C8 Dinner

She could only find out what he wanted by asking him so she jerkily got up from her seat and straightened her long pencil skirt.

"Good day Mr Gonzalez" she bowed her head slightly as she greeted him. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit"

"I have come to see you" Tomas replied, surveying her with a cynical curve on his lip. Damn she looked so drab and unattractive. He knew she was trying to look decent in the office but she'd gone a little overboard with it. He couldn't wait to be done.

She stared at him with a curiosity that bothered him. "You came to see me? Is there any problem with my work sir?" She asked

"No" he replied. "my visit is on a personal note"

"Oh," she exclaimed. "what is the problem Mr Gonzalez?"

Her blunt way of demanding answers fazed him through and through.

"We'll talk over dinner" he bit out. "get ready. I'll send a driver to pick you up by 6pm"

"You're inviting me to dinner?" Disbelief coloured her tone.

"Of course. Now I wouldn't like to repeat myself or be kept waiting when it's 6pm. See you soon"

And with that, he turned on his heel and walked off, leaving her in a transfixed state.

*******************

She didn't have time to pretty herself up for the meeting with Tomas. In fact, she never prettied herself up. She'd been too engulfed in worry. First was her house which she was about to lose and second was the fact that Mr Tomas Gonzalez wanted to see her. She found it weird. Really weird but she still got prepared to meet him.

By ten minutes after six, a black C63 AMG came to pick her and she got into the car and it drove her to one of the top restaurants in Los Angeles. The view was so nice and she wondered if she deserved to be in such a luxurious place like this.

The chauffeur led her to where Tomas was and she saw him looking all gorgeous and powerful in a breathtaking suit.

He frowned when he saw her. "Is this the best you could come up with?" He bit out

"What?" She asked puzzled

"Couldn't you at least pretty yourself up so it'll please me to look upon you?" He asked with arrogance

Her jaw tightened. "I don't have time to pretty myself for the likes of you" she threw at him

Tomas glared at her in distaste and she glared back. She probably wasn't the one to cower before him, seeing as she wasn't intimidated by his presence at all.

Her dim appearance and feisty nature would make her the perfect candidate for marriage. At least he won't get bored by her feisty comebacks and he also wouldn't touch her because she didn't appeal to him at all.

"Let's sit down before the food gets cold" he forced out a smile as he brought out a chair for her. She eyed him warily before she sat then he sat too.

He didn't want to jump right to the point so he won't scare her so he opted for another gentlemanly manner of approach.

"Tell me about yourself please" he said to her

She hesitated a bit because why not? She knew he didn't care about her. His actions proved it. First off, he ordered food without checking her preferences and he also insulted her appearance. She wondered what he wanted from her and an impulsive part of her wanted to throw the question right at him but she withheld herself. He was her boss after all and it wouldn't do her good to disrespect him.

So she began telling him about herself, her glum childhood, though she didn't go into details. She told him about her work and how passionate she was about it, more like she was selling her abilities to him. At a point she just stopped because he kept nodding and feigning interest. Her impulsive nature got the better part of her

"I know you didn't just call me here to know more about me because I'm sure you don't want to date me. There must be a reason you picked my office of all the offices in the museum to visit. So tell me right now because I hate wasting my time" she blurted out as she held his gaze firmly

The corners of his mouth lifted. "you're quite astute aren't you?" He mumbled. "And you're right. I don't want to date you..." He watched her nod once, giving off the fact that she was right. "...I want to marry you"

Now this schocked her. Her jaw unwillingly dropped open. "What?!!"

Tomas then explained to her about the conditions of his inheritance and the reason why he chose her. It hurt her feelings a little but that was the truth. He didn't find her attractive at all and that was why he wanted to marry her so he won't touch her and he could easily divorce her.

But she refused to feel self pity over this. There was a cloud in every silver lining. She was going to use this to her advantage. Hours ago, she sat in her office and wondered how she was going to pay off her debts but an opportunity just presented itself. By the way, what was there to lose in being a rich and gorgeous man's wife even if it was a temporary marriage. She needed money to save her house and she was going to grab hold of any opportunity that presented itself.

"I accept to be your temporary wife but on one condition" she said

"What is it?"

"I need money right now" she calculated the remaining house rent plus the amount she owed the loan sharks plus a little interest and told him.

She watched his brows furrow. "what are you doing with such large amount of money?" He asked

"That's none of your business" she said icily. "You have to agree to my terms if you want me to marry you"

"That's not a problem, but you'll have to move in with me before our marriage, agreed?" He asked

She gulped as she obviously wasn't expecting that but still she agreed.

"Then it's settled" he said. "one more question" he said as she was about to leave. "what's your name?"

She stifled a scoff. Of course he didn't know her name, narcissistic people always tend to think that the world revolves around them and he was a perfect example. She prayed for the strength to be able to handle him during their marriage for at least a year, then they would part ways forever. But for now...

"It's Mira. Mira Murphy"