BUSINESS PROPOSAL

BUSINESS PROPOSAL

"So, you guys are pretty chummy with Reid" Maria chuckled nervously as soon as she and Athina stepped into the kitchen. She felt like her chest was loosened and her breaths came out better. That male had a way of sucking up all the air in the room.

"What do you mean?" Athina guffawed, bending forward to rest her hands on her knees at how hard she laughed. "He's my inlaw Minnie, of course we're chummy with him. But you wouldn't mind though, would you" Athina straightened and narrowed her eyes mischievously at her best friend. Maria's cheeks heat up and she glanced away.

"Of course. It's none of my business" Maria bit out silently plotting how to repay Athina.

"There's absolutely nothing between you guys, is there?" Athina asked further, cocking an eyebrow at Maria. There was never a time when teasing Maria wasn't fun, she just made it so easy.

"Nothing but irritation. In fact! I'm repulsed by that proud inlaw of yours. Now please, let's just make something to eat, I'm starving." Maria stomped towards a random kitchen cabinet and pulled it open.

"Easy there warrior, the ingredients are in this locker" Athina chuckled "I missed you so much Minnie" she added before they both started preparing a meal for the next hour.

As soon as they were done preparing a nice meal, Maria went up to her room to shower. She was still in awe of a lot of things in the house and she mentally commended how beautifully the house was decorated. She wore a loose pink blouse and black shorts after she showered and once again packed her hair in a bun.

Maria walked to the mirror to rate her casual look and decided it was better to let her hair down. It cascaded freely to her lower back and she tutted lowly. Maybe she did need a haircut after all. 

"I can't believe you're happy I lost. This is so unfair!" Maria heard Colton whine as soon as she got to the staircase and she almost groaned aloud. If Colton was at the dining then Reid was there too. The plan was to get someone to give rgen lunch in the game room wasn't it?

As she reluctantly walked closer to the dining, she realised that Colton had lost the bet over a football match while Reid and Athina kept teasing him about it. Typical.

Maria calmed her features and relaxed her shoulders. She walked into the dining charismatically and took a seat beside Athina. Reid was seated opposite Athina and Colton was seated at the head of the table.

"Oh great! You're finally here. Now we can eat" Athina squealed and Maria managed a disinterested nod. She could feel Reid's eyes trained on her and was determined not to give into the urge to stare right back at him.

His gaze lingered on her hair a little longer than normal. It was unnerving for Maria but she kept a cool composure and dug into the food. Her plate was filled with nicely made Moussaka and she almost moaned when she bit into the food and the sweet taste burst on her tongue.

"Oh! Maria made this wonderful dish by the way. I know, my best friend is a chef" Athina praused and Colton's eyes shot to her in appreciation. He looked like he was really enjoying the meal.

"This is great Maria, you're a good a cook as ever" Colton said in between munching in his food. He managed a smile after a swallowed and Maria thanked him with a chuckle. 

"Of course she is. Most of her recipes are used in her 5-star restaurant." Athina went on with the praises and Maria elbowed her. Athina had always been like this since grade one. 

Between her hushed warnings to Athina, she missed that the table had gone silent and Reid was sitting straighter than he was a few moments ago. His eyes were slightly widened and shone with a new found interest. For the first time since Maria had come downstairs, she looked at him. However, with a confused expression.

“I’m so sorry to hear about your restaurant, Maria,” Colton said sympathetically. 

“Thanks, it’s nothing I can’t get through,” She said. 

“Have you thought of ideas on how to fix things?” Colton asked as he picked the sauce bottle closest to him. 

“A few but I’m going to need funds so I’m considering taking a loan from the bank.” 

Athina’s head shot up from her plate a bit shocked on the words that came out of her friends mouth. 

She turned to her husband. “What do you say about investing in the business, babe?” It might have felt like she was throwing him under the bus by asking outright without talking to him in private but she really wanted to help her friend. When she quit the business and left everything to Maria, she didn’t leave with much cause she didn’t need it. 

Colton drank a cup of water and cleared his throat twice before replying to Athina’s request. 

“I would really love to help out but I recently made a huge investment in an automobile business. My funds are kind of tight at the moment.” He said all this directly facing Maria who smiled understandingly unlike his wife who was burning holes at the side of his head. 

“What happened?” Reid who had been left out of the conversation piped in. 

