Arriving home that evening, Max abstained from sleeping. Throughout the night, he remained awake, consumed by thoughts of Lola. Her allure. Her melodic voice. The profound impact she had on his soul. Her unwavering spirit. And the means he could use to win her over. Because she held the key to him living, the key to his ascent as the world's second wealthiest man.
By the time the sun had ascended to the sky and bathed his room in daylight, he was already attired and had reached out to Ethan. He required the latest work updates before embarking on his quest for his soulmate once more. This time, his aim was to captivate her heart
He ventured into the kitchen for a swift morning meal. A delectable sandwich paired with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Upon finishing his breakfast, Ethan strolled in with a stack of files, and they cordially exchanged pleasantries.
Max asked about the progress of the project on site as they both settled in the living room.
"Everything is proceeding smoothly, sir. The team is highly engaged and excelling in their respective tasks," Ethan replied.
"I've reminded you numerous times not to refer to me as sir when we are totally alone," Max stated sternly, causing his assistant to grin sheepishly.
Ethan responded, "I'm accustomed to this as we are rarely alone. So forgive me, but it will be challenging to keep switching between Max and sir."
Max expressed, "It makes me uneasy when we are alone like this."
"Deal with it. Not sorry." Ethan chuckled, fully aware that it would irk Max. Their decade-long professional partnership had not only strengthened their bond but also deepened their friendship. However, this was a fact known to few. Ethan was not just his top employee but also his trusted confidant, the only true friend Max valued and relied upon.
Max shook his head, releasing that subject for the time being. Lola was the most important topic now, which prompted him to update Ethan about her. "I found my soulmate last night."
"You did?" Ethan exclaimed, taken aback.
Max believed it was a surprising turn of events, "I didn't expect it either. She works at a bar not too far from here." He responded.
"That's fantastic news. I feared that we'd never find her. But it seems you were destined to be the one to find her. I'm thrilled for you," Ethan beamed at him.
"Thank you."
Ethan asked, "Were you able to speak with her?"
Max replied, "Yes, but she turned down my proposal." He rolled his eyes, recalling the vivid memory of last night.
"Proposal?" A confused Ethan asked. "What proposal?"
Max replied, "Marriage proposal, of course. I told her to marry me but she said no. How can a woman of her status reject me?" He asked Ethan, still finding it hard to accept the rejection.
"Max, did you really propose to a woman you have no clue about, who also knows nothing about you too?" Ethan asked, his disbelief evident in his expression and the tone of his voice.
Max replied with such unwavering confidence, "Knowing each other is irrelevant. I am a billionaire, Ethan. That is the only thing that holds significance. She should be drawn to me like all the other women who eagerly pursue me for a chance to date them." Ethan chuckled at Max's bold statement.
"Max, that's not how it always works. Not all women are the same. Some are not money-hungry or driven by material and flashy things. Their pride holds more value than what money could get them, especially when you belittle them in such a way." Ethan lectured with a playful smile on his face. "If you want her to at least like you, you need to be less arrogant and more gentlemanly." He advised.
Max asked, offended, "Are you saying I'm unkind and arrogant?"
"Yes. You exude arrogance all the time. This is not the first time you have been confronted with this observation. It is precisely this attitude that has led you to your current perilous predicament. I strongly advise you to set aside your pride and fully concentrate on the pressing matter at hand – the breaking of that witch's curse." Ethan implores, hoping that Max will heed his counsel, because Max has a tendency to believe he is always the most intelligent person in the room.
"Wow. Does everyone still perceive me as arrogant?" He inquired, fully aware that he exuded confidence rather than arrogance. He was just a man that fully embraced his success and doesn't hesitate from talking about it.
"Max, that's a topic for another day. Let's concentrate on your soulmate for now, yeah?" Ethan quirked.
"Alright. Her name is Lola. I don't know her surname yet. How can I persuade her to marry me?" He asked.
Ethan proposed, "Given the time constraints, why not communicate the situation to her directly so she can grasp the reasons behind your urgent need for her to marry you?"
Max deadpanned, "Never! I will never give any woman the power to mock me in such a way. I don't need her pity. I just need her to be my wife."
"How about a contract marriage?" Max asked.
"How do you intend to propose a contract marriage to a practical stranger?" Ethan asked.
"Money, Ethan. Money." Max chuckled. "A bar attendant like her will be earning peanuts but I'll propose to her a fifteen million dollars contract and everything she desires for the rest of her life. That's a sweet and irresistible offer." Max explained his plan, grinning like he had just said the most brilliant thing.
But Ethan knew it would be fruitless trying to change his mind.
"Well, it's a fantastic offer. Just express it with more kindness." Ethan could only utter, aware of the huge possibility that Lola might decline. But he could never tell what her response might be.
Because truly, the offer is tempting and delicious.
"And I know she'd fall for me. But I'm going to reject her feelings the same way she humiliated me yesterday." Max smirked to himself with confidence coating his tone.
Ethan chuckled and asked, "What if you are the one who ends up falling for her?"