The Wedding Ring

CHAPTER 1

Diane needs to be in a hurry. It's her first day at this part-time job that Jenny gave to her. She is going to clean an apartment. She has no idea who's living in that apartment. Either a family with a messy house or an old lady who needs someone to help her do the household chores, she's up to it.

Though she has a permanent job as a cashier in a café, Diane's first time doing a part-time cleaning and being hired for more than a month. She needs more extra income to save more money to go back home. She needs to hurry, she doesn't want to be late.

As soon as she reached the building, she gives her ID to the concierge and signs up on the logbook. She went to the elevator. While waiting for the elevator to go down, she checked the Jenny's message.

2909. The elevator opens then she pressed the 29th floor.

The building was clean, and you can see rich people live in this place. As soon as the elevator reached her destination, she finds room number 2909. She turned left, following the arrow in the corner with 1-10, while on the right side is 11-20. She quietly walked till she found the door in 2909.

"Here it is..." She took a deep breath. "I need to relax..." She prayed that the owner will be satisfied with her performance in cleaning their apartment, so she can come back again next time when they need her help.

After a few seconds, the door opened. Diane was surprised that it's a man who opened the door. The apartment was silent. You can only see empty bottles of wine on top of the center table, a wine glass, and an ashtray full of a cigarette butt. There was also a lighter and 2 boxes of cigarettes, one is empty, while the other one is already opened,

But the living room looks clean, with no clothes scattered everywhere.

"Hi sir, I'm Diane, your part-timer," she said with a plastered smile.

"Come in," the man said.

The living room wall is painted with a cream color. With gold curtains in a large window, a set of black leather couches with both ends have a small brown table with a lampshade on top in each and artificial plants beside it.

A wooden round table was also in the center, and underneath it is a brown carpet. There's an eighty-six inches smart TV attached to the wall, with a Multimedia Bluetooth Home Theater Speaker System on both sides.

When you turn left, it's the door going to the open kitchen. Next to it is a small guest bathroom. The right side of the kitchen is the laundry room.

"All the cleaning materials are in the laundry room," the man said and left.

Diane gently closed the door behind her. She looked at the broad shoulder of the man who just left after he opened the door for her.

He went inside the kitchen. He is wearing a plain white t-shirt and blue stripes, pajama pants. He's walking straight to the fridge. He took a bottle of water. He's a tall man. His face was round and shaved. His nose was pointed, and his lips are lush. He has a dimple on his chin, and I can see Adam's apple that makes him more remarkable. His Adams apples' movement looks so sexy while drinking the water like a TV advert model.

I didn't even notice that I bite my lower lips on this beautiful creature.

"Is there anything you want to ask?" Hearing this cold voice and seeing a pair of blue eyes looking at me makes me startled.

"Oh, I'm sorry, sir." She stammered and quickly went to the laundry where the cleaning supplies were placed. I could feel my face warming from an embarrassment. He caught her staring at him. It's really embarrassing. I need to take a deep breath, relax let me go back to my senses.

"Oh, gosh! what's happening to me." It's so embarrassing. As if I have never seen a man before. This no makes sense. I need to focus on my work now before I go crazy on my wild imagination.

After cleaning the living room he called her, she was standing in front of him. "Miss Diane, tell me about yourself ?"

I was surprised by his sudden question. Did I do anything wrong? I was at the right age to work. What is the problem? Her heart and mind were in turmoil, but still, she cleared her throat before she responded.

"I am Diane Lopez, 22 years old, a cashier at bricks tone cafe."

"How much is your income?"

"Two thousand dollars a month."

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No..."

"Are you married?"

"Not yet, sir..."

What is this question? I came here just for a part-time job. What are these funny questions on my first day of work? I don't have a boyfriend since I was born. Never been touched and never been a kiss, she just said it to herself.

I will not deny that I have many suitors, but Adrian is the only one here in my heart. How is he now? I'm sure mommy is worried about me, especially when they find out that I ran away. It's all my dad's fault I wouldn't have left the house if it weren't for him.

