The Billionaire's Indecent Proposal

Chapter 3- The Final Condition

"You will work as my personal secretary after the wedding."

She froze, her fork pausing mid-air. She wasn't sure if she had heard him correctly. Agad siyang napatingin kay Mr. Monteguado nang marinig ang sinabi nito. His voice was casual, like he was making small talk, but there was something about his tone that made it sound more like a command than a suggestion.

She had been thinking, for most of the evening, that he wouldn't speak to her at all. The silence between them was heavy, almost suffocating. He hadn't looked at her once since they sat down. But now, this-this sudden statement that sent a chill through her chest.

"Really? Papayagan mo akong magtrabaho?" she finally asked, her voice coming out softer than she expected, betraying the surprise she felt.

He didn't glance up, still poking at his food, as if he hadn't just dropped a bombshell on her.

"You heard me."

She felt a knot tighten in her stomach due to excitement.

His eyes lifted then, locking onto hers for the first time all night. There was no emotion in his gaze, just that cold, unreadable look that made it hard to decipher whether he was serious or just playing some kind of game.

"Because I need someone I can trust... and I think you're the only one who fits that role."

Natuwa siya sa narinig. Mabuti naman at hindi na pala niya kailangan na i-suggest iyon sa lalaki.

"If you're thinking about money, I'll compensate you. Mas madali din natin na mapapaniwala ang lahat na kasal tayo kung magkasama tayo madalas sa opisina." Dugtong nito na tila tinutuldukan ang anumang iniisip niya.

"Okay, Mr.Monteguado. I'm glad na makatulong ako sa inyo."

"Don't even think about pulling any funny business at the company." His voice was as cold as ice, the words slicing through the air. "I'm fully aware of your lack of competence, but I'll hire you anyway."

Aray naman!

"Grabi ka naman sir." Hindi napigilang sagot niya dito.

"Nakapagtapos naman po ako ng college. Although wala akong experience sa magandang company katulad ng sa inyo. But I can be trusted when it comes to handling documents and providing assistance."

"Good. Then it's a done deal. Finish your food then follow me at my office."

Sinunod niya ang gusto ng lalaki, baka kasi mamaya ay makarinig na naman siya ng kung ano dito. Magaspang pala talaga ang ugali nito.

Haysss Vivienne, kaya mo to! Isipin mo nalang na pera ang kausap mo para motivated ka pa din! Natatawang pagkonswelo niya sa sarili bago naglakad patungo sa opisina ng lalaki sa bahay nito.

"Use this if you want to buy something." Inabutan siya nito ng black card na may pangalan nito sa baba. NICHOLAS MONTEGUADO.

"Hindi na po kailangan sir, madami naman po akong damit at hindi din po ako mahilig mamili." Tanggi niya sa lalaki. Kailangan niya ng pera pero hindi naman siya ganoon kakapal ang mukha. May pera naman siyang ipon at isa pa aanhin niya ang fifty million na paunang bayad nito, she can spend a few thousands from it.

"I want you to dress well because you'll be my wife. Nothing more, nothing less. Don't read too much into it."

"I'm not sir." Tinanggap nalang niya ang card para matapos na ang sasabihin nito. She could feel the weight of his words hanging in the air, suffocating her, even though they weren't married yet.

"I will assign your own driver starting tomorrow. Siguro naman ay binasa mo ang NDA bago mo pirmahan?" He asked her while raising his eyebrow.

"Oo naman po."

"And?"

Naguguluhang tiningnan niya ito. Anong and? As if naman may mababago sa mga kondisyon doon.

"I'm fine with all the conditions written there, sir," she said, her voice steady, though a hint of uncertainty lingered in her tone.

"You're not allowed to have a boyfriend while this deal is in place." His voice was unwavering, like it was a non-negotiable rule.

"Yes, sir." Tila robot na sagot niya dito. Syempre bawal iyon, akala naman yata ng lalaki ay hindi niya naiintindihan ang magiging role niya. Baka ito pa nga ang may girlfriend na itinatago. Sa itsura pa naman ng lalaki ay siguradong maraming nagkakandarapa dito.

"Do you have a question?"

Napatingin siya dito, nagulat sa tinanong nito. Atleast may karapatan naman pala siyang magtanong. Akala kasi niya ay oo at hindi lang ang pwede sa kanya pagdating dito.

"Okay lang po kung ayaw ninyong sagutin..." Panimula niya dito. Nakita niya ang matiim na titig ng lalaki sa kanya.

"Curious lang ako sir.Bakit po ba kailangan ninyong maghire ng mapapangasawa? Wala po ba kayong girlfriend para doon?"

Hindi manlang ito nagulat sa tanong niya. Tila inaanticipate pa nga nito iyon.

He leaned back in his chair, eyes cold as he spoke. "Marriage... it's nothing more than a business arrangement for me. It's a means to an end. I don't believe in love or any of that romantic nonsense. It's about securing my position, my reputation, and the future of my company. That's why I'm doing this."

"That's why you're here." Mas madiin ang bawat salitang sinabi pa nito sa kanya.

"I need you to act as my loving wife to secure more business deals," he said matter-of-factly. "Being a bachelor doesn't work anymore. People believe that a family man is more competent, more trustworthy."

He glanced at her briefly, his tone dismissive. "It's just how the world works."

Tumango na lang siya sa sinasabi nito, her mind drifting as he continued to explain. Truth be told, she didn't care much about his reasons. All she wanted was confirmation that there was nothing to worry about-that she wouldn't have to deal with a girlfriend or anyone else fighting for his attention. If anything, she was just a placeholder for the role he needed her to play. In the end, it was a win-win for both of them. No emotional strings attached. Just a contract in disguise.

"Once we get married, I'll introduce you to my grandfather," he said, his tone hard. His eyes narrowed as he leaned in slightly. "Make sure you play your part well. He can spot a lie from a mile away. And if he's not convinced? It'll be the end of you."

"P-Paano kung mahuli niyang peke ang pagpapakasal natin?" Bakas ang takot sa boses niya. Hindi pwedeng maging bato ang pera niya!

"All the papers will be legal. The only thing fake here is our relationship." His gaze was unwavering, hard-like he was making sure she knew this wasn't a game. There was no room for doubt in his words, just a stark, business-like clarity.

"We need to convince him, or else all of my inheritance will be donated to charity." His voice was sharp, almost biting.

"As for you... it'll be goodbye to 100 million." Tila nananakot pang sinabi nito.

"Syempre gagalingan ko no! Paano nga pala kapag bumisita ang Lolo mo dito sa bahay mo?"

"He seldom visits here. Pero kung pupunta siya, mapipilitan kang lumipat sa kwarto ko." Pinal na sinabi nito.

"Ako lilipat? Hindi kasama sa kondisyon ang magkasama tayo sa kwarto!" Tanggi niya dito.

"Stop thinking about anything..." He glanced at her, his eyes sweeping over her in a way that felt demeaning. "You're not even my type."

"Hindi rin kita type no!" Hindi napigilang sambit niya dito kaya agad niyang natutop ang sariling labi.

Naglalaro ang ngisi sa kaharap habang nakatingin ito ng matiim sa kanya.

"There's a couch on my room. You can sleep there woman."

"Sige ganoon nalang." Mahinahon ng sinabi niya dito. Mahirap na baka magalit pa ang binata at magbago ang isip nito.

"Lastly, there's one final condition for you."

"Ha? Meron pa ba?"

"It's the most important among others..."

"Ano yun?"

"Do not fall in love with me."

"Once you do, it's all over." He continued. There was no softness in his words, only a brutal finality-as if love were something to be feared, not embraced.