"Marry me," he repeated coldly and emotionlessly

Chapter 3

Sofie wasn't so sure that she wants this job anymore, because if he was the Ceo then he's obviously not going to give her the job, not after their first encounter and that doesn't mean she regrets what she did. He was being so rude and she doesn't regret slapping him.

Tessy noticed the way they were staring at each other and she was surprised when Sofie said 'You!' Like she's seen him before.

Sofie instantly took her arm. "Let's leave Tessy." She said, not taking her eyes off Asher.

"Why?" Tessy asked in surprise, her eyes darting between Sofie and Asher. "Do you two know each other?" She questioned out loud.

"Of course not, I've never seen her before." Asher denied, staring deep into Sofie's eyes.

Sofie was now starting to feel so uncomfortable due to the way he was staring at her.

Tessy leaned to whisper into her ears. "We're not leaving this place until we do what we came here for and don't you dare argue." She warned sternly. "You need this job and I won't let you miss it!"

Sofie sighed deeply, she knows this is just going to be fruitless, but for Tessy's sake, she's going to give it a shot.

Asher went back to his seat and then he clasped his palm together. "So, why are you here?" He asked, his eyes fixed on Sofie.

Sofie heaved a deep breath before replying. "I'm here for a job Sir." She kept on avoiding his gaze.

"A job?" Asher asked.

Sofie nodded. "Yes Sir." She replied.

"Leave us." He said to Tessy.

"S...Sir?" Tessy stuttered.

"I said leave us, or are you also in need of a job?'' He snapped.

"No Sir." Tessy replied, she gave Sofie a worried look as she wondered if she'll be able to do well on her own.

"You got this. I'll be outside waiting for you." She whispered in her ear before leaving.

When Tessy left, leaving just her and Asher in his office, Sofie wished for the ground to open up so she can gladly crawl inside.

Tessy was so wrong about this, she hasn't got anything!

"Come now, don't just stand there, come take a seat." He gestured to the chair in front of him.

"Y...yes Sir.'' Sofie stuttered, then she slowly went to sit down.

"You came here for a job huh." Asher smirked.

Sofie couldn't take it any longer and she voiced out. "I know you're not going to give me this job and I guess I'm just wasting both our time since nothing good is going to come out of this, so I'm just going to leave." She made to stand up, but he stopped her immediately.

"And when did I say that?" He asked. "You've really got a sharp tongue." He added.

Sofie furrowed her brow. "I don't get it, you're going to give me a job?" She asked.

"Oh yes I will, I'm going to give you the perfect job." He replied.

What she did to him was still fresh in his memory, she's the first lady to ever lay a hand on him. All his life, no one has dared to disrespect him the way she did and he also recalls promising himself to make her pay for what she did to him if they were to ever cross paths again and now here she is, luck is just on his side and she appeared just when he needed someone.

He's going to give her a job, but not in his company. He came up with a plan to make her pay for what she did, while helping himself in the process.

He then said the words Sofie was never expecting to hear.

"Marry me." His face cold and emotionless.

"What!?" Sofie blurted out.

"Marry me," he repeated coldly and emotionlessly.

"In exchange, I'll pay your debt." There are no strings attached, and no love is expected. It was just a basic transaction."

Sofie scoffed in disbelief. "Many are mad, but few are roaming and you, you're among the mad people roaming around." She cursed in anger. "I see you've totally lost it, I knew from the start that you're crazy, I just couldn't tell how much, but now it's all clear to me how crazy you are." She seethed.

"You're demented and you better go get your brain checked because you've clearly lost your sanity!" She spat. "How dare you utter such words, I came here in search of a job and you dare spill such nonsense." She angrily stood up.

"You could have simply refused and I wouldn't have wasted my time here." She hissed and then she angrily stormed out of his office.

The insult she's rained on him is enough to last him a lifetime. Once again, she's insulted and got away with it.

Her insults did anger Asher, in fact, his blood was boiling with so much rage, but he still managed to keep a calm and composed expression. Something tells him this isn't the end and he's patiently waiting to meet her again, she's definitely going to regret all she's done and he's going to make sure of that.

