Coming Home

Chapter 9

"You seriously want to eat here?" Max said in naked astonishment as they stood outside McDonalds Restaurant while people continued to walk past them.

She couldn't help but laugh at his expression. "When was the last time you've been to a fast food?"

He shook his head with a huff. "I don't think I've ever been to a fast food, Miss. Zane."

Her mouth fell open. "You've never been to McDonalds before? What kind of a childhood did you have growing up?"

"The best kind my parents could ever give me," he said simply.

His words sank into her as she realized what he'd just said. Her good mood turned sour a little while Max didn't realize what his words meant to her. Growing up, she'd been envious of other kids who had complete families that guided them throughout their early years.

"Well, are we going to stand around here all day or are we going to eat?" she asked after a minute.

"I do hope the food here is good," he muttered before he followed her inside.

They were greeted by the staff member as she watched numerous emotions crossed his face. Fascination. Interest. Excitement. His eyes found the kid's meal she'd grown up eating and wondered whether Max's childhood had involved scraping his knees, getting whacked on the bum, and climbing up trees.

As soon as their order was placed, she scanned the room and found an empty spot by the corner that faced the entry way. He placed the tray on the table as carefully as he could, careful not to spill the drinks. They began to eat in silence as Venice took tiny bites of her burger, staring at his face through the rim of her glass.

"You like it?" she asked shortly after he took a tentative bite of his own burger.

"It's good enough," he agreed.

She swallowed the last bite of her food before drinking her coke, gathering her thoughts together to form a sentence about the proposal she'd just accepted mere minutes ago. She had to admit she'd acted out of desperation, but she couldn't let Jill suffer from the death of a family member. She didn't want her to go through the agony and pain of losing a loved one; she understood it well and wouldn't wish it upon anyone.

"Have you told your parents about the agreement?" she asked.

He glanced up at her; his fork midway to his lips. "No, I haven't. I'm planning on telling them tomorrow when we meet up for lunch. You're coming, aren't you?"

"Is it necessary for me to come?" she asked in a small voice.

He nodded. "Of course it's necessary. You're part of the family so you need to get used to the family meetings we have frequently."

"But I'm only around for a year or two," she recalled. "I don't want to get too attached to your family by the time I have to leave. It'll be too hard on my side."

Max brought his glass down and crossed his arms; eyes meeting hers with a level look. "There might be a possibility that you might stick around longer than that."

Her brows knitted together. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged and wiped his mouth with the napkin. "The agreement is flexible, Miss. Zane. We can stretch it out for more than two years, and you could also give me an heir."

The word heir rang throughout her eardrums, echoing continously until she shook her head to clear her mind. "An heir?"

"Yes."

The words slipped out before she could think about what she was saying. "Are you crazy? I never agreed to give you an heir."

"It could also be an heiress," Max said, unfazed by her reaction.

"Maxwell." This was the first time she'd used his full name and it got his attention. "I'm not ready to have a child yet. I have things to do before I can even settle down and have a kid."

"You're about to get hitched with me," he stated simply.

She huffed. "I know, but that's different."

"How is that different?"

"You're my boss. You're paying me for staying with you until you inherit your share in the company. So that doesn't count."

"I don't see the problem in that."

By the time they were done eating, Max bent down and grabbed her hand, hauling her out of the restaurant. She tried to keep up with his pace but her legs were simply short, compared to his longer ones and stronger strides.

"Can we slow down? I feel like I'm brisk-walking."

His lips twitched. "Your legs are far too short, that's why."

She rolled her eyes and slipped her hand from his by the time they reached their work. She waited for him to go through first but he merely waited for her, avoiding her eyes when the bodyguards eyed them with suspicion.

"You didn't have to wait for me, you know."

He looked at her. "You're about to become my wife in a couple of weeks and you're saying I shouldn't wait for you?"

"I just don't want things to change between us," she said simply.

Much to her surprise, Max stopped halfway in the lobby and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Don't think too much about this, Venice."

How could she not think about this? She was marrying him in a few weeks and none of this seemed real to her. When he looked at her expectantly, she merely nodded and they went back to their desks and stayed there the rest of the day.

She went home that night and laid in bed, wondering how Jill's grandmother was doing. She thought about calling her friend but she must be busy in the hospital. Somehow, a flashback of her aunt's death carried out in her mind; the wide eyes and the dead body. She shivered as the cold seeped into her bones.

She barely slept that night as the ghost of her nightmares found her.

ccc

The next morning, Venice went to work early to finish the rest of the paperwork before she went out to meet Max's parents. Her hands still trembled in anxiety by the time they'd hopped inside the car and drove to their house. His family wanted the lunch meeting to be private and intimate, giving her no choice but to come anyway.

