THE PROPOSAL

Sandra May stared long outside her window and sipped a cup of coffee that has already run cold. She took a deep breath, dropped the cup of coffee, and picked up the mail on her table that has already piled up during the week. Hesitating, she picked them up one after the other, opening each as if her last hope was going to be taken away from her. She opened one with the heading

‘TREAT AS URGENT

And immediately she felt a cold touch run down her spine, her heart beating rapidly. She summoned the courage to read the rest of the content and to her uttermost surprise it was a mail from her father who has never written to her before, not even after hearing what had happened to her. With intensity she quickly read through it;

Daughter,

I am writing this to you with so much pain in my heart. How can you bring this upon us, our family’s reputation, MY REPUTATION? The banks you borrowed from keep calling almost all the time. You better fix this as soon as possible, you already brought enough disgrace upon me after pursuing that sculpture of a thing instead of studying medicine and surgery. for fuck sake! else I might be forced to disown you.

Bye,

Dad.

  As a Sculpturist, her passion and love as always driven and sustained her, but lately, she has become a shadow of herself 

Remembering everything that had happened all over again, she crept to the floor and wept.

‘Thank you 

Caesar James said to the chef after arranging his breakfast on the dining table. Checking through his schedules for the day, he immediately realized he has a very important appointment he must not miss. time almost approaching, he took a cup of tea and a slice of bread reading through the headlines of the morning business news on the tablet placed in front of him.

Finishing up, his assistant Caleb who has been standing afar quickly went to collect his jacket that has been carefully placed on one of the chairs and carried his briefcase as they headed to the car.

‘Good morning sir’

His driver who has been waiting for them for almost an hour said as he opened the door to the back seat for Caesar. Caleb helped himself to the passenger seat at the front.

Caesar with his tablet continued reading the headlines as he sees something that caught his eye. 

‘ CEASAR JAMES, THE POPULAR BUSINESS MOGUL AND OWNER OF GABANO GROUP OF COMPANIES IS GAY ‘

Immediately he picked up his phone to dial the company’s PRO.

Hello sir

And what is this I am reading?

I am so sorry sir, I just got the news this morning.

What do you mean by you just got the news this morning? Isn’t it YOUR job to know this before it gets to the press? What in hell are you doing exactly? I hired you to deal with issues like this before gossips start to spread not to talk of the fact that  I am not gay! Now you, listen to me and listen carefully, I give you one hour to dismiss this from the press and every social media outlet, if not done, consider yourself jobless!

‘what nonsense’

Caleb’? 

Sir?

Arrange a meeting with the board of members now and cancel the one at 9.

On it.

Finally deciding to get up from her sleep deciding not to open the rest of the mails, she picked them up and disposed them into the trash can close to the door. Checking the mirror and rubbing her swollen eyes with her hands, got into her bathroom, took off her nightwear, and got under the shower. As the water splashed on her face, she wished she could turn back the hands of time. She wished she had even followed her father’s instruction and studied medicine and surgery instead, she wished she could just die. 

Suddenly jerking back to the hope that something good was going to happen soon, she stepped out of the shower, took a towel, and wrapped it around her. She thought of calling her dad but knowing the response she will get from him, she still called anyway.

Phone ringing’

Picks up Hello’

Please do not say anything, (weeping) I am so sorryDad. I am so sorry for everything. But all this wasn’t my fault. And you shouldn’t judge me for doing what I love. suddenly feeling courage people try and people fail. But I believe family should always support each other and not treat one another like shit. What happened to us, Dad? We were best friends before. Do you know how depressing it is to wake up every day having no one to support you or talk to? You brought me to this world for fucks sake Dad so you have no right sending me a mail with reckless words. I am sure you do not want to see my dead body dangling from the fan one day after hearing it from the breaking news with the headline ‘another suicide committed in the downtown of silicon. a debtor ’ all this will be over sound. It will.

Drops call

 She opened the door to her balcony and stepped out with the towel still wrapped around her, staring out to space, allowing the cool hair to penetrate her skin as she thinks of what to do to clear herself from the debt she is into.

Caesar walked into the sleek modern boardroom of his company’s headquarters. The atmosphere was tense filled with anticipation and curiosity as rumors had been swirling around about Caesar's personal life. The media frenzy surrounding the revelation had ignited a storm of speculation and debate.

As Caesar took his seat at the head of the polished mahogany table, his board members, a diverse group of accomplished professionals glanced at each other with a mix of concern and surprise. They had assembled to discuss the potential impact of the rumor on the company’s reputation, brand, and prospects.

Caesar cleared his throat, his usually confident demeanor was tinged with vulnerability. He looked around the room meeting the gaze of each board member before addressing the elephant in the room.

‘thank you all for joining me today. I am aware of the news that’s been circulating and I understand that many of you have questions and concerns. I wanted to address the situation head–on and provide you with the truth.’ ‘ I am not gay. Never was and never will he paused for a moment allowing the tension to build before continuing.’ While the rumors are not entirely accurate, I believe it's crucial to address the situation swiftly and decisively. the board members leaned forward awaiting Caesers's proposed solution unaware of the unconventional plan Caleb had. just as curiosity peaked, Caleb stood up and spoke with confidence, capturing the room’s attention and surprising Caesar.

