THE CEO’s MISFIT

CHAPTER 3

DAY OF RECKONING.

The day dawned crisp and clear, bringing new hopes and aspirations. The long-awaited day has finally arrived that would make or mar Mabel.

The outcome of her meeting with Harry this morning would determine if she would be roaming the streets of the US homeless or getting into a contract marriage with Harry.

A man she has never, for once, loved or cherished. But just like they say. 'Bad things happen to good people.

Standing in front of Harry's office, Mabel's heart kept beating faster, like the drums of war. Like a hen drenched by the rain, she shivers and is completely dumbfounded.

On the verge of landing a soft knock on Harry's door, Mabel halted to ponder over a thought that just invaded her mind.

“What if he had found someone else that was willing to accept the deal? What if the clauses assigned to the deal were off, and he doesn't need to get married anymore? Gosh! I won't forgive myself if any of these happen." After a prolonged moment, she finally regained her confidence and knocked on the door.

"Who's there? Come in,” Harry responded from the inside with a deep voice.

Seeing Mabel on an unexpected visit, he quizzed. “I wasn't expecting to see you. What's wrong? And the last time I checked, we didn't book any apportionment. So why are you here?”

Struggling to speak and itching her faded weaving hair, Mabel stuttered. "Erm, erm, I'm here concerning our last conversation."

"Conversation? What about it?” Unbothered, Harry asked and pretended not to be aware of what she was talking about.

His actions speak volumes and send some shivers down her spine. They haven't concluded the conversation yet, but from his tone and approach, Mabel could easily discern that the deal is off.

"Remember the marriage contract we discussed yesterday? I'm willing to accept the offer. I thought about it when I got home yesterday. But please, I'll be needing a favor from you in return. That's the main reason I am here,” Mabel divulged and faced the ground in fright.

Deep down, she was already planning on how to start living on the streets if it didn't go her way.

"Hmmm! Quite impressive." Harry cleared his throat and giggled.

"You weren't interested. You said it yourself yesterday. So what changed? What's this request about?” Harry stood up and sat on the desk.

He folded his arms and stared directly into Mabel's eyes. Despite being attractive, she was still scared of him.

She lacked the appropriate words to convey her expression. Suddenly, she was dumped and resorted to chewing her nails.

"Hey, there. I'm not talking to the walls, am I? I just asked a simple question. Answer me! What's this request about?” he fumed and slammed the desk to create more panic for Mabel, who hurriedly spoke as though she were under some robotic control.

After listening to the condition of repaying the $100k loan her late father took, he couldn't control the humor and burst into laughter to mock her predicament.

She felt like a piece of trash, disgraced, and mocked, yet didn't move an inch. If the taunting was part of the contract of marriage, Mabel doesn't mind getting thousands of them every day. She just wants to repay the loan to keep a roof over her head.

"I don't have the money. I can't accept your demand. How are you sure the deal is still on? You had a life-changing opportunity to vindicate yourself from the shackles of poverty, yet you bottled it. Did you think you were still going to swim in the ocean of poverty after marrying me? Poor you! The deal is off,” shattering her heart to bits, he disclosed.

“Please, sir. Do something! You're my only hope. I can't risk being homeless at this age. I already promised the bank I was going to pay today. My entire savings aren't sufficient to avert the havoc lingering to wreck my home." She went down on both knees and cried like a child, pleading for Harry's Mercy.

He remained speechless and never made a move to stop the tears dripping from her face.

After watching her cry her eyes out, he finally intercedes and opens the can of worms. “So how do you feel?"

" The deal is still on. It wasn't terminated or halted. But I wanted you to feel the pain of rejection. I felt the same too when you turned down my offer yesterday without a second thought. Tables turned! Here you are, begging as though your life depends on it. Get up, let's formalize this. I already drafted a document to sign the contract of marriage."

"This is so unbelievable! Thank you so much, sir. This means a lot to me. I'm pretty sure my mom would be so excited to hear this,” she screamed in excitement and nearly embraced Harry with her stinking attire.

It took her a few minutes to quickly realize that. “I apologize for that. I was just…"

"It's fine! I want your signature down here,” pointing at a space, Harry gave her a pen.

After completing the formalities, he dipped his hands inside his wardrobe and brought out a bundle of dollars.

"This is $200k. I believe the $100k will be enough to change your wardrobe and improve your skincare. We will be having a meeting with my business partners once everything is settled. Please leave my office,” he dismissed after giving her the bundles of dollars, which didn't mean anything to him.

He considered the $200k a sacrifice for the multi-billion dollar deal on his radar.

Mabel was filled with happiness. She hadn't seen such an outrageous amount before.

To avoid people from asking questions, she concealed the money in her pocket and exited the office.

To her greatest surprise, she found Beverly next to the door, eavesdropping on their conversation. "Bever, what are you doing here? And how long have you been here?”

"Bring down your voice. Harry might hear us. I heard him talking about $200k. I thought the loan was $100k. Can I see the money? Have you agreed to the contract of marriage? Is your mother aware of this?” Hurling thousands of questions at Mabel, Beverly acted desperate and tricky. She wanted the complete gist with no stone unturned.

"Easy, girl. One step at a time. To answer your question correctly, I accepted the contract of marriage with him, so he gave me $200k cash. I guess he wants me to go shopping and look good for him. I need to go home now,” she replied with a smile and walked away from the envious Beverly.

"How did she do it? What can she possibly offer Harry? Did she bewitch him? No way I'm letting that happen. It has to be stopped!” Beverly groaned and racked her head for ways to stop the marriage from happening.

She cleared her throat and adjusted her dress to reveal her cleavage and thigh before walking inside Harry's office uninvited.

"What do you want, Mabel? I thought I asked you to…" Harry paused after raising his head to see Beverly in his office.

"What are you doing here? I didn't ask you to come. Now leave my office this moment before I call security to have you thrown out,” he ordered her.

Not moved by his threat, Beverly leaned forward to flirt with him. “Really? I overheard everything you told Mabel. The question running through my head is, why her?"

"So you think you can dump me after the s*x? Why don't I tell Mabel about us? I can imagine the look on her face when she finds out her so-called arranged husband is a playboy and promiscuous!”

"You'll do no such thing. She would never believe you. How did she end up with a beast like you? Mabel deserves better!”

"Now watch me. If you don't cancel that marriage contract, I'll gladly reveal all your secrets to him,” Beverly warned and grabbed his p***s. He quickly changed position to avert the worst from happening.