A Wife for the Billionaire
Chapter 38: RICHARD

Chapter 38: RICHARD

I leaned forward, steepling my fingers as I anticipated her next words.

Of all the things I expected her to do, I didn’t see this coming.

Her form decreased as she bent the first knee, followed by the next. Her expression creased to lines and furrows of a plea.

This must be really hard for her. The almighty Sofia Blake down in her knees before me.

It appears she has learnt the lessons I wanted her to depart with.

Was I disappointed? Yeah, a bit. I didn’t expect her to give up this easy. I didn’t expect her to succumb that quickly and most especially I didn’t expect that headstrong girl who stood and spoke to me seconds ago like she didn’t care one bit of my power or reputation... I didn’t expect that girl to disappear.

This pathetic one before me was a stranger. I know this is what I had wanted, but these past minutes we traded words was the most alive I’ve felt all morning. And for years, this was the first time someone was speaking to me as if ignorant of my last name.

It was riveting. Thrilling even and now she just had to ruin it.

Most would say, "what did you expect after humiliating her, denying her the job and saying no to her last request?"

And perhaps, they’re right, but they don’t know that girl who had stormed in here, thundering at me as if she was my mom. Hell, not even Claire or my dad could challenge me like she did.

Right from the moment she shoved her

way into the elevator, I knew she was

trouble. But I had expected her to be worth it, not this shell of pity kneeling before me.

Don’t get me wrong, I revel in such displays. It’s a testament of my power, but somehow with her I was simply disappointed. Gladly would I return to that game she had wanted to play, not now that it seems she has abandoned the joystick altogether.

Where’s the fun if I’m to play with someone who is no longer trying to win?

I remember saying that I love breaking girls like her and I really do. When I had broken Linda, Lindsey, Rachel Josephine, even Rosabella and the rest of them, I reveled in their screams, the pointing hands, the curses, the pure look of hate in their eyes and the sweet promise of revenge.

They said and did things that came to them in the heat of the moment. In their rage for me, they cursed me, but I didn’t care. Why should I? when life has already cursed me with such a short duration of time to be spent living.

None of them had ever really done all they yelled to do as revenge. I like to think that they cooled down afterwards and decided that I wasn’t worth it. Or maybe their emotions had been all over the place, too much that it incapacitates them.

That was what I expected from Sofia. I expected her to yell at me, to tell me exactly how much she hated me, how she can’t stand my pride and then make a solemn promise that one day I would pay for what I did to her... that’s all I expected, not this in front of me.

Her face remained downwards as she said,

"With my knees to the floor, I urge you, Sir, to please grant me this opportunity to see this place of creativity that I had been dreaming of?"

So, it was no longer ’Richard’, it was now ’Sir’, who was this girl and what had she done with Sofia Blake?

Exasperated, I tsked.

That made her look up as she quickly offered,

"It was never my intention to get you annoyed, good Sir. I just wanted to live something that was once a dream, that’s all."

Good Sir.

Where did that come from? Somehow she was infuriating me more. This her pathetic display of plaidoyer was seriously getting on my nerves.

And I think she knew. Perhaps this was her intention. Infuriate me to the point of acceptance.

She was making doggy eyes at me. Her hands piled in a plea.

"Can you stop already?!" I yelled in frustration.

"Sir, I don’t get what you mean, stop what?"

By God, she was good. Even her tone had changed. It was more irritating now, like a bad note on the piano, screeching to the ears.

"Oh don’t act dumb, you know exactly what I’m talking about" I said rising and walking to the front of my desk, where I sat with my arms folded, giving her a look that said, "Do not mess with me"

"To be honest, I still don’t get you Sir, what exactly are you talking about?" she asked, feigning innocence.

"Wow, you are really good. I wonder if

anyone has ever told you that? But it’s not cute anymore, just quit it and for your sake I hope I don’t repeat myself again" I told her, my tone implying that I meant every word.

But this girl, either she heard it and chose to ignore it or she was hell bent on truly testing my patience.

"Please Sir, I’m confused. What am I doing that I need to stop? Just tell me"

Arrrgh!

I had wanted to scream. I just wanted to rush her, circle her neck with my hands and shake her until she’s left with no choice, but to drop the act.

Instead I voiced, "Sofia Blake, do not test me."

"Test you, how could I even try such a thing, all I’m doing is asking for a favor. A favor I hope you will grant"

If she was testing if I could raise my hands on a lady, then believe me, she was just a sentence away from finding out.

"Keep up that act and you might have to remain in that position longer because I _"

"I honestly don’t mind, Sir, so long as I get what I want" she interrupted.

And here I was feeling disappointed at her action, whereas this was just another game. Another trick up her sleeve, which I regret to say, I was already falling for.

I had wanted to tell her that she would remain in her current kneeling position for a long time because I was never going to grant her the favor she was requesting for. But the bitch knew and had interrupted me before I could say it.

She must be as stupid as fuck if she thinks her annoying interruption was going to make any difference. My mind was already made up and stall all she wants, she still loses and I wasn’t the one kneeling.

"Tell me, how do you plan on getting this thing you want, by putting up this fake ass show of patheticness, if you think I’m buying it then you are denser than I gave you credit" I laced.

"I appreciate the insult, Sir. It shows that you actually care, and that there’s still a chance for this favor of mine" she cooed in that same tone I hated so much.

Appreciate the insult.

Seriously! How was she doing it? How was she turning the tables so quickly? And who or what gave her the impression that I cared? But one thing is clear, there’s no chance for granting that favor of hers.

"Get up" I commanded.

"Respectfully Sir, I decline. That’s not how it works, the pleader can’t rise unless her terms are met or what she’s requesting for is done. I will only rise, when you have granted me the favor" she replied.

"If that’s the case then prepare to stay kneeling for such a long time because I don’t intend to grant you such favor, not now... not ever."

"Please Sir, I beg of you. Please don’t do this. Please"

Tears dampened her cheeks as she pleaded.

"Stop it this instant, just STOP!"

"Here you go again, Sir. What about what I’m doing should I stop?"

Because all of it irritates me.

That was the response I had wanted to retort, before I settled for,

"All of it. Everything about what you are doing is annoying. You see this... this thing you are doing and have going on, the face, the eyes, the hands, that change of tone, the ’Sir’ bullshit, all of it. I need you to stop it all and rise the fuck from there."

To my surprise, she answered,

"No."

That single word. Those two letters broke my dam of restraint and patience as I slammed both of my fists hard on my desk.

She shuddered at the sound, taking a knee back.

Like a tiger ready to pounce and devour, I stalked towards her, each step brought about a corresponding knee back in retreat.

Soon, she ran out of space as she reached the wall. Bending over a frightened her, though she was really doing a good job of not showing just how scared she was. I lifted her face with my index, my eyes boring into hers and asked,

"What exactly do you mean by no?"

I watched her grit her teeth, square her shoulders, wipe her tears and will herself to rage.

She had knelt with her butts seated on her legs, but she lifted herself this time. Her face - dangerously close to mine. Looking at me with that boiling intensity of despicableness, she breathed,

"No, as in that I refuse to back down. No, that I refuse to take no for an answer and no to leaving here or rising to my feet without you granting me the favor I asked. Now, how’s that for a no?"

In that moment, as we breathed on each other’s faces. Our eyes locked on a glaring battle of hate. Our lips - dangerously close, I did the one thing I never thought I would do.