CHAPTER 13 ~ THE OFFER

FLAVIA'S POV

The silence in the car wasn’t the comfortable kind, it was thick, drawn-out, and padded with all the things neither of us wanted to say.

His hands rested lightly on the steering wheel, his knuckles relaxed albeit the tension simmering just beneath the surface.

I watched the city blur by through the tinted window, resisting the urge to fidget with my seatbelt. "Where are we going Louis?" I asked impatiently.

"This is the third time you are asking in the last five minutes and my reply hasn't changed, you have to wait and see." I really don't understand what the suspense is about, we are already on our way and he can as well just tell me.

"Fine, I don't know why it's so difficult to say, but it's fine."

After last night’s debacle and this morning icy breakfast, I thought we were back to ignoring each other, but I guess not. Wherever it is we are going should better be worth ordering me around for.

I stayed quiet and watched as he drove into an unfamiliar part of the city, I have never been to this part but it's obvious that it's filled with rich people, the high and mighty... Towering buildings and well-dressed professionals filled the sidewalks. Polished storefronts reflected sunlight like mirrors, and then, as we turned a corner, the car slowed in front of something... stunning.

"Wow, this is beautiful." I murmured as I stared at the sprawling complex of glass and steel rose ahead of us, modern and elegant, a perfect blend of luxury and purpose. Sleek fountains flanked the entrance, and a cascading wall of greenery softened the sharp architectural lines... "Wow." It looked like the kind of place you’d expect Fortune 500 CEOs to hold power meetings.

Louis parked and got out without a word. A valet rushed forward, and I followed him reluctantly, my heels clicking softly against the pavement.

"What is this place?" I asked as we stepped through the revolving doors and into a bright, marble-floored lobby.

He didn’t answer, not immediately but instead, he led me past the reception area and into the elevator. The doors slid shut behind us. I could see our reflection in the mirrored interior, Louis in a navy suit that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe, me in a simple white blouse and black ripped jean, trying not to look out of place. I should have dressed better.

The elevator chimed softly and the doors opened to a wide corridor lined with glass office doors. It smelled of fresh paint and expensive wood.

Louis turned to me, face unreadable as usual.

"You’ll need a base." He said, voice cool but calm. "For your work, event planning or whatever you choose to do while we’re in this arrangement."

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

He gestured to the corridor. "Pick an office."

I stared at him, why is he offering me an office space? "You brought me here to... give me an office space?" My voice sounded small and confused even to my own ears.

He looked straight ahead, hands in his pockets. "You’re a billionaire’s wife. You should have the best, Flavia. Not be stuck working from your room or the dining room table."

I wasn’t sure whether to feel flattered or offended.

“This whole building is yours?” I asked carefully, still trying to wrap my head around the gesture.

He shrugged. "Just pick one of them." He replied, as though he was offering me a pastry, and not a prime real estate.

The hallway stretched in either direction, every space beautifully designed and waiting for life to be breathed into it. I stepped forward, drawn toward one of the glass-walled offices at the corner. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the skyline, the view so stunning it stole my breath for a moment.

I could already picture it, soft rugs, warm light, bookshelves, a desk by the window... my own space but then, reality came crashing back.

"I’m not taking this." I said, turning around quickly. "This... this is just too much."

He raised an eyebrow, like I said something stupid. "It’s not."

"It is." I folded my arms. "I mean, we fight all the time. You barely tolerate me half the time, and now you want me to believe this is some kind gesture out of the goodness of your heart?"

His jaw tightened slightly. "Does it matter why I’m offering it?"

"Yes." I said eagerly as I stepped towards him. "Because I don’t want to be indebted to anyone, especially you." Something flickered in his eyes, hurt? Annoyance? I couldn’t really tell. He is frustratingly good at hiding his emotions.

"I’m not asking for anything in return, I don't need anything from you." He said. "This is just... practical."

I exhaled slowly. Practical? What does he mean by that? Still, my fingers itched to reach for the glass door behind me. My heart raced, imagining what I could build here. What I could finally create, away from the chaos of our marriage.

"I’ll pay you back for it." I said finally. "Monthly, with interest."

He let out a quiet breath, maybe even a scoff. "Flavia..."

"No Louis, that’s my condition." I said adamantly. "If I take the space, then I’m paying. I won’t owe you anything."

His expression darkened, but he gave a slow nod. "Fine, if that’s what you need to make peace with it, I won’t argue."

I turned back to the corner office and opened the door. The room was bright, the city laid out before me like a painting. My breath hitched as I saw the perfection.

"This one." I whispered, almost to myself. "I want this one."

I heard him step behind me but didn’t turn, my throat felt tight. The sudden swirl of emotion, happiness, disbelief, and confusion bubbled inside me so fast I couldn’t contain it.

Before I could stop myself, I turned, stepped forward, and threw my arms around him.

Louis stiffened and so did I, his body is warm, solid and soft at the same time, he smells... so nice, expensive and for a split second, it felt right. Like a real husband, like something more.

But the moment passed and I quickly pulled back, mortified, arms dropping to my sides. "I... sorry." I muttered, stepping away. "That was... weird, I don’t know why I did that."

He didn’t say anything, he just looked at me, his face unreadable again. The silence returned, but this time, it wasn’t entirely cold, not quite.

"Your contract begins here, then." He said finally after a prolonged silence, nodding toward the office. "Decorate it, make it yours."

Well, I am an event planner, not an interior decorator but I get his point, I will own it, make it mine. I am so grateful for this because this is beyond my expectations and I doubt I can afford a place like this without his help.

"Thank, you." I said as he walked away, I stayed behind for a moment, hands against the cool glass of the window, staring out at a city full of chances. I decided to make a quick video that I can show to Jazmine, she will be so amazed.

This isn't love, it wasn’t even kindness, not really but it is something and for now, that is enough.

"Thanks so much for this, I am really very grateful." I said as soon as I stepped into the car.

He totally ignored me like he wasn't the one that just did something nice a while ago. Honestly, Louis is so confusing and complicated to deal with. I know that he did this because he overheard my conversation with Jaz this morning but what's the point of being nice this minute and being entirely cold and dismissive the next minute, it's exhausting.

The drive back home was shorter than when we left and I am glad because I really need to tell Jaz about what just happened, so as soon as we got home, I rushed out of the car and headed inside.

"Hey, take this." I turned around just as I got to the stairs.

He handed me a black card and I couldn't help but I wonder if there is another event. "What's this for?"

"To furnish your office space."

"Ummm, thanks but it's not necessary." I mean, he has already done the most by giving me an office space that I can pay for at my convenience, there is absolutely no need for more favors.

"It is, if you want to get clients, I mean top notch clients like me, then you have to furnish it up to standard. So you need that card." He walked right past me and up the stairs. "Besides you can pay back at your convenience, if it will make you sleep well at night."

"Ummm, thanks?" He walked away and I stood there dumbfounded with the black card in one hand, while trying to figure out what just happened. "Why is he being so helpful? It's actually scary." And weird, I definitely need to tell Jaz.

I sent her the video as I made my way upstairs and my phone already started buzzing even before I got to the room.