Chapter 4 Opportunity to execute mission

Chapter Four

Smells of coffee and omelette filled the air as he walked into the cafeteria for a personal business. Dylan had suggested inviting Patricia over for the deal, hence the rationale behind giving her a day off.

It's been two days since the incident, leaving him giddy with nervousness. Questions like - will Patricia agree to it? What if she doesn't agree - kept invading his mind, making him nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of locker?

Sitting at the extreme of the cafeteria, Daniel glanced at the menu before him, uninterested in it. His stomach growled noisily. Mortified, he wistfully glanced around, glad that no one was paying him any attention. Earlier, he had insisted on a mask to avoid unnecessary fans popping out of the blue sea.

Just as he placed an order for a diet coke and an omelette, two figures approached him, dressed in a black suit with their black curly hair styled, giving them a sexy model look. His tensed muscles relaxed instantly as his brain recognized one of the figures.

"Hey man!" Dylan called excitedly, smiling like a lunatic.

He had no chance for a response when his phone rang noisily, forcing some heads to turn towards his direction.

"Excuse me." Daniel muttered as he glanced at the caller ID with a sigh.

"Boss, Mr Dominic is here to see you concerning the signed document and contract." His secretary spoke into the phone.

"Inform him of my absence."

"Sir, you also have a meeting with the stakeholders of 'Blue Rose Company'," she added persistently.

Damn it. "Cancel all my appointments for today!"

"But, Mr Graham is here to see you..."

"Look Celina, if you are not ready to lose your fucking job, then do as instructed. Reset your moronic pea brain. Cancel all my appointments and meetings, inform Graham of my absent. Is that so difficult a task for you?"

"Not really..." Fear clouding her mind, Celina apologized with intense humility. That was really a facade.

"Sorry Boss. I will.."

He rudely disconnected the call, not interested in hearing false lies from her bitchy mouth when he had better things requiring his full attention.

"Work issue?"

"Yea." he replied dryly, feeling irritated.

"So, Mr Daniel..." Dylan quipped. "Meet Edward, my attorney. " Glancing at Edward, he added. "Meet Daniel Graham, my buddy and your client."

"It's a pleasure meeting you." Edward spoke with a friendly tone, offering a handshake which he didn't resist.

His voice sounded really masculine. Daniel couldn't help imagining how terrified an accuser under vindication will be if Edward uses that voice in court. Definitely, even the judge will be forced to offer more attention to his vindication.

In a professional tone, Edward added. "The legal document is ready. You could skim through it and if the is any question, feel free to ask for clarification."

The document was well explanatory, offering no room for questioning. It was legally documented.

***

The noise from her stiletto had him raising his head from the document, heads turned as she majestically walked in with her shoulder-high. An air of authority lurked behind her.

Her curves boldly pronounced on a red straight gown which stopped on her knees. Her beautiful straight legs didn't escape his notice.

"I sincerely apologize for being late. The traffic was terrible. " Patricia exaggerated in a soft, pitched voice that made Daniel wonder how she will sound when moaning under intense pleasure.

Ashamed of his train of thought, Daniel sighed, inwardly hoping it will go as planned.

"Apology accepted." Dylan said, stiffly breaking the silence. "Have a seat"

His cold tone when speaking with Patricia baffled him. Dylan, always cheerful, had never been nice to Patricia, which had Daniel speculating what was wrong. Never the least, it wasn't his headache as such couldn't afford to take panadol over it.

"Thanks. " Patricia pulled out a chair opposite Dylan. She had chosen that spot to create some distance with her cranky boss.

Edward watched silently as both men exchanged contact - more like some interactive signals. He was amazed by their strong bond, though he couldn't comprehend what message were exchanged. But it was encrypted.

"Ms Patricia, my name is Daniel. A friend of Dylan, your boss. I have got some business deal for you."

Interesting. Patricia thought. What sort of business could a mogul like Daniel have for an ordinary person like her? It was intriguing, and yet she could feel the curiosity building up. With a neutrality, Patricia signalled him to continue.

Patricia's neutrality unnerved him. Her face was devoid of any emotions that could give him a clue of what was going through her head.

"I want you to pose as my wife for two years. Your job with Dylan will be terminated during those years. You will be required to give me an heir. I can assure you of weekly allowances, and you will be my wife only in paper."

He spoke the last word coldly, as though she didn't deserve to be called his wife.. Her face didn't change a bit for a while until much later, when comprehension of his proposal set in.

The emotions moved from amusement to surprise to anger to neutrality. Her body language tensed. "Is that all I need to know about the contracted marriage?"

"You will be mandated to keep this a secret from people and the public."

Patricia gave an unladylike snort.

"In addition to that, you are not allowed to be in a relationship with anyone during the two years of your supposed marriage to Daniel. Failure to adhere will warrant a castigation of any form," Dylan butted in arrogantly, as though bearing a grudge against Patricia.

Bullshit! Patricia smirked. The heaven must be smiling down at her.

This was an opportunity to execute her mission. An opportunity she has been craving for. With an inward smile, Patricia's eyes glittered for a second before she masked it with a feign fury.