Coming Home

Chapter 8

Please, Venice. Marry me.

Venice tried to shake his words out of her mind, but it clung to her like glue on paper. She'd spent the rest of her Sunday at home, watching a re-run of America's Top Model but her mind was somewhere else entirely. After Max had dropped her off, she'd thought of inviting him in for coffee but decided against it. He'd already woken up in her home this morning; there was no need for her to invite him in again.

She'd hopped out of the car without saying goodbye, looking over her shoulder to find him staring at her before he finally drove away. She watched the vehicle sped away; her heart heavy with disappointment as his headlights disappeared into the night. He hadn't said a word to her since they'd returned to the gazebo, while everyone in his family had stayed quiet throughout the meal and bid her good-day after she'd left. It was only when Eunice had walked her to the door that Venice realized how much her boss's family wanted her to be their son's fiance.

"You should consider my brother's proposal," the young woman had said.

Venice smiled sadly. "Marriage isn't something one should take lightly."

"But you'll learn how to love each other eventually," Eunice argued.

If only it was that easy.

Come Monday morning, she'd settled back to work and realized Max was purposely ignoring her. They'd shared a few words to each other regarding his meetings for the day before she went back to her desk. He didn't call her frequently like he'd always done, which made her wonder if he was still upset about her lack of response from his proposal.

He couldn't possibly expect her to say yes or no straightaway. She had to think things through because marriage wasn't a joke. It involved other people's lives and emotions; two things she didn't want to mess up with.

By the time lunchtime rolled around the corner, she saved all of her documents, and prepared to head out for lunch when one of her co-workers called out her name. She turned to find Jill jogging towards her, strides long and powerful, tears streaming down her face.

"What's going on, Jill?" she asked, rushing to meet her friend.

Jill gripped her hands in hers, hold so tight she could barely pull her hands away. "It's my grandmother."

She gasped. "What happened to her?"

"She had a heartattack earlier this morning and my parents just called me a few minutes ago. Luckily, she was rushed to the hospital before anything happened. But she'll need a surgery because the hole in her heart is starting to get bigger."

She clasped her hands over her mouth. "Oh, no."

"The amount of money I have in my bank account isn't going to carry out the surgery cost, Venice. Even if we run a fundraising charity, it still wouldn't be enough. I don't know what to do anymore. I don't know who to turn to."

She bit her lip. Her salary wouldn't cover the rest of the hospital fee unless she chose to accept Max's proposal. She wasn't ready to get married yet, not when she still had things to do in life before she could even settle down. And even if she chose to get married, it would definitely not be with her boss. But Jill needed the money; she was more of a sister to her than a friend, and her grandmother had always been nice to her during the times she'd visited. She had no choice.

"When does she need the surgery?"

"It needs to be done by next week," Jill responded.

"I'll see what I can do," she said before wiping the tears that continued to stream down her face. "But for now, pull yourself together and go see your grandmother."

Jill stared at her with wide eyes. "What are you going to do, Venice?"

"I'll try to find a way to come up with that money, Jill. I'll get back to you as soon as I get the money, all right?" When her friend nodded, Venice smiled and pulled her friend into a quick hug. "You're not alone in this." She couldn't stand another loved one die, not if she could help it.

As soon as they broke apart, she urged Jill to rush to the hospital and see her grandmother. Venice lingered outside her boss' office, chewing on her bottom lip as she struggled with her inner thoughts, contemplating whether she should talk to him. She didn't know whether his offer was still standing or not; it would be extremely awkward and embarrasing if he'd backdown on his proposition after a day of asking her.

She mustered enough courage and knocked on the door, hoping he was still around. When his voice echoed through the thick wood, she grabbed the doorknob and slipped inside; her eyes immediately landing on Max's face who watched her carefully. Her cheeks burned as she remembered that small moment of intimacy in the terrace, sitting down gradually on the chair opposite him, averting her gaze as much as possible.

"What made you come in here, Miss. Zane?"

She looked up, startled, at the use of her name. "I, uh, wanted to talk to you about..."

"About what?" he urged.

"About your proposal," she said before she could lose her nerve.

His brows arched in surprise. "Have you finally come to a decision, Miss. Zane?"

She nodded. "A friend of mine's grandmother is in the hospital right now. She needs surgery to cover the wound in her heart and a certain amount of money is needed before the procedure can be done. I'm willing to accept your proposition, Max."

"You'd sacrifice a lot for your grandmother's friend?" her boss asked in astonishment.

