Chapter 3: Offer Accepted

DAPHNE was simply taking in her surroundings as she sat inside the cupcake shop that Jacob had mentioned as their meeting point. The door quickly spat out a man with a well-defined figure and expensive-looking clothing. It was clear he was wealthy. She knew who it was when the man got close to her. He was a man she had been on the phone with earlier. He's Jacob Salcedo.

She instantly stood up and greeted him. She bowed slightly "H-hello, sir, glad to meet you again." A man in front of her intimidated her with his cold vibe.

"Sit down." He said without any emotion.

Daphne smiled because she had secretly hoped that if she did what he asked, he wouldn't fire her.

"Didn't you say you'd do anything for the sake of your job?" he instantly asked.

"Y-yes," she replied and hurriedly nodded. "I'll do anything, just don't kick me out of my job."

For a moment, the young man in front of her was silent as he gave her a serious look. "Good. Then, I have a proposal for you that I am confident will be beneficial for both of us."

When she heard what Jacob said, Daphne scowled. She was anxious about what he would say even if she couldn't understand. "Offed?" she asked anxiously.

"Can you just remain quiet and just listen?" he said irritably. So, she didn't say anything, but she bit her lip and bowed slightly. "Anyway, as I said, I have an offer for you. Won't you do everything? Then, marry me."

Her mouth was half open and her eyes widened as she gazed up at Jacob in response to what he said. "Wait, sir! M-marriage? Really? You want me to marry you? Are you—"

She couldn't finish what she was saying because he cut her off, but there was still a hint of shock on her face. "Don't overreact, okay? I'm not done yet," he said. "You told me that your grandmother is in the hospital, right? You need your work to support your grandmother's medical needs. I'll be honest with you, you can't support your grandmother's hospital bills just by working at the store. Even if you get tired from working, it won't be enough. I just want you to marry me for some reason, and I know that you too will benefit from this."

Daphne was filled with inquiries. Why did he impulsively ask her to marry him? What's he want?

She was solemn as she observed Jacob's attractive face, showing no signs of emotion. She apologized. "If you're doing this because of those shoes, I'm sorry, Sir, but I won't play with you. I need a job and money for my grandma, not marriage and to play with your games," she protested.

Jacob gave his brow a scratch before briefly bowing. He groaned as Daphne was taken aback by what she heard. "Wait, Miss, I'm not done explaining yet. If you don't want to play, neither do I. Do you think I'll play with you while my life is in danger?" How is it a threat to his life?

"This is it. I've made you a deal. You just need to marry me and I'll pay you. You need a job and money, right?" he replied bluntly. "

What he said shocked and perplexed her even more. Marriage? He gulped and smiled. "You mean I'll marry you and you'll pay me?" She couldn't stop repeating it because that's how he understands what he said. "You think I'm so desperate to do that? To marry a man I don't even know? To a spoiled child like you." She answered firmly. "I'm sorry, but I'm not desperate yet to take your offer; I'll just find another job."

Daphne stood up and looked at the man closely. Jacob grinned and shook his head. She was about to take a step when he spoke. "I will support your grandmothers' medical needs when you agree to marry me, Miss and after everything, I will pay you a million dollars after we divorce. It's simple, just marry me. We'll act like we're husband and wife, after I get my inheritance, I'll process the divorce paper right away and I'll pay you," he added.

She was so taken aback by Jacob's words that she was unable to move. Does he concur with the treatment of her grandmother? She has parts of her that want to accept his offer and parts that don't want to even try. She marries, then gets divorced, can she make a fool of herself?

"Okay, I'll give you time to decide. You have until 6 p.m. tomorrow to make a decision, and if you don't, I'll find another woman who will accept my offer. Just call me when you've made your choice."

Jacob's remarks caused her to blink. She saw him get up and he moved away from her. Daphne sat still down on the bench when a man finally left. Sighing, she fluffed her hair. She needed a lot of money for her grandma and was tempted to take the offer.

Daphne's thoughts are disorganized, and she is unsure of what to do. Is her grandmother's life in the hospital or her honor and reputation?

—

"D-DOC, what happened to my Grandma?" she asked anxiously to the Doctor when she saw him controlling her grandmother's convulsions. She called her name with fear, "Grandma." She was ready to get closer to her when the nurse stopped her.

She was informed by a nurse. "Ma'am, you can't approach the patient." She was escorted out of the room. She sat in the waiting area while she struggled to comprehend the fear and shaking she was feeling. She noticed tears starting to come out of her eyes as she was worried for Isabelle. Now, what will she do? Isabelle was the only one she had, she couldn't lose her.

After a minute, the doctor came out of the room. "Your granny is doing well now, Miss."

She instantly got up from her seat and turned to face the doctor. She dried her tears and asked the doctor. "What happened to my grandmother?"

"Your grandma merely suffered mild cardiac arrest. She's well now but I remind you that she needs to have heart surgery as soon as possible. Your grandmother is weak and if the surgery is not conducted, she may not be able to survive," the doctor said honestly.

She took a seat in the waiting area as though her courage and hope had fled. She was left standing there helpless. Later, Daphne went to the room her grandmother was in and walked up to the frail old lady. When she saw how she was feeling, she immediately started crying. How is she now? Why must they experience terrible things?

"I will support your grandmother's medical needs when you agree to marry me." She suddenly remembered what Jacob had said to her a while ago.

As she was thinking, Daphne got up and left the room. Should she agree to Jacob's proposal of marriage for her grandmother?

She slowly took out her phone, Daphne examined it. She wasn't sure whether she ought to do it or whether they ought to find another solution for her grandmother's medical needs.

She was really considering Jacob's number and debating whether to dial his number or not but in the end, she discovered she was on his number and she heard her phone ring.

"I didn't expect you to call me, Miss," Jacob said on the other end of the telephone.

She groaned and tightly closed her eyes as she gathered her confidence. "I-I accept your offer, Sir," she replied.