"I need a wife."
The man sitting across from Jalil was stunned. He blinked many times, trying to comprehend what he just heard. "Come again?"
"I have to marry," Jalil replied.
The man fell silent, trying to sort his words in his mind. "If you want to, then go on, Mr. Aversin."
"Yes. Yes. And you will find me a woman."
The man awkwardly laughed at Jalil's sentence. "Look. I'm sorry for saying this, but I am your lawyer, Mr. Aversin, not a wife agency."
"I know. But as you said, you're a lawyer, Atty. Vasquez. I'm sure you know a lot of people. I need a trustworthy and respectful woman," Jalil seriously said as he read something in the paper.
The man—Atty. Vasquez scratched the top of his forehead and let out a faint sigh. "What's with the rush, Mr. Aversin? You can still, you know? Have time to meet people? Go out with them and have fun?"
Jalil took a deep breath, returned the folder he was holding, and pulled another from his folder organizer. "I have no time for meeting people. As you can see, I'm a busy man and I'm not interested. Also, it's been 2 years since my marriage was cancelled. I don't want my grandparents to worry any longer. Besides, this matter was ruining our family's name and reputation. Fake rumors spread like viruses. I hate that."
Jalil looked at Atty. Vasquez. "I trusted you; that's why you became my private lawyer. I know you can introduce a decent woman that I can trust in handling this situation."
Atty. Vasquez massaged his temple in frustration. "How... I mean..."
Jalil understood what Atty. Vasquez was trying to say. So he cleared his throat and seriously stared at him. "They don't have to perform like a real wife when we are alone. Yes, they will live with me, but I will strictly draw boundaries. They won't be sleeping with me in bed, but of course they should act like a real wife in front of other people, especially my grandparents. In short, it's a job."
Jalil stood up and looked at his watch. He then fixed his necktie and sprayed perfume on his shoulders. "If you find someone, bring her here to sign a contract."
Atty. Vasquez could do nothing but obey. He punched the air after he entered his car in annoyance. He grumbled, wondering how he was supposed to find a decent woman. Knowing Aversin's influence, some women will surely take advantage of this offer.
Atty. Vasquez gently bumped his head to the steering wheel of the car and continued grumbling. "What should I do? How am I supposed to know if they will not take advantage in the long run?"
He suddenly sat properly as he remembered someone from his contact list. He immediately took his phone, searched for the name 'Eliza' in his contacts, and dialed her number.
After four rings, the woman answered, which gave him a sense of hope.