Chapter Ten: I accept.

Charlotte parked her car opposite the tall building. On the opposite side of the road, she could clearly see the Gerano corporation standing high and tall.

 She took a deep breath trying to calm herself down. She was about to take a very big step in her life and it made her really nervous. 

She had decided to accept Sebastian's offer. She had to do it for her family and for herself. She would lose too much if she rejected the marriage. 

She and Sebastian would get married after which they would go their separate ways for a year. She took another deep breath and stepped outside her car. 

She entered the building and as usual, she was greeted with stares from the people who were present as she walked in.

 Normally, Charlotte didn't mind the stares as it was part of her life but it was really irritating to her right now. 

Would it kill them to stop staring at her? She was already uncomfortable as it was. Their stares were just adding to her discomfort. 

She didn't know where Sebastian's office was as she had never been here before. Charlotte then noticed the reception area and walked over to the receptionist's desk.

"Good afternoon ma'am, how may I help you?" The receptionist asked with a smile on her face. 

Charlotte could easily tell that the smile was fake. She had met many people who pretended to like her and therefore, she could easily tell when someone was pretending but she didn't care about that as she was the least of her problems. 

"I'm here to see Sebastian Gerano," she replied.

"Do you have an appointment?" The receptionist asked as she scanned Charlotte from head to toe scrutinizing her in her head.

 How was someone so perfect and lucky at the same time? She had been born into such a powerful family; one people wished to be in. 

That alone made many ladies dislike her and now, she was getting married and not just to anybody but Sebastian Gerano. .

Even though Sebastian was a cold hearted person, he was still hot and this made women drool over him despite his arrogant nature. 

Most women wouldn't refuse the offer of getting married to Sebastian if they were given a chance. 

He was hot, powerful and most importantly,he was super wealthy. Many women had tried to get his attention but failed miserably as Sebastian rejected all of them.

 People started assuming he was gay as they had never seen him around a woman which was in sharp contrast to his brother; Diego who had been seen around countless women. 

And out of all the women who were interested in Sebastian, why did it have to be Charlotte he chose?

 What was so special about her that made Sebastian fall for her.

"No, I do not have an appointment," Charlotte answered. 

"I'm sorry ma'am, you cannot see Mr Gerano without an appointment," the receptionist said, not sounding sorry in the slightest. 

"Could you please call him and inform him that I am here," Charlotte requested.

"I'm sorry ma'am, I cannot do that. Mr Gerano has given me strict instructions that I shouldn't disturb him if it is not something important," the receptionist subtly insulted. 

Charlotte understood what she was trying to say. She didn't consider her important enough to disturb Sebastian for. 

"You should give Mr Gerano a call if you want to see him," she said, further wanting to see if Charlotte had Sebastian's number. 

Like other people, the receptionist was not fully convinced that Sebastian and Charlotte were getting married to each other purely out of love. 

She had a strong feeling that it was a contract marriage. After all, Sebastian and Charlotte had never been spotted together in public. 

Charlotte knew what the woman was playing at.

She wanted to find out if she and Sebastian were getting into a contract marriage. She was but the world did not need to know that.

She didn't have Sebastian's number as she had never met him before yesterday. 

'What should I do?" She asked herself as she tried to figure out a way out of this.

"Sister in law..." Charlotte heard a familiar voice from behind her call. She turned and saw Diego standing in front of her.

 Words couldn't express how happy she was to see him. "What are you doing here?" Diego asked as he walked up to her. He was heading out for lunch when he noticed Charlotte talking to the receptionist. 

He could tell the receptionist was giving her a hard time from the way Charlotte was looking irritated.

"I came here to see Sebastian," Charlotte answered. 

Diego looked at the receptionist who was already on her feet and then back at Charlotte. "Why didn't you come up directly?" He asked.

"Well, it is my first time here and so I do not know where his office is. I came over here to ask her to direct me to his office but she said I cannot see Sebastian without an appointment," Charlotte explained slowly making it look like she was offended. 

Diego glared at the receptionist and voiced out his discontent fiercely. "How dare you treat her like that! Do you know who she is?"

"Umm. W-well S-sir I," The receptionist was unable to answer as she knew her words would be used against her. 

If she said Yes, then it would mean that she was disrespecting her boss' fiancee and if she said No, it would be obvious that she was lying. She was trapped between a rock and a hard place. 

"I asked you a question. Answer me!" Diego demanded angrily. The receptionist shuddered in fear.

 It would be better if the earth opened up and swallowed her rather than having to face Diego. 

He was a jovial and easy-going person but that didn't mean he was to be messed with. He was as dangerous as his brother when he got angry. 

She glanced at Charlotte and saw that she was smirking at her. 

Charlotte had a triumphant look on her face as she saw how the woman was shaking in fear. 

She was making fun of her a while ago, what happened to her attitude? Since she messed with her, she would have to face the consequences. 

She changed her expression to a sad one as she touched Diego on the shoulder. "It's okay Diego. I shouldn't have come here. Like she said, I'm not an important person that she would disturb Sebastian for. I should get going." 

Charlotte turned to leave but Diego stopped her.

'Bitch,' the receptionist cursed in her mind. Charlotte was trying to instigate Diego against her and it was working.

"Miss Rowlene, pack your things and get out of this company. I never want to see your face here again; You're fired!!!" Diego said coldly, anger evident on his face. 

