Deal to Marry, Deal to Divorce

Chapter 3

Clarence's words made her spit the water on the desk, causing those papers to get wet. Coughs then followed, the same time she felt her system shaken with fear about the mistake she made. She got those papers wet. What if they were all important documents? was the thought that was playing in her head, doubling the speed and intensity of her beating heart.

“I-I'm sorry,” she apologized after seeing the forehead of Clarence knitted.

“It's okay. Forget those papers, I want you to focus on what I'm telling you,” Clarence said, making Diana shiver in her place.

“Ahm… Mr. President, I do not get what you are saying… What do you mean by me marrying you?” she asked in a low voice and a careful pace as if she had the possibility to step on landmines with one wrong word out of her mouth. Seriously, a marriage? His and mine? Diana was even pinching her wrist, thinking that she must be dreaming. But then she felt the pain, which meant it was real. She was awake and not dreaming. Clarence was really in front of her, talking about him marrying her.

“I'll repeat it… again,” the man used a tone that should have made Diana raise an eyebrow, if only she was not busy focusing on the marrying part of the conversion, “let's make a deal about you marrying me, even though I know it is impossible for you to help me, especially since you are an ordinary employee living in a suburban area — unless you're hiding something from me, like pretending to be a poor woman.” Diana’s body somehow stiffened, but she did her best to control herself as Clarence continued with his words. “Which indeed is a very impossible example since based on what I can see, your body figure shows that you're neglected in the kitchen.” And as if those words weren’t hurtful enough, Clarence had to summarize his long sentence in two words, “You’re fat.” Diana’s heart was broken into pieces. Her feelings for that man were obviously filtering the rude and jerk side of him. That even if he said those painful words, her feelings still did not change. She still loved him.

Indeed, she was fat. That was why she chose to be in this position, it was impossible for Clarence to like her. But now… he was proposing a deal to marry her, and she didn't know where he got the idea that she could help him. Did he know about her real status? That she was truly rich? Those were the first questions that ran to her mind, but immediately had a doubt especially since Clarence told her that she could not help him unless she was only pretending to be poor.

“I don't know where my grandfather got that idea of his. I honestly do not believe that you are going to help me if I get married to you. Again, and I honestly won’t get tired of speaking these facts, but you're from a poor family and an orphan like me, only living with your grandmother in a suburban area,” Clarence boldly said. There was no ounce of sensitivity to what she could have felt because of his words and tone.

She bit her lower lip as she clenched her fists. She could not have quite imagined that the man she was in love with was nothing but a cold-blooded, heartless man. Yes, he had the handsome face, perfect body, and wealth that every woman like her was dreaming of, but beneath those seemingly perfect prince charming appearances was a ruthless, stonehearted, selfish jerk.

She was now starting to regret that she had a crush on this man, and began wondering what could be her life if she was going to live with him under the same roof, surely she is going to suffer and be in a living hell. Only a fool would think that this man would treat her better and with love and care once they get tied into a knot.

Clarence was looking at the woman in front of him — no, actually, it was more like he was observing her, trying to study the woman’s features. She had round orbs, with hazelnut color, long eyelashes, a pointed nose, and a set of red lips, in which he was sure that she was not touched by any make-up product — or maybe just a face powder and a lip balm. She was indeed beautiful but only had an ordinary beauty. Unfortunately, what was seemingly disappointing for Clarence was that she was fat. She was clearly not obese, but you could see the fat in her stomach, and that was the first thing he noticed when she got inside his office, along with Mrs. Torres.

This was not the ideal woman that he had been dreaming of. That was why he boldly said those words, for her to know that this matter disappointed him a lot — she disappointed him a lot. He knew had to clear out that the main reason why he was proposing a deal for her was just to satisfy his grandfather’s orders, not anything romantic-related that might get her hopes up. Because it will never happen, Clarence thought to himself.

Though still inside his head, it would really be impossible for this woman to help him and his company. He knew that his grandfather had many-to-mention resources to the point that he believed he was only doing this to him just to challenge him — to punish him — and to make his grandfather feel the satisfaction of winning against him, he coped with this idea. Now, Clarence could only wish that this woman would grab his offer to marry him with a deal.

After moments of silence, the lady cleared her throat and opened her mouth. “Even me, Mr. President, I don't know what this conversation we’re having is all about. Especially, about the matters concerning marrying you. As you have said I am just a poor woman, so isn't it ridiculous for your grandfather to take notice of me, let alone want me to marry his grandson?” Diana said that temporarily removed his ability to talk back.

