantic things." He said putting his hands in his pocket.
"That's a very sexist thing to say. I love everything but that romantic you're choosing isn't one I'll like, I know it." I replied crossing my arm.
"Ma'am, there's another one going to play about 30 minutes later on our last batch. You might like that one?" I staff on the counter said pointing as another movie on the list.
It's a historic romance. I turned to him who was also thinking about it.
"If you have no problem for returning late, I'm fine. Anything but a world adventure movie like a child." He huffed.
I scowled at his remark but then sighed.
"I'm sold. We'll wait for 30 minutes." I replied.
"Alright, I'll give you the tickets to that one. You can wait on the food court or the lounge." He said then handed us two tickets as we left.
"You're stubborn as a mule." He commented walking by me.
"Says the man who likes romantic film and was arguing with a girl over it." I replied scoffing.
We ordered some snacks and sat down talking about literally stupid things. In between that I found out he knows how to play amazing poker and bridge but his Gran's order to never sit on a gambling board made him quiet. He knows riding and insisted that I should visit there at least once with him, he seemed confident how I'll love it too. Oh and he hates tomatoes. I wonder who it's similar to. Surprisingly some of this traits reminded me of Cynthia. It was reasonable why these two can't tolerate each other in the same room more than a few moments. Although he doesn't know that his feeling is mutual.
Talking with him sometime seems like so natural. Despite knowing he is planning something against me, when we're not at each other's throat, it's really nice. He isn't wrong, he is an interesting companion as long as he keeps his arrogance and sly nature in check. And I do enjoy hanging out with him. But I don't understand why he's so stuck up on my past. I know nothing about what he needs to know. Whatever I know if only when I was still a kid in school. And with everything, I barely even remember anything. Although if he actually explained his cause rather than attempting to sabotaging my company into forcing me to answer to him, I may have considered helping him with whatever he needed. But I guess he decided to choose the dirty path. It's not even surprising at this point.
"Vivia?" Rafael looked up to someone's voice behind me and scowled as I turned and was shocked.
A familiar face stood before me. Childish smile on a pure British face, polished light brown hair and a formidable casual suit as always. Green eyes that always seem to stay hidden under the light but you'd always notice the small smile lines by it because he always smiles.
"Tybalt, Ty?!" I finally let out as my lips opened into a pure joyous grin.
"Oh, holly sh*t. It is Vivia." He exclaimed as I got up and he engulfed me in a tight hug.
"Wow, what are you doing here? Last time I check, you were out of states." I asked laughing at his usual gesture.
"I came back since my mission ended. You have not changed at all, girl! Still as pretty as ever." I let out a laugh at that as he pecked my cheeks. i feel like someone is burning holes on me back but I ignored it.
"Neither have you, Ty. How are you?" I asked smiling. I haven't seen my friends in years.
"Safe and sound, for now." He replied and then looked back.
I suddenly realized Rafael is still here and I forgot him completely. Well, in my defense I just met a long lost friends.
Shit.
I slowly turned to a straight poker face that was staring at Ty or maybe glaring would be the right word. When his eyes caught mine, he did not look happy. I get it, I ignored him but is he supposed to be that angry though?
"Um, Ty, this is Rafael Sinclair. And um," I kept looking back at him who was still staring holes in me. "This is my college friend, Ty-"
"Let me introduce myself, Vi." Ty cut me in as he held out his hands for Rafael.
"Major Tybalt Emmet." They shook hands as Rafael looked surprised.
"You're in the military?" He asked curiously.
"In air force, yea." He nodded.
"Why're you here?" I asked curiously.
"You can guess, Phony girl had the amazing urge to ruin my peace." He huffed.
"Hang on, Sym's here?" I asked astonished.
"Is there another man on earth that'll tolerate her?" He said smugly.
"More like the other way around boy." We all turned as Symphony walked in with a beer on her hand.
The most common trait both of us had that were always noticed and admired are our same eyes. They almost looked identical. But she was a born Irish and was blonde while I wasn't. With excellent figure and height and being in the force and trained made her even more fit and attractive. Men died on her feet when she smiled. Including my guy Ty here.
"Holy sh*t!" I let out as she grinned and we engulfed each other in a hug.
"Let me guess, bloody 6 years it's been damn it." She let out in a laugh.
"Cynthia would flip if she saw you." I let out. I last saw them on my last day of College before Tybalt was discharged and Symphony just left for her training. Cynthia was so pissed she didn't even say bye to them. But she missed them none the less, she was more close with these two way more than me.
"Aw no, more like hit me with a truck." She grimaced.
"Well, you did leave without telling her." I shrugged.
"That can wait. Who's this young man may I ask?" She turned to Rafael who was still staring at us confused partly.
"Rafael Sinclair, nice to meet you." He held out his hand which she shook. Her amused eyes said she was definitely judging him as usual. I hope he doesn't notice it.
"Symphony Clerk. But just call me Sym, it's a long name." She said chuckling.
"She's also in the force." I let out laughing.
"I'm just in the intelligence division honey, desk jobs only." She shrugged. I did hear she retired from the field after a mission, never knew why.
