Chapter 1: A Business Transaction
1161 Words
The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the towering windows of the Demonteverde Technologies boardroom, casting a golden hue on the polished mahogany table. Richard John Demonteverde sat at the head of the table, his posture as rigid as the custom-tailored suit he wore. His fingers tapped a steady rhythm against the armrest of his chair, a small but telling display of his impatience.
"Richard," one of the board members began, his voice laden with caution, "the merger with Aetherion is at risk. Their CEO has made it clear—stability is non-negotiable."
Richard's sharp eyes flicked to the speaker, his expression unreadable. Stability. That was just a polite way of saying they wanted him to stop being a headline fixture in society gossip columns. As if the Demonteverde name wasn't already synonymous with power and prestige.
"So, let me get this straight," Richard finally said, his deep voice cutting through the tension in the room. "They're willing to jeopardize a billion-dollar deal because of a few tabloids? Ridiculous."
"It’s not just a few tabloids," another board member interjected. "Your reputation precedes you, Richard. The media paints you as a playboy—a man who doesn’t take commitments seriously. Aetherion's CEO, Mr. Tan, values family. He needs to believe you’re not just stable but grounded."
Richard leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. He hated being lectured, especially by people who depended on him for their livelihoods.
"And what exactly do you propose I do?" he asked coldly, his tone daring anyone to offer a solution.
The room fell silent, and the air grew heavier. Finally, a voice spoke up from the corner.
"You need a wife."
All heads turned toward Carmen Demonteverde, Richard's mother, who sat gracefully at the far end of the table. Dressed in a cream-colored dress that exuded understated elegance, Carmen was the epitome of poise. Her sharp eyes, however, carried the weight of authority.
Richard let out a dry chuckle, the sound devoid of humor. "A wife? Seriously, mama?"
"Yes, Richard," Carmen said firmly. "The image of a devoted husband will show Aetherion and the world that you’ve changed. That you're committed to more than just your business empire."
"You're suggesting a PR stunt," Richard said, his voice dripping with disdain.
"I'm suggesting a solution," Carmen countered, her tone unyielding. "You’ve already built an empire, Richard. But even emperors need to show they have a heart."
Richard pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the beginnings of a headache. "And where do you expect me to find this so-called wife? Shall I put out a classified ad?"
Carmen’s lips curled into a small smile. "Leave that to me. I have connections, as you well know. There are agencies that specialize in this sort of arrangement."
Richard straightened, his expression darkening. "Arranged marriage, mama? What are we, in the eighteenth century?"
"This isn’t about tradition, Richard. It’s about necessity," Carmen said coolly. "And let’s not pretend you care about romance. A business arrangement suits you perfectly."
Richard’s silence was all the confirmation Carmen needed. She leaned forward, her voice softening just slightly. "Think of it as a temporary inconvenience. One year. Just long enough to close the merger and solidify your position. After that, you can go back to doing whatever you please."
He looked out the window, his eyes fixed on the skyline of Makati. The city stretched out before him, a testament to his success. He had worked tirelessly to get here, clawing his way to the top after his father’s death left the company on the brink of ruin. Now, his empire was at stake because of something as trivial as appearances.
"Fine," Richard said at last, his voice clipped. "Find me a wife."
The board members exchanged relieved glances, and Carmen’s expression softened into a rare smile.
Later that evening, Richard sat in his private office, nursing a glass of whiskey. The city lights glittered beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, but he barely noticed them. His mind was a storm of thoughts.
He hated the idea of being forced into anything, let alone a marriage. But he couldn't deny the logic behind Carmen’s suggestion. The merger with Aetherion was crucial. It would open doors to international markets and solidify Demonteverde Technologies as a global powerhouse.
Still, the thought of tying himself to someone—even temporarily—left a bitter taste in his mouth. Richard had long since abandoned the idea of love. His father’s infidelity and his mother’s relentless obsession with appearances had taught him that relationships were nothing more than transactions.
"Love is a liability," he muttered to himself, swirling the amber liquid in his glass.
The next morning, Carmen arrived at Richard’s estate unannounced. She found him in the dining room, finishing his coffee while scrolling through his tablet.
"Good morning, hijo," Carmen greeted, her tone unusually cheerful.
Richard raised an eyebrow. "You’re in a good mood, mama."
"I’ve already spoken to someone who can help us," she said, sitting down across from him.
"And by ‘someone,’ you mean...?"
"Amara Infante. She runs an exclusive matchmaking agency. Discreet, professional, and perfect for our needs."
Richard set down his tablet and folded his arms. "And how exactly does this work?"
"You’ll meet a selection of candidates who are suitable for the role. Intelligent, presentable, and capable of handling the pressures of being Mrs. Demonteverde," Carmen explained.
Richard smirked. "And I suppose these women are just lining up for the chance to marry me?"
"Don’t flatter yourself," Carmen said with a wry smile. "They’re as pragmatic as you are. Most of them have their own reasons for agreeing to an arrangement like this. Money, career advancement, family obligations."
Richard leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "And what happens after the year is up?"
"You’ll both part ways, no strings attached," Carmen said simply.
He stared at her for a long moment, then nodded. "Fine, mama. Set up the meetings."
That evening, Richard found himself once again in his office, reviewing the files his mother had forwarded to him. Each one contained a detailed profile of a potential "candidate"—their background, accomplishments, and even a professional photo.
The whole process felt absurdly clinical, like he was hiring an employee rather than choosing a wife. But then again, wasn’t that exactly what this was? A business transaction.
One file in particular caught his attention. The woman’s name was Saoirse Zandrea Alba.
"Manila-based," he muttered, scanning her profile. "Fashion designer at a local shop. Why is she on this list?"
Her photo showed a young woman with warm brown eyes and a shy but determined smile. Something about her stood out, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
He leaned back in his chair, considering his options. Whoever she was, she seemed... different.
"Let’s see if you can handle the role, Ms. Alba," he said to himself as he closed the file, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
- Writer