***

CHAPTER 2

"Resign from that cafe and be my wife."

What did he say? To be his wife? Is he serious? We just met a while ago. Is this day lucky for me or not? She's suddenly confused, and I do not know if I will cry or be happy with what this man said.

"I will pay you $5000. Do not worry, I will not control you, we can make an agreement. We just need to get married for two years. After that, we can divorce. You are free."

She's still can't believe if this person is in the right mind. I wonder why somebody offers marriage suddenly, is it a chance of grace or misfortune.

"Okay, listen, woman, or should I say, miss Diane." His voice was impatient when he can't receive any response from her. "I need a wife to introduce to my family. Since you're not married and no boyfriend, I guess there's no conflict. You just need to marry me and be my wife. You just need to stay home, accompany me to any party I will attend, travel with me, and be a submissive wife. Don't worry, we can live in a separate room," he patiently explained, hoping that this woman would understand and agreed with what he said and from what he wants to happen. "It's only for 2 years but for this year you are not allowed to have any relationship. Don't entertain suitors and be lawful wife," he added. "And for your money, I'll pay you monthly directly in your bank account. I'll provide for all your needs. And after 2 years, I'll give you more money for compensation."

Diane was still standing there, pinching her wrist, waking herself because she might be dreaming. And at the same time trying to absorb in her mind what the man was telling her. She can feel the pain when she's pinching herself, so this all real.

"It's a win-win game. I know you need the money. That's why you here for a part-time, and I need someone to be my wife for two years." After that, he fished out his wallet in his pocket and took out the money. He gives the money to Diane. "Here, take this $100. I need your answer tomorrow at seven in the morning. No need to finish cleaning the house. You may go, take a rest and think the deal I offer you."

Diane took the money and stepped out of the house. Her mind is in turmoil. She can't believe what's happening-what's going on. As soon as she reached the end of the corridor, she pressed the elevator button down to the ground floor.

I pass by a convenience store. I feel hungry and thirsty. My throat is parched.

Yesterday I asked my friend, Jenny, if she knows any part-time and she recommends this one, only to clean the house and do some ironing of clothes but it doesn't happen. What happened is suddenly the proposal of marrying this man-that I don't even know or what he's doing in life.

After she finished eating her sandwich and drink the bottle of water, she took the bus home. When she arrived home, it's already seven p.m. She needed to cook for dinner while waiting for her friend, Margie. She is on an afternoon shift. For sure, at 10, she will be here.

Margie is her friend. They met at the airport when I arrive at this place. She came here to find work to support her family back home. They apply for the same café. Diane is on a morning shift while Margie's in the afternoon. My duty is from 7am to 3pm while she's from 1 to 9pm were living in the same room they share for everything from rent till food.

Diane took out the chicken from the freezer. It was marinated last night. She will cook fried chicken and prepare some vegetables for soup. She learned to cook because of my mom. She taught her how to cook. I miss my mom. She felt the warmth of the corner of her eyes until she could no longer control the flow of her tears. I miss mommy. I have no one else to blame, if not just daddy. It's all his fault. She took a deep breath.

"I need to call Jenny and ask about the man," she said. After five rings, the call connected. "Hi, Jenny!"

"Yes, Diane?"

"May I know what's the name of that man you gave me for a part-time?"

"Oh, that's Sir Alejandro Smith. He's from Italy."

"What's his occupation?"

"My friend told me he's a businessman. That's all I knew. Why Diane, is there any problem?" She heard jenny's voice getting worried.

"No, nothing, I'm just asking."

"Did you come today?"

"Yes, I went there."

"So how is it? Is it messy? Did you do a lot of work?"

"No, actually, the house is clean. It was not a lot of work. Have you been to that place?" She asked because she knew Jenny is doing part-time cleaning also.

"No, I didn't. My friend gave it to me. When you're asking for a part-time job, I ask my boyfriend if he knows anyone looking for a part-timer, so his friend recommended it."

"Oh, okay. By the way, thank you very much for your help. It's a tremendous help."

"Don't mention it. What our friend's for?"

