Chapter 3

The office was filled with cold silence as the two parties just kept staring at each other.

Ralph was trying to read her expression, while Silvia was just nervous.

“I didn't hear you well. Do you mind repeating what you just said?” Ralph asked firmly. The way his tone sounded drove fear into Silvia's nerves.

Silvia took a long, deep breath when Ralph asked her to explain the situation.

“Please sir, I…I need… I need your help, sir,” she stuttered. It was evident that her fear had the most of her.

The air-conditioning in the office was on but, she found herself sweating profusely. Sweat was running down her back, and she could sense the heat creeping up her neck under Ralph's intense scrutiny. She sat fidgeting in her chair with her legs trembling just slightly.

“What do you need me to do? What is it all about?” He asked curiously.

Even if he decides to help her, he needs to know where his money is going. That's how a businessman thinks.

Yesterday's memory came rushing back like waves—the sound of machines beeping, her mother's weak hand clasped in hers, and her prayer for everything to be okay. That feeling of powerlessness was the fuel for her desperation.

Silvia hesitated, her heart racing. “My mother. She needs a heart transplant immediately, and I don't have enough resources to foot the bill,” Silvia explained.

“How much are we looking at?” Ralph asked. The conversation was moving quite easier and faster than Silvia had presumed.

“One.....one million dollars. That's the cost for the transplant,” she dropped the bomb on Ralph, who received it with a troubled look on his face.

“That is a huge amount of money. So do you want to take a loan or?” he asked curiously.

“If that is what you will be willing to do for me, then I'll be happy to oblige sir,” she replied a bit of hope rising in her.

Silvia knew that such an amount of money was not so hard for him to release.

Loan of a million dollars? That’s an enormous amount, and you expect me to just hand it over?” Ralph’s voice hardened, his brows furrowing in disbelief.

Her stomach dropped instantly as her hope crashed in the blink of an eye.

Without thinking, she immediately went down on her knees and began pleading. That was the only thing she knew that would be of help to her.

Ralph settled into his chair, a crease on his forehead. He had promised never to let emotion rule his choice, yet now here he was, split between the need to assist Silvia and fear of putting himself at risk of yet, another disappointment.

"Do I trust her?" he asked himself, remembering that more often than not, pity always led to immense loss and regret.

As they sat in silence, the tension between their conflicting needs was palpable. And then, after what had felt like an eternity, he straightened up, his decision made.

“I don't want to give you a loan. But I think I have something better for you,” he replied his voice eerily calm.

Silvia looked into his eyes, and she could see how serious Ralph was. She could not believe it.

Ralph was actually opting to help her. But this was not a time to rejoice already. She was not sure how the help was coming. Besides, what could be better than a million dollars?

“Come back tomorrow.  The documents will be ready tomorrow.” And with that, he dismissed her from his office.

Silvia didn't hesitate. She quickly left his office even as uncertainty clouded her mind. That was Silvia's day off, so she just went back home and prepared breakfast for her mother.

As she arrived at the hospital, she carried a steaming basket filled with her mother's favourite meals.

“Good morning, Mum!” she greeted, trying to mask the anxiety she felt.

Her mother was awake, but she looked so weak. “How are you, Silvia?” she asked weakly, attempting to prop herself up in bed but Silvia quickly held her back.

“Don't worry, mum, you need to rest. The doctor advised that you should do less strenuous activity,” she gently urged, helping her mother settle back against the pillows.

“Rebecca came here. She also brought something for me to eat,” her mother shared, a faint smile forming on her lips.

Silvia was shocked. She wasn't expecting to hear that news given how their last conversation had gone, she hadn’t expected to hear that news.

“I will call her right away and thank her,” she said, as she grabbed her phone and stepping aside to make the call.

“My darling. How are you?” Rebecca voice came through from the other side of the phone.

“I am fine thank you. Mum told me that you came around. Thank you so much,” she responded earnestly.

“Oh, it's not a big deal. I just want Mum to be on her feet soon again,” she replied.

Silvia and Rebecca had a little chit-chat before they hung up the call.

Silvia had made sure that she didn't tell her mother what was happening to her. She wanted to shield her from the full reality of the situation and its urgency. This was more reason why Silvia had to get this money soo.

Meanwhile, Ralph, on the other hand, had his PA draft a contract paper for him as he was consumed with deep thoughts.

“I can't help her without getting something in return,” he mused, resting his chin under his hand.

He had come up with the idea of having a contract with Silvia, but he was still uncertain regarding what kind of contract it was going to be.

While he was still thinking deeply, Rebecca burst into his office full of energy.

“What is my baby thinking about, that has gotten him so troubled?” she said playfully, settling onto his lap as if they were in the comfort of their living room rather than a professional setting.

“Get off my lap, Rebecca. We are in my office,” he said sternly.

Ralph hated to let his employees catch wind of their relationship; he preferred to maintain a wall of professionalism around the office.

“This isn't fair, baby,” she sulked as she got up from his lap, and took a seat in the chair across from him.

“I have given you my reasons, several times,” Ralph reiterated, leaving no room for any objections or negotiations.

Rebecca had no choice but to agree. Ralph was the man in the relationship, and he always made sure he asserted that dominance.

He may look so attractive and gentle, but beneath the whole facade was a whole different person.

~~~~~~~~~~

Silvia was so pumped up and nervous to get to the office that morning.

Ralph had scheduled to meet with her, but his plans were still unknown to her.

She had spent the night tossing and turning, her mind filled with worst-case scenarios. What kind of contract had Ralph prepared? What was the price she had to pay?

As early as 7 a.m., she was standing at the door of his office, having ensured that every corner was meticulously clean and tidy.

“Good morning sir,” she greeted Ralph, as he arrived at the office one hour late, his presence commanding as always.

“You're here early as always,” Ralph said as he walked into his office and took a seat behind his imposing desk.

He met her gaze briefly before gesturing for her to enter his office. She sat down nervously on the chair across from him only after Ralph had comfortably taken his seat. She couldn't help but be conscious of the gravity of the moment.

“I presume you came here because of the money, right?” Ralph asked directly.

“Yes sir. I was…”

“Marry me, Silvia,” Ralph abruptly interrupted with an unwavering straight expression on his face.

Silence.

A loud, crushing silence.

Silvia’s mind went blank.

Her eyes widened in shock and confusion, her thoughts scattering everywhere to comprehend what she had just been told. She blinked twice to be certain that she hadn't misunderstood.

“I don't understand, sir,” she stammered, her voice shaking as his words kept ringing in her ear.

Ralph tilted his head. Well, I know you're a klutz, but are you deaf too?" He spoke in a low, drawled tone. "Marry me, Silvia," he said again announcing the seriousness of his intent with a piercing look.

She had parted her lips to speak to him, but no sound would emerge.

Because deep down… she knew.

This wasn’t a proposal.

It was a deal with the devil...a sentence.