3 The Proposal

"I…I guess I am in the wrong room." I didn't know why I stutter but turning around I was even more uncomfortable and only let the breath out getting out of the room.

I found David walking out of the lift and was quick to ask.

"Who is he?"

"Who?" He asked back,

"There is someone in the room. Isn't it exclusive for Mr. Lucca?" I asked to which he shrugged his shoulder.

"Maybe staff? You want me to look?" He asked but I was quick to shake my head in no but for some unknown reason have my legs a little shaky. I wanted to get out of here.

"Where is Mr. De Lucca?" I asked getting into the lift.

"You are fine?" He asked making me take notice of my breathless self.

"Yea,…I…I am fine," I replied back.

"Let me take you to Mr. De Lucca…he is back home." I gulped before following David but look at the door wondering how strange this encounter was.

I walked to a range rover following David but didn't proceed when he opened the back door for me.

"David, I think we don't need this formality…" I smiled,

Am I being too obvious? I wondered but avoid looking in his direction until I settled beside him in the passenger seat.

I notice a little boyish smile on his face and was quick to look away. I recalled my friends' comments before telling myself. Don't Julie…Don't…proceed with anything you can't afford.

I looked at him and he caught my eyes and I hurriedly added, "This car is cool,"

"I call her a princess." I offered him a small smile while he started driving.

"Are you engaged?" He asked making me look at my ring I had fixed on my ring finger.

"No, it's a…a purity ring." I got my cheeks heated and looked out of the window. "…I know it's… it's childish."

"It's not." I heard him say and turn to look at him.

He wasn't wrong. I too never see a purity ring a less of a deal.

"I know you are not free at weekends but…" I looked at him and hated why I took my lips in my mouth.

"What?" I asked when he trailed off.

"…I wanted to invite you for the dinner…not any big deal. You don't need to get ready. Just a quick sandwich?"

Wow, wasn't this person ideal? He was aware of my workload. My heart sank recalling my friend's conversation I was not supposed to listen to.

"I think…I will tell you," I said something I used to tell to refuse boys in my school.

What the hell was that Julie? He was asking nicely. You just messed it up. What if you really end up alone! Just say something to make it up. Say anything you, idiot.

"I am not interested in any relationship right now," I had to facepalm myself before I turn to look away while the car resonated with his laughs.

"Good, me too….we can start by knowing each other." He said making me look at him and I knew my face was red. He was the same as my age and looked boyish. I don't know why I still liked men with a boyish look. It was like compensation to all of my teen years when my father used to warn me not to hang out with the boys. And, to be honest, at that time I was proud of it…totally forgetting how awkward I was becoming whenever it comes to talk to the opposite gender. But David was sure different. He could make me at ease. He had a father to take care of and has his student loans. And, I guess a friendship won't hurt.

"Ok," I whispered and was relieved looking at the mansion appearing in the sight.

I knew if Mr. Lucca was back at the mansion his condition wasn't that bad. And, sometimes I wonder what exactly was wrong with him. He didn't look like usual 80 years old, didn't have any serious conditions except for his grim face as if he has loads of responsibilities on his shoulders but I never watched him doing anything else than looking at the lawn or playing the piano that was very rare. I have heard that his heart is weak but he doesn't heave like Rachael. As his caretaker, I helped to make his medicinal tea for him whenever he likes or serve food and his medicines or accompany him all the time that requires standing for a very long period of time.

I walked to his study that was an open space on the second floor but as I neared the place I was delighted listening to the music he was playing on his piano. And, that makes me wonder if he was even in an emergency an hour ago or not. But I knew I can't complain. He was paying a lot for a caretaker.

But what if Rachael is right? My mind asked but I shook away the thought.

I stood listening to him playing. He was indeed the best composer this earth will ever have but I don't know why he wanted to keep this world from his art. It could have earned him a lot more money.

"I guess you have met him," He stopped playing his piano all of a sudden telling me he has caught my act of enjoying his music.

"Who?" I asked really not knowing what he meant.

"Winston told me that you wanted some loan," His question took me by surprise and I bit my lip in utter confusion. I don't know why Mr. Lucca was asking me this question directly. In my four months of service, I have seen all of the other employees getting advance or loan without having to face Mr. Lucca. It was something Winston used to deal with.

"Yes, Mr. Lucca." I tried to keep my reply short.

"Why do you want this money?" He asked having his face focused on the piano.