"Don't worry, if we have time, I'll treat you for a meal,"

"How about on Friday night? It's my day off the next day," Jenny replied.

"Okay, it's a deal."

At almost 10 in the evening, She's done cooking, and the food is all set on the table-this is my routine. She never ate alone, even it's late. She will wait for her friend, so they'll eat together.

***

Chapter 3

"Alejandro, I'm sorry! I'm going to marry Dan. The time you are busy on your business abroad, there's something happened between Dan and me, I'm already pregnant, and it's Dan's child."

I thought it's a happy day, just like how the weather is so cool. Today is my plan to propose to Catalina for two years in a relationship; I just left for almost two months to open a new branch of a restaurant abroad and decided to come back to propose to Catalina to surprise her. But it looks like I'm more surprised. Is this why she never answered my calls these few weeks? I thought she was just upset because I promised to stay there for only a month. I was speechless for her revelations.

What's the use of staying here? I need to go back abroad and forget the woman I love. Catalina is my first love. I've known her since primary to college. We attended the same school, and we're classmates in primary to high school. We separated when we were in college. I took business management.

In contrast, she took nursing. After we graduate, I courted her for more than a year. Now we've been in a relationship for more than 2 years.

As soon as I left the restaurant, I call my assistant to book my ticket to go back abroad as quickly as possible.

Why she's here? Is she not on duty?" Alex was shocked when he opened the door and saw the woman in front of him.

"Hi, sir, I'm Diane, your part-timer."

I was back to my senses when I heard the sweet voice of the woman. "Come in," I said after opening the door.

I went straight to the fridge to get a bottle of water. I have a severe headache. I finished 2 bottles of red wine this morning. Upon arrival from the airport, I just pass by the cafe to check for the employee. How is it going? And just saw this lady at the counter while she's taking orders from the customer. For sure she doesn't know that I'm her employer, since the cafe been opened, I never introduce myself as an owner. It was Daniel who hired them. I'll just check the documents to sign it up.

My plan after opening this café is I'll be back in Italy to settle down, but it doesn't happen. I guess I need to stay here more to forget her and move on.

He heard his phone ringing. After he put down the bottle of water, he noticed the woman still standing behind the door, looking at him.

"Is there anything you want to ask?" The woman was startled and left. He shrugged. Am I that scary? He smirked at the gesture of the woman.

"Hello, Alejandro, what happened? I thought you will come home and bring your wife? We're waiting for you. When will you introduce your wife to us?" It was his mother's voice.

"Mom, don't worry, we're coming soon," he responded with no idea who is the woman he will introduce to his family.

"Your grandparents are distraught."

"Just tell them we're coming soon, mom. I need to go. I have meetings to attend." He did not give his mother a chance to answer. He hung up the phone and put it on his bed's side table, then he went to the living room.

He saw the lady mopping the floor in the living room. He looked at the woman's slim figure wearing a loose shirt with skinny blue jeans that just curved on her perfect butt. Not too big but not too small. Her shiny black hair was in a ponytail. Her height must be 167cm.

Alejandro has an idea, and he smiled mischievously. Then he called Diane.

_____________

The next day, as an everyday routine, I woke up at six in the morning and prayed. After I get off the bed, I went straight to the washroom to take a shower. I need to prepare myself to work. I wore a plain white t-shirt and black pants.

After she fixed herself, she went to the small kitchen and make a coffee. She took 3in1 coffee from the cupboard and sliced bread. She stuffed it with Nutella. I need to go now. It's almost 7am anyway. It's just a 5minutes walk only from here to my working place.

It's precisely seven, while I'm preparing myself to go to the counter, my phone rang from an unknown number.

She was hesitant to answer, but it might be an emergency call, so she decided to answer it. "Hello?"

"So, have you decided on my proposal to you yesterday?" Answered a cold voice from another line.

I forgot about this matter. All I thought was maybe he just out of his mind due to having a hangover from drinking those two bottles of wine.

"Sir, regarding that deal, I'm sorry I can't decide right now. I need to submit a resignation letter to my present employer."

***