Bounded Proposition

CHAPTER 5

I need to calm myself and not have a sudden outburst because of the thought that I might just be a replacement. It's just degrading and it hurts my pride so bad.

I looked around the room that just shows no life, no emotion. It all just feels cold and empty. There are books on the bookshelf beside the table, paintings with dark themes hanging on the wall behind the sofa in front of me.

I don't know, but his office just feels like him; cold and emotionless, though I shouldn't care more. I'm here for the truth.

I looked at him leaning on his table while looking at me intently.

"Now, what?" I asked.

"You just have to show up as my fiancé at my cousin's birthday party. I'll introduce you to my whole family and that's it. That'll be the only thing that you need to do and then were done." He said seriously with his hands crossed on his chest.

"But," he paused. "Before the party, we need to have dates and appear often in front of the public. My family wouldn't believe me if they know that I just met you, yet I'm already introducing you as my fiancé," he added.

"Okay, can I ask you something first? Why do you need to introduce me as your fiancé anyway? Why me?" I pointed at myself and laughed.

" Well, don't you think that we'll look good together? There isn't really a particular reason why I chose you, Miss Del Real." He chuckled and put both his hands in his pockets.

"And I need you because my mother is constantly pestering me by always reminding me of getting a wife. I told her that I already have a fiancé and I was going to introduce her to my cousin's birthday party until your ex happened," he added with an irritated smirk.

I looked at him with my brows raised as if not believing what he just said.

"I still don't understand why I'm the one you're asking to be your fiancé in that party. Is it because I'm Sean's ex and you just want to break them apart? It didn't even appear to me that you're such a jealous boyfriend, Rhandall," I said with a teasing tone.

I noticed his jaw tighten after what i've said, but he kept his cool and replied, "Well maybe I am. Don't you wanna just get revenge, too? People think that you were just a toy to him and that you were his past time." His tone is insulting rather than concerned.

His statement isn't true though because I never gave myself to Sean and he respects me, but it hurts and at the same time irritates me that it's what people think of our relationship.

"I don't exactly really want to get revenge on them, though I don't want to look like what people think." The fact that I look like a pathetic collateral damage is really infuriating. It just makes me want to slap them with the fact that I'm not really that affected in this situation, which is not actually the fact, but hell, who wants to look miserable after a breakup?

I never really want anyone to think that I'm weak because I'm really not, though.

"I'm in," I said.

"It's a closed deal then, Therese." He rose and held up his hand for a handshake, and his expression went back to being void.

I stood and shook his hand, equalling his expression.

"And by the way, you can start working tomorrow as the marketing manager, they'll give you the contract to sign as well. As for our contract, my secretary will give it to you when you get out of this office," he looked down at our hands and realized he was still holding it while he talked.

I also didn't realize that until he looked down. For a moment, I felt quite awkward and I couldn't help but clear my throat.

We let go of each other's hands and I looked away.

"I want our contract to be signed by tomorrow, so just go straight to my office first thing in the morning," he said demandingly.

"Wait a minute, I don't remember agreeing to work in this company," I said with an exasperated tone.

"Then, you should. It's better that way," he said as if it was just nothing.

The hell? I don't think I would want to see him everyday. Thinking that this is probably the only time we talked to each other without arguing. Though I think this conversation is not gonna end well.

" How could it be better? I might have to see your stupid face everyday!" My tone rose with my nose scrunched.

He was taken aback by my sudden burst and spoke, "Then how the fuck can we convince people easily about us, woman! My mother doesn't know that me and Coreen broke up, she doesn't know her name or even met her yet," he said through gritted teeth.

"Oh yeah, about Coreen," I said calmly. I placed both my hands on my waist when I recalled the fact of me basically being a replacement of that woman.

"So, you are basically asking me to be a replacement of her, right?" I asked the obvious.

He sighed and replied calmly, "Yes, basically. But only for that night and the days before that, of course."

"So, no one's gonna know? 'Cause I presume that your relationship with that woman was a secret." I looked at him, waiting for a reply.

He just stood ther for a while before speaking, "We did, but we sometimes get photographed when we eat out, even in restaurants with less crowd."

"Well, that's fine. I think we could break these rumors flying around and confuse the media," I said with a menacing grin.

He just looked at me with the same, lifeless emotion I think he's born with and didn't utter a single word.

I sat back on the couch and told him the plan I have in mind. Somewhat, he agreed and also added some.

We argued for a bit on the smallest of things, but we gradually came up with a solid plan. We didn't notice the time until his secretary slash bodyguard entered the room.

"It's almost time, sir," the man said.

I looked back at the man beside me who sighed with a scowl on his face and spoke, "I think we're done here Mr. Delmont." I smiled at him fakely. "I forgot that I had somewhere to go, too," I said and started to walk towards the door where his goon was.

"I'll be expecting you tomorrow, Therese." I still can't get used to him, calling me by my first name. I waved my hand even with my back turned from him and proceed to walk out the door, ignoring his goon beside it.

I noticed a paper in the middle of his secretary's desk and took it when I recalled about the confidentiality contract we talked about earlier.

I didn't really have a plan tonight. I just used it as an excuse to leave because he has somewhere to go and I didn't want to waste his tim— well, I didn't mean that I cared about his time or I still wanted to stay with him! For goodness' sake, we argued a lot even about petty things, it's exhausting.

I shook my head and just entered the elevator leading to the parking lot.