He smiled, enjoying my misfortune.
He continued talking, knowing fully well he had the upper hand and I had no chance at all.
"I'm willing to make you a deal. Hand over the diamond, and I'll not only let you go free, but i'll also.... reward you, if you cooperate". His eyes locked mine.
"You see, I think you're a clever woman, daring too. And I believe you could be useful to me, we could help each other out".
I blinked at him, confused.
"A deal?", I scoffed. "For all I know, it might just be a trap, what makes you think I'll be interested in a deal?".
He smiled, a small enigmatic smile and shrugged. A small, calculated movement.
"Oh well, we won't know would we?,I guess you just have to trust me".
I scoffed. No way.
"Fine, I'll have no choice, but to turn you over to the police, and they'll take you into custody. You'll face charges for theft, not just theft but high- value theft, heritage/historic valued property crimes, and you'll likely spend several years to a life imprisonment in prison".
But I knew this, I knew the consequences. But hearing someone say them to me, made my bones weak and left a sour feeling in my mouth.
This wasn't good at all. How on earth could I be so reckless, enough to get caught on an easy heist.
I could see him, studying my face for any form of reaction, but I tried to maintain a neutral face, even though deep down I was panicking.
"I think, you'll find my proposal very...appealing, and potentially very lucrative". His voice took on a persuasive business-like tone.
"So, I ask you again. Are you willing to listen to what I have to say?".
Damn...
"I'm listening", I replied quietly, feeling awkward and embarrassed.
Anything to make sure I don't get turned over to the police. I needed to maintain my image,I can't have words go out, that I have been caught.
Never
Reputation was important for business, and I'd rather make a deal with the devil himself, than go to jail. I wouldn't survive two days there!.
He smiled, a charming and victorious smile. "Ah excellent, now then, the proposal. I'm glad you're finally willing to listen. You see, I'm in a bit of a...well... fragile situation. There are some scandals brewing, and I need a way to divert media and public attention, and that is where you come in".
He lifted my chin with his fingers, bringing my face to look him in the eyes.
"I'm proposing that we get married, a mutually beneficial arrangement. You'll get a generous settlement, and I'll get the respectability and stability that comes with being a married man", He shrugged,carelessly my chin.
.....
Erh...what?!
I felt like I wasn't hearing what he was saying properly, I almost rubbed my ears to make sure I was hearing him well, it felt like someone had snapped my sense of reasoning. I was quiet,too quiet for a while, just staring blindly at him as he waited for a respond from me, he was giving me time to absorbed all he had just said.
"What scandals?"
Was all I could blurt out, surprising myself and I'm sure, him. Out of everything he had said, that was all I could say.
He hesitated for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly, he didn't expect me to ask about that instead.
"A personal matter", he answered, his voice low and sour. "A matter I'd rather not discuss, Let's just say that it's a rather...sensitive one, that could potentially damage my family's reputation, if it were to become public". He gaze was intensed and dead.
I nodded.
"Well? What do you say habi?, it's a win win situation". he added, letting go of my chin, shoving his hands in his pocket,still blocking my path.
...
"I think..."
"Yes?"
"I think you've gone completely mad", i scoffed, giving a low mocking laugh, trying to decipher if he was being serious. "You're joking, you're either joking or you've gone completely insane, marry you??!"
"I told you, I don't make jokes", he responded, with a serious expression of frustration amd impatience. He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, his eyes closed.
"I'm being serious i'm afraid", his voice firm and resolute. "I don't make any form of proposal lightly."
"And I assure you, I am completely sane, and I'm dead serious about this. Marry me for a year, I'll pay you double of whatever it is you were supposed to get and you'll be set for life. Refuse... And you'll facing the consequences".
He step alittle closer, I could feel his breath dancing on my skin, his voice was low, an intense whisper.
"The choice is yours. But just know, I always get what I want". His lips was inches away from mine.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
He was an arrogant bastard!