‘ ladies and gentlemen, I understand the gravity of the situation and its potential impact on both Caesar’s reputation and the company. After careful thought and I propose a unique solution that would surely dispel the rumor. ‘ I suggest a contract marriage.

Curiosity turned into intrigue as Caleb revealed the idea of a contract marriage .dialogues aroused from various ends as Caesar was also left speechless.

‘ I mean considering the dire need for a solution, marriage is the only thing that can solve this. it has worked before for so many people and will never stop working. We will just have to draft out a strategic and publicized marriage……which I think the PRO can do better justice to. Thank you.’ He sat down quietly.

Caesar’s board members exchanged surprise glances initially taken aback by the audacity of the proposal. however, as they considered the potential outcomes and the alignment with their core values, a wave of agreement washed over the room.

With a mixture of relief and gratitude, Caesar acknowledged Caleb’s innovative solution. he realized the potential impact it could have.

A board member spoke. ‘I believe we have all agreed to this .turning to Caesar. ‘ we give you one week to get this shit solved. One week Caesar. Else, you know what's at stake.’

Thank you, gentlemen and ladies, Caesar finally spoke. I won’t let you down.

One by one, they all stood and leave, remaining only Caesar and Caleb in the boardroom. sitting down speechless and thinking about what to do, Caleb carefully and silently left the boardroom.

Early the next morning, Sandra woke up and decided to take a morning walk around the neighborhood, she put on her sneakers, grabbed her water bottle and headphones, and headed out the door.

As she walked down the street, she felt the cool morning breeze on her face and listened to her favorite music. But as she turned a corner, her foot hit a small rock on the sidewalk and she stumbled forward losing her balance. just as she was about to hit her head on a pole, a man who happened to be walking on the opposite side of the street saw her as she stumbled and quickly rushed over to help her. Grabbing her by the side, he quickly picked her up, preventing her from falling to the ground.

‘Are you ok’ the man asked, helping Sandra to her feet.

‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t see that rock there’ Sandra replied. feeling embarrassed and a bit shaken.

‘it's ok. Accident happen. Care if  I walk with you?

NO, I don’t.

They started walking together and a casual conversation began.

My name is Sandra by the way. yours?

Oh, pardon my manners, my name is Caesar. Caesar James.

Caesar James?

Yes, what I just said.

Suddenly thinking about where she heard the name from cause it surely rings a bell.

Thinking of something? Caesar asked.

Ummm, no. not really. Just that the name rings a bell. Just not quite sure.

It's ok. I am sure you will remember soon enough.

As they continued walking down the street of Wallaby, one of the cool areas in Silikon city, chatting casually, Caesar subtly hinted at how he is looking for a woman for a contract marriage for five million dollars.

Intrigued by his words, Sandra listened intently as she suddenly expressed her interest after confirming he is yet to find anyone.

I am interested’ she said boldly. Shame quickly overshadowed her but quickly dissolved after the thought of how much help the money could do to her life right now pricked her once again.

Caesar stopped for a few moments. Took a good look at her for a few seconds before speaking.

‘ seems like you have a lot on your mind’

Nothing’ Sandra replied hesitantly, just that, the money could help me right now’.

‘oh, I see’. And you are sure you are up for it?

Yes, yes I am sure.

Ok, here is my card. call me at exactly 10 am on Saturday. not one second after. 

Thank you. Thanks a lot’ Sandra said sheepishly.

A sleek and luxurious car suddenly stopped beside Caesar. the posh car was a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. The refined sound of the engine hinted at the formidable performance that lay beneath the car’s elegant exterior. Caleb came down from the car and opened the door to the back seat. Caesar sat in and the car effortlessly glided down the road.

Sandra stood, struck by the whole scenario. trying to make sense of what just happened. She picked up the card that had already fallen from her hand and started walking home.

Later that morning as Sandra unlocked her front door and stepped into her cozy apartment, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that she had seen Caesar from somewhere before. She searched her memory, replaying the morning encounter over and over. suddenly, it struck her like a lightning bolt- Caesar was no other than a CAESAR JAMES, the popular business mogul whose name graced the headlines of newspapers and magaziregularly. Confusion and intrigue engulfed her mind. how could she, an ordinary woman encapsulated with struggles? with a modest life have come across someone as influential as Caesar James? The realization left her questioning the nature of their conversation. Was it a mere coincidence or was there a hidden purpose behind their meeting?

Driven by curiosity, Sandra decided to do some research on Caesar James. She learned that he was a self-made billionaire who had built an empire from scratch. With interest spanning various industries. His business acumen and philanthropic endeavors had earned him both admiration and envy. The more Sandra discovered the more fascinated she became by the man she had unknowingly crossed paths with. After completing her research which took almost an hour, she went over to the kitchen to prepare breakfast thinking of what her life could be as a contract wife