Dario_4

Chapter four

Going to the Del monte's coffeehouse was his regular morning duty, a place where he goes to escape from the harsh reality of life, funny how a coffeehouse turns into a place of solitude. Today was different, he didn't want to go to the coffeehouse but he kept having this gnawing feeling deep down and then it turned into a sudden craving for cappuccino coffee which was extremely weird considering the fact he didn't like the taste and it not being his regular.

He walked into the coffeehouse and took a seat at his regular spot awaiting a waiter or waitress. He stared at his wrist watch, it was five thirty PM.

He sighed disappointedly and ran his hands through his face, muttering under his breath

"what the hell are you doing here Dario," just as he was about to stand up and leave the coffeehouse a waitress stood in his front.

"Good evening and welcome to the Del monte's coffeehouse." She greeted in a reverence manner.

He nodded at her greeting. There was no need leaving, he'd just have the coffee.

"What would you like to have, Black coffee?" She asked though she knew that's his usual order.

"Cappuccino coffee." He answered.

She stared at him uncannily. "Cappuccino coffee?" Just to be sure that's what she heard. She didn't want to fall a victim of his wrath like Bella who was his former waitress. Bella had mistakenly served him a coffee au lait and he flared up pouring the hot coffee on her body.

He nodded and said with gritted teeth. "Cappuccino coffee."

If this waitress ask him this question one more time, he would make sure she regrets it. Wisely, she nodded and left as if reading his mind. A little while later she came back with a cappuccino coffee and left.

Dario stared at the coffee with an alien look. He wondered why he didn't take the waitress offer, he wondered what made him utter cappuccino. He took a sip from the coffee slowly, rubbing it on his tongue, then he sipped again relishing the sweetness. Now this is weird. He groaned loudly but not loud enough to attract stares, he was loosing it.

The bell above the door to the entrance of the coffeehouse jingled and a red hair walked in, she was putting on a faded jeans and a black I love New York city polo shirt. He watched as she walked up to the counter smiling and said something to the other girl, he recognise the girl she is talking to as the girl who served him his coffee.

He sipped his coffee and watched as the both of them talked as childhood best friends, surprisingly this was entertaining to watch. The counter girl which he has resorted to calling her said something to the red hair which changed her mood, she had tears forming in her eyes, he felt a pang in his chest. She quickly walked out of the coffeehouse, he was mad at her tears, he was mad at the counter girl for making her cry.

Diane pushed the door and walked out of the coffeehouse in tears, she didn't know why she got all emotional all of a sudden. She came to the Del Monte to find out Fabio answer from Elena and it still came out negative. She was so worried for Ruby and she couldn't get a decent job since she dropped out of college because she was eloping.

She wiped her tears and decided to go back to the coffeehouse but on her way, she bumped into someone spilling the coffee she held on her hand on him.

"I'm so sorry," she gasped. "How much is it? I promise I can pay you." She prattled.

It can't be that expensive she thought. What the hell is wrong with her, she was just out here crying because of money and here she was offering a stranger to pay for his designers suit.

He laughed, his eyes cold and calculating. He had an inscrutable aura. "I don't think you can."

Her eyes widened when he called the price. She couldn't pay even if she worked triple shifts in the coffeehouse and the worst part, she doesn't even have the job.

"I knew you couldn't afford it. " He smirked. "Will you marry me?"

"Will you marry me?"

Like seriously? Diane was flabbergasted. She didn't even know his name, she has never met him in this life and he just asked her to be his life partner. What the hell?

She bursted out with laughter, who was this clown? kudos to him, he made her laugh.

"You'll make one hell of a clown, you just need the make-up." She paused taking a deep analysis of him then she chuckled. "Scratch that out, you don't need makeup, you already look it.

Dario stared at her nonchalantly, he was supposed to be angry and mad at her at least a glare would be nice but no he was glad to see her laughing even if it was at him.

"I don't even know you, I don't even know if you're a drug dealer or terrorist or rapist or a criminal dressed up in a fancy suit"

Dario raised an eyebrow amused by her words, he should be offended but no he's actually ok with her making guesses of who he is.

"Dario Simpson." He offered.