When Sofie got out, Tessy was surprised to see the look of anger on her face, she stood up from where she was sitting and rushed to meet her.

"Sofie, what happened? How did it go?"

"Bad Tessy, I just want to get out of here, I want to go home." She replied, obviously still annoyed by what happened.

Tessy would have loved to hear what happened right here and now, but she needs to get to work.

"We'll talk about it when I get home. I'll see you off." She replied. Sofie nodded.

She saw her off before going to work.

***

Night time...

Sofie was narrating her experience to Tessy and when she was done, Tessy did find it hard to believe, but a second thought, she saw it as a good opportunity, after all, it's only a contract marriage and it's bound to have a time when it'll all come to an end.

"I was so furious that I had to insult him for that." She hissed.

"I get how you feel Sofie, but look at it from this angle, he did promise to give you so much wealth, and let's not forget that with that amount of money, you'll be able to clear your debts and also take back your family's property." Tessy replied softly.

Sofie's jaw dropped and she looked at her in disbelief. She literally can't believe that her best friend is asking her to accept the proposal of a man she doesn't even know and a man who clearly hates her!

"Are you being serious right now Tessy?'' She asked in surprise. "Do you even hear yourself? You're asking me to accept getting into a contract marriage with someone I barely know and a man who's obviously the world's biggest rude jerk, this isn't a movie Tessy, this is my life, a real-life we are talking about!"

Sofie exclaimed leaning her back on the Sofa.

"Then do you prefer getting jailed?" Tessy asked. "Let's not forget that time is running out. Can't you see that Sofie? This is an opportunity for you." She stated. "If you accept, you can also present your own condition to him and get your debts cleared. I don't want you going to jail Sofie, this is a time to think fast! An opportunity like this will only come once and now that it's here, you better grab it. In just a day, your debts will be cleared, that's what's important, you have to save yourself too Sofie, this is another chance for you to live a good life, stay in a good Mansion and eat a nice food, think about it Sofie, please." Tessy pleaded.

"I know how tough this is going to be for you, but you know the situation on the ground and you'll have to make a quick decision."

Sofie didn't even know what to say, this is so wrong, yet so right.

"I'll leave you to think about it, but I hope you make the right choice because, in the end, the decision is up to you. But also know this, no matter what choice you make, I'll have your back, that's my duty as your friend and I don't just see you as a friend Sofie. I see you as my sister, you're more than a friend and I'll always have your back no matter what." Tessy patted her shoulder, she sighed, then she stood up and went to her room.

After Tessy left, Sofie spent half of the night thinking about what she said and by morning, she made the hardest decision she's ever made.

*The next Morning*

Tessy met Sofie in the kitchen grabbing a cup of water.

"Good morning." Tessy greeted with a wide smile.

"Morning Tessy." Sofie replied with a pale face.

"You had a sleep last night?" Tessy asked worriedly, Sofie just nodded slightly.

"I don't know if it's right for me to ask but were you able to make any decision? I mean Mr Asher..." Tessy paused looking into her eyes, Sofie dropped the glass cup she was holding and looked at her.

"Yeah, I don't have any options, I have to do it." She responded turning her eyes to avoid crying.

Tessy tabbed her back gently.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through all of these alone, and at the same time." She said.

"It's okay Tessy, that's just my luck, you know, some people are just lucky when it comes to life but in my own case, I just have to accept my fate, I know Asher will be my worst nightmare, but I will be fine, I guess." Sofie exclaimed, letting the tears fall.

"It's gonna be fine." Tessy muttered and they both hugged.

She went with Tessy to work and this time, she didn't have to wait for ages before she was permitted to see Asher. It's as if he's been waiting for her.

"I see you're back." Asher said. "So, have you come to shower me with more insults or what?" He asked.

Sofie heaved a deep breath, she wanted to turn and leave, but since she's here, it was too late to go back now.

"I'll do it." She replied.

Asher furrowed his brow. "What do you mean? Do what?" He asked and for the first time since she walked in, she looked him in the eyes.

"I'll Marry you." Sofie muttered and looked away.