Darwin tried to read the letter twice.
He had received this letter just an hour ago from his half-brother. He smiled as soon as his secretary handed it to him; not because it came from his estranged brother, but because it was enclosed in a smooth, gold envelope and had even a luxurious fragrance of a perfume still on it.
“He badly needed my help, if this is how he gave the letter to me,” Darwin muttered as he opened it with a letter opener, the knife glinting as the fluorescent bulb cast its light onto them.
Dearest Brother,
You know me as a casino buddy, don't you? Well, I saw you last night with a sexy chick. Don’t lie to me, Darwin. I know you for being the ‘women’s man’.
My point is, you know how people thrive inside the world of gambling. So, I’d like to make a proposition…”
Darwin halted while reading it. God above, his brother is one hell of a shrewd gambler.
His wristwatch rang, a signal for his break time. Darwin was debating if he’s gonna spend his break time reading the letter from his half-brother or should he have a coffee at Starbucks.
Five minutes later, he decided to do both. Sitting near the window while drinking a macchiato grande, he continued to read his brother’s letter.
So, I’d like to make a proposition.
You will finance me with my gambling for twelve consecutive months. Everytime I win, I will give 50% to you so that I can pay less after 12 months. If I don’t, then the money I owe to you is as is.
After the twelve months, I’ll pay you gradually with all I can. If I have given you half of my winnings at that time, then the remaining debt is all I need to pay. Mark my words.
If, under any unpleasant circumstances should happen to me, a woman shall be the payment.
No, she will not be going to pay my debts. She will BE the payment of my debts.
Don’t worry, brother. She’s one hell of a sexy chick; much sexier than the woman you brought with you yesterday.
This will be all, and hope to hear from you as soon as possible.
With love,
D.G.
Darwin had read the letter now thrice.
Unable to decide, he set the letter aside.
But a picture slid out.
He took one look at the picture and knew then. He knew that his half-brother wasn’t lying about the collateral he’ll be giving, about the woman he will be giving as the collateral.
An hour later, Darwin grabbed his fountain pen and a paper. He wrote all the words that he had decided to reply—his own terms and conditions pertaining to the proposition and about the collateral.
The collateral. It was a woman. A damn, beautiful, voluptuous woman.
His brother had prompted him to do business.
And so he will do business.
He is a freaking, darn wealthy businessman; perhaps his brother had forgotten.
And anyone who does business with Darwin Gray will do either of these things: surrender or obey.
***
Minerva’s heart was on the brink of cracking.
Her father had passed.
Gone. Withered. Turned into ashes as all humans do.
She had locked herself inside her room for more than 48 hours now. The tiny fridge and mini-pantry inside her room were the only salvation to her hungry stomach.
Her mother had also left them for another wealthier man even before her father surrendered to Mr. Death.
And so, she was now alone. Lonely, and sad. She had long gone to the independent path.
But, loneliness and living alone are two different things despite people often mistaking them as synonymous.
But Minerva Miller, she is both—lonely and living alone; without anyone to rely on or to lean on in desperate times.
She supposed it's only her pillow that had been the witness of her tears and sobbing. Her bad days and good days. Her childhood life and her coming-of-age life. But a pillow is just a pillow. A non-living, cotton-filled, sleeping material. Nothing more than the receiver of her wet tears and the giver of her comfortable, sound sleep.
But Minerva’s subconscious pushed her to bathe in the morning sun—to go out and at least see the beauty of the modern world.
‘Gloominess will do nothing to you but tears and reminiscence…You. Better. Be. Out.’ Her subconscious whispers, making Minerva frown in dismay.
“What am I supposed to do?!” She said as she stood and threw her pillow into the wall and went to the pantry for a pack of Doritos.
Yet, her pantry was filled with nothing more but a silent air and blank space.
Her frowned face was now more visible.
Minerva looked around her room. Her messy bed, her untidy clothes, her stuffed toys on the floor, her curtains still widely shut.
Dark, gloomy, and without life. That’s what her room is. Probably also what’s inside her—her very own feelings.
“I better have a grocery…”
So she did.
***
Minerva almost forgot what a grocery store looks like: how it feels like to be inside and how it feels like to buy those goods with your own money. Well, it’s already her money because her father had left it to her, left it for her.
And so she took each food and good she wanted and needed; what her eyes had caught and what her hands had refused to return to the grocery aisle.
She was about to go to the cashier when—
“Ouch!”
“I’m sorry, sir!”
The man she bumped looked at her—the ‘sir’ rather.
“Oh…where are your parents, child?”
‘Child? He called me child?!’ Minerva thought, screaming on the inside.
“I am a teenager, mister…”
“I see. You look too young for a teenager, so skinny and…pale.”
Minerva blushed. “I’m flattered, mister.”
“And you’re blushing,” the mister said with a grin, a smile.
“You’re the first one to make me blush in weeks. You see, my father just recently passed and my mother had long left us for a wealthier and younger man.”
She swore there was some sort of pity and sorrow in the mister’s eyes.
“I am very sorry for what you have experienced. I rarely met people like you who had broken families due to my status. Would you like me to pay for your goods instead?”
Minerva was about to consider it when she took one glance at him. He could’ve been rich, perhaps far more richer.
“No thanks, my father had left me enough money.” She then walks away as soon as she can without offering a glance again at his direction or a smile.
