A Wife for the Billionaire
Chapter 114: RICHARD

Chapter 114: RICHARD

I watched her rise, her expression and her motions lacking the enthusiasm I felt.

You would think she would feel ecstatic. Here I was offering her fame, respect, a chance to learn from the very best, a position like no other in Wellington Fashion Headquarters nonetheless, and most importantly... a choice. Something she seems to be seriously lacking recently.

She reached the printer and took the slips as if they were some sort of infectious substance.

Sofia was odd. Weird even. And very hard to read at times, like now. What was wrong? What’s with the act? Like what the fuck was it this time?

Of all the reactions I expected from her, this... docile act was the least of them. And worse, I had no clue why she was being so weird. I really wished I could read her, perhaps then I could decipher what was wrong and find a way to curtail it before I make it worse.

She was like that. A little thing could spark her. She was like a child, a child prone to tantrums. A slight mistake or misword could agitate her.

If other girls were anything like her, then it’s a relief I’m hiring her. I will be needing a weirdo to deal with 15 weirdos like herself.

Apart from Mel, I haven’t dated anyone else that long. I can’t even say I’ve ever dated since then. They are more like flings. Casual flings. No feelings attached. Well except Rosa, of course. The bitch didn’t understand what we had, she had to go and fall for me and make me the villain when I didn’t reciprocate her feelings.

Actually it’s not just Rosa, almost all the girls I have been with always fall. Some sooner than most. Some were great at hiding it. But they always fall. They always do.

I keep them even after they’ve fallen, but as soon as I find myself developing even the slightest hint of emotion, I disentangle myself ASAP.

With that MO, we don’t get to spend much time knowing each other, other than, sexually. That’s the part of females that I think I can say nothing surprises me anymore.

But one thing was certain, when she saw the benefits. She will have no choice, but to agree.

Except she wasn’t planning on reviewing the contract immediately as she reached for her purse, before I could even think of what to do, I blurted,

"Where are you going?"

"Back home, of course." she replied, incredulously as if she couldn’t quite believe I was asking her that. "Isn’t that how this type of thing works, you explain what you want, hand me the contract and I leave to go and review it and get back to you?"

She was kinda right, but this wasn’t just any contract. This was an NDA and is not meant to be taken home. Shifting my chair to the side, I said,

"That’s where you are wrong. Like I said earlier, I don’t need you, Sofia. I can easily employ the services of judges from popular TV shows and let them handle the entire thing, but that would take time and I don’t have that luxury. I need this to be over as soon as possible, so I can get on with my life. So, my dear, it’s either you review the contract here and sign now, or you leave."

"A few hours to review this," she flipped the slips as emphasis, "would hardly matter and that’s all I ask. It’s either that or good luck with your selection without me" she ended, slamming the leaves on my desk.

I stared at the pages and her hand, still pinned on them. She was stubborn and worse she had every reason to be, most especially because she knew that I needed her.

"A simple two page contract, and you are requesting for hours to review, whereas many will sign the damn thing immediately without even reading."

"Well, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m Sofia Blake, not many. Not fools that would jump blindly to their own peril, and I think you know that already. Who knows, this might be a blood test to see what I would do and if I’m worthy of this offer. But make no mistake, I know my worth and I hate games"

It wasn’t a bloody test as she suggested, but damn, the girl was wise. More reason why she must sign the document here, not at home.

"Do you now? Your worth, I mean. I seem to recall a certain someone who was rendered choiceless some minutes or was it an hour ago, and now that I’m offering her a choice, the bitch seems to have forgotten that I’m literally saving her ass"

Her face turned crimson as she gritted,

"And I remember a certain prick, also choiceless himself who no matter how concealing he hides it or how prideful he can’t admit it, he needs my help. He needs me and because I’m not a fool like most who would jump at his every whip, he seems to have forgotten that that is literally why he needs me. That is what sets me apart and I really hope he knows that what I can do and the ability to call him out on his shit, those are rare. Perhaps rarer than diamonds."

"How can she be right?" I thought, sagging back on my chair. Sofia was my match in wit, not even my friends came close. They can upset me, but not vex me like this girl standing before me. I scratched at my jaw, feeling the prick of already growing hair even though I had shaved this morning, as I noted,

"You are not as important as you think you are. You are nothing. You have nothing and here I am offering you something... something beyond what you could ever dream of. An elevation from the position you applied for, and you overstep. Typical"

She flinched. Like literally flinched almost taking a step back. I had spoken yet another harsh truth. I could see it in her eyes, it was clear from her face. She was hurt by my words and that was never my intention, I was about to tell her that when she fumed,

"All my life, everyone has reminded me that I’m worthless because I’m a bastard. But you are wrong, and so are they. If you think I will allow you to treat me like trash because you think I’m desperate and that I need you to save me, then you are a dreamer. Because I will rather kill myself and be done with it all than allow you or anyone for that matter to tell me my worth and have me believing otherwise. Have a nice day"

"Suicide? Isn’t that a little dramatic?" I almost said as she turned to leave, but then decided against it. Because she would never come back if I utter those words. She hated being made fun of, she despised not being taken seriously and though we might not be on the same level, I could relate.

"The least I can do," I began, halting her from taking another step, "is to have Vera lead you to the conference room where you can review the contract. And also provide you with anything else you need, let’s say refreshments"

Most would apologize, but not me. Never me. I rarely apologize to those in my league, not to talk of someone like her, not when I spoke the truth. But that was the closest thing in retrospect I could do for her and if she was a fool, she would refuse it.

"You know it would have been easier if you simply said, ’I’m sorry’, but I will take it. After all, apologies varies and not many can dismiss their pride to utter the heavy five-lettered word"

Of course, the bitch saw through it. Of course she read the lines. Sofia was an enigma, so full of surprises and yet meeting and surpassing every expectation.

"Oh please, you think that’s an apology?" I scoffed, "You must really be daft, I’m merely doing you a favor. I know going back home is the last thing you want to do now after your stepmom spinned the news of marriage on you. If anything you should be on your knees thanking me profusely. Or have you forgotten?"

She tsked. Her finger rose to her mouth before she sort of remembered herself and her hand dragged to a halt.

"Your silence proves that I’m right, or are you proud enough to deny it?" I teased.

"Get over yourself. Even though I don’t want to go home, I can easily go to a park or a friend’s"

"How long have we been at this already?" I thought, glancing at the ornate clock on the right wall of my office. After a mental note that it’s been more than thirty minutes, I sighed,

"Why must everything be an argument with you? Are you always like this, or is it just me..."

"Believe me, you are not that special. I’m like this, unagreeable. I think that’s the right word, with everyone who is a privileged prick like you" she cut in.

"But it must be exhausting, is it not? It’s been more than thirty minutes already and you still can’t simply take this win. You can go to a friend’s or the park, but none of that will offer what the conference room can. You can concentrate without any form of distractions in an air conditioned space while also taking care of your other comforts like food. So, for both our sakes, just let me call Vera to come escort you to the conference room. I really need an answer today, can’t tell you why, but maybe if your response is affirmative then I might just tell you."

Understanding marred her features as she thought. I knew she knew that I was right. Enough time had passed already.

"Fine," she said, "call Vera and have her escort me to the conference room. And tell her that I want the best you guys can offer in terms of my comfort. And I will have you know that trying to bribe someone to take a position is a desperate call, no matter how you make it look. Just as withholding information as an ultimatum to get me to say yes"

"Good girl" I muttered to myself, a genuine smile stretching my lips as I reached for the telephone. As soon as it connected, I said,

"Get in here, Vera."