The bargain
1464 Words
"I don't have a good feeling about this," Rose whispered weakly," From what I know, Mr Forte isn't someone people would want to work with. You just can't work for him, he doesn't regard anyone. He's more than what you can think of.”
“It's for the best, mum. Would you rather also give up the restaurant just like the way we did to every other thing” Amanda said,”This restaurant means everything to us right now”
“You just don't understand, Amanda. Samuel Forte is cruel, he's heartless…I've lost your father and I am not going to lose you to his wickedness”
“He's a human like you and I, mum. I'll only work for him and not be enslaved to him”
“I just want you to be fine. I'll never forgive myself if something ever happens to you” Rose told her
“We'll have to keep the restaurant, that's what matters” Amanda told him but he said nothing, his face tightened.
This was the only way, she thought again. She'd start working for him as soon as possible. Her worries came back, what was she going to expect on her first day with her new boss....
—-----------------------
.... “ Damn it !” Samuel spat , slamming the newspaper on his desk.
“ This can be fixed, trust me” His friend, Chad, said.”You have to relax”
“Relax?” Samuel thundered ,”How the hell am I supposed to relax when that stupid picture is everywhere”
Chad glanced across to the newspaper with the front page plastered with a picture of Samuel forcing himself on a lady at the club.
The picture was shot well, probably from an expert photographer,with the headline reading: BILLIONAIRE Samuel Forte IS A TOXIC WOMANIZER.
“I can't get involved in this type of scandal,this company is at the peak of getting a million dollar contract by the end of this month” Samuel continued
“We need to convince the public that you are honorable…you need to make them think highly of you again, '' Chad said.“We'll get this sorted out in no time”
“We need to come up with something and fast before this damned news eats deep” Samuel said.
A light knock brought them both to look at the door. They watched it open and Amanda slipped in.
“Am really sorry to interrupt — “ She was starting to say
“No one said you could come in,” Samuel fired.
“I only came with the files you demanded earlier” She said softly.
“I'm not blind “ He retorted, he took a sip from his whiskey,” Get out “
“ But —” She wanted to say
Samuel flared, in a swift movement, flung his glass towards her. Amanda screamed as the glass came in contact with the wall, the glass scattering in a loud bang with its liquid splashing wildly .
“Get out !” He thundered ,” Out!”
Amanda immediately dashed out, her heart beat speeding, she pulled open the door, slipping out.
He moved to his mini bar, grabbing a bottle of vodka from the rack and a glass.
“You need to talk it easy, you'll get yourself drunk” Chad said to Samuel who simply ignored him ,” I'll get someone to look into this matter, like I said”
What could he do to clear his name? He had to think of something.
Jacob's thought was far off, his thoughts roaming round the scandal he was into. He needed something to cover up the fast spreading news.
Then the idea struck him!
She was fearful, vulnerable and would practically do whatever it takes to stay at peace with him, to avoid trouble.
Moreover, she was a low profile lady, no one would want to dig into her past. Yes, if he chooses to get a high classed lady, the press might just dig in immediately and see right through him.
What if he used her in covering up his tracks, used her in covering up the whole scandal.
He thought it over again and the more he did, the more the idea seemed brighter, more brilliant.
What if he brings her into this,what if he…made her sign a short term marriage with him.
He would make the public and the press think he was actually engaged to be married.
He turned to Chad. “I think I know what to do.”
—------------------------
They were closed for the day, was already running late in the evening and Amanda was quickly packing up so she could lock up the office as soon as Samuel Forte would leave.
She neatly arranged the books back to the shelf, too busy to notice the door open and foot steps slowly approaching her from behind.
Amanda kept the last of the books and turned only to almost jump in surprise as Samuel stood closely behind her watching with his hands tucked into his suit's trouser pocket.
“ Mr Forte, I didn't know you were here,” Amanda said.
“Shouldn't I be in my office anymore?” He asked, his face expressionless.
"I'm sorry."she whispered.
“I want something from you” He said casually, “And it's urgent”
She still held her breath.
“I want to offer you a deal,” He continued.
“I don't have anything to offer you, sir,” She said.
He smirked, “Yes, you do…I want you to sign a contract marriage with me”
Laura's eyes widened, she felt she had lost her sense of hearing. She had better been hearing things.
“W-what?”She stuttered.
“ You'll pretend to be my fiance for a short period of time and in return I'll put away half the debt your family owes me”
Amanda's heart was beating fast,very fast . Was he drunk ? How could he possibly ask him to pretend to be his fiance. He was going to put away half of the debts?,the words drummed into her ears.
“ I don't have much time to waste…do we have a deal or not?”
“ I'm sorry,sir but I can't accept..I have a fiance and I love him"She told him and then slid away.
Samuel scowled. “b***h. You'll come crawling back to me.”
—----------------------
“Hi,"Amanda called, approaching Mark, her fiance.
"Hi." he muttered
"What happened? I've been calling you for days… Are you okay?"She asked concerned.
Mark struggled but said nothing. He was a young man who she'd known for four years,he'd proposed to her but was financially unstable for a wedding.
Amanda had understood him, she knew he was managing as a clerk in a company and that he didn't have enough so she supported him with the little she had.
"What is it?" She asked him again
He looked away."I'm just tired, that's all."
Amanda smiled thinly,she drew in a breath and was going to tell him why she'd asked to see him.
Amanda thought it was time she collected all the money she had been saving which was in his hold.
She didn't want to add to his problems by telling him all that, she knew he was worn out already.
"I think it's time I collected the money I've been saving up ,"Amanda told him,"I really need it now"
Mark slid a look at her and scratched the side of his hair before clearing his throat.
"Look, Amanda. I was meaning to tell you this but I didn't know how to,"He said, carefully picking his words.
"What is it?"Amanda asked.
Mark looked at her and licked his dried lips wet,"I don't have the money anymore "
Amanda stared at him,she wondered if she hadn't heard him right, she probably didn't.
"What?"She whispered.
"Yes, Amanda. I used it for something very important but ...but I promise to pay you back when I can,"He told her.
Amanda stood still like one who had stepped on a land mine, she blinked repeatedly, praying hard that he was joking.
"You're... you're kidding right?"She asked.
"Come on, Amanda. I'm serious,all the money, it's all gone,"He said and shrugged,"I'm sorry but I did it for us both, if this business plan works out, babe, we're made"
A tear slipped down Amanda's eyes,she was doomed. All her life saved everything she had given him to keep but now it was all gone.
How was she going to pay for her mother's hospital bills?If she wasted one more day,the doctors might just discharge her mother without any treatment.
What does she do now? Where does she go for help?
- Writer