"You're not going to pass out, are you?" Max asked as soon as they arrived.

She feigned a smile. "I've met your parents before."

"You're so nervous it's starting to rub on me."

They filed out of the car and headed straight to the door, which immediately opened by the familiar maid she'd met the first time she'd been in this house. The old woman directed them to the gazebo where Max's parents awaited. None of his siblings were in sight as they neared.

"Nice seeing you again." His mom pulled her into a quick embrace before smiling at her.

"I'm glad to be here," Venice said and surprisingly meant it.

She sat beside Max and accidentally nudged his thigh with hers that caused her to gasp in shock. Fire danced along her veins as goose bumps erupted along her skin. His parents seemed oblivious from her reaction, but her boss didn't miss the small huff she let out from the simple touch, for his eyes burned brighter.

"I'm glad you've agreed to accept my son's proposal," George said as the food was brought into the table.

She opened her mouth to start talking about Jill's emergency, but Max's hand slid onto her knee, giving a squeeze. She glanced at him and saw the warning in his eyes. "How could I refuse, sir? Your son is a wonderful boss and I wouldn't have married anyone else."

He was a wonderful boss but he wasn't the kind of man she'd have married for herself. He was a playboy; a womanizer who would never settle down unless it required inheriting his share of the company. She'd only have to endure two years and she'd be able to move out of her apartment, and start on a fresh environment.

"Have you two set a date for the wedding?" Janine asked.

Venice glanced at Max who stared at her in return. “We’re thinking of having it in a couple of weeks from now.”

“I do hope it’s a traditional wedding,” Janine added.

“Max told me you want a church wedding,” Venice recalled his words and the way he’d sounded exasperated over the big event. “But we can always have a simple one if you guys prefer.”

They went back and forth with the date and how the ceremony would go until they’d finally agreed to set the wedding by the end of this month. She was still having mixed feelings about the marriage, and whether it was the right decision to make. She couldn’t back down now. Max had already sent the money into her account, and there was no way she’d be able to pay it back unless he was willing to take on installment payments.

Janine and George excused themselves to check up on the dessert, which she gathered as an excuse to give them privacy. As soon as they were out of earshot, she turned to her boss and asked, “there’s no backing out now, is there?”

He shook his head. “Unless you want to breech the contract you’ve just signed.”

She examined her nails in her lap, as she felt his eyes on her. “I hope to make this a good marriage, Max, even if we’re only together for a couple of years. And as much as I expect you to be loyal, I know I won’t get that treatment.”

He reached out, gripping her chin as their eyes met. “We can always sort out the intimacy part if you don’t want me cheating on you.”

She saw the mischief spark in his eyes that she’d come to know during the last couple of weeks. Could she possibly give up her virginity to the man who’d paid her to be with him? It would make her feel cheap, and it would only get in the way in the sucess of their marriage.

“I think it’s best if we don’t cross that bridge,” she answered quietly.

Max’s arms clenched around her before dipping his head and pressing a soft peck on her lips. Her mouth parted in shock, but he didn’t take advantage as she’d expected. He merely pulled back and smirked down at her, caressing her cheek that took her by utter astonishment. He was showing a soft side of himself; the part of him that she’d never seen in the office.

Someone cleared their throat and they pulled apart. Venice’s cheeks warmed when his parents grinned knowingly with each other, as if they’d just witnessed a special moment between them. She risked a glance at her boss and found him staring at her, eyes soft and lips turned up at the sides. She hoped that kiss wasn’t part of the show, because it took her breath away.

“If you men are kind enough to give us some time alone, then I’d greatly appreciate it.” Both men left the gazebo as Janine sat beside her, taking the seat Max had vacated.

She watched in fascination as the older woman pulled out a small pouch from her pocket, undoing the ribbon, and pulling out a large diamond ring. The diamond glinted against the sunlight, showing how remarkable and huge it was.

“This was once my grandmother’s engagement ring until it was passed down to my mom, and then to me,” Janine began. “I’ve worn this for years until I decided to give it to you since you’re about to marry my son. I would have given it to Eunice but she’s far too young, and I don’t have enough time to live to see her wear it.”

“It’s beautiful,” Venice whispered, unable to take her eyes away from the glinting diamond. “I can’t accept this, Janine. You’ve had it passed down from generations to generations and I’m only sticking around for two years.”

Janine took her hands in hers and squeezed. “I trust you to keep it safe, my dear.”