MAXIE

Am I not dreaming? It is really Miss Laila's brother who I'm