5

"Good morning, Mademoiselle."

I was speechless, I didn't know how to respond, I wanted to flee the place, I was mortified.

"Good morning," were the only words that came out of my mouth as I hurried into the cafeteria.

In a few minutes, Director Renaud arrived, we discussed some matters, and agreed to meet again to sign his contract with us and start filming.

Director Dupont is a very pleasant person, there was definitely a good connection between us. I have a good feeling about this project, I'm sure it will be a great success.

When I left, that man was nowhere to be seen, I felt quite relieved, even if I see him again I have no idea what I'll do.

I rushed back to work.

"Chloé, I'm back, everything went wonderfully."

"I'm glad, Juliette, the Vice President called you and asked you to go to the President's office, apparently you're going to meet Mr. Durand."

"I don't think so, Chloé, sometimes Vice President Leroy uses the President's offices to make some important decisions. I suppose he wants to talk about the new film 'For Love'."

"I was already excited."

I went to the President's office, knocked on the door, and an unknown voice told me to come in.

"Enter."

Mr. Alphonse was standing next to a very elegant man.

"President Gérard Durand, let me introduce our Director of Creative, Juliette Moreau."

Immediately, I recognized the man to his right, my nerves betrayed me and it took a lot of effort to speak.

"Pleas... pleased to meet you, President Durand."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, it felt like a cruel joke of fate, I had spent the night with the wealthiest man in all of France, Gérard Durand.

***

Gérard’s POV

When she entered the office, she looked so delicate, like a flower. I immediately realized that she had recognized me, she turned pale with fright upon learning my identity.

I turned to my friend.

"Alphonse, could you leave us alone?"

"Of course."

She straightened up and regained her composure.

"Tell me, Mr. Durand, how can I help you?"

"Juliette, you can call me Gérard, no need for so much formality."

"I can't, you're my boss."

I saw her very nervous, she looked so cute. I approached her, we were face to face.

"You can't call me Mr. Durand, tell me Gérard." I repeated.

"It's not that easy for me."

"Juliette, stop being so shy, after all, you and I... It's not necessary to go into details, you already know."

Her blushing face made me want to kiss her right then.

"Tell me, Juliette, have you gotten back together with your ex-boyfriend?"

She remained silent for a few seconds.

"No, him and I have definitely broken up."

I was glad for her answer, I didn't want another man getting close to her.

She locked her gaze with mine.

"Mr. Durand, forgive my boldness regarding that night. I take responsibility for my actions, on my part no one will know, I don't want to cause you any problems. I promise to stay away from you."

Suddenly, a sense of disappointment welled up inside me and I decided to change the subject.

"Juliette, I actually summoned you here because I need to make a deal with you."

"A deal? What do you mean?"

"It's very simple, I just need you to marry me."

"Excuse me, sir, I think I must have misheard. Can you repeat what you just said?”

"You know, Juliette, I don't like to repeat myself twice, I need a wife and I want you to be that woman."

"Excuse me, sir, but this is a joke, isn't it?"

"It's not, I'm serious."

***

Juliette’s POV

He approached me, our eyes met, I felt his breath, and my heart was pounding.

I couldn't process this information, why did Mr. Gérard Durand want to marry me? It simply doesn't make any sense.

I was direct when I asked him the reason.

"Why do you want to marry me?"

"I want to be honest with you, my grandfather Daniel Durand's health is somewhat delicate, he wants to see his grandson married, it would be a shame if he died without this wish being fulfilled."

"I understand that part, rather the question is why me? You're one of the most important people in the country, you can have any woman."

"But I don't want just any woman, I want you."

Those words shocked me.

"Don't worry, we'll establish a contract. In case of divorce, you'll receive a large sum of money."

"Mr. Durand, with all due respect, marriage is not a game for me. Of course, I want to get married, but to a man who loves me and vice versa."

"Do you think I can't be that man?"

I remained silent at his response, his gaze was charming, but no matter how handsome Gérard is, I can't overlook my principles.

"I don't want to get married just for the money, Mr. Durand, I really want to build a family in the future."

A slight smile formed on Gérard's face.

"Well, I'll give you until tomorrow to think about my proposal, Juliette."

"That's not necessary, my answer is no!"

He didn't lose his composure, he seemed very confident in his words and it sent shivers down my spine.

"I hope you will consider my proposal, Juliette."

"I'd better get back to my work. Please excuse me, sir.”

"As soon as I could, I left the office; I was extremely nervous, at one point, I thought I was going to faint from shock.

This must really be a joke, why would Gérard Durand want to marry me? For him, everything seems to be a game.

I arrived at my desk, and Chloé was trying to tell me something, but I couldn't help but think about Mr. Durand's proposal.

"Juliette, how did it go?"

"I... I..."

"Are you okay? Juliette, wake up!"

I reacted to her cries.

"What? Sorry, what were you saying, Chloé?"

"Juliette, you look like you've seen a ghost, you're very pale. What happened in the President's offices?"

"Nothing, we just talked about work, go back to work, Chloé."

"If you say so, I'll go."

All afternoon, I couldn't concentrate on my work; I was very disturbed by what had happened.

When I got home, I saw my mother crying.

"Mom, what's wrong? What happened?"

"Juliette, your father had a terrible argument with Sophie."

"Why? Is Sophie in trouble again?"

"My dear Juliette, why didn't you tell us you had broken up with Bastian?"

I sighed, tired of the subject.

"Now I understand, Sophie told you that she's now his girlfriend."

My mother seemed somewhat horrified by my words.

"Yes, he came home with her to talk to us and ask for our blessing to get married."

Even though I already knew, I couldn't help but feel a pang in my chest. Am I so insignificant in Bastian's life? What horror to have spent so much time with someone like him.

"Wow, that's a surprise, apparently they want to get married soon."

I coughed to dispel the knot in my throat, convinced that neither of them was worth it.

"Juliette, your father got angry with her; she was supposed to be your fiancée," said my worried mother. "Sophie was very brazen in saying that your relationship with Bastian had ended a long time ago, that what happened was necessary for you to finally open your eyes. What happened?"

I bit my lip because it's a subject I didn't want to talk about again, especially not with my parents.

But I had to tell her everything, and in passing, ask her what Sophie had said about us not being real sisters.