Chapter 3 The Proposal!

James...

Lucas already has the girl's address, so we decided to go to her house to propose a good deal to her father. We arrived, knocked on the door, and a disheveled man looked at us curiously. "Hi! Who are you guys?" he asked. "We're from the same college as your daughter! And we have a proposal to make." I can tell he's looking at us suspiciously, but he still invites us in. The house is simple but tidy. He asks us to sit on the tiny living room couch and offers us a glass of water. We thank him but prefer to get straight to the point. "Well, my name is James King, owner of the Black Diamond Casino..." I'm interrupted by the man, who widens his eyes and says, "I'll pay, I swear," looking scared. I glance at Lucas, surprised. I didn't know he also owed money to the casino. "No! It's not about that," I reassure him. I see him breathe a sigh of relief. "So, what is it about?" he asks, curious. "It's about your daughter. I need a wife, and I realized that your daughter is the right person." "What do you mean? I don't understand..." he says, confused, scratching his head. "I need a wife, and I would like to propose a favorable agreement for all of us." "Please speak more clearly so I can understand," he requests. "Well, I would like to make a contract with you and your daughter, offering a substantial monthly sum of money. She doesn't need to have any intimate contact with me; she just needs to pretend, in society's eyes, that she is my wife. We'll need to stay married for three and a half years. After that time, she will be free to do whatever she wants with her life. I will pay off all her debts, in addition to the monthly amount that you and she will receive. While she is married to me, she won't need to work or spend the money I provide. She can save it in her personal account. I will also provide an unlimited credit card so she can buy whatever she needs, both for herself and for you." I stop talking and await a response. I see a gleam in the old man's eyes, and he quickly asks me, "Is everything you said true, young man?" "Yes, I guarantee it." "Then we have a deal!" he says, extending his hand toward me. "But what about your daughter? Don't you need to talk to her first?" I ask, curious. "No, young man. I am her father, and I know what is best for our family. She obeys me, and that's that," he says firmly. "Alright! Then I will ask my lawyer to draft the document for you and your daughter to sign. But first, I need to know your name and her name." "Ah, I apologize for the distraction. My name is Mario Solano Bitencourt, and my daughter's name is Lara Suzan Bitencourt." "Thank you!" I say, extending my hand to shake his. We say our goodbyes and leave. I get in the car, and Lucas congratulates me. "Man, you did great! Congratulations on the negotiation," he says with a smile. "Yeah, man, but I'm afraid she won't agree."

So Lucas tells me, "Man, did you see what her father said? He commands and she obeys."

I agree with Lucas, and we head to Dr. Miller's office. We are greeted, and I explain everything to him. He informs me that the document will be ready the next day, and we can take it to be signed. I provide all the correct information, including the monthly payment amounts. We let him know that the other amounts related to the debts incurred by Mr. Mario will be settled with him.

With everything settled, I go home. Lucas suggests going out at night to celebrate the victory, although I don't think it's a victory. It will be my imprisonment for the next three and a half years. My grandfather really got me this time.

I spend the rest of the day taking care of some matters, and when night comes, I get ready to go to my hotel casino. I'm still not very excited, but Lucas insisted so much, saying that I need to have some fun, that my grandfather didn't want to see me down, so I decided to go.

I put on one of my best outfits, get in the car, and head to the casino. Lucas will meet me there. As I drive, I think about how my life will change. Even without having any intimate contact, we will spend a lot of time together, something I have never done and don't like. I'm not the type who likes to share my life with anyone. I'm more of a "I'm not anyone's, I'm everyone's, and everyone is mine too" kind of person. I love having my freedom, and that will be taken away from me soon.

Before I know it, I'm already in front of the casino. The valet takes the keys and parks the car while I look around for Lucas, who is waiting for me in front of the main entrance.

"Hey, man, how's it going?" Lucas asks me.

"As good as it can be. You know I wouldn't be here if it were up to me."

"You need to distract yourself, man, and tonight is just the beginning!" he says, hugging me.

We enter together and immediately catch the attention of some girls, but I'm not in the mood. I reach the bar and order a drink. I look around and see a blonde, about 5'9" tall, with a curvaceous body and piercing green eyes. I can say that just looking at her takes my breath away. She's wearing a red dress with a slit that goes up to the thigh, and she has fair skin. She's a traffic stopper. Before I know it, she's already next to me, looking at me and saying,

"Aren't you going to buy me a drink?"

Lucas nudges me, and I realize I have my mouth open. I compose myself and nod.

"Get the lady a drink... I'll wait for her to tell me her name."

"Lopes! Beatrice Lopes..." she says, exuding sensuality.