The Cursed Pharaoh's Bride

Chapter 9: Gentle Giant or Devil In Disguise

Carolina

My knee bounces as I wait anxiously for Elijah to show up to the small diner I told him to meet me in. After I told him I would agree to lunch with him, I told him I would only meet with him if he follows my conditions. One is that we meet where I wanted. The others are that he isn't to touch me or refer to me affectionately at all.

I stiffen when I see a certain tall figure walk into the restaurant. He sticks out in the casual establishment seeing as he's wearing fancy dress pants, expensive looking shoes, and a crisp white dress shirt. And for some reason, he is wearing sunglasses even though we are inside. Once he turns towards my direction, he gives me a warm smile before walking to my booth and sitting across from me. I only further straighten up as I feel his long legs cage my small form in.

"Mr. Seka," I greet softly as I look away from him.

"Carolina, please, I think we're on a first name basis already," he drawls, the smile evident in his voice.

"Maybe you are," I say, "But I'm not."

He lets out a sigh. "Alright then, Ms. Mercado, let's talk business," he says though I can hear a sharpness in his tone.

"What will it take for you to be Dr. Jones' sponsor?" I ask.

"Getting to the point, I see," He says, "Well, I could say I'd like for you to join me for dinner sometime by the end of this week but I might not get a reply." I don't like the sarcasm in his voice.

"Funny, you shouldn't have been able to contact me in the first place," I snap back, "How the hell did you get my email address?"

I can see him straighten up at my comment. "Dr. Jones gave me a list of her assistants' email addresses in case if I wanted to contact any of them. Is that such a problem?" He defends.

"Oh, she willingly gave them to you? Without you having to ask her first?" I accuse.

"What are you trying to say?"

"You know what I'm trying to say."

He looks away from me and bites his lip somewhat annoyed. His silence speaks volumes. "There's nothing you need to do further to persuade me to be Jones' sponsor. I've actually already signed the first check."

"What's the catch?" The words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them. His head snaps back at me and his eyebrows rise above his sunglasses. I might as well have called bullshit on him.

"No catch," he says hesitantly, "That lab has some potential. And besides, there are some personal perks to having ties to her lab."

"Personal perks? Like what?" I question.

"Well..." he starts, "For starters, you work there." I let out a groan.

"Don't tell me you're going to visit the lab to see me," I say as I let out a dry laugh.

"I wouldn't have to if I got to see you outside of the lab," he responds, "Everyday would be preferable but as of right now, once a weeks seems more realistic."

"You'd be lucky if I let you come near me once a week," I murmur. He clenches his jaw in agitation. He reaches his hand as if to grab mine but he quickly stops himself and retracts his arm.

"Seems like I'll be checking up on the lab next week. What day works for you, Ms. Mercado?" He growls lowly. His statement causes a shiver to go down my spine.

"No, no. That won't be necessary," I say, "And the last thing I need is to be seen with you in a work place setting. I already feel uneasy being seen with you here. Why are you dressed like that anyways?"