After the television show, it was still quite early and Mercedes didn't want to go home and be alone. It then occured to her that her grandfather had fixed another blind date for her.
She drove to the Magritte hotel which luckily for her wasn't too far from her work place.
"I might not want to get married again but i am in that dire situation. The boards of directors won't make it possible for me to claim the hospital as a single mother. So Mercedes, we have to make this work!" She preached to herself, heaved a sigh of relieve and made her way into the hotel.
This time it wasn't a general restaurant but a high class restaurant in a remote area. Mercedes walked in and was stopped by a receptionist.
"Do you have an appointment or you want to book a table miss" she pretty young lady asked.
"I have an appointment with ehmm ...hold on" she brought out her phone to read out the message her grandfather sent.
"Alright miss. The first room by your right. Do enjoy your date"
"Miss? I guess my beauty still shines especially now I have lost so much weight and regained my normal body size. " Mercedes murmumered.
She was already thirty minutes late again but then it didn't bother her since she isn't meeting the guy that hoped she wouldn't be late again
Mercedes politely knocked at the door before pushing it to enter. A whiff of light and strong strong familiar colonge filled her nostrils. She looked forward to meet the silhouette of a man.
He wore a well tailored suit , he steeped his coffee with a relaxed composure as he focused on his phone. From afar one would easily guess that he was trying to take his mind off time.
Mercedes inhaled deeply , she sat down on the soft cushion opposite him and placed her bag on the table.
"I am sorry for making you wait" she was about to look up at him when unexpectedly he glanced up at that instant too. "... again Mr. Lucas Harrington?" she completed her sentence "
"It's okay. As long as you want make me wait on our wedding day" he replied with a smile.
He was extremely handsome than what Mercedes saw yesterday. He had a pointed bise, thin lips and an extraordinary Aura around him. He seemed reserved and bore hints of gentleness and apathy.
"Mr. Lucas. I understand that you are definitely not my type" Mercedes lied. " Put I have to do this because I am also in a bit of situation"
"I will go first miss Sophia..."
"My name is Mercedes. You should atleast know my real identify if we would make this work" Mercedes cut him short.
"Okay. Miss Mercedes. I would love to offer you a two years marriage contract. I don't know why you need a husband now , but my father is on my neck to get a wife or else I won't inherit the family's business" Lucas explained
"Pretty much like my situation. I have to . No , I just get married before the end of the month for the same reason as yours"
"Sure we got a deal then? Darling" Lucas smiled , offering her a handshake. That low voice of his was like a cello , it was distant, extremely charming and soothing to Mercedes ear.
"Don't get ahead of yourself Mister" Mercedes indirectly warned herself to get a grip..
"We won't need babies. So no intimacy"
"What? I am getting married to also continue my family's name. No intimacy but we should get a surrogate? No I mean test tube baby? No. Maybe.."
"I have a daughter , she will call you father untill you figure out how to get a baby" Mercedes sighed.
Lucas frowned in disbelief. Just yesterday, he had called her inexperienced and a virgin but she has a child? She looked so young and pretty that it was impossible for him to believe.
"I am sorry about yesterday. All I said. I didn't mean half of them " he finally got a grip and apologized.
"Yeah. I am not sorry for mine. Actually, I suggest you retire from the military. I wouldn't let you stain my reputation. You can run your small family business while I send you a monthly upkeep. I have enough "
Lucas stifled a laughter at her seriousness but before he could say anything Mercedes phone rang.
The phone blinked with Laura's name. That was when Mercedes realized that it was already late. She meant to pick Laura up from the airport after her presentation but she didn't remember her scheduled blind date. She frowned from being upset with herself.
"Hi Mercedes, I just arrived, are you already on your way ? Or you are late again?" Laura's sweet and high pitched voice came through.
"I am sorry Laura. I will come pick you now" she hung knowing well that Laura was going to start screaming at her again for being late.
"Sorry I have to leave. I forgot I had an appointment with my friend" Mercedes took her bag to leave while Lucas followed to walk her out. Once they got to the entrance she turned to him with a cheerful smile.
"Than you so much Mr. Lucas. It's sad that we barely know each other and yet making this big decision"
"I will treat you well Mercedes. " Lucas assured with a serious look. He was already getting interested in the marriage because she was everything he wanted at that moment. Someone that doesn't give a damn!
"how are you going to do that when you barely know me" she asked.
"I have you now , I have my whole life to know you"
Mercedes couldn't not care any further. It was raining heavily outside but she just got to find out at the entrance. "I will.swe you at the court" Mercedes uttered and then picked her bag over her head to provide shelter for her head before running into the rain.
Lucas giggled as her delicate figure swiftly got into her car
****
"Now that we have no issue with the press can I have the position you promised me five years ago?" Sonia cozied up with Trevor once they arrived at their new apartment.
"What position my darling?" Trevor asked.
"A director at your company " she said but Trevor frowned. Ever since they got back together it has always being Sonia asking for money , landed property or most of his wealth.
But then he was still blinded by love. Although the guilt of helping her plot the death of her ex wife was still eating him up. ,
" Alright. I will give you what use to be mercede's position. It's being vacant for a long time.
"What? Trevor? Mercedes barely finished college. She fucking dropped out. What low life position could that be? We talked about this already and wasn't it the directors position I asked of? I am a masters degree holder and..."
"It's alright. We will proceed your appointment once I return to the office. Uhh?" Sonia smiled cunningly.