"I…I want my mother to have the surgery…and…my father got into accident three months before his death…I have some hospital bills, and business loans to clear…" I tried to think of something else too.

"…and my sisters…I would like to keep their school going,"

"Your mother means…your stepmother?" He asked making me nod but then I have to say, "yes," considering he wasn't looking at me.

"I couldn't approve your loan, Miss Cole." His calm voice told me before he turned to look at me. His grey eyes made me recall someone but I don't know who?

"Why?" I knew my voice came out very weak.

"In your proposal, you said you will pay the loan in the next two years. But what if I am not around until then?" His words made my eyes widened. I wonder who would care about the loan he has given after his death.

"…I know what you are thinking?..." He added slowly when I didn't reply. I couldn't have it in me to look at him. I was beyond embarrassed.

"…but there is a difference between the loan and donations…what do you want Ms. Cole?"

"I…I want the loan, sir. And, I am sure you will live a long perfect life…Why…why are you even thinking about dying?" I mean this person had everything. I wonder if he was depressed. Why he would wish death?

"For the loan, I would like you to mention a plan to give it back." He said making me stun. I bit my inner cheek harder before nodding my head.

"I would like a coffee," He said and I smiled before following, "Of course,"

I was getting out of his room thinking about how Sarah wanted a new pair of shoes or Anne wanted a decent dress to get to her friend's birthday party when I heard Mr. Lucca say,

"Tell me how twenty thousand are going to help?" He said making me turn.

I was still gathering my thoughts to manage a proper reply when he said, "…she wants a bypass surgery and it is expensive…then why you didn't ask for more." He asked and I got my hands cold.

"Because I was only able to return twenty thousand in the next two years…plus…I need to change my apartment on an emergency basis."

"So, you believe I won't get past more than two years…" He cut me off and I tried to clear.

"No…no….you…"

"Do you know why you only have one leave in a month?" He asked making me press my mouth before I replied,

"Because you are paying me a lot?" My voice was more like a question than a reply.

"Yes, that too…but I like you," He said making my eyes narrow.

"I am looking for a woman who is filled with empathy, tolerance, and patience…and I know you can be perfect for any job." I nodded my head clueless about what he was talking to me. But if this job was guaranteeing me twenty thousand dollars I was going to take on any job.

"…Ms. Cole, I do have a job where you can have enough time to repay whatever loan you want right now." He offered to make me blink twice before I asked, "What is it?" I asked only to welcome a question from his side too.

"How much you want?...and, don't think about repaying. You can take all the time…give me any figure," He sounded like a perfect negotiator but I looked in his eyes to find the once in a lifetime opportunity.

Of course, I knew how much I wanted to get everything on track in my life. "It will be three hundred thousand…but believe me…right now twenty thousand are more than enough too…"

"What about one million dollars?" He said making my feet freeze to my place. I felt like a stone.

"What I have to do?" Of course, it was only now my sense kicked in.

He took a long breath before taking his wheelchair to the bookshelf. Only if he knew how much I wanted to know what it will be.

No matter how much I think I knew this person…right now my mind was going insane. One million dollars? The task was bound to be shady.

I let my breath out when he gestured me to take a file he was passing me. I don't know why my legs felt so weak walking to him.

"You have to marry my son. I am not a fan of splitting a family. Once you are Mrs. Lucca you will be the family...forever." The file I barely had my hands on slipped from my fingers.

Of course, I heard what I heard and was quick to reply.

"No…I think…I think…I am quitting the job," I didn't wait for his response and walked out of the place. My calculated mind was telling me how important this job was for me. But who does he think he is? Was he checking my patience by making me do thousands of tasks? Why he didn't think for a single second that I was not enduring all of this because I am tolerant. It was because I wanted this job so badly. Maybe my step will show him I have limits to my tolerance too.

Soon, I was out of the place and walked back to my home to get my mind off of things. I heard Rachael calling me but I ignored her. I got to my room to lock myself and fell on my bed.

I recalled my last employer asking me to sleep with him for the raise. The incident changed everything and I quit three days after. Of course, Mr. Lucca was not proposing the same thing but what makes him think he could buy my consent, dreams…in fact, my whole life. Was my life this cheap in front of every person who had money? Something was burning my guts while I wished for my sisters to never live such a day. But somewhere in my consciousness, I wonder what his son lacked that made him look wife for him? I fisted the sheets recalling how much I wanted this job. I could see my friends laughing at me thinking how much of a failure I was. The realization that I won't be able to provide better for my family, for now...or months to come was burning my insides.

