The Proposition ✔️

chapter one

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Alejandra's POV.

I slam the door to my office with a force that echoes my anger.

That creep!

One moment we're talking about my restaurant, the next he's asking me out to dinner. The thought makes my skin crawl. I invited him for the purpose of enticing him to invest in my business, not myself.

He's over two decades my senior.

Not a chance.

I push the thought of him out of my mind.

I need a drink.

My office is well-equipped for working, but it could really do with a drinks bar of some sort. Luckily, it is right above my restaurant. I have another one, but it's two hours away in a different city. This flagship location is my pride and joy; my parents started it when they moved here from Colombia.

When I was twenty and in my second year of university, they died in an accident. I inherited the restaurant and my uncle managed it while I finished my business degree. At twenty-two, I took over and poured my heart and soul into making a name for myself.

Three years later, I've opened a second restaurant and have been featured in a local magazine. Both restaurants cater to an exclusive clientele, not many can afford my prices. I offer fine dining and a luxury experience.

I need an investor but I'm not settling for that creep. I take a moment to calm myself down and then I step out of my office. I check my reflection in one of the mirrors hanging in the corridor, smoothing down my bodycon dress. Pushing through the employee's only door, I step into the restaurant in my six-inch heels, acting like I own the place.

Oh, wait. I do.

I've worked my ass off to make this place what it is. I was handed everything by my parents, but that doesn't mean I've had it easy. Losing my parents was anything but easy.

I hope they'd be proud of what I've done.

I'm pleased to see that all the tables are filled. It's only Thursday night, so that's a good sign. The maître d, Jeni, spots me and rushes over.

"Boss, I didn't know you'd be here tonight." She looks flustered.

I find it amusing when she calls me boss; she's literally fifteen years older than me.

"Don't worry, I won't stay long. Just had a bad meeting with one of the investors. The creep was hitting on me," I explain and shudder again. "I need a drink and then I'll be out of your hair."

I flash her a smile and head for the stairs.

"No problem, stay as long as you want, boss!" Jeni calls after me.

Bless her, she's scared of me. I have no idea why. I'm not a horrible boss. I know the staff get nervous when I'm in the restaurant, so I won't stay for more than one drink.

I head upstairs to the second level, where we have the more exclusive tables and the bar. I lean against the bar and wait, with an amused smile, for Rafael to notice me. He's pouring out the remnants of a cocktail into a glass.

He adds some edible violets and slides the drink over to the waitress. He catches sight of me in his peripherals and smiles, coming over to my end of the bar.

"Hey, Boss. What can I get you?"

"Pink gin, elderflower tonic, large," I order and give him a look that shows what a day I've had.