One Night, Three Lies

The Indecent Offer

Auden had his eyes on Julian for days trying to find out everything he could about him and the perfect time to present the offer to him.

The opportunity came when Auden saw his face expressionless, like the whole world had given up on him. Boom, he appeared in front of him. Julian's heart almost jumped out of his mouth as he stared at the man who almost made him throw up the food he ate just a few hours ago.

“Can we talk, Mr. Hayes?” Auden's question was direct and there was a commanding tone in his voice.

“Who are you and how do you know my name?” His eyes roamed over the man standing in front of him and he concluded he must either be a rich man or working for a rich man, but that was none of his business. How did a stranger know who he was?

“I have an offer I'd like to present to you and I can assure you it would be worth your time.”

“I am sorry, but I don't do business with strangers, especially not with one who seems to have done a background check on me without me knowing.” Julian rolled his eyes at him before he took a step away from him.

“One million dollars.”

What? Did he hear that right?

Julian stopped on his track as he turned to look at the man who just made a ridiculous offer. He searched his eyes for a hint of mockery or jest, but all he saw was business.

“Did you just say one million dollars?”

“I figured you have some family issues that need to be attended to and that you probably need to make a name for yourself here in this world that gives no chances to the poor.”

“I am not poor!” Julian retorted.

“I apologize if that came off as offensive. I do hope you get what I am trying to say.”

Julian's heart was beating faster than anything he could think of. His hands were sweating, but he couldn't tell if it was from the sun or from the offer. “What's the catch?” He knew there was always a catch. There's always a catch when it comes to rich people.

“A night with your girlfriend.”

“What?” His eyes opened wide in shock. “With Vianne? How did…” He scoffed. It was a stupid question, considering the man had just called him by his last name. “What do you think I am?”

“A young man who has a life ahead of himself and who should take this chance and change his life.”

Julian smiled. It was that smile you give when you hear something outrageous, but you can't do anything about it. Just smile. “You must be crazy to think I would give up my girlfriend for a million dollars.”

“You are crazy,” Auden answered him. “Only a crazy man will choose love over money.”

“Why am I even still standing here talking to you?” He turned and just as he was about to take a step out of his misery, Auden walked in front of him and handed him a business card.

“My boss will be delighted to hear from you.” He winked at him before taking his leave.

Julian stared at the man in disbelief, then at the card in front of him. L.X was the only name written with a contact number. He wanted to squeeze it and throw it far away, but he didn't know why he couldn't. This was a million dollars. Was he ready to risk such an opportunity for…?

He shook his head. “You shouldn't be entertaining such thoughts, Julian.” He put the card in his pocket and walked home.

Julian got home, his head was spinning from all the events of the day. All he wanted was for the day to pass, but it was like time was catwalking, enjoying his misery.

He brought out the card and all he did was stare at it as if staring at it would change anything. The offer was clear: His girlfriend for the million dollars.

I don't know why you are thinking about this too hard, Julian. This is your time to make it big and you're going to give it away for a girl you're not even sure would be with you forever? But the money…

“Shut up!” he yelled, grabbing a glass cup and smashing it against the wall.

This was a battle between him and his desires.

You know I am right. Think about it: Your brother's school, your sister’s hospital bills, your house rent, you don't even have any food in your home, but you are relying on Vianne to take care of you like a child. You are a man, own up to that title.

“I said, shut it!” He grabbed his head, sweat streaming down his face, as if opening his head into two would get him the closure he needed, but Julian knew what he needed. He needed the money. He needed this money.

It's just for a night, i***t. This is your chance!

***

“Anne dear,” Granny Beatrice called as she tried to lift her walking stick.

Vianne rushed out of the kitchen to help her grandma. “You want to sit outside, Granny?”

“Yes, dear. I feel being inside is sipping out the little life I have in me. I feel like my time is almost up.”

“Granny,” her whining voice made Granny Beatrice chuckle. She knows how much Vianne hates hearing her say those words. “You said you will live to carry your grandchildren, are you backing out on your words?” She asked, helping her grandma to sit.

