The offer

Evelyn's POV

Designing required more money and I couldn't help but worry when I looked at my savings account to see that I had used almost sixty percent of it.

I finished designing the dress I had been working on since morning and decided to check what I had in my account because I was running out of some resources and couldn't design with them.

When I saw my savings, I got easily discouraged and went to the kitchen to cook something delicious for dinner before Mariam returned. I needed to do my best to make her comfortable with my stay. She was providing shelter and food, I should at least do some things like cooking and cleaning up.

Mister Mateo didn't come to plead for a conversation with me for three days. I wondered why he gave up too soon but I was glad he knew better because I was never going to say yes to him.

It was a Saturday evening when I left the house to stroll the street. As I went down the street, I perceived something delicious. I was bewitched by the smell, that I didn't know when I entered the local restaurant to check what caught my attention. I could even get some for my hardworking independent best friend.

I looked into my purse to see if my money was enough to get the delicious meal and when I found out that it was more than enough, I smiled but I didn't know that I celebrated too much about it until I saw my reflection through the mirror by my side. I composed myself and put on that stern face again.

I ordered my meal and asked for a takeout before going to take a seat. I began to look around and saw that some seats were vacant and wondered why the shop was so few with customers. I didn't like it because their food smelled so delicious and should taste delicious too right.

I had a YouTube channel with more than one-hundred thousand subscribers, which I started when I began to feel lonely in Nathan's house. My channel was to show the world how good of a cook I was. I was still good at cooking but it wasn't a passion but a hobby.

I didn't know what to do when I saw so few customers but when my food arrived, I decided to ask the waiter about it. Then, I was told that the restaurant had just opened and that was why there were few customers.

Now that explains it. With time I was sure the restaurant would flourish. That aside. It was time for me to eat and taste the delicious food waiting in front of me to devour it.

It was a dish made from pasta and it definitely was not an American meal. I'd ask about that later, firstly I needed to fill my stomach with this.

After picking up my cutlery, I began to dig in. I sat at the table very close to the window because I wanted to view the outside. I was busy with my food and testing Mariam when I heard that familiar annoying voice.

“Madam,” his voice was calm and soothing today. I looked up, probably looking so uninterested in his talk but when I saw that he looked blue, my expression changed.. And not only my expression but my thoughts about him changed.

Mateo looked pale and he had an IV drip on his hand because his hand was connected to one. “May I sit?” He asked, his voice sounded weak to me this time.

“What if I say no?” I frowned at him.

“Then, please madam,” he seemed to want to talk to me so much.

“Whatever, I don't own the chair anyway,” I looked away. It had been great healing from Nathan but I still thought about him from time to time and I stupidly hoped that he might one day come to check on me but that would never happen.

“What a weird way to say Yes,” he chuckled.

I stayed quiet and continued my meal, focusing on my phone as well. I didn't know Mister annoying was looking at me.

“Are you still upset about that night?” He asked. “It seems I need to clear some misunderstanding before we move on to something deeper.”

I scoffed. “I'm definitely not going there. And yes, I hated what happened that night. It was as if you manipulated me,” I spoke with anger and irritation.

“No, you manipulated me with your big eyes, ma'am. And I was drunk, I was being stupid but it was a good thing nothing happened between us because you know… I could have gotten you pregnant,” Mateo let out a quiet cough. I wanted to ask what was going on with him but I didn't.

“You can't because I already am,” I didn't know why I said that and I so much hate myself for doing so. I wanted to grimace and slap myself but I composed myself and stayed firm in front of him.

“Oh, alright then.”

“You must be disappointed,” the side of my lip curved, causing a sneer.

“No…” he paused. “I didn't get your name,” he indirectly requested.

“Evelyn,” I said as though he forced me.

“Are we good now, Evelyn? I have no intention of wanting you in that manner. I want you but not in that aspect.”

“What do you mean?” I grabbed my drink and took a sip as I looked at him, curious about his answer to my question.

“The night I entered your room,” he didn't pause but I wondered to myself why it had to be that night. “I saw that you were busy with something.”

“Yes? I was designing.”

“I wasn't wrong.”

“Okay?”

“You are talented, Evelyn but you still need somework.”

“Why's that?” I was open to opinions and so far, he was the first person to talk about that.

“You designed the dress your friend wore that night and I must say, it was impressive but as an expert, I could see the flaws, which was why I kept coming because I saw potential in you, Evelyn. All you need is training and sponsorship and you can go places with your skills and talent.”

“So that's what you wanted to tell me?” I thought wrong. He wasn't after me because he wanted me to be a sex machine but he wanted me for business.

“Yes,” he replied.

“What's your gain in all this?”

“I'll be your boss. We share the profits and we build each other until we succeed.”

“How can I trust you?” It was a good offer but I needed to think about it. “What if we fail?” I added. “You know what Mateo, I'll think about it.” I stood up. “Take care of yourself–you don't look okay.”

With that, I grabbed my takeout package and left the restaurant, thinking about Mateo's offer. I didn't know if I should trust him or not.