Worst Joke Ever
Zane took time to finish his sandwich before answering Rose's question. Knowing what kind of response to expect, he didn't want anything to happen to his meal.
"First let me say that what I'm offering you doesn't come with any extra strings attached. I will help you with your problem for nothing extra. I know the right people who can make it go away and they owe me a favor anyways."
"People like that Diego you mentioned before." A small smile twitched at the corner of his lip.
"Clever girl." He praised. He used a napkin to wipe his mouth before turning his attention to his female companion.
"Exactly like him. Knowing your position though, I won't go into much detail about who they are. Just know that we'll call them clients will be safe and properly taken care of." Just by the sheer fact kids were involved, Zane would make sure that would the case.
"And what are you wanting in return from me for that?" Rose picked at her own sandwich. Her appetite disappeared from the concern of what the mafia boy would be asking from her.
"Complicated but also a rather simple request at the same time. I need you to be my wife."
"..." In the silence that followed, a glass could've been heard dropping a mile away.
" I might sound rather complicated but it's actually more simple than it seems. I'm not asking for anything committed, just for you to play the role. A paper wife so to speak." Rose felt an almost unbearable urge to laugh. The man must've been absolutely crazy!
"And what in the world made you think to ask me? You do realize how much I happen to dislike even your mere presence?" Trying to gauge his face didn't help to determine if he were joking or not. She couldn't find any indication though. In fact, the look in his eyes told her he meant what he asked.
"Indeed. I can't say I feel overly warm and fuzzy either around you either considering your behavior towards me. This is something I can't leave alone though and by my calculations, you're the best fit to help me out." Rose couldn't stop the sharp, strained laugh of disbelief from escaping.
"Exactly how am I the best option? We both come from different sides of the law. I can't stand the type of person you and you're the kind of person trying to avoid my type. Tell me exactly how this is supposed to work?" Voice lowered, she leaned across the table so no one could hear their conversation.
"Simple. It would be easier to convince my father of a union between us. He doesn't really care if I'm happy or not, he just wants something that will benefit him. Being with you will definitely be viewed as a benefit."
"How exactly would that be the case." Zane offered her a debonair smile.
"You came from a great family, you know? Especially in their place in the world. Exactly the kind of person my father is looking to saddle me with. Having that kind of power in his pocket would thrill him to no end." Rose wanted to protest but before she could, a warm, rough finger pressed against her lips.
"Allow me to finish explaining before you go about saying anything." Once the young mafioso felt certain she wouldn't speak, he removed his finger. Leaning back in his seat, he glanced around the deli. No one usually tailed him but it would be bad to let his guard down right now.
"Because we aren't actually going to be joining together, my father won't have access to that power. I just need to use the mention of it as a bit of bait. I'm sure you won't even have to worry about saying anything to your family either." Rose's expression went from disbelief to anger before finally settling on a neutral expression. Collecting her things from the table she stood up.
"This is the worst joke I have ever heard. There is no way that I will go along with something like." Looking at the bouquet on the table, she pushed the flowers back over to the other.
"You can keep this if that is the only reason you brought them along. I don't take bribes from people like you." Leaving money on the table, Zane hurried after Rose. Not wanting to cause a scene, he waited until they were outside to grab her arm.
"Look, I know that it might not seem like that big of a deal to you or a huge joke. This is something that I need though." Rose turned around to slap the young mafioso but stopped upon seeing his expression.
"This isn't just about me though. I need this in order to help out the rest of my family. What my father is wanting to do isn't something sustainable."
"Let me go. I am truly sorry to hear about your woes. This isn't something I can nor am I willing to help you with. I also appreciate what you're offering to do for me, I don't need that either though. I can figure it out on my own."
"I know that you don't want to do this. All I am asking though is for two months of your time. You would hardly even need to see me. Just show up for on family meal. Let me introduce you to him and play the part. Then, you likely wouldn't have to see me again the entire time."
"Why exactly are you so insistent on it being me? If you need someone to play the role, aren't there tons of other people you could ask?" Zane shrugged in response to this question.
"Yes, but none of them hate me quite as much as you do. Your hate is exactly what I need right now. Something that will make this look real. Besides, if you decide to go along with, you might a chance to slap me once or twice."
"You really must be crazy. I don't know anyone who would be someone who hates them to be their partner. Even a fake one." She shook her head. Zane finally released her hand.
"Oh, I'm certifiably crazy if you must know. I think that you will really find it to be worth your time if you agree." Rose noticed that people were starting to gather around them again. Even if they didn't know who the young mafioso was, they still flocked over due to his looks.
"Give me some time to think about it. I also want to make sure you can go through with what you said you could." Zane flashed her a boyish grin. For one second, the look actually made him seem younger and more innocent.
"How about I get that taken care of you for you by tomorrow. You can take a few days after that to decide. I would prefer to know your answer within the next week. If you agree, we will have a very important date we can't afford to miss." Zane held out the flowers to her again.
"Why don't you take these with you? Consider it a promise between us that things will end on a good note." Rose didn't really want to take the flowers back. With everyone watching though, she felt somewhat obligated.
"Fine. I will be the to contact you though when I have decided my answer."
"I would expect nothing less. Don't forget that you already have my number at your disposal." Rose had forgotten that. The number she almost threw away.
"Until we meet again little flower. I look forward to hearing your response." Zane decided to depart. No reason to stick around any longer after accomplishing his mission.
He would do what she asked if it meant she would say yes. He just needed this one thing then he would finally be free from his father for a while longer. The key lied in getting that three letter response.