"Julie…Julie?" I heard Sarah and her voice had panicked. I don't know if I was sleeping or not but the desperation in the bang told me the matter was urgent.

I got to the door rubbing my face and swing open to saw Sarah hiccupping. "Mom is not moving…" I almost fell jumping over the stairs to notice an ambulance already pulling in front of our place. It seems Anna already had called for an ambulance.

I didn't have anyone to leave the girls on their own and took them along with me. It was almost midnight and the girls leaning their heads to my shoulders were making me aware of my responsibilities even more. Keeping a family was indeed very hard. I tried to get them to eat something but couldn't.

"What if something happened to her?" Sarah asked and didn't look like a ten-year-old. Anna who was thirteen years old had her hands cold.

"Relax, ok? Nothing will happen to mom. We will take her home…with us." I tried but I knew nothing I will say will make them at ease right now. Anna was only six years old when dad left us. Sarah who was only three years old at that time doesn't have many memories with Dad but she misses him in her life.

I let out a long sigh while my thoughts were only occupied with how we can't lose Rachael no matter what.

The doctor finally came out to inform me how she was barely saved and had to get surgery as soon as possible preferably in less than a week. I nodded with a thank you while a stone got stuck in my throat. I sat there for a few seconds with girls having their sleepy heads on my shoulders.

Relax, Julie…Relax…I closed my eyes for a few seconds to only see life with no Rachael and that was what we call an ugly mess. Hiring a babysitter that I can never trust, a bad apartment, and Joe trying to talk to Anna on the stairs…I opened my eyes and looked at Anna's innocent face. A tear dropped on my dress when I leaned in to kiss her head.

I took the girls home and sat in my window. I hated that I wasn't even trying to save Rachael. But what I could possibly do…I took a sip on my coffee while the offer Mr. Lucca proposed rang in my head. Don't even think about it, Julie. Imagine it was never proposed to you. Think something else. My thoughts tried to warm me but I was helpless.

"God makes solutions first and troubles later. All we need to do is get it." I recalled my father's words.

"…You are making it sound so easy. There are many problems with no solutions." I replied,

"…no…solution is always there. In the back of our minds, it's just we are afraid of new things while God is the greatest. You do what you gotta do and magic will happen."

Don't go there, Julie. If dad was alive today he was never going to ask you to do something like this. I felt my hands trembling a little before I finished my coffee.

I sent the girls to school while Anna kept telling me how she can manage herself and I should go to work. I walked them to their school bus and waited for a cab. I didn't know if Mr. Lucca was going to let go of my attitude from yesterday. The thoughts of his son being an aged man in his fifties passed my mind. I couldn't stop worrying about what was so wrong with his son that he has to look for his wife. I wonder if he was disabled, aged, angry, or have been divorced many times that no one was ready to marry him. I knew so little about the family because I was never into gossips. My subconscious kept telling me how stupid this whole ordeal was. I couldn't shake away the fact that I was marrying someone I have never met in exchange for money.

But the decision is far better than to live with the regret that I didn't save Rachael or put girls' security at risk. But think about you, Julie. You never get to live how being in love is ever. This is what you wanted, right? Finding someone who is kind enough to listen and understand.

It's ok. Life isn't fair. And, what if I was always supposed to be his? I told myself before walking into the estate and get to reach Mr. Lucca without any problem. He was sitting in his wheelchair gazing at the lawn. I slowly walked to him trying my best not to disturb his tranquility of the moment.

"Mr. Lucca…" I started but when I didn't get any response from his side I whispered, "…I…will do it if…if the offer still stands." I don't know how I sound but there was something that broke in me. And, I knew those were my dreams to ever fall in love with someone who reciprocates my affection.

I smiled when Mr. Lucca offered me to dine with him. He told me how I can pay for Rachael today because I was family and had the complete right on his property now. After knowing that I wanted to move my apartment he offered me the best places in our town on sale nowadays. But there was something I didn't ignore. I could clearly feel that even if he was calling me family it didn't sound like family. As if the person sitting in front of me didn't know what family meant? And, not to forget that I was listening to him for three hours but not once he mentioned his son. And, that indeed got my palms sweaty.

Hey, I hope you liked the chapter. Their wedding is only three chapters far.

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