“Of course not! I am going to live to be a hundred years old… So make sure to bring a man over before it's too late.” Granny Beatrice touched her chin and that made Vianne smile.

She embraced her Granny like she was a kind of oxygen that she needed to inhale to live. “I love you, Grandma.”

“And I love you. You are going to be late for work. Go get dressed.”

Vianne nodded. “I've prepared your meals and made everything ready for you till I get back. Please, be safe, Granny.”

Granny Beatrice nodded as she bade her grand-daughter goodbye.

Vianne arrived at work and was greeted by the aroma of coffee, strawberry, yogurt, and all different flavors mixed in one. It was her abode. A calm, serene refuge from the busy world just outside the door.

“I was thinking you and Julian made out and you forgot you had to come to work.” Sienna raised an eyebrow at her.

“Good to see you too, Sienna.” Vianne answered her with a smile. “You sure have a long way of saying you miss me.”

“You think?” She laughed and Vianne shook her head in disbelief.

She looked at the empty seats and she took a deep breath. She looked at the time and it was 7:30 a.m. The next few minutes will be the most busy time of her life.

She got her apron, stood at the coffee mixer as she waited for customers to come in.

At eight o'clock, the cafe was filled with people rushing in to get their morning dosage.

Sienna, Vianne, and the rest of the workers did their best to attend to each of the customers.

It was 9:30 p.m. and Sienna and Vianne were joking about the best K-pop band. Vianne supported BTS while Sienna supported TXT. The battle was deadly as the two sang their favorite songs and after seeing how gullible they looked, they laughed at each other.

Just then, Vianne noticed a figure outside and she rushed to check who, but getting there, she saw no one.

Sienna, who noticed, rushed to meet her. “See someone?”

She shut the door. “No, I thought I saw Julian.”

Sienna smirked. “That's just your hormones begging to be satisfied.”

“Geez, Sienna… that's gross!” Vianne pretended to throw up, her hand covering her mouth as she nudged Sienna by her shoulders.

“Don't tell me you and Julian…”

“Yes, we haven't. So get that crazy idea out of your head.”

“Poor guy! I can just imagine how lonely he must be.”

Vianne couldn’t believe her ears. “This is coming from someone who has never been in a relationship.”

“I might not be in one, but I know that every guy needs their lady to…” Vianne walked over to her and covered her mouth while Sienna tried to mutter words but all that came was just muffled sounds.

“You deserve baptism.”

“Pour me water, holy water…” Sienna screamed, as she pretended to be in spirit, and twirling round. She looked more like a possessed person than a person under anointing.

Vianne laughed until her stomach couldn't take it anymore.

Meanwhile, somewhere close to the coffee shop, Julian was there, his hand in his pocket as he brought out his phone. He dialed the number on the business card and a hoarse voice responded.

“I was looking forward to your call, Mr. Hayes.” The voice answered.

He knows it's me? Julian wondered. “L.X?” he asked, wanting to be sure he made a call to the right person.

“Have you thought about my offer?”

“It's a tempting one that I can't refuse.”

“You are not supposed to.”

“How do I get the money?”

“I will be hosting a party tomorrow. Take that as an advantage of introducing your girlfriend to a world of luxury. I will send a car to pick you both. All you need to do is take her to a room I have prepared for her. After that, the whooping sum of a million dollars gets transferred into your account. You can decide if you want your girlfriend back or if you want the chance of starting a new life. The ball is in your court, Julian Hayes.”

After so much thought and contemplation, Julian agreed. “I will do it! But you have to keep your side of the bargain.

“I am a man of my word, Mr. Hayes. It's nice doing business with you.”

Julian hung up and went back to the coffee shop, but he couldn't go in. He stood far away, but he could still get a glimpse of the one thing that meant the whole world to him. Was he fair giving her up like this? What would happen after he has gotten the money? Will he be able to be with her and be the one despite knowing what he had done?

These thoughts weighed on him, but there was no getting answers now. “ Tomorrow will sort itself out.”

“It's just for one night, Julian. Don't beat yourself up!” he put his hands in his pockets as he walked with his head down all the way home.