WIFE IN 365 DAYS

Chapter 03

Manuela silently stared at the contract Uno had given her, detailing her father's debt. She still couldn't believe her father had incurred such a large debt, and worse, to a mafia boss. She wondered if her father even knew the kind of person he'd borrowed from, and how he'd even met Uno in the first place. So many questions swirled in her mind, questions only her father—and Uno—could answer.

What was even more unbelievable was Uno's proposition. To pay off her father's debt, a debt she knew nothing about, she had to become his wife for 365 days—a year—so he could obtain his grandfather's wealth for his personal gain as a mafia boss.

"How did you meet that mafia boss, Dad?" Manuela murmured, setting down the paper and slumping onto the sofa in her living room.

Night deepened, and sleep eluded Manuela. She had a week to decide. If she refused Uno's offer, her brother and she would face turmoil. But if she agreed, even as p*****t for her father's debt, their lives would still be disrupted by Uno's dangerous lifestyle.

"I don't know what to think anymore. Either way, our peaceful life with my brother will be ruined," Manuela whispered, a throbbing headache beginning to form as she grappled with her impossible decision.

"Wife of a mafia boss for 365 days... no matter how I think about it, I see nothing but trouble if I agree to what he wants. From what I know about mafia bosses, they're just like criminals who do bad and illegal things. They just get away with it because of their wealth and influence. People like that are dangerous, especially since they have so many enemies. My brother and I would be risking our lives if we get involved with someone like that," Manuela spoke to herself, picturing the scenario where she'd refuse Uno's offer.

"But if I refuse, I'm sure he won't leave us alone. My father owes two million dollars, and I have no idea where I'll get the money to pay it off. I can't just give away Dad's company, especially since so many employees at IFC depend on it. Will he pressure me? Ahhh! I don't know what to think anymore!" Manuela complained, frustration mounting within her.

"Manuela..."

Manuela straightened instantly, turning to her brother who had just emerged from his room, seemingly roused from sleep. He rubbed his eyes sleepily before walking towards her.

"Why are you awake, Lucas? It's still late; go back to sleep," Manuela said softly, a gentle tone in her voice. Lucas sat down beside her.

"I had a bad dream. There was a man taking you away from me. I chased after you, but I couldn't catch up, and then I woke up," Lucas said, causing Manuela to wince slightly at the content of his dream.

Lucas was only seven years old, yet he spoke with a maturity beyond his years. Whenever he talked to her, it was as if an older soul inhabited his small frame.

"It was just a dream, no one's going to take me away from you. And even if someone did, I wouldn't leave you, I promise, remember?" Manuela said with a smile, stroking Lucas's hair.

"Mom and Dad also promised they wouldn't leave us, but they did. Promises are meant to be broken, so don't just make promises to me, Manuela, don't leave Lucas," Lucas said, prompting Manuela to hug her brother tightly.

"You're only seven, but why do you talk like that? Are you sure you're only seven?" Manuela asked, to which Lucas nodded solemnly.

They remained together on the sofa when Manuela suddenly thought of a question to ask Lucas.

"Lucas, what if I suddenly have a husband, would that be okay with you?" Manuela inquired, eager to hear his response.

"Are you getting married, Manuela?" Lucas asked back, his eyes wide with curiosity.

"It's just a 'what if.' If I were to get married, would that be okay with you?" Manuela clarified.

"That's fine, as long as you don't leave Lucas. Are you really going to get married?" Lucas replied, a hint of a smile on his face, which made Manuela shake her head gently.

"I'll take you to your room; you have school early tomorrow," Manuela said, standing up from the sofa and taking Lucas's hand, leading him back to his room.

Manuela still couldn't make a decision, but with a week to think it over, she hoped to consider her options carefully and determine the best course of action.

The next morning, Manuela and Lucas woke up early. Manuela quickly prepared Lucas's clothes and breakfast before he left for school. She also got ready for her own day at the office.

Since their parents passed away, Manuela had taken on the responsibility of caring for both herself and Lucas. She had become both mother and father to him, and she was happy to fulfill that parental role for her younger brother.

"Remember what I always tell you, Lucas, if your teacher needs anything or has any concerns, have her call me, okay? And don't leave your classroom until I pick you up, alright?" Manuela instructed as she helped Lucas into his uniform.

"We have a family activity at school next week; they need a mom and a dad. I told the teacher that I don't have a mom and dad anymore, so she said it's okay if an older sibling goes instead. Will you go?" Lucas asked Manuela.

"Of course, I'll go with you to your school's family event. We'll win all the games," Manuela said with a smile, which caused Lucas to sigh.

"Oh, why?"

"We can't win all the games because some need a dad. You don't have a husband or boyfriend to take my place as a dad," Lucas pointed out, causing Manuela to pinch his cheeks playfully.

"You're acting so mature again. We'll just win all the games; that's our goal, okay?" Manuela said, to which Lucas nodded.

"Okay."

After ensuring everything was in order, Manuela and Lucas left the house together. She dropped him off at school before heading directly to IFC. Upon arrival, she was greeted by the employees who had come in early to finish their tasks for the day.

Once she reached her office, Manuela sat down at her desk to start her work. A little while later, Suzie walked in, carrying her schedule for the day.

"Good morning, boss..."

"Good morning, Suzie. What’s on my schedule today?" Manuela asked, sorting through the folders on her desk.

"You have some new applicants to interview for our production, and then we'll visit JJ Lumbers to discuss them becoming our suppliers for some furniture that won’t require mahogany wood. That’s pretty much your schedule for today," Suzie explained, outlining Manuela's tasks.

"It looks like my schedule isn’t too hectic today. I can finish reviewing and signing some files on my desk," Manuela replied with a smile, noticing Suzie was staring at her.

"Are you okay, Manuela?" Suzie couldn't help but ask, prompting Manuela to turn and smile at her.

"Of course. I was surprised and didn’t expect to learn about my father's debt to a mafia boss yesterday. But I shouldn’t let that affect my daily routine. Besides, Mr. Urquio has given me a week to think about what he said."

"About Mr. Urquio, actually, I don’t know if I should tell you this, but..." Suzie hesitated, making Manuela furrow her brow at the evident uncertainty on Suzie's face.

"What do you want to say that concerns Mr. Urquio?" Manuela inquired.

"The truth is, Manuela, Mr. Urquio set a luncheon appointment with you. I-I couldn’t decline it because I was worried about what he might do if I didn’t arrange it," Suzie informed her.

"What? Why? It’s only been a week since he gave me a grace period. Why does he want to talk again?" Manuela exclaimed, incredulous at the thought of meeting Uno so soon.

"I-I don’t know. Honestly, he seems to be the only mafia boss who goes through the proper channels to communicate with a CEO," Suzie remarked, causing Manuela to place her hands on her head in frustration.

"What does that mafia boss want now? Did he miss something yesterday that he needs to have a luncheon with me?" Manuela complained, not expecting to see Uno again, thinking their next encounter would be after a week.

As the morning began, Manuela felt frustration creeping in over the reason Uno wanted to meet with her again. She couldn't understand why he needed to set up a luncheon appointment instead of just coming to her office directly.

In her mind, Manuela sensed that her once peaceful life was starting to unravel because of Uno and the debt her father owed him. The looming presence of the mafia boss hung over her like a dark cloud, and she felt the weight of that burden pressing down on her.

"It's infuriating," she muttered to herself, her thoughts swirling with confusion and irritation. Each passing moment seemed to amplify her anxiety, and she wished for clarity in a situation that felt increasingly complicated.