He wasn't going to take it if anyone disrespected Charlotte. 

His mother and brother had taught him that family was the most important thing to a person and that one should always fight for family.

 He already regarded Charlotte as his family hence, he would fight for her respect. 

"Please sir, I beg you. I promise it won't happen again," The receptionist pleaded desperately. She couldn't afford to lose this job.

"I do not give people second chances especially when they go against my family," Diego said in a flat tone devoid of any emotion. 

His tone and facial expression reminded Charlotte of Sebastian. He looked and sounded like his brother did when he threatened her. 

It gave her the chills. How could someone playful as Diego, turn so mean and cold within a twinkle of an eye. 

"Diego, I do not want you to fire her. She has already apologized, please forgive her," Charlotte requested. 

She wanted to teach the woman a lesson for insulting her but not to the extent of making her lose her job. That was taking it too far.

"She treated you so badly and you still want me to forgive her?" Diego asked in disbelief.

"Yes, her apology is more than enough for me," Charlotte answered. 

Diego stared at Charlotte. She was just too nice and although that was commendable, people would take advantage of her.

 Sebastian would have to explain to her that not everybody deserved a second chance. 

However, since this was the first thing she asked of him, he couldn't say no. He turned to the receptionist. "Apologize to her!" He ordered. 

"I-I'm sorry ma'am, it won't happen again," Rowlene apologized.

"It's okay. Just don't do it again," Charlotte said. "Thank you ma'am," replied Rowlene. 

"You're lucky she saved you today. You might not be so lucky next time. Go back to your post!" He said sharply. 

Rowlene bowed to Charlotte and Diego and then, went back to her desk. 

"You came here to see my brother

Come, let me take you to him," Diego said as he led Charlotte to the elevator that would take them up to Sebastian's office. 

Charlotte's nervousness returned as soon as she entered into the elevator. She still had time to back out as once she told Sebastian yes, there was no turning back. 

"This is the private elevator meant for the Gerano family only which means you can also use it as you are now a part of the family," Diego said. 

Charlotte simply nodded as she felt she would puke if she dared to open her mouth. 

The elevator door opened and Diego led her out. Ignoring his employees' greetings, he led her to Sebastian's office.

He didn't bother to knock before going in as that was his habit. 

They both entered the office and DIego closed the door. Charlotte's insides did a flip as she saw Sebastian again. 

They had been with each other just last night but it felt like a long time ago to Charlotte. 

Sebastian was studying some files but he looked so handsome sitting at his desk. She was immediately reminded of last night's incident and her cheek burned with embarrassment. 

"How many times have I told you not to come into my office without knocking?" Sebastian asked without looking up from the file he was reading.

 He knew that it was Diego who entered his office as he was the only one who entered without knocking. 

"No matter how many times you tell me, I'm not going to listen to you," Diego answered. 

"You spoiled brat! I will ma..." Sebastian paused as he looked up and saw Charlotte in his office. What was she doing here? 

"Hem hem," Diego cleared his throat trying to remind the two lovebirds that he was in the room as they were so engrossed in staring at each other. 

Sebastian got up from his desk and walked over to Charlotte. "What are you doing here?" He asked. 

"I came here to see you," Charlotte answered in a low voice, happy that her voice wasn't shaking.

Diego could tell that the reason for Charlotte coming to see Sebastian was a serious one. 

"I'll leave you two alone." He turned and opened the door but before he went out, he said; "Brother, I suggest you warn the employees not to disrespect your future wife," he said.

"The receptionist was insulting her and she would have gotten away with it if I hadn't intervened."

Sebastian's reaction was exactly the same as Diego's. No wonder Diego wasn't afraid of his brother; they were both alike in many ways. 

"Fire her!" Sebastian said coldly without a second thought.

 Even though he had no feelings for Charlotte, she was still his future wife; one who would bear his name and that meant that her pride was his pride and her insult would be his. 

"I already did that but sister in law asked me not to. I couldn't refuse as that was the first thing she asked of me," Diego answered. 

Sebastian looked at Charlotte. She quickly looked down as though she had been caught doing something wrong. Ugh! Why was this man making her so nervous?

 

"Inform the account department not to give her the salary for this month," Sebastian instructed.

"What? She needs it for... " Charlotte swallowed what she was going to say when she saw how Sebastian sharply looked at her. 

"This is nothing compared to what I would have done normally. I do not spare anyone who goes against me or my family. You are my fiancee which means you are my family," Sebastian said. 

"You have asked Diego not to fire her and I have no objection to that but that doesn't mean I won't teach her a lesson!" Sebastian uttered firmly, giving no room for Charlotte to object to his order. 

"I'll see you two later," Diego said and left. 

"Why didn't you say something when the receptionist was being rude to you?" Sebastian asked. 

"I do not like arguments," Charlotte answered. 

"Says the lady who crashed into my car twice," Sebastian retorted. 

"Not one of my proudest moments, " Charlotte replied. 

"Why did yoy come here?" Sebastian asked with a serious expression on his face as he was now talking business. 

"I came here to give you an answer to your proposal," Charlotte answered. 

Sebastian felt nervous as he heard Charlotte's reply. He hardly got nervous but here he was, nervous to know what Charlotte had decided. "Is it a yes or a no? " He asked. 

Charlotte took a deep breath before answering. "I accept your proposal Mr Gerano... "