Offer

“What did you say?”

“Name your price—”

I raised my hand to stop him from repeating what he had just said because I hadn’t misheard him.

Name my price?

Be a loving mother to his children?

His temporary wife?

I lowered my hand to my thigh and clenched it. I forced a smile even though what I really wanted was to scream at the man in front of me.

His eyes were deadly serious as they stared at me, as if he were memorizing every corner of my face.

“Look, I’m not offering you marriage. Act with me. You’re an actress, right? You just have to pretend to be my wife—”

“I’m sorry, sir, but I think you’re offering that project to the wrong person. There are plenty of other women for your offer. I’m an actress on stage, not in other people’s lives.”

“I know, but I want you, Rebecca.”

I swallowed hard at the way he said my full name, as if he already knew me inside and out. I stood up immediately, no longer able to tolerate what I was hearing.

“Excuse me—”

“One billion.”

My brows knit together, and I stopped mid-step at his words. When I turned to face him, I saw the smirk on his lips as if he were telling himself that no one could possibly refuse the amount he was offering.

It wasn’t a million, but a billion dollars after all.

I hated that smug look on his face, like he was so sure I wouldn’t reject his offer.

His grin widened even more when I turned back toward him and smiled.

“Plus a house or any property you’d like—”

He didn’t get to finish when he cursed and stood up as the glass of water I had deliberately knocked over spilled onto his pants. I even held myself back from splashing it straight into his face.

“Oops, sorry. I didn’t mean it, sir. I was just shocked by your offer—it’s really huge. I only came closer because it seemed like you didn’t hear my answer earlier.”

He glared at me, his brows furrowed.

“No. Even if it’s one billion—with a house or any piece of land here in the world—it’s still a no. Find someone else, sir.”

His jaw tightened as he grabbed my arm when I turned away. “Are you sure about your answer, Rebecca—”

“Yes. Absolutely sure.”

I glanced at his undoubtedly expensive pants. “I don’t have any cash on me right now, but just tell me how much it costs and I’ll pay for the laundry. Good luck finding a woman who’ll bite at your offer. I’m sure someone will—but it won’t be me. I will never trade the life I have now for the money you’re offering.”

I turned my back on him, but froze when I heard a loud crash. When I looked back, my lips parted as I saw the swivel chair he had been sitting on earlier overturned on the marble floor.

I swallowed, panic and fear creeping in as he walked toward me. I stepped back and nearly tripped over my heels when I misstepped.

My eyes widened when I felt his arm wrap around my waist, steadying me so I wouldn’t fall.

“Well, you’re right. I’m sure I can find another woman. It would be easy to find one with my enticing proposal, but I only want you, Rebecca.”

My knees weakened when our eyes met. There was something dangerous in the way he stared at me.

Summoning all my strength, I pulled away from him.

“W-well, I’m sorry, I don’t want you—I mean, I don’t have time for this project of yours, Mr. Davidson.” I raised my hand and showed him the ring I was wearing. “I’m getting married. My soon-to-be husband definitely won’t like your offer. I won’t do anything that could ruin us.”

He smirked and nodded. “I see. I understand. You may go now, Rebecca.”

I didn’t know where the unease stirred by that smirk came from, but I didn’t say another word and hurried out.

My heart was pounding hard as I passed Jamie. Walking down the hallway, I suddenly stopped when I felt someone watching me. When I looked back, I saw Mr. Davidson talking to Jamie, but his gaze was fixed on me.

Something throbbed painfully in my chest under that stare, so I hurried back to the dressing room.

“You okay?” Nathalia asked as she and our other friends greeted me.

Everything was ready, and it looked like they were just waiting for me, so our celebration for the successful performance could begin, along with what they called my farewell party.

“Huh?”

“You look pale and you’re sweating. Where did you come from? What—”

“I just talked to someone. I’ll grab my things so we can go,” I cut Nat off and quickly entered the dressing room.

I closed my eyes and hugged myself. A chill ran through me as I remembered the way that man had looked at me.

I flinched when my phone suddenly rang. I answered right away when I saw that Timothy was calling.

“What’s up, l-love?” I said, grimacing when my voice trembled.

“Is there a problem?”

“Huh? Why?”

“You sound different. Did you cry?”

“Oh, earlier—Janna and the others, you know. Anyway, why did you call?”

“I just wanted to ask if you received the flowers. You didn’t reply when I asked for a picture…”

My gaze fell on the bouquet he had sent. “Ah, yeah, of course I did. Sorry, I was busy earlier. Honestly, you never run out of surprises.”

He laughed on the other line. “Of course. That’s for the woman I love most.”

“Dude! That’s enough!”

I laughed when I heard his friends teasing him in the background. “Alright, love. Tonight’s for you and them. Nat and the others are waiting for me too. See you later!”

“See you, love.”

When I ended the call, I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled when I saw the color had returned to my face.

Thank goodness Timothy called, my racing heart finally began to calm.

I quickly gathered my things, along with the flowers Timothy sent.

When I stepped out, I saw Jamie talking to Janna and the others. My eyes went to the bouquet of tulips in his hand.

“You left this behind, according to Mr. Davidson,” Jamie said as he approached me and handed it over.

“Wow, Becca is really something, roses and tulips!”

“That Mr. Davidson is the man from earlier, right, Jamie? The one with two guys who looked like movie bodyguards.”

“Yes, dear. He’s handsome, isn’t he?”

“Extremely! So hot!” Janna said, practically swooning.

I grimaced.

Yes, he was handsome, but there was something off about him. I had a bad feeling.

“He looks super rich, too! What business is he in, Jamie?” Nathalia asked.

“CEO of a pharmaceutical company, as far as I know. You know how the rich are, they have plenty of businesses.”

“So why did he send Rebecca flowers, Jamie?” Sabel teased.

I cleared my throat and handed her the tulips. “I’m fine with what Tim gave me. You can have these, Sab.”

After that, I turned away from all of them.

“What did you and Mr. Davidson talk about?” Nathalia asked as she linked her arm with mine. Janna quickly joined us.

I shook my head. “Nothing really. He just complimented my performance.”

“Really? Just that? I’m sure he offered you a project—”

“Yes, he did, b-but I didn’t accept it. I can’t do it.”

“What did he want you to do?” Sabel asked, her eyes full of curiosity.

Be a loving mother to his children. Temporary wife.

“Confidential,” I said with a smile, earning protests from them, but they didn’t push further because they knew me.

When I say something’s confidential, I really won’t talk.

One billion? Sure, I could buy so much with that, but seriously… why me?

I only want you…