Chapter 8 - The Business Opportunity

Everything was so confusing to me. Why he could invite me out on a dinner date that was supposed to just be about a business opportunity but in the end is in a romantic setting and I couldn't explain this feeling I had when he talked about this restaurant as being his and how he went through the process of building this restaurant up.

Before I had always thought that he was someone who gathered all his fame and fortune from just taking over his father’s company but in the end, it was a mixture. Behind the scenes, he did do his work and was very passionate about it.

"So, what did you want to talk about and what was this business opportunity that you thought I would be very interested in," I asked since the waiter had come back with our food and we had to get down to business before I finish all of the food.

"I asked you here to talk about a specific business opportunity that could change your life." He replied which suddenly make me very nervous as a business opportunity that could change my life was very daunting.

I looked at him with curiosity just wondering exactly what this business opportunity was. However, I didn't have to wait any longer as he started to state what it was.

"This business opportunity is being my wife for a year. If you don't end up falling in love with me by the end of the year than I will happily give you a section of the company’s shareholding.

This is a business offer that will change your mind either way if you agree to it. So, do you agree to this?"

I don't think I have ever been more shocked until now. How can this notorious player in the business world, who is known for using a women's body and leaving her within a couple of hours to never communicate with her again, leaving they are heartbroken, wants to settle down? 

"Are you drunk from the wine already," I stated in a very serious manner believing that what he had stated was just his drunk state talking. He couldn't be serious. There was no way he could be serious.

What shocked me next was his laughter. He looked as if he couldn't believe that he was being asked if he was drunk of wine or if he couldn't believe that I thought he was joking. Everything was just a huge mess and confusion.

"Darling. I am not joking. I have the contract ready and within a year if you seriously don't end up falling in love with me, I will give you a piece of the shareholder's percentage under your name.

If you don't believe me then feel free to expect me to come to your office tomorrow with the contract and give you time to think about it until tomorrow."

Everything about his speech made it clear that he wasn't at all joking. I couldn't believe my ears when he stated that he was willing to give me a piece of the shareholder's percentage. Everything was once again more confusing when he is in the picture.

"How can you just decide on giving someone a percentage of the shares in the company is extremely unheard of. Why?"

"There shouldn't be a why but just yes or no. All you should be thinking about is the great opportunity that will come your way after the year ends." He replied whilst asking the waiter to bring the bill.

He was so calm about this business deal that he was willing to give a piece of his share of the company to me if I don't end up falling in love with him.  

"Also, I have confidence that you will end up falling in love with me no matter what. Come now." I couldn't but help chuckling due to his confidence.

Standing up ready to walk out of the restaurant, I saw that Alec had been stopped by a female which I couldn't help getting a bitter feeling. Her arms were around his and were slowly caressing his arm.

 Feeling this unfamiliar feeling rise, I couldn't stop my body as I moved towards them.

"Darling, we should be going now. It is getting late." I walked towards them and hooked my arm around his. I looked at the female and waved at her "Hi, I would like it if you removed your hands off my fiancé before it gets messy."

She looked me up and down and gave me a signature dirty look but did as she was told.

"Alec baby, who is this imposter believing that she is your fiancé," She asked in a very annoying voice that I couldn't stand to listen for one more second.

" Who are you calling Imposter, I never called you that when you insisted to everyone that I was your boyfriend, did I? As she said, she is my fiancé, so I would advise you to not touch me without my permission in the future as I am a nearly married man and make her angry in the future." He took my hand in his and guided me towards the car.

I couldn't help but blush with the way he talked towards the female and backed me up on my stupid decision of introducing me as his fiancé.

"You've agreed to the business proposal then." He spoke after arriving at my house and I had stepped out of his car. I couldn't believe that what he was saying was right. I had agreed with the business proposal the moment I opened my stupid mouth to state I was his fiancé.

"I-"

"You cannot back out anymore since you've already stated to the outside that you are my fiancé. Not agreeing right now would affect your public image and mine knowing that the female must have already started to tell people what you had just announced."

"But-"

"No but. I'll be at your office tomorrow with the contract, and tonight, if you have any other, inquires we'll talk about it tomorrow." I couldn't help but be shocked at his straightforwardness once again, but I didn't have time to reply after all he had driven out of our driveway.

I stood there dumbfounded for a couple of minutes before one of the maids came out to ask why I was still standing there. I quickly walked into the house, so I wasn't still out in the cold, but I was once again bombarded by my family members that I wanted to avoid.

"Who was that male?" Willow asked with a curious facial expression on her face but once again had a glimpse of annoyance.

"None of your business." I walked towards my room but was stopped one again.

"You move fast sis. Only within a couple of hours, you've been able to open your legs and invite someone in." I couldn't but be angry with her reference.

"How dare you! You are insisting that I've been with a guy not even 48 hours since I've settled down, is not my type of scene but yours sis. You forget that I am still a virgin but you on the other hand..."

"How dare you!" Feeling the slap on my face was something that I haven't felt for 2 years. It was something that I forgot happens when I'm here.

I didn't want to create more drama so walking into my room was the only way that I could escape this family and believe that everything was okay.

The slap still stung. I walked towards my bathroom to see if she had left a mark. Seeing my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but chuckle over the fact that this was the feeling of home that I was familiar with.

The stinging had slowly decreased but the mark she left on my face was inevitably going to stay put until tomorrow morning if I was lucky.

------

The first thing I did when I woke up checked if the slap mark was still there. It had to be covered with makeup, after all, it would be humiliating walking into the company with a slap mark on my face on the second day.

The makeup did a very good job at covering the mark that had appeared overnight. I hadn't realised how hard she had slapped me after all its been 2 years since she had left a mark on me.

It was weird to have a heavy layer of makeup on my face when I normally just wear some eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss. But I'd have to suffer from feeling the foundation seeping into my pores until I come back.

I walked out of the house to grab my breakfast at Starbucks once again, not wanting to deal with my family especially after yesterday's drama with Willow.

Arriving at the company after getting my breakfast, I made my way towards my office.

"Morning." The sudden familiar voice spoke up the moment I stepped into the office. It scared the living hell out of me thinking that there was nobody here since it was still quite early.

Some of my coffee had, unfortunately, spilling onto my hand which made me squeal. But a hand quickly took the coffee out of my hand and rushed me towards the sink. Looking up I saw Alec and a concerning expression lingering on his face.

"Does it still hurt?" He asked whilst still running my hand over cold water.

"I'm fine Alec, fortunately not a lot had spilt onto my hand. However, what are you doing so early in my office?" I questioned whilst he was still checking my hand.

"You forgot, didn't you. I brought the contract for you to look over, seeing I have to leave the country in a couple of hours as something came up."

"Oh okay." I couldn't help but feel sad with the knowledge that he was about to fly out of the country when we haven't even fully gone through the contract together yet.

"Do I hear some sadness, Tesoro." He replied with a smirk appearing on his face whilst his band caressed my cheeks. I accidentally hissed due to him touching the hand mark Willow had left yesterday.

"What's wrong Tesoro? What happened to your cheek" I didn't have time to reply when he suddenly wiped off the layer of foundation.

The anger on his face was surprising but it was masked with concern seconds later. "Who did this! Tell me who did this to you!"

"I-"

"Don't you dare lie to me!" The anger in his tone was suddenly frightening me. His whole demeanour made me shiver.

"Now Tesoro, who was it who laid a hand on you" At this point, I looked away from him,

"Tesoro, don't make me ask you one more time." Lifting my chin and his deep blue eyes stared into mine made my goose bumps arise.

"Willow..."