A Virgin For His Scandalous Proposal

Chapter Two

BELLA

I rushed through the impressive-looking foyer of the company’s building. I had always taken my time to admire every part of the interior, as it had been changed pretty recently, and was my very first major job, after graduating as an interior designer two years ago. The fact that my father had trusted me enough with such responsibility was something I would forever be grateful for. Which is why I had opened my interior design business under my father’s company, and also used the opportunity to work as his real estate agent from time to time. It was always a pleasure showing and explaining details of buildings to prospective clients.

But now was not the time, as I dashed for the elevator, hitting the button with so much force. Theo Zverev was in my father’s office, and I wanted to meet him. What I was going to say to him, I had no idea. But I was sure as hell not going to let him buy us off.

The elevator door opened, and I rushed in, glad that I was completely alone with my thoughts, as it closed and started to take me to my destination. How I had gotten to the office was still beyond me. And for the life of me, I hoped, after risking a traffic violation offense, that I would meet him. Chloe wasn’t even answering my calls, which irritated me greatly.

Both I and my father still grieved for my mother, even if it was almost two years since she passed away. More than me, I knew her father wasn’t going to take another loss very well. Lately, he looked tired, with dark bags under his eyes, and even when I had asked him to go to the hospital, or at least get some rest, he bluntly refused. He was stressed out. I knew. Which is why I had to do my best to salvage what I could, and get the company back on track.

The elevator stopped, and I hastened out, not really taking note of my surroundings. My eyes and mind were on one thing only. The last door at the end of the hall. My father’s office. Which is why, when I slightly bumped into someone on my way out, I didn’t even bother looking back as I muttered an apology.

If I had looked back, I would have seen an angry looking Theo, whose phone had just been knocked out of his hand, cursing at me.

I burst through the door of my father’s office to see him sitting all alone, behind his desk, with his eyes buried in his laptop. “ Where is he?” I demanded, panting as I tried to catch my breath. Anger filled me as I swore repeatedly inside of me. Things I knew I couldn’t dare say in front of my father.

Michael lifted his head from his laptop, startled by me. “ Who? And why did you barge into my office like you were being chased?” he asked, as he pulled off his glasses, rubbing his hand over his face.

“ Theo Zverez.” I answered, and moved closer to my father. “Chloe told me he was here. I wanted to meet him, dad.” Gosh, he looked extremely tired. There was an empty bottle of water sitting next to him on his table, making me think he was also dehydrated. My father didn't drink a lot of water on a normal day. only what was needed. And he sure as hell wouldn't down a whole bottle this early in the day.

Michael frowned at me, scrunching his nose. “ And why do you want to meet him? He’s buying the company, and right now, he’s our best, and only shot.” He answered, still looking at me like 'duh'. Then he did a double take, looking at me from head to toe, before shaking his head. He didn't need to say more. I knew I must have been looking rough, after all, I had driven like a mad woman to get to the office quickly. Not that it had worked anyway. But I sure as hell wasn't expecting my father to agree so quickly to selling off.

And that wasn’t part of the plan. I expected my father to be more rational in his thinking and not just give up like that. What would happen to the employees? Us? The name and reputation he had spent so many years building for himself and our family?

“ You know why, dad. We still have time. We can’t just give up like that.” I answered, pulling out one of the chairs in front of him and sitting down.

I eyed my father as he took his time before answering me, which only got on my nerves. “Listen, Bella. I love you, and I appreciate your concern for the company. And, I know that this place,” he said, gesturing around, “has been like a home to all of us. But this time, we have to think about the welfare of both us, and the people working here. We can’t keep dragging them down with us. I’ve accepted Theo’s offer, and that way, we can pay everyone off, a look for something else.” As he spoke, he arranged some papers in front of him, placing them on top of another pile of paper, to my right. Distractedly, my eyes flickered at the papers, and I glimpsed a business card on it.

