Chapter 2: Proposal
1323 Words
Heart’s POV
Everything happened in a blur.
If I arrived here with barely an ounce of attention, I definitely left with a commotion.
“Please get inside,” a bodyguard guided me to the opened door of a limousine. I didn’t have time to think or fear going with a stranger so I hopped inside, away from the swarming reporters that were chasing us.
I moved to the other side of the car and the man in a black suit entered after me.
Oh my god, I truly have lost it! What was I thinking?!
With my hands in my hair, I stared at the floor of the limousine. I can’t look at the guy beside me. I literally just french kissed this random person in the middle of the gala! It was a spur of the moment decision that became the main event at this point
Great, I had a scandal even before I got my first lead role! What a perfect plan!
Not only that, I escaped the party with a man I don’t know. Where is he even taking me?
Alarmed, I looked outside my window and my brain went into panic. What if he’s taking me to a police station? Or worse, to a secluded place? Oh no, this smells more trouble!
“Let me out,” I said under my breath and foolishly tried opening the door on my side like it was a good idea to do in a moving vehicle. The alcohol is still clouding my mind.
“If you want to face the horde of media behind us, just say it. I will stop the car,” a stern voice suddenly spoke. “But don’t jump out and give me another news headline.”
I slowly looked back and met his piercing cold stare.
In the light of the city outside, I can’t make out his entire face. He’s not even looking at me and just typing on his phone. Is he mad? Does he not care? Why is he so calm?
I decided to compose myself and think this through. I leaned on my seat and gulped, fidgeting my hands. Glancing at him sidewards, I asked, “Will you take me home, then?”
He signaled his hand for me to be quiet and put his phone on his ear, talking to someone, “Make sure to contain the reporters and prevent the media from trailing behind us.”
I kept my mouth shut and waited until he hung up. When he turned to me, he maintained a strict expression.
“Tell the driver your address.”
I was uncomfortable to be under his unreadable gaze so I just moved to open the divider to the driver’s seat and tell him my address. I awkwardly went back to my seat, an arm away from him.
The ride felt like it dragged for hours but maybe it was simply because of his suffocating presence. When I saw my apartment building in the distance, I could finally release the breath I was holding.
The bodyguard who was in the front seat opened the door for me. I mumbled thanks as I stepped out.
As I was contemplating whether I should go and bid my farewell to the stranger in the black suit, he got out of the car and walked towards me.
Taking a step backward when his towering figure stopped in front of me, I asked in bewilderment, “Why did you follow?”
His blank stare landed on me. “Won’t you invite me in?”
“What for? I don’t know you!” I told him with a raised whisper.
The man tilted his head and answered, “Yet you just made out with me at a gala.” His expression remained unfazed. “I think you could at least offer me an explanation inside your unit.”
I wanted to yell at him and say we could’ve talked about it in the car but the embarrassment of his statement made me blush and relent.
“Fine,” I huffed. “But just so you know, if you try something funny, I scream really loud—my neighbors would come rushing to report you!”
“Hm,” he hummed and observed me with his calculating stare. “Aren’t I the one who should be worrying about that?”
I bit my tongue and stopped myself from screeching in humiliation. I just guided him inside towards my floor.
I opened my door while he trailed behind. He looks too big in the cramped space of my home. He started looking around like an inspector.
Sighing, I broke the silence. “Let’s cut the chase. What do you want?”
His eyes darted at me. “Aren't you going to apologize?”
“Really? That’s it?” I questioned incredulously and squinted my eyes. “I think you enjoyed that kiss way too much to be seeking an apology,” I added. “But I acknowledge the wrongs of my actions… I’m sorry I dragged you into a whole scandal. I didn’t mean to.”
“The scandal will pass in a week or so. We won’t be hearing from each other anyway so we can forget this happened,” I said.
However, he was just walking around and still checking my place out. His finger drew a line in my nearby dusted bookshelf. Another wave of shame coursed through me; it’s like I can’t take a break tonight.
“You're not supposed to touch my things.” I rushed to stand between him and my shelf like I could hide it behind me.
He finally stopped moving around. I instantly regretted my actions though, because his intense gaze returned on me.
Maybe the silence really dragged on or I was just that nervous, it felt like forever. My heartbeat was loud and I felt myself sobering up in an instance.
“Be my girlfriend,” he said out of the blue.
My mind reeled to a pause. “Excuse me?”
“Be my girlfriend,” he repeated.
He placed a hand on the shelf beside me and leaned down so I could hear him better, “At least to the world, that’s how you’ll pretend to be.”
“Did you just ask me to fake dating you?” I dumbfoundedly asked.
“I believe I made myself very clear,” he responded and moved back to straighten his suit.
Gawking at him, I blurted out, “You’re out of your mind.”
“I am not,” he utters with his hands clasped behind him. “This is merely a business proposal.”
“I've been meaning to fend people off my back about my personal relationships but they are relentless. Suddenly you kissed me and now everyone is going to talk about this,” he continued.
“Aren't you rich if you attended that gala? Can’t you pay the media to shut up?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“You see, I always like to turn conflicts into something profitable,” he explained. “From what I could gather, you wouldn't be kissing a random guy for no reason—or I hope you don’t.”
I frowned but he spoke again.
“That's why I conclude you need this too. Maybe a cover-up for something? I could provide that. It would work for us both. Why not take the opportunity?” he finishes.
He surely is a businessman, if he makes a compelling case like this.
“Think about it,” he told me. “I’ll give you three days.”
I eyed the card he was offering me. Once I took it, he left my place and I was left to read the name on the tag.
Ace Valentino
Chief Executive Officer
[ Valentino Empires ]
This familiar name… where did I hear it before?
- Writer