The words she used to explain herself were all true. She was right and was he. The kind of setup that they were currently in was utterly ridiculous, but unfortunately, he was given no choice. He had to do everything to convince her to marry him. That was his goal and he needed to stick to it. Either he makes her want to marry him with tons of briberies involved and keep his company or his grandfather will be true to his words and just give the whole company that he worked his ass for to this low-life fat stranger-employee.

Clarence could see resistance and confusion written on the lady’s face. But he does not understand why she was thinking about it. Any woman would immediately agree to marry him, most would probably not even ask for an exchange in any way. Being married to him already screams a lot. I am that valuable and perfect for women, so why is she thinking?

The man’s lips parted after minutes of silence. “Name your price. Tell me anything you want just so you can finally decide to marry me.”

Diana’s forehead creased even more, drowning in her own thoughts and watching a little battle between her heart and mind — basically, her feelings and her dignity as a woman and as a person. “I really don't get it.” She even let out a deep sigh, as she felt exhausted from overthinking and analyzing their situation and Clarence’s, or his grandfather’s, true motive.

“What isn't clear to you? It is my grandfather's request, so accept it, unless, of course, you want to be fired.” Clarence used the employee card that he thought he would never need to use. It was the last thing he could pull out, based on the woman’s stature.

“Ah… B-But why?” He saw the shockness in Diana's expression after she replied to him, but as usual, he felt nothing. He gets what he wants and as of the moment, he wants his company, in exchange for fulfilling his grandfather’s order.

“For not marrying me.”

“Does it mean if I disagree to marry you, I will be fired from your company?” Isn’t that nonsensical and just plain rubbish? Diana knew that he was now really forcing her — well, her simple life self felt like she had no choice in this situation. In order to maintain her job, she had to say yes almost immediately.

“Absolutely,” he simply replied. He knew that this was Diana's first work. She was a fresh graduate from college. “It's just for a year, and then after that, we're going to file for a divorce and I promise to compensate you by giving you money, a villa, and a car,” he added and saw the sadness in Diana's face that made him frown.

This woman was unpredictable. Earlier it seemed like she did not want to marry him, but now he saw the sadness in her face after he mentioned the word divorce. She should be happy because of the big compensation he will give her after their divorce. His offer was very practical for someone like her and was already too much, to say the least in his point of view.

Clarence felt like he really laid down the proper cards to make her say yes, and now, all he needed was to hear her agree and start to prepare everything else for his grandfather’s demand. “So, do you agree to my proposal?”

Unfortunately for him, Diana let out a deep and problematic sigh before uttering the words, “Can I think about it?”

The guy was then again on the edge of his seat, frowning and confused with the woman’s expressions and words. “Just say yes, and don't worry, I'm not spending my time living with you. As you can see, there's nothing on you that will make me consume this year of marriage life living with you under the same roof,” he said straightforwardly, again, for this woman to not expect anything and be prepared for the day of their divorce. He had other plans for his married life. If it was not for his grandfather, he would never have agreed to marry this woman. She was not his type. And if he was to get married, it should be the woman he loved, just like his childhood sweetheart, Victoria.

“I will let you know about my decision later, Mr. President.” Diana stood her ground. Yes, she loved him. Yes, she wanted him to notice her. And yes, she has dreamt of marrying Clarence countless of times since she could remember. But this — whatever this sick plot twist is — it was not what she wanted — it was far from what she wanted. I wanted him, but not like this. I don’t like this one bit.

His eyes darkened and his jaw and fists clenched. “There's no more later,” he said in a domineering tone, “I want your answer now, or you better leave the company as soon as you step out of my office,” were the next words that left his mouth, in which he regretted in the end.

It had never entered Clarence’s mind that this woman would refuse his offer and choose to leave the company instead of marrying him. For heaven’s sake, he planned for her to get compensation in the end — a huge sum of compensation. She should be drooling over that offer and barking yes as soon as she heard them, but nope. This woman was really showing him how much she was not an ideal girl and perfect wife for him. She was seriously stubborn. He even saw the woman looking at the door, which made him nervous and tripled his heartbeat.

He will be doomed if she chooses to leave the company. And I cannot afford that to happen, not on my watch.