"It's not just my friend's grandmother," she explained. "I also treat her like my own family and the friend I'm talking about is Jill. The coverage of the surgery is too expensive and her salary can't cover it all."

"Don't they have health insurance?" he prompted.

"She does but it doesn't cover expensive surgeries like this one."

Max leaned on his elbows, face coming closer to hers. "You do realize what you're agreeing into right? This isn't just a marriage. We have an agreement to go by and have to follow certain protocols for this agreement to work."

She tilted her chin in pride. "I'm very aware of those things, sir."

"Good. Just making sure," was all he said before he pulled out an envelope from his drawer, and slid it toward her. "This document states what is expected and what is not from you as my wife, Miss. Zane. By signing this contract, you'll agree to do a physical exam test and get tested for any possible diseases. The same goes for me. Don't take this personally."

What was the point of her doing any of those tests? She hadn't slept with anyone before and hadn't acquired any diseases from the people she mingled with. But it was better to be safe than sorry. After they went through the rest of the rules, she accepted the pen he handed to her, and signed her name on the piece of paper that would bind their lives for the next couple of years.

Although, she didn't understand why they both had to remain faithful during the marriage, as she could already tell he'd take on mistresses and wouldn't stay loyal. She wasn't delusional, though. She didn't expect him to be faithful to her, as he had needs of his own. But what about hers? What if she was ready to give up her virginity to the man she thought was incredible? Would it breech their contract and be terminated?

"Would you really be faithful to me, Max?" she questioned, deliberately using his first name.

He lifted a brow before searching her face. "You sound doubtful of that idea."

She c****d her head to the side as she thought about what he said. "I do doubt that you would remain loyal, but as long as you're discreet about your affairs, then I don't think I'll get in the way of your lifestyle."

A muscle ticked in his jaw, as if not liking the idea of her doubting him. "I've been in several relationships, Venice. So I think I've gone through the process of being faithful to one woman."

She tempted to mock him but thought better of it. She needed him so Jill's grandmother could live for a few more years. After the papers was signed, Max immediately wired the money into Jill's account that would surely make her friend jump for joy. She excused herself, pulling her phone out to dial her friend's number.

"Hello, Jill? I've wired the money into your account already. Did you get it?"

"Oh, my goodness!" Jill exclaimed. "How did you even come up with this much money after half an hour of talking to you?"

"I managed to pull out a stunt so you should set a date for the surgery already. Get her sorted as soon as you can."

"I don't know how I'll be able to pay you back, Venice. I owe you. Thank you so much." They hung up after a few minutes of talking, and she went back to where her boss stood by the window. He had his back to her, as if pretending he hadn't heard her conversation before he turned to face her.

"I gather your friend's over the moon," he said shortly.

She nodded, giving him a small smile. "She is. Thank you, Mr. Smith."

"It was Max before," he recalled.

Her smile turned into a grin. "Yes, of course. Thank you for everything, Max."

"Don't thank me just yet. We still have to meet my parents to set a date for the wedding."

She made a face. "It's not going to be one of those huge, gypsy wedding, is it?"

Surprisingly, Max threw his head back and laughed. "I don't think so. It's more traditional. A huge wedding in a huge church is more like it. But most people who are attending are just family and maybe yours too, if you want."

She thought about her aunt and how she'd managed to step into the role of her parents. If she'd been alive, she'd surely be at her wedding, smiling and wiping tears from her face knowing how much Venice hated seeing her cry.

"Well?" Max pressed.

She shook her head. "I don't have any family. Not the ones that I'm aware of anyway. I doubt they'd come even if I had contact with them."

"Perhaps, Jill can be your maid of honor?" her boss suggested after a moment of silence.

She smiled again. "I'd like that."

"Well, then." He glanced at his watch before saying, "we've got about fifteen minutes before breaktime is over, but I'll make a few adjustments. Come on, let's have lunch together."

He walked towards her and grabbed her hand, tugging her to the door. Her steps halted when her entire body froze; Max quickly looking over his shoulder to stare at her. "What's wrong now?"

"I don't think going out to lunch is a good idea, Max."

He scoffed. "Why not?"

"We made a promise not to be seen in public, especially not while at work." He blinked as if not getting her point. She almost rolled her eyes but stopped when she remembered he hated the gesture. "If this is to remain private and just between us and your family, I don't think being seen together is a good idea."

"I'm starting to think you don't like idea of being seen together." It wasn't because of that reason; she did like being seen together but it would only cause gossips to run in the office. She couldn't risk her reputation, especially not when she'd move to another branch of the company.

"Let's go," she said, leaving him to trail after her.