32 Sorry Sweetheart

They stood in front of one another. She could hear Lint's uneven breath and could imagine it almost tickling her face.

She moved away.

"Can I say that was you falling for me?" Lint made at attempt to joke around and ease the atmosphere.

"No," Anoi shook her head, dispelling any nonsense going through her mind, "we can just say that I was being clumsy."

"Alright." And the whole matter dropped.

She was thinking how to return to their previous discussion. Whether she should ask again or not. In the end, she decided not to.

Unexpectedly, Lint continued and actually answered her question:

"The catch is that you'll get nothing."

"Then no." Anoi replied without hesitation. "Unless you give me something, why should I help? You haven't even explained why do you need to marry in the first place."

His lips parted, but after a bit of hesitation, he still remained silent.

Anoi silently cursed. She said she was going to use him, but currently she holds no leverage over him. She had to find out as much as possible. Otherwise, she won't be able to help. This jerk doesn't intent on sharing his problems; the how is she going to solve them?? How will she get on his good side before he freaking kills her?

Anoi didn't show it on the outside, but she already prepared to support him. It obviously wasn't because she was kind or anything like that. It was a question of her own survival.

Well, let's see if acting sincere will help.

"I don't think there's any use to hide," she said, "that I am not a big-hearted person. I won't do selfless acts of kindness. And if I ever do you a favor, I want everything payed back. Preferably, tenfold."

He looked down, and Anoi noticed that his smile didn't reach his eyes.

"I have nothing." He confessed.

"Not true." The girl blurted out. She immediately closed her mouth. But it was too late to regret what she said.

Anoi knew that Lint would be a very valuable asset in the future. It would be marvelous to have him in her collection. Moreover, she will do whatever she can just to prevent him from working with That Woman. If she wants to keep an eye on him, he must be close enough for her to see.

But, she was the only one who was aware of that. Lint didn't know all this. And he didn't need to know.

"What do you mean?" he asked. "What do I have?"

She kept a calm façade. She had to find an explanation.

"Lots of things," she said.

"Pray do tell."

She started thinking hard about all the possible value she can find in him, that wouldn't seem weird to point out, since they haven't known each other for long.

Finally, Jackie's earlier complaints came to the rescue.

"Your body."

Not fully realizing the shamelessness of the stated, she smiled victoriously.

"Pretty vain of you." A man said in a surprise. "I think, you'll be able to find someone better for that role. Moreover, I don't think my body will be enough. For such an important thing as marriage...what's the next thing that I can give you?"

"Your brains."

"I hope you don't mean it literally. Acceptable. Go on." He encouraged.

She tried finding something else. Body and brains were all she wanted from him. Looks she would sell, and knowledge would be used. Is there anything else?

"Your money," she said at last.

Lint didn't respond for a moment.

He sent her a complicated gaze, and then laughed.

"Too bad, I guess. I'm sorry to disappoint you. I have none."

"You have none, or you don't want to give any?" she asked, not really believing.

He snickered.

"Sweetheart, the only reason I'm single is because I have no money. Otherwise, I'd hire someone to marry me! Heck, if I had money, I wouldn't even need a spouse!"

Wait, wait, wait…

Anoi looked at him, doubfounded.

Wasn't he supposed to be filthy rich? Shadd's colleague who has no shortage of cash??

As if reading her mind, Lint mouthed:

"I may have look wealthy, but I'm broke. What, you don't want me anymore?"

And while Anoi was still processing all that he said, and all she that thought, Lint turned around, and left.