"It's a weird coincidence for us to meet here. Are you guys watching a film or already done with that?" Ty asked nudging me.
"Don't ruin there fun, Ty." Sym shoved him as he glared at her.
"It's okay." I said not daring to look back at Rafael who might just kill me for this.
"No, we're leaving. Lets meet up someday. I'm dying to catch up and well with Cynthia too." She said partly worried.
"Bullets won't kill you Sym but she definitely will." Ty laughed earning a glare from her.
"Mr. Sinclair, it was a pleasure meeting you and hopefully we'll meet again since you're familiar with Vivia." Sym said to him as I noticed Ty staring at Sym. Aw, is he jealous?
"Of course, Sym and please call be Rafael. Formality limited in just office only." He smiled. So, he knows how to talk normally without mocking. I'm surprised.
"Hang on, I just remembered. You said you last name was Sinclair. Are you-" Sym cut Tybalt off.
"Sinclair Enterprise, the S.S? Your one of them." She said holding no surprised. i expected no less from her.
"I am." He replied confidently. Here's comes the arrogant look.
"I've heard about you people and you guys make the front page almost every week." She replied laughing.
"That isn't a lie." He replied smirking. nope, I'm never getting used to this. He looked me as if he read my thoughts with the smirk that held the annoying mock in them.
"Hey, gimme me your current number. We'll call you to meet up." Ty said as I instantly pulled out my phone and handed it to him.
"Were you all in the same class?" Rafael asked suddenly to Sym.
"Well, we were together since first year. But yea, we were the jam of our class including Cynthia. There's actually another one, Nick. Us five were the talk of the college back then." She said smirking at me.
"More like you and Cyn destroyed other's life with your pranks were the reason." I replied nudging her.
"Yea and you, Nick and Ty cleaned up for us." She said tilting her head.
"I mostly ignored, the guys did most of the work." I shrugged, Tybalt let out a chuckle.
"You were the ignorant one. Nick probably still has a grudge over that and the fact that you never called any of us." Ty ginned at me as I let put a sigh.
"Yea, if Cyn can murder Sym then I too can die by Nick." I replied and laughing knowing how much it was in sync.
"Who's Nick?" Rafael asked closing in on me.
"Remember I told you about the guy whose PlayStation I cried over? That's him. Me, Cynthia and Nick were best friends back in school. We met Symphony and Tybalt in our first year of college. Nick and Symphony was with me in my management class while all of us had programming together. Isn't he a software engineer now?" I turned back to them asking.
"Last time we heard, yea. Haven't talked with him in a while. I have his information in my tab somewhere. I'll call and ask him to have a meet up planned with us all." She said nodding.
Suddenly the announcement for the movie came in breaking in our conversation.
"That's our cue. Hopefully we'll meet again." Rafael said to us all as he put in hand on my back and pulled me. I wonder who's very impatient.
"Likewise. Meet-cha soon babe." Sym said hugging me as did Ty and then they left.
Rafael literally dragged me inside. We got in the hall and sat down and I felt as he kept staring at me. So I turned but because of the low lights I couldn't see him.
"What?" I asked.
"I'm just surprised you've got so many friends." He said looking back on the screen.
"Huh? Why won't I?" I asked confused. Does he think I'm some loner or something?
"You seem like an introvert and conservative person. You rarely open up when we talk." He said as I let out a laugh.
"Says the guy who knows more than my Secretary for three years does." I let out laughing bitterly. I don't appreciate his ability to make me open up but I think its a talent all the same.
"That's because I investigated you. Don't blame me, you never say anything unless I push." He shrugged. And that's a good reason to break into someone's privacy? It's no use arguing with this guy. His logic has stopped being reasonable a long time ago.
"Why would I? I just met you a week ago." I replied picking a popcorn, nonchalantly.
"Fair enough." He said easing up in the chair.
When the movie started I felt his stare on me again but decided to ignore it. I cannot read his eyes or mind here and it'll only trouble me. But even if I was concentrating in the movie, I felt his movement around me. Sometime picking up popcorn or making a small remarks closing in. When he whispered things to me, I felt myself flush from the tingle it gave me and thanked the god for the low lights. He doesn't seem to realize how he's being a dramatic distraction for me but I noticed his every move as if I could sense him. Why does he have such an unusual effect on me?
Don't forget he's an asshole too, Vivia.
"You know normally this would be a good time to be romantic." I heard
him say while a scene of kissing is going on the screen.
Yep, asshole.
"Haven't anyone told you not to bother so much when watching a movie?" I asked in a low tune not daring to turn to him.
"Haven't had anyone to watch them with." He chuckled and somehow it made a smile creep on me.
"You want me to believe that? The famous Rafael Sinclair who made the cover of every magazines and news with his lost list of girlfriends." I giggled.
I felt his slowly tilt his head toward me and whisper,
"None of them were going to be my wife, you know." With that a shiver went down on me.
Even though I know we have nothing even remotely close to liking each other or having feelings, some of his remarks still gets me as if they mean something. Despite my fear of leaning on, I know I'm slowly letting my guard down and it's scary but intriguing too. I wonder how I'll manage these feeling if I do end up being his wife.