Minerva can barely recall when she last met a wealthy man like him, a handsome man like him.
“Your bill is $256.90, miss,” said the cashier as soon as she finished calculating her goods.
“Cash or credit card?” The cashier, a name Marge on her nameplate, asked.
But Minerva greatly scowled. She had only $100 left in her wallet. Minerva forgot to withdraw.
“I’m screwed!” She cursed silently.
“I’ll pay for it, Ms.”
It was the voice of the handsome and wealthy man…again.
And Minerva couldn’t recall how grateful she is for the man. She didn’t even remember how many thank-you she had muttered or how many sweet, angelic smiles she managed to plastered on her youthful face.
Minerva watched as the wealthy man assisted her to her car as she had bought way too many goods for a single person living on a single roof.
“God, I wish I will have a husband like that.”
That was Minerva’s last words as she drove herself home. She even found herself dreaming and daydreaming about the handsome and wealthy man that she barely knew what his name was.
Minerva had just one big realization: Darwin Gray was the man who paid for her groceries back when she was still grieving of her father’s loss. After their dinner ‘date’ at that Chinese restaurant, she was offered to meet up in this hotel yet again; to discuss certain things that will clarify Minerva’s mind about Darwin ‘taking care’ of Minerva Miller. Minerva agreed to meet here. Not because he was anxious to know what Mr. Gray is going to discuss with her. Instead, it was because of the sumptuous food of the hotel and the luxurious drinks. The restaurant already has nice, warm, expensive interiors; how much more a specialty restaurant within a high-end hotel itself? “How long have you been here, Ms. Miller?” Minerva
“Minerva!” Before Minerva could turn around who called her, she was seized by someone who has powerful force and a well-built body. He grabbed her by the arm and brought her back to the street that almost tore her right arm apart. “What the freak are you doing? You’re gonna killed yourself and your baby!” Minerva was panting, catching for breath. She was shaking, quivering and still processing why she ended in the middle of the street in the first place earlier. “I…I—I got lost. I was so boiling in anger inside that I did not manage to think that I was already one step closer to death.”&nb
She parted her lips first. But Darwin pulled her back into his lips. Yet, she refused. “Let me talk first,” Minerva said while she was catching her breath. “No. Let me talk first,” Darwin countered. “I-I am sorry…for that. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, Minnie.” Finally, Minerva smiled—a sweet, angelic one. “You did not. You just told me the truth.” He raised his hand to her lips. “I know you will be a good wife. And I will be a good father to your little one as well.”&
Minerva bounced up and down into Darwin as if she was riding a horse. She was definitely hungry for this man; yearning for his body is the precise term. “Is it okay for you and the baby?” Darwin asked as big drops of sweat flow from him, not to mention the fluid that is also flowing from inside him to Minerva’s wide opening.This is their second round now; heaven knows what has gotten to Minerva but all she knows she will set aside those debts and problems and Derrick-ness. She will focus on Darwin tonight—to him and to his body only. She did it slowly as her child was still inside her womb. Darwin also understood this and thrust slowly but surely inside her.&nb
Minerva’s body was indeed swollen due to last night’s bed session. Darwin already left for work and even gave her a sweet, wife-y kiss first before closing the door. She had been folding her apparel, ironing her undergarments, and washing his dirty clothes; like what a housewife should do. But Minerva wasn’t a housewife—not a wife either, not yet. She was only doing this as she had accepted the fact that from now on, she will be staying in this penthouse—she will be living from this moment with Darwin. She had swept the floor, washed the dishes, and even wiped some dusty things inside despite her condition. She doesn’t know why. She’s uncomfortable ju
William seemed to take away all of Minerva’s voice due to that punch to her throat. She cannot scream. She cannot move. Heaven knows she’s already a carrion now. At least she tried to escape from William’s malicious hands. All Minerva knows is that she’s defeated.William’s fingers dig between her breasts and his lips drowned hers when— “Get the fuck out from my wife!!!” Darwin’s mighty punch sent William rolling on the concrete floor. Blood gushed out from his nose. His elbow was wounded. Darwin immediately helped Minerva to get up. Her body was still shaking, and could barely breathe. “Stay behind me.” Her nod wa
“You see now, Minerva,” Darwin patted the back of the newly awakened Minerva on the couch. “There is always good in everybody. No matter how despicable they are…” “I know.” Minerva’s tears were still wetting her face early in the morning. “Is that only your reply, Minnie?!” Her head was still bowed down in sorrow despite his echoing voice. “It’s the same words you kept on uttering since last night!” She abruptly turned her head towards him and pointed a finger to herself. “Can’t you see I’m having my moment? Please, Darwin. Just let me cry for today. You know that pregnant women are particularly overly emotional…”
Minerva didn’t know if what she’s feeling right now is part of carrying a child or just a normal feeling of a woman who was paid to a billionaire by his late fiancé.Tears began to form into her eyes every time she beheld the face of the man she’s leaving with now. He had prepared her a sunny-side egg and granola bars for breakfast before lunging himself to the shower. “Darwin…” “Hmm?” Darwin just got out of the shower. And Gods above…his body is so wet that she could just dry his entirety with her lips and kisses. Minerva just buried that thought deep into the pit of her consciousness once Darwin found her eyes meeting his.. She looked away from him as he dried his hair with a white towel.