Chapter 7 MAXIMUS TEMPTING OFFER TO EMMA

EMMA'S P.O.V

"Are you alright?" Maximus Star stood where the man had been standing, the man lay at his feet comatose with blood flowing from his mouth. My eyes snapped up to look at his hands and I saw that his knuckles were stained with blood. He saved me.

"Maximus, you saved me?"

He rushed to meet me and helped me up while I cradled my head in pain. I stared up at him in a daze.

"You saved me, why?"

His lips stayed grim on his face, I could see his eyes turning with unspoken emotions I couldn't decipher but I recognized anger. Was he angry with me. He silently pulled me out of the alley and left me to his car where I sat on the passenger seat.

"Why did you run away like that" his voice came out strained but I couldn't tell his expression as he faced away from me.

I shrugged, "You...were busy...and I hadn't expected you to be the one to interview me. I didn't even know this was one of your companies"

"At least you should have waited and let me speak" he growled out, I trembled.

"I'm sorry"

"The woman.."he heaved a breath as he faced me, "...that woman you saw was no one to me, in fact she was the one trying to seduce me"

"Why are you explaining this to me"

"Because I don't want you to misunderstand and use this to refuse my proposal"

"I really don't care about who you date...or whatever"

"Really" he challenged, "then why did you run and scream at me like that. That was the scream of someone being affected" he deadpanned.

"Well...I...well. I don't know" I slumped my shoulders, "I guess it was just reflex...and the thought that someone who said he wanted to marry me was having an affair". The memory of Pascal's betrayal was still fresh in my mind.

"Hey. Don't lump me together with your ex. I am not like that sick son of a bitch." He growled. Helpless, I nodded in affirmation.

"Besides, I don't think you'll see him again...at least for the time being." He suddenly announced in a confident voice.

"What do you mean?"

"I bought out his shares in the companies he worked with. Then I proceeded to make him bankrupt. As of now he is nothing but a loser" I could feel the cold and deadly aura emanating from him. He looked so deadly yet so dashing.

"How did you..?"

"How did I do it?" get smirked as he looked at me, "...I'm a billionaire, anything I want, I get it done." Then he leaned down to my level. "There is just one thing I haven't gotten yet..." he whispered.

With my heart pounding, I whispered back, "What is that?"

"You" he answered while staring at me pointedly. "I want you but you just won't let me have you"

"But what do you see in me, I'm nothing but a boring person....mmphf!"

He stopped me with his lips, I sat still frozen in shock. His lips were soft and warm, his breath tasted like mint. I sighed into his mouth as I felt him pulled back.

"You are not boring, let me be the judge of that." He silenced me with a stern gaze. "Now I'm going to ask you again but before I do that I want you to know that there will be something in this for you"

"Like what?"

"Revenge!"

I blinked at him, "Revenge?"

"Yes, don't you want to exact your revenge on Pascal? What about Samantha, your cousin."

"But you have already exacted your revenge on Pascal by making him bankrupt" I argued.

"Yes, but that was my revenge. You want your own revenge don't you, well this is your chance. As long as you marry me, I can help you track them down and you can watch with your own eyes as they suffer."

The offer was very tempting, just the thought of imagining Pascal and Samantha suffering for what they have done to me was very enticing. But....

"But still..."

"And also..." he cut me off, "...two years. Give me two years. If you don't fall in love with me or develop any feelings for me after two years, you will be free to go and I will give you as much money that you need to start up a new life."

I stared at him with wide eyes. Was he even serious? He was giving me an ultimatum, which meant I could back off after two years and still live a good life.

"Are you really sure about this Mr. Star. It almost sounds like a win for me and a loss for you"

"Yes, I'm sure. And besides..." He suddenly grinned slyly at me, the force of his grin was so overwhelming, I suddenly got a flashback of our night together. Heat began to pool at my thighs. "...I never ever fail at what I do. Even if it meant satisfying my woman." He ran his hands down the center of my chest and stopped to flick my nipple through my bra, I flinched not in fear but in desire. I wished I could grab him and make him have his way with him. Feeling speechless, I nodded immediately. He grinned at me, his eyes shinning in victory.

"Great, prepare for you will soon be moving into my house."

"..with Jenny too?"

"Yes with Jenny"

"Okay"

"And also, how do you feel about becoming my secretary?" He finally threw the last bomb at me.

"What! Really!" I was happy but then, "Are you doing this because of our agreement?"

"Partly. I want you close to me and also..." he stood up and helped me up, "...you have a good résumé. I had no idea the file I read was yours because I don't know your last name but it satisfied my standards. So you got the job"

"Oh thank you" I hugged him but then I realized what I was doing and he had gotten still while I hugged him. I hurridly moved away from him as I cleared my throat. "Erm, sorry, Mr Star. I got too excited."

"No problem," he replied nonchalantly, "but I think from now on you should call me Maximus"

I stared at him, question marks running around my head.

"Why?"

"Because that is my name" he answered in an obvious tone.

"No, I'll call you Mr. Star." I refuse, "if people hear me calling your name like that they would begin to suspect."

"And so what?, you are going to be my wife." Not yet Mr Star, I wanted to tell him but I knew he wouldn't back down so I decided to reach a compromise.

"Fine, but I'll only call you that when we are alone"

"Fine. That would be fine also. I have a lot of things I have to do to you to make you scream my name." He stepped closer and closer with a predatory glint in his eyes and leaned to kiss me, our lips were almost touching, I could feel his breath on my face, I slowly closed my eyes.

"Mr. Star!"