Chapter 4 Let's get married

Chloe

I still can't believe he said that. Mr. Casper has successfully sent me from the house because I told the truth, and guess what? He didn't let me take any of my belongings. That man is such an asshole. I should've known that he was a greedy man all these years. I mean, what was I expecting from someone that can treat his own daughter like they are not related by blood?

It's a good thing Jeffrey rescued me from that man, I don't know what would've happened. Sitting in the VIP section of the restaurant in one of the five stars hotels in town, I stare everywhere else, except his face. I don't know why I'm getting nervous and at the same time curious about why he brought me here.

"Uhm...thanks for earlier," I finally break the awkward silence that fills the air, and he only hum. What the heck!

"I'll go straight to the point, Chloe," He says after sipping from the wine glass that's filled to the brim and I can't help getting more curious and nervous.

"Because of what you did, I lost a lot of contracts, and also, I lost a lot of money..."

"You see, I'm sorry about what happened, but..."

"Let's get married," His words echo in my head and I freeze in my seat. As if the whole world stops working, my mouth drops open in shock and disbelief. I blink my eyes to be sure I'm not dreaming, and when I open them, there he is, staring at me with an unexplainable expression on his face.

For the next few minutes, silence crowds the atmosphere, and I feel my heart racing fast.

"Uhm... It hasn't gotten to that, Jeff. You see, I...I...we can settle this, you know? We don't have to get married, no we don't have to. We are two strangers that don't even know much about ourselves, how can you even think of that? Look, we can find another way around this. We don't even love each other, how..."

"Don't try to play smart with me, young lady... It won't work, at least not on me. If you dare do something stupid, then be ready to face your doom. I don't play with the words that come out of me, and just as always, I mean every word I say to you today..." He pauses and takes a sip from the wine before he continues, "I'll make sure I ruin your career. You won't get a job anywhere, as far as this country is concerned. I own the city, Chloe...and trust me, you wouldn't want to mess with Jeffrey Ramos. That'll be the worst mistake you'd ever make," His words are so powerful and full of authority, he sounds like those bad gangsters I usually see in movies, and right now, I'm beginning to think that he must be one of them.

"Uhm..."

"You know where I live," He says and with that, he stands up and walks away, while I freeze on the spot reminiscing on what he just said. No! This isn't happening.

My phone suddenly beeps and checking it out, I almost scream at the top of my voice. I just got the job I applied for a couple of days ago after I was sacked from the previous place I worked. The fear and sadness in me slowly disappear. I can worry about Jeff later, but for now, I need to go home and get ready to start working tomorrow. Well, I have some money with me, so I'll just lodge in a hotel for a week, while I find my way around this whole shit.

Time runs fast, and it's already the day I am supposed to resume work. I wake up early enough and take my time to get ready for work. I take a cab down to the company. It's a cosmetics company, and I suppose to be the CEO's secretary. I am a graduate and I already have my master's degree, but because I couldn't find a job, I had to work as a waitress.

"Good morning," I greet the receptionist politely, getting her attention.

"Good morning. You must be miss Chloe Orlando?" She asks and I nod excitedly.

"Alright. Please come with me," She leads me to God knows where, until we stop in front of a beautiful and well-furnished door. She places a knock on the door, and in the next few seconds, a masculine voice sounds from inside ushering us in. She pushes the door open and we both walk in.

Just as expected, the office is furnished and decorated with beautiful flowers and there are portraits on the wall. Some of them seem to be from the models that do advertise their cosmetics. Don't ask me how I know about that. Of course, I've seen many of their ads on TV and I know some of their models. Not that I've met them before in person though.

"You may leave now, Kate. I'll take it from here," The young man sitting behind the desk says to the receptionist, and she bows before exiting the room.

"Good morning, Sir," I finally greet him, and he only nods his head not even sparing me a glance.

"Sit," He ignores my greeting. I walk over to the chair across from him and make myself comfortable. I'm so excited, after so many rejections, I've finally gotten a job.

"What's your name?" He asks, picking up a file from his desk and looking through it.

"I'm Chloe Orlando, Sir," I reply to him.

"Chloe..." He calls and pause, dropping the file on the desk and turning his attention to me for the first time, while I just wait anxiously and nervously for what he's going to say.

"Yes, Sir," I reply.

"Sorry, I got a call from someone. Your husband, Mr. Jeffrey Ramos asked me to cancel the job appointment," His words echo in my head and I freeze on the spot.

"I'm sorry, but I can't give you this job since your husband already ordered me not to," Tears well up in my eyes and without waiting to hear what else he has to say, I stand up and storm out of his office...