"Knowing your name doesn't mean I'll get married to you. "She chuckled then noticed he had a serious face, he wasn't joking he hadn't even let out a single smile since they started their conversation. "Oh my God, you're serious."

He nodded and placed his hands in his pockets. He was shocked that she didn't even know him everyone in New York city and around the world knew him even babies in their moms womb but this woman.

"This is a joke." She muttered about to walk out, when he spoke.

"It's not a joke Diane, it's a contract marriage, I know you're in dire need of a job."

She stopped and turned to him precipitately. She was stupefied, how did he know her name and how did he know she was in dire need of a job.

"Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars a month." He added.

She stared at him with unknown emotions, she was overwhelmed by his offer, she needed it but she wouldn't get married, she couldn't just see herself living with a man not just any man someone she'd call her husband. She had already crossed getting married out of her list.

"Five hundred thousand dollars a month." He boosted it up.

He had to, looking at her he knew she was and would reject his offer and he needed her badly, time was running out and dad had already called Theo to informed him to get ready to come back to New York.

"I'm not interested" she said in a hoarse whisper and left.

____________________________________

She slumped on the couch next to Elena. Ruby had just left with Andrew, she didn't like the way Ruby was getting too attached to him, she had to stop it and that she'll do once they get home. She would stop him from coming to see Ruby, they didn't need a guy in their life, yes Andrew is a good guy but imagining them as a couple was disturbing.

"So do you have anything to tell me?" Elena dragged out eagerly.

"Like?"

"Your discussion with the hot billionaire yesterday."

Diane faced her best friend egregiously. Of course, why didn't she piece all this together all this while, her best friend told him her name and that she was in dire need of a job.

"Why did you do that?"

"Well he's rich, he is Dario Simpson!" Elena raised her hands up dramatically.

She corked a brow, what's so special about the name. "So?"

"So!" Elena exclaimed with eyes wide as a saucer. " He is Dario Simpson, how can you not know that? I told you about him last week, he made front page of Forbes magazine again."

"What's so special about him that I have to remember." She groaned loudly.

Elena faced palmed herself, how can she behave like this, how can't she know the billionaire's heir.

"I told you about the Simpsons enterprise— do you remember when I told you about the Simpson's heir that was in coma for nine months?"

Diane nodded in acknowledgement, she actually remembers Elena talking about it as one of the best companies and when the news of the accident was everywhere.

"Well Dario is the heir, next in line to that company. He was the one in coma."

"Oh!"

"So what did you guys talk about?" Elena asked with keen interest.

"He asked me to get married to him..."

Elena cut in. "That quick, no date, no late night movies?"

"A contract marriage, he'd pay me five hundred thousand dollars every month."

"That's a good business deal. Why are you not taking it?"

"I thought you complained about his arrogance?"

"Yeah but I don't blame him considering the fact his fiancee died five years ago. It turned him into a beast. So what was your reply?"

"Not interested." She replied nonchalantly.

"But you need the money." Elena stated as a matter of fact.

"And I don't want to get married, not a fan of commitment."

"It's a contract marriage and you'll get paid. You can set your rules too since you don't want to get involved." Elena tried to reason with her.

She shook her head, marriage was out of the option even if it is a contract marriage.

"I'll get another job."

"Will it pay as the one Dario offered?"

She knew that what Dario had offered her was a price to die for half a million dollar every month just to pretend to be his wife.

"Don't blow this opportunity Diane." Elena cautioned.

She was about to reply Elena when her phone rang, she picked it up as silence filled the room

"Oh my God Diane, I've been trying to reach you." Andrew's voice broke and he sounded shaky.

"Andrew," she called cautiously.

"I'm so sorry Diane, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to...I...I just took my eyes off for one second..." He rambled continuously.

Diane felt an eerie feeling coming up and she needed Andrew to speak like a human being right now.

"Andrew," she called sternly, dread setting in already.

Andrew stop his rambling and then spoke."She got knocked down by a hit and run driver. Ruby is in the hospital."

He continued rambling apologies as her phone dropped to the floor alerting Elena.

"Diane," Elena dragged out slowly on seeing the pain stricken look on her friend's face. "Diane what happened? Talk to me."

"Ruby is in the hospital."