Chapter 2 Appointment

"Mr. Wil?" the woman exclaimed, surprised.

"Rafida?" Mr. Wil responded, equally shocked.

"What are you doing here?" Mr. Wil asked coldly, his eyebrows knitting together.

"I..." Rafida glanced at the two elders sitting beside her.

"Okay, it seems our bride and groom already know each other. Because of that-"

"What?" Rafida said, startled.

"Wait a minute, bride and groom? Grandpa!" Mr. Wil shouted, taken aback by everything happening that evening.

"Did you just yell at me? Look at your age! Isn't it time you provided an heir for our company?" Grandpa Brimo shouted back, his eyes glaring sharply.

"This is my life. I may choose my path. It's enough that you control me through the company, and remember that I saved the company from bankruptcy ten years ago. That means you have no right to dictate my life. Isn't it enough that my father was your sacrificial lamb?"

Mr. Wil stood up and left the dinner table abruptly.

Everyone felt awkward. Rafida still in shock, hurried out to follow Mr. Wil.

"Mr. Wil... wait," Rafida shouted as she caught up.

"Please listen to my explanation, sir."

"I don't want to hear anything from you. You're fired!"

Mr. Wil dismissed Rafida arrogantly and got into his car. Rafida, even more shocked, almost lost her senses.

"Eh-Mr. Wil, wait a moment, please listen to me. Mr. Wil!"

Rafida knocked on Mr. Wil's car window, walking alongside the car. However, Mr. Wil ignored her and sped off, leaving Rafida alone, still calling his name.

"Oh God... What should I do? Mother," Rafida murmured sadly.

***

Mr. Wil arrived home and slammed his apartment door shut. He walked to the glass cabinet full of neatly lined up, expensive, and luxurious red wine bottles. He grabbed one and drank directly from the bottle.

"Ugh... Annoying. What's wrong with everyone? Even Rafida betrayed me. That means she's been deceiving me all this time, hahaha... How could I not realize it?" Mr. Wil said angrily.

***

The alarm kept ringing loudly. Mr. Wil, who had fallen asleep in his office, turned off the alarm and woke up abruptly.

"Ah, I'm late again."

Mr. Wil got up and headed straight to his bathroom. He took off all his clothes and stood under the shower. His eyes were still red from last night's drunkenness. His muscular body was covered with scars and stitches. There was even a small tattoo on his arm that read 'Rachel.'

"Arghhhh..." Mr. Wil screamed, remembering everything that happened yesterday.

At the office, Rafida, who had come in, walked back and forth nervously. She was very anxious about meeting Mr. Wil that day.

"Good morning, Mr. Wil!" greeted Mr. Ronald, asking about today's meeting as Mr. Wil was about to enter his office.

"Good morning, Mr. Wil. I've prepared your favorite green tea and some sweet snacks. Did you sleep well, Mr. Wil-" Rafida's words trailed off. She was so nervous she could barely breathe.

"What are you doing here? I clearly fired you," Mr. Wil asked firmly, startling Ronald.

"What? You fired her? But why? Mr. Wil," Ronald entered Mr. Wil's office, still complaining.

"Do you know how hard it is to find a secretary who suits you, huh? Do you know how many secretaries you've had before, Rafida? And she's been with you the longest. And you say what? You fired her? Wow... I can't believe it. When we have so much work, and you easily fire your own secretary? Tell me, what was her mistake this time, huh? Did she delay giving you a document? Spill your coffee? Or did she fall asleep on the job?"

"She betrayed me-no, she's been deceiving me since she first started working here."

"What? How could she deceive you? What are you talking about?" Ronald asked, confused.

Knock... Knock...

"Mr. Wil," Rafida called again.

"What now?" Ronald got even more annoyed by the interruption.

"It's me. Can I talk to Mr. Wil before I truly leave?" Rafida asked, looking resigned.

"Hah... what now? Hey Rafida, what did you do? Why did you betray and deceive Mr. Wil-"

"Ronald, can you step out for a moment?" Mr. Wil interrupted.

"Oh... So this is serious? Okay, goodbye. Talk it out, and I hope you leave after we find your replacement. Wow, seems like I have to announce a job vacancy," Ronald babbled and left Mr. Wil's office. But as he closed the door, Ronald pressed his ear against it.

"What do you want to say? Don't waste time. Get to the point and don't ask for for-"

"Please forgive me and help me, Mr. Wil," Rafida interrupted, looking desperate.

"What?"

"I know what happened last night shocked you, and it shocked me, too. I knew nothing about this arranged marriage. And I really had no ulterior motives since I started working here. Honestly, please... Help my family, Mr. Wil," Rafida explained.

"I don't understand. Why should I help your family when my life is at risk?"

"We only need to be married for three months, then I'll file for divorce. And after a month, we'll part ways and never see each other again. Please."

"Are you crazy, or have your eyes turned green knowing you're arranged to marry me?" Mr. Wil accused, looking at Rafida with suspicion. He thought she was shameless.

"It's not like that. I might be old, but I'm only a guarantee because my grandfather owes a huge debt to Mr. Wil's grandfather. So, please, just for three months. I'll find a way to pay off the debt and divorce Mr. Wil."

"I still don't get it. If that's your reason, you can find another way without marrying me. Why get married if it's going to end in divorce? I don't want that. Now get out!"

Mr. Wil refused to accept such illogical reasons.

"Then give me one chance," Rafida pleaded.

"No!" Mr. Wil pushed Rafida out of his office.

"I will make Mr. Wil fall in love with me!" Rafida proposed, making Mr. Wil glare sharply.