The Billionaire's Proposal

Fourteen

Isabella warned her about Rafeal, and due to the things she had heard about him, she was expecting to wake up at the bottom of her ocean.

Never in a billion years did she expect the box she had received this morning. Early in the morning, she got a black box with the infamous CH logo on it.

And when she opened the box, her heart dropped to her stomach. Instead of a bomb, there was something completely different; sitting on a velvet cloth was a nearly unattainable black purse that was sold for millions.

Just because one had money didn't mean they could buy this purse; there were only five ever made, and the buyers were anonymous.

She felt her throat dry at the highly expensive gift. Picking up the purse, she turned it around in bewilderment. Why did he send a purse and not a bomb?

Wasn't he infuriated by what she did to him? Why was he so nice enough to send her a gift, especially a priceless one?

She checked the address label, and it was blank. Greasing her teeth, she picked up her phone to call Isabella.

“Your brother is crazy” was the first thing Leah said when she picked up the call.

"Huh," Isabella felt her eyebrows tug together in confusion. She was currently getting ready for a photoshoot.

“He sent me the Platinum exclusive CH purse,” Leah seethed, running a hand through her hair.

“Wait, what? Did he actually give you that? Is he even my brother? I have been asking him to help me get that.” She wanted to angrily slam her arm on the table but decided against it so she wouldn't scare the stylist.

The purse was very beautiful, and the rays from the sun made it shine like stars. Any woman would be happy to receive it, but she wasn't. It made her feel like charity. “Did your brother take the wrong medicine? I was expecting some explosives from this purse.”.

“I don't know why he would send you a gift as well; in all honesty, I was expecting a call to hear the news of you in the hospital due to mysterious circumstances,” Isabella sighed.

“I'm glad we think alike,” Leah replied.

“So what are you going to do with the bag? If you don't want it, I know someone who can use it as an early birthday gift.” Isabella trailed off her voice, filled with hope.

"Yeah, yeah, an early birthday gift six months in advance, I think not," she mused, crossing her hands.

She pouted, despite the fact that Leah couldn't see her.

"Besides, I plan to return it to him; I'm not going to keep it," Leah said.

“How will you return it?” Isabella raised her eyebrows.

She knew no one could easily get in contact with Rafeal; it would take months to make an appointment with him.

"Well, I was thinking...”

"Oh, there's my muse. Come, let's start the shoot.

A voice yelled at Isabella, “I have to go, Leah; my sh*t is about to start. I will talk to you later.”.

After hanging up the phone, Leah picked up her phone to text an old acquaintance, a coy smile appearing on her face.

******************************************************

Delacroix Corporation.

The people nervously held their breaths in anticipation. A few shivered at the deathly cold temperature in the room.

Others were so nervous they had colds on their heads and backs, and it was all because of a person who sat in a leather chair at the head table; it was Rafael Delacroix.

His eyes were dark like the night, and his expression was cold and frigid. “The meeting is adjourned.” Without another word, Rafeal stood up from his chair.

The people held their breath as they watched him stand to leave. “Thank you for your time, President Rafeal,” they all bowed. Not a single person dared to move until they were sure he was on another floor.

Rafael made his way to his office, and his secretary Mason followed him. He entered, and Mason entered as well.

Rafeal strolled to his chair and sat down. “Today’s schedule?”

Mason cleared his throat and began to read from his tablet, “The Ling Corporate stock has dropped, but ACH Corp’s stock is rapidly rising. Should we continue to invest in Ling Corporate?”

“Continue to invest,” Rafeal said, leaning his hands on the table.

It had taken Mason a Mason a few years to get used to his boss’s cold, dark stare. He knew it was unintentional, but he was still terrified by it.

“Diamond Sky’s CEO is requesting a meeting; accept or deny?”

“Deny” Rafeal answered without hesitation.

Just when Mason was about to list something else, a knock sounded through the room. He shivered when he saw the displeasure on Rafeal’s face. Who dares to interrupt their meeting?

“What is it?” Mason asked.

But there was no response. When he noticed there was no response after a long time, he went and pushed the door open, and there was no one standing there.

The secretaries were on their lunch break, so it was deserted. Just as he was about to close the door, he noticed a parcel. He picked it up and turned to face Rafael.

“Who is it from?” Rafeal asked.

Mason glanced at it, frowning, when he realised the return and delivery addresses were empty. Was this hand delivered? But that would mean the person was able to enter the office. How is that possible?

“Bring it to me,” Rafeal commanded, and instantly, Mason walked up to him.

"Sir, are you sure we should open it ourselves? It looks very suspicious.” Mason frowned, not wanting any harm to come to his boss.

Rafeal ignored him and took out a letter knife to open the box.

Mason held his breath as Rafeal opened the box. When the box was finally open, he saw his boss's mood dampening because inside the box was another box and another box. This went on for a while, and Masos was shocked at who had the audacity to prank his boss.

Rafeal scowled at the incredibly tiny box in front of him; it had taken him to open ten boxes before he got this one.

He felt his mood drop fast when he saw the prestigious Philips Patek watch that made the famous Rolex look like a cheap watch.

Sitting in the same material box that he had used to send a gift to Leah earlier was a watch worth twice the price of the CH purse.

Mason’s tablet dinged, and he glanced down at it. "Sir, the private security team has just received a suspicious package without a return address.”

“Tell them to open it,” Rafeal replied.

Mason quickly typed on his tablet, instructing them to open it, and within seconds, a reply was sent to him in the form of a photo.

“Pass it to me.”.

Mason handed his tablet to Rafeal.

Rafeal's eyes flickered with surprise at what he saw. In the box was the purse he had gifted to that crazy Leah.

He let out a dark chuckle. “Interesting,"” Rafael muttered under his breath. He stood up from his chair.

"Boss, I will investigate who it is.”

“No need; I already know who sent it.” It seemed that crazy woman wanted to play with fire. "Mason, go and find the most expensive jewellery you can buy,” Rafeal ordered.

“Send it to the same address as this morning and return the purse to that address as well,” he added.

Mason didn't need to be told twice; without asking any questions or voicing his opinion, he left the room to carry out the order.

After he left, Rafeal stood up and walked to the window in his office. He was baffled by Leah's behaviour.

For as long as he can remember, women will not throw away any chance to have him notice them or gift them something.

Yes, she refused his gift and even returned it. When he thought about her, he realised she didn't have anything special about her background or appearance, yet he had taken a keen interest in her.

As he convinced himself that she was just like every other girl he knew, his thoughts couldn't help but linger on her face.

She wasn't bad-looking with her long, silky hair, which seemed to sway like the calm waves of the summer morning.

Her eyes were incredibly beautiful; he thought she was one of those boring girls who liked to play.

white lotus, but it seems she is completely different.

Standing tall, shoulders firm, and eyes clear, she had the charisma of a strong and independent woman, something he really admired.

"Fool,” he said to himself when he realised he had just admitted all the good qualities in Leah.