MICHAEL

Michael paused, looking at his daughter as she kept her gaze fixed on Theo’s business card, and smiled at himself. He had intentionally kept it there, and had known what her next reaction would be, so he made it easier for her, getting up and excusing himself, while he pretended to take something from the shelf. And when she thought he wasn’t looking, she took out her phone and took pictures of the card.

He would have smiled, but the throbbing pain and dizziness he felt, had him facing the shelves as he waited for it to pass.

“fine. I should get going now.” Bella said, and made her way out of the office. Michael didn’t answer. He couldn’t. The pain was too much.

THEO

I looked at my damaged phone in annoyance, and cursed for the tenth time that day. Not only had her father asked for the most ridiculous favor on this earth, but she had breezed in and smashed my phone out of my hands. She had even had the nerve to pretend like nothing had even happened.

The door opened, revealing Dylan, my secretary, with a package in his hands. Luckily, the phone was still working perfectly, but with a damaged screen, so I had sent Dylan out to get a new one. I stood up from my seat, and went to stand in a corner so I could look at the view of the city. My office was on the fifteenth floor, and from how it was designed and positioned, I had a very nice view of the city below. After all, I occupied over seventy-five percent of the floor, with the other twenty-five shared between my secretary and my assistant.

Today, though, as I looked out the glass, I wasn’t particularly feeling the view. Everything looked bland to me. Why the hell had Michael asked that of me? I thought.

The older man had known it would be difficult for me to say no, especially with the knowledge of his declining health. I had vowed never to get married. Not after I had been mercilessly dealt with by my ex-wife. Sandra had made the two years they spent together a living hell for me. I had spent half of those two years holing up in my office, trying to escape her.

I hadn’t loved her. No.

But I had been forced to marry her, almost like what Michael was doing now. But back then, I had had a choice to back out, but out of greed and stubbornness, I had continued with it, thinking that they could have had a future together.

“I have transferred all the information onto the new phone, Sir.” Dylan said from behind me, clearing his throat. I squared my shoulders and turned to see him standing, holding the two phones to me.

I nodded, taking the new one. “ Thank you, Dylan. Have you deleted my information from the old one?” I asked, eyeing the phone which the secretary still had extended to me, even if I had taken the other one.

Dylan nodded. “Yes, Sir. I have.” He answered.

I nodded again and gave him a small smile, before walked away, leaving him standing there in slight confusion as he pondered on whether to keep standing there, or keep the phone on the table. He watched as I sat carefully at my desk, testing out the new phone, before waving him off.

“ You can have that one. Go change the screen or something, and charge it to the company’s account.” I said, nonchalantly, not still looking up at Dylan, who was shocked....from the small squeak I heard come from him.

“ Thank you so much, sir.” He said, allowing his words to show his gratitude. Hell! Now he could dispose of his old android which was so outdated, even a snail was faster than the internet on it. I had seen him struggle with that phone severally.

“sure. You can leave now.” I told him, and raised my head to watch my very happy and smiley secretary leave his office. Dylan was a smart kid, and a great help to have around. He was the best out of all the secretaries I had had, and it was going to be tough for me when I had to let him go, as a secretary. I hadn’t told him yet, but once I had found out that he was studying part-time, for a degree in computer technology, I knew I had to give him a permanent job at my company.

I shook my head and smiled, about to focus on my work, when the office phone rang. “ Hello?” I said, waiting for my personal assistant to speak. I knew it was her because all calls to my office went through her.

“Sir, you have one Miss Bella Peterson trying to book an appointment with you. Tried explaining to her severely that you are occupied for the day, but she insists that she is the daughter of Mr. Michael Peterson, and that you would want to talk to her.” my heart slammed against my chest as Fatimah, my assistant, mentioned Bella’s name.

I wasn’t ready to speak to her! What did she even want? It’s not like she knew of her father’s request.

I sighed. “Tell her that if she is willing to have dinner with me, then I will be able to see her.” I said finally, putting the phone down as I wondered what I had just gotten myself into. Although, I couldn’t help but think I had made a decision I was going to regret for a very long time.