Joana was nervous, but then again, she relaxed. The man she was thinking about was not handicapped like this one, and it had been just a few weeks since that incident.
The more she tried to justify to herself that he wasn't the one, the stronger her conviction that he was, though she could not explain the reason for his predicament.
"Sorry, I made a mistake," Joana said, losing interest in any collaboration between her and the man before her. But as she turned around to go meet Violet in the private room, he grabbed her wrist tightly, and she feared her bracelet was going to crack.
His words made her legs feel like jelly, and they wobbled.
"Sit," he ordered her, and due to his tight grip on her, she quickly obeyed, but Joana was clearly afraid.
This man did not look as simple as she thought him to be. Perhaps he was up for revenge, but her mom was her greatest concern at this moment.
"I had no idea you were crippled. You are not exactly the kind of man I want for my revenge," she feigned bravery, gathering her courage to look him in the eyes but lost the battle in holding his gaze.
By now, he must be offended and should let her go, or so she thought, but his response marveled her.
"I'm a cripple indeed, but why should marriage be your best form of revenge against your ex?" He was still holding her wrist tightly, forcing her to respond when she did not want to.
If a cripple could be so intimidating, then perhaps his arms needed to be removed as well. Fighting back her aggression, she thought about removing herself from the pit she just dug.
Joanna picked up the glass of wine in front of him and gulped it down, her eyes popping out from shock from what she just did.
"Sorry, I was thirsty."
Unfortunately, the wine was not settling well in her stomach because she hadn't eaten anything, but it gave her the boldness to explain.
"We were still at the early stages of our relationship, and he chose another woman over me because she's rich. Anyway, I only wanted to marry him to get back my mother's shares."
The man had a neutral expression on his face, making it difficult for her to discern whatever he had on his mind.
He looked so familiar in so many ways, but in all, he behaved as if they never met, so that relaxed her a little. Perhaps she was just overthinking it.
"Assuming I agree to your proposal, what do I gain in return?" He asked, hope resonated in Joanna's heart, but the question played on her mind, sending her into a daze. Joanna thought about the time.
She could still make it and get those shares, and then she could pay back this cripple for his kindness.
Strangely, he was so good-looking with a powerful vibe, but what did she have to give him at this point?
Her expression turned grim when she withdrew her hand from his and removed the 18k diamond ring on her middle-left finger. It was a family heirloom passed down from her great-grandmother, given to her by her mom for safekeeping.
Joanna always kept it with her, making her feel her mother's closeness to her.
"This is my most prized possession at the moment." Then she emptied her purse.
There was just $500 in there, but she gave them to him, wondering how she was going to survive until she got another job, but this marriage would mean she'll get the shares and no longer be broke.
"Have this too. As soon as I get my shares, I will pay you a hundred thousand dollars extra."
She expected something. A reaction. Something to give her a sense of safety, hope, or anything, but his expression remained aloof.
"You must have some rules as well," he spelled out, taking the ring and leaving the money where it was, but Joana only thought about the same rules she gave Logan.
"Well, the contract is meant for just six months. You can move in with me, but due to your condition, you'll have the bed, and I'll take the couch. You will escort me to events when necessary."
The man poured her more wine, which she did not drink due to what she was enduring with the first glass. "You don't mind my disability?"
She had mentioned before that she made the proposal because she had no idea he was a cripple.
Joana stole a glance at his legs, and since he sat on a chair, there was nothing unusual. However, if his ex said he was a cripple, then he indeed was.
"Well, for six months, I don't care about it. Do you have any conditions? You want to change anything?" Joana asked, trying her best to beat time and was amazed by the crippled man's demand.
"Yes. We have to sign a prenup. I don't need your money except this ring." He did not explain the reason for his interest in the ring, but Joanna was not ready to lose it.
The man gazed deeply at her, and she wondered if he was being foolish. Did he even have money? Aside from his good looks and neat casual outfit, nothing spelled luxury around him.
Joana frowned, wondering what he even had, but that would be to her advantage since she was the one getting shares worth fifty million.
"Done."
"There is more," he said seriously. Joana held his gaze questioningly.
"You must never fall in love with me, never question my movements or decisions, and you can never ever break this contract before the end of the six months, or I will sue you for a hundred million breach of contract."
Joanna was pastel, but then again, what did he have, and how could she fall for a cripple? His mysterious ways pricked her instincts, but she was too desperate to give it a second thought.
"Deal. But I will have my ring back when the deal ends. It's too precious to me."
He did not refuse but also did not agree, so she took it to be a yes. "I will put everything into writing, but we need to sign the marriage certificate fast."
The man stretched his hand towards her for a shake and introduced himself.
"Great. Call me Alex. I'm twenty-nine and an IT officer. You are?"
Joana felt at ease. It was a case of mistaken identity. It wasn't the man she thought it was because if so, then he would not have asked for her name, right? Also, that man she thought he was, was very powerful.
Her hand met his outstretched one firmly. "Joana Baker, twenty-four. I got fired from my job a few days ago, so for now, I'm searching, but not to worry, since you are working, we split all bills. If it makes you feel better, you are not my type of guy, so I will never fall in love with you."
She saw something strange flash in Alex's gray eyes, but it was gone before she could catch it.
"Alright, let's get married. So where is your car?" He asked. Joana let out a tight smile. Alex's condition would require a vehicle, but hers was still at the workshop.
Then she recalled Violet. "I will be right back. Just wait for me here."
She rushed to the private room to see Violet waiting for her, the varieties of sumptuous delicacies in front of her untouched. Joanna felt guilty.
"I'm sorry, but I just got a stand-in groom. Can I borrow your car?"
Violet frowned a little. "This car belongs to my brother. We did a swap because he wanted to surprise someone. So if you can wait for the waiter to pack all the food, then I'll give you a ride to wherever you are going."
"I'll take the offer, but my stand-in groom is coming too, and he's crippled," Joanna revealed. Violet seemed rather amused.
"Good. He won't cheat on you like Logan. You should marry him for real."
Joana was speechless but not in the mood for jokes. "Can we go now?"
After two hours, they both secured their marriage certificates. In front of the marriage registry, Joanna gave Alex her card. "I have to go see my dad. Call me if you need anything. But do you want me to get you somewhere?"
His condition worried her for leaving him like that, but she needed to get that money for her mother, and hopefully, she could pay for her car repairs too.
Instead of a response, she saw the man writing his contact behind her card. "You didn't ask for my number, but here it is. I already memorized yours."
Violet was stunned but kept her observation to herself until they reached her car. "Are you really leaving him there like that?"
Joana was conflicted and looked out of the window, but to her shock, she only saw the back of a familiar car, and Alex was not there.
"I hope I'm not dreaming, right? He's not there."
"Maybe a friend picked him up," Violet shrugged. "Where to next? I'm really starving."
Joana felt guilty but planned to give Violet a treat after receiving her shares. "To my dad's. I'll take your number and thank you later."
Violet did not accept nor reject the offer, but when Joana presented the marriage certificate to her father, she was met with a slap that sent her to the floor.