THE CEO’s MISFIT

MARRIAGE CLAUSE. "We have agreed to seal this deal with your bank, Mr. Harry." Mr. Chong Lee, a business associate from China, shook hands with Harry after the congratulatory message. It was his first major deal since becoming the acting CEO of Lion Microfinance Bank after his father got plagued with a partial stroke. Harry might be 27, but he's already living his dream as a young CEO. "Are you serious right now? I can't believe this. My father would be so happy to hear this. Let me call him immediately. Should we proceed to sign the contract already?” Covering his mouth in excitement, Harry reached out for his phone. He was ready to break the exciting news to his father when he was halted. “Not so fast! Before we agree to sign that contract, we would like to ask a question." "And what could that be?” he asked in anxiety as his ears widened to ensure he didn't miss a word. "Are you married? Do you intend to get married soon?” To Harry's surprise, one of them popped the shocking question. “And what has that got to do with this deal? With all due respect, that question is irrelevant. My marital status doesn't affect my competency. What we should worry about is forming a long-lasting partnership. Isn't it?” Harry flared up and frowned at the question. The question stunned him and pierced his heart like a dagger. “Be calm, Mr. Harry. We only asked a question.” Mr. Chong Lee made an upraised hand to calm Harry's nerves. The provocative question already pissed him off. If not handled properly, he might do something he'll live to regret for the rest of his life. "Okay, fine. I'm not married yet. Happy now? Can we proceed to sign the deal now?” he finally bowed to pressure and responded to the question. Taking a deep breath, Mr. Chong Lee paused for a moment and whispered to his partners in the Chinese language for a few minutes. Narrowing his gaze at the impatient Harry, he divulged. “I'm sorry this deal won't pull through. You need to get married before we seal this deal with you. That's our company's policy." "What happens when we need your wife to accompany you to a business summit? Whom do you run to? I'm sure you don't intend to call on some random girl to fill in that position, right? You've got 48 hours to decide or kiss this deal goodbye,” Chong Lee disclosed and departed the office alongside his partners without allowing Harry to utter any word. He was left with millions of questions to ponder. All kept muttering. “I thought this was the real deal. How do I tell my father about this?" "No, I won't. It'll shatter his heart completely. Where do I start? I don't even have a girlfriend, let alone someone to call my wife. Argh!” Harry roared like a lion and threw his documents on the ground. Suddenly, he heard a loud knock on his doorstep. “What the f**k do you want? Can't you all just leave me alone? I want to be left alone." "Sir, it's me, Mabel, your janitor. It's time to mop the floor. Can I come in?” Mabel asked with a weaker voice. "Just come inside already. The door is opened. And make it fast already. I've got a lot more tasks for today already.” he consented with a bit of displeasure. Slowly opening the door, holding a mopping stick and bucket of water, Mabel still sought permission again. “Can I come in?” "Get your ass inside and stop asking silly questions. You've got five minutes to have the floor wiped. I'll be back,” he angrily spoke and slammed the door on the exit. A 25-year-old poor girl living in the slums of America. Despite her odd job, her skin was still glowing like the purest of water. With long, curly hair that makes her appear like the goddess of beauty. Mabel wasn't surprised about his anger, as this wasn't the first time he'd spoken to her in such a manner. She's already used to his bossy attitude, but somehow, she believes it's quite different this time. First, she heard him scream so loud, only to walk inside the office to see documents scattered on the ground. She slowly went on both knees and picked up the documents before placing them on the desk. In less than 5 minutes, Harry showed up again and found Mabel still mopping the floor. “I thought I asked you to be done in five minutes? How long does it take to mop the floor, huh? Answer me!” he yelled at her and freaked her out with the constant yelling. For the very first time, Mabel got scared of her boss. He may be rude and quite demanding, but not this beast standing in front of her. She wanted to quickly tidy up and leave the office but suddenly stopped and turned to face him fully. “I don't intend to intrude into your personal affairs, but I'm just concerned." "You look worried, sir. What's the problem, sir? Is there anything I could do?” Leaning forward, Harry gazed into her eyes and spoke with authority. “Quite fascinating! What could a janitor like you possibly do to salvage my situation? Get your ugly-looking ass out of my office. And hey, you might not be lucky next time. Now leave and shut the door after you." "I am so sorry, sir. I thought …" "Save your explanation, dummy. I don't need it. What I require right now is for you to get the f**k out of my office this minute before I lose it,” he issued the threat which almost led to a conflict. For fear of being hurt, Mabel hurriedly departed. After her departure, some words from the past started echoing in Harry's ears. “You've got 48 hours to fix this or kiss this deal goodbye." "The deal. Could it be? Never! There's no way I'm going to do that. I can't stoop so low. She pisses me off." Harry felt irritated by his thoughts and kept thinking aloud. The only thing he cared about was securing the deal and ensuring his father gets better. Nothing else ever mattered to him anymore. But then he figured out how the outcome of the Chinese deal would play a major role in his father's health. "She is the only one I can think of right now. I just hope she accepts." He placed his hands below his jaw to deliberate on the situation. He finally concluded as he reached out for the company's phone and summoned Mabel, the janitor, to his office. "Sir, you called me. Did you find dirt on the ground? I'm sorry. I can still mop the floor for the second time,” she hurriedly apologized despite not hearing from Harry yet. "Oh, please stop already. That wasn't the reason I called. On the contrary, you did an impressive job. Look around you. Did you find any dirt on the floor? It's glittering like a diamond. There's this multi-billion dollar mega deal I'm working so hard to secure for this bank with some Chinese counterpart. Interestingly, they're threatening to terminate the deal. If I fail to present them with a wife in 48 hrs. Shocking, right? That's why I need you to sign a contract of marriage with me. The deal is only going to last for five years, after which, of course, you can file for a divorce. On paper, we are married, but in reality, we aren't. What do you think? Magnificent, huh?” Harry disclosed with confidence that Mabel was going to accept his crazy proposal. He didn't think for once that she might find it quite absurd and irritating. "Sir, if I heard you, you want me to get involved in some contract marriage with you? I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline your offer. Can't you see we are from two separate worlds? We are a world apart. If you'd excuse me, sir, I wish to return to my duty post." With great respect, she turned down his offer and walked out of the office. Even when Harry kept calling for her return, she ignored him. Her attitude stunned Harry. He was puzzled and placed his hands on his waist to have a rethink about what just happened. “Am I dreaming? Did she just turn down my offer?" "This is the height of humiliation!" He sparked.