“Your business crashing?” He added and received two fiery glares. 

“Crashing is an extreme word to use. A little mismanagement is all,” Maria replied in a clipped tone. 

“So your restaurant is absolutely screwed. Nice,” Reid chuckled as he poured more wine into his glass. 

“For a businessman you say a lot of stupid things.” 

“And for a businesswoman, you’re quite shit at it.” 

Maria could feel her blood boiling so bad felt like tearing the bigheaded idiot into pieces. Times like this, she disregarded his fine looks and saw him for the true arrogant, self-absorbed, egocentric, obnoxious prick he was. 

She wondered how Athina’s could tolerate him and act like his best friend. He deserved to be beaten some sense into and she didn’t mind taking on the role. 

Maria scoffed, “ I almost forgot how obnoxious you are. Looking good on you like always.” 

“It’s just being confident. You should try it sometime.” 

She bit her lips from saying anything else that would just give him more reasons and opportunity to insult her indirectly. 

“I think I’ve heard enough of your voice to last me for the entire year, so let’s get back to eating and kindly ignoring one another.” 

“Before we do that though, I’d like to propose an offer.”

“Not interested,” She said without hesitation as the words came out of his mouth. 

“You’re not even going to listen to what I have to say?” 

“Nope.” She eat the cut steak in her plate as a way to put an end to the annoying conversation. 

“If a loan from the bank is how you plan on having your restaurant, you’re doomed. The risk of losing your restaurant should be at the foremost of your mind.” 

Maria felt like she was a child being scolded, “I know but it’s not like I have many options left.” 

“I know which is why I have an offer. Sell to me.” 

“What!” Maria was taken aback and couldn’t say a word. The exclaim had come from Athina who was in a sort of heated conversation with her husband but couldn’t help but over hear what Reid had said. 

“Are you out of your mind? How can you even suggest something like that!” Athina shouted, giving him her best death glare that made him rethink his decision. 

“Athina love, you know how bad I want to acquire a restaurant and I won’t be offering a small amount.” 

“The amount doesn’t matter. How could you think of ripping off my fri…”

“How about investing?” Maria cut her best friend off as she stared at Reid. 

“And I get part ownership of the business?” 

“30%.” 

“45%.” Reid argued. 

“40%. Final offer.” Maria couldn’t believe what she was doing but it wasn’t like she had much choice.

“Deal.” Reid stretched his hand out for a handshake to seal their deal. 

Reluctantly, she allowed his big hands engulf her dainty hand. She had just signed a deal with the devil and was sure to regret it even if it yielded good results. 

Mari stormed off from the dining hall and went up to her room. 

He remained silent thoughtout. He could feel victory so close to his hands now. Athina rushed after Maria and Colton gave Reid a disappointed look.

While back in her room, Maria paced about while athina sat on the bed patiently giving her some time alone. The thought of loosibg her restaurant appalled her. It was all she had left, her hardwork, time and her whole life. Her parents still didn't know about what was going on. She couldn't let her father go back into the labour market,not with his health condition.

More than that, she was greatly disturbed by Reid's attitude. It was almost like he had done something, put some plans in place to make sure she lost the business. If there was any reason he was surprised, it was only because she still had the business running however slowly. She didn't think she was comfortable letting someone like that be an investor in her business but then again she needed the money. People like Reid just needed to be paired with someone who was smarter than them,one step ahead of them all the time.

"Relax" Athina sighed as she rubbed Maria's back gently "All will pan out eventually" she assured and Maria nodded absently. All that she could think of was getting back at Reid. He had crossed a line and while she was usually calm, she didn't enjoy getting cheated. The perfect plan popped into her head and she couldn't help but smile softly. 

"The mood has been ruined " Athina murmured sadly and Maria turned her full attention to her best friend.

"I'm so sorry Athina. I didn't intend for this to happen and I promise to-"

"I'm pregnant" Athina whispered with tears in her eyes. She hicupped as she tried to shove in the happy sobs. 

Maria engulfed her in a warm hug and looked back at her with glossy eyes.

"That's what you wanted to tell us?" Maria questioned although she knew the answer to that question and her conscience was eating at her.

Athina nodded regardless.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry " Maria apologised and once again toom Athina in a warm hug. W everything felt so surreal.

For now, all thoughts about Reid flew from her head and all she could think of was the new life that was forming in her friend's womb.