HIS INDECENT PROPOSAL

CHAPTER 2

Is he my patient? Is he Marco Mendez?!

I heaved in a deep breath. I didn't realize I was holding it in until now. He was still staring at me and I didn't know what to do. Should I run?

You can't! A voice inside my head screamed. You need the money! You can't back out now!

Right. Money. I need money.

I inhaled one more time to calm down.

"Get yourself together, Nina!" I quietly berated myself.

"He's blind," I thought to remind me of the situation. "He can't see you."

I slowly raised my hand in front of his face. He didn't move or say anything. He didn't even blink!

I waved my hand in front of him like a weirdo.

Positive. He can't see me.

"Who's there?" he growled, almost making me jump. But it was too late to stop the little squeal that escaped my lips.

"I said who's there?" he repeated in a lower, but more threatening voice. Fine shivers ran down my back.

"Uhm," I cleared my throat. "I'm Nina Sparks. I will be your new private nurse."

He frowned upon hearing me speak. I chewed on my bottom lip while waiting for him to respond, quietly reminding myself over and over that he couldn't see me. All I have to do is dodge if he ever decides to throw me out of here. How hard could it be to run away from a blind man?

"How many times do I have to tell you that I don't need anyone?!" he snapped as if I was the one who volunteered to take care of him.

Well, sort of. But he should blame his parents, not me! I was just trying to work here!

"Get out!" he yelled when I didn't respond. What should I even tell him?

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that," I told him when I finally found my tongue.

He can't just kick me out. His parents were the ones who hired me. Therefore, they were the only ones who could fire me. I won't go home penniless!

"Says who?" he spat. "Leave before I drag you out!"

He scoffed, then looked at me with those piercing green eyes. Is he really blind? I stupidly asked. I have seen his medical charts. He's blind. He couldn't see anything.

But why does he stare at me as if he was disgusted with the mere sight of me?

And damn it, why isn't it written on his charts that he is so...

Damn hot...

Before I knew it, I was already checking him out.

His long and wavy dirty blonde hair looked healthier than mine! He had thick eyebrows that perfectly framed his deep-set eyes. A nose that seemed like it was chiseled by the most experienced sculptor. His thick beard didn't even do anything to diminish the way he looked physically.

I suddenly wanted to look for a razor to trim it down just to see the shape of his lips and chin.

Heck, the man has a well-endowed physique! Even behind his simple gray shirt and sweatpants, I can see the silhouette of a fit body. I wondered how he was able to maintain it that way.

"Why are you still here?" he growled, pulling me out of my thoughts right in time just before they went elsewhere.

How did he know I hadn't left anyway?

"I'm not leaving," I told him defiantly. "I'm here to do my job. Don't worry, you won't be seeing much of me unless it's necessary."

I wanted to smack myself when I realized what had just come out of my mouth. Of course, he wouldn't see me! I bit my tongue as I watched his expression darken.

Damn. Me and my big mouth!

"I mean, I won't hover around you all the time!" I quickly explained. "I will-"

"Shut up!" he hissed, cutting me off mid-sentence.

I flinched.

"Let's see how long you're going to last," he muttered mockingly before turning his back on me. It sounded as if he was challenging me, but his words barely registered in my mind. I was too stunned to react.

Instead of being fazed, I watched him in awe as he navigated his way around the guesthouse. He's not fumbling around. He didn't even bump into any furniture. He went into a room and slammed the door shut.

I blinked. Maybe he had already memorized the layout of the house.

According to his records, it's been two years since he got involved in a car accident. That was the reason he lost his sight.

He'd been blind for two years, and he seemed to have grown accustomed to it. But I wonder whether his case is irreversible. They must have all the resources to bring back his eyesight. There were surgeries and even transplant procedures to do that. I'm sure they can afford those.

Perhaps his eyes were severely damaged during the accident. That's the only reason I could think of for him to remain blind. Well, the other one is if he refuses to get treated, but who in their right mind would do that, right? Who would choose to be miserable if they had other options?

Unfortunately, that's not the case for me. I winced when I realized my current predicament. I have no other choice.

"I'd be willing to be miserable if it meant saving my mom," I murmured while looking around. Since neither of the two gentlemen thought of giving me a tour of the place, I'd do it myself.

The guesthouse is fully furnished. It has a living room and a kitchen that is equipped with all the modern appliances, even though the interior looks minimalist. There were two bedrooms. Marco went into one. Should I use the other one then? Or should I stay in the main mansion?

Wait... Are there other people here aside from us?

Tsk. I clicked my tongue. I have so many questions, but Thomas just left me here to fend for myself. He didn't even bother introducing me to our boss! Is he afraid of Marco?

I can't blame him if that is the case. The man is pretty scary.

But hot... A tiny voice in my head chimed in.

I shook my head. What am I thinking? Yes, handsome seemed to be an understatement to describe him, but so what?

"You're here to work," I told myself as I walked out of the guesthouse.

No, I'm not leaving. I'm just going to the main mansion to check whether there are other people here. Perhaps a caretaker or a household helper. This property is huge. I'm sure they have employees here. The place probably needs an army to maintain it.

I walked to the front porch when I realized the back doors were closed. But to my dismay, it was locked as well. I tried to twist the knob once more, but it really wouldn't budge!

"Hello?!" I called, my voice echoing around me. "Is there anyone home?"

I could almost hear imaginary crickets chirping in the background when only silence greeted me back.

I chewed on my bottom lip as it slowly sank into me. There's nobody here. I tried to look into the windows, but I couldn't see through the glass.

I sighed heavily. What if something happens? I winced when I remembered how buff Marco was. I don't think I can do anything to save him in case of an emergency.

I pursed my lips while thinking.

I saw two guards stationed in front of the property, but it was too far from the guesthouse. I'd need to drive the car to get there. Wait a minute...

Is that the reason why I was given a car?

Mrs. Mendez said you can use the car for emergency purposes. Thomas' voice replayed inside my head like a broken record, confirming my suspicion.

I'm alone in this enormous place with Marco! Shivers ran down my skin as I slowly became aware of my current predicament. Warning bells started going off inside my brain. All my senses were telling me to leave and run away as fast as I could.

But I can't...

I badly needed this job, even if it meant letting myself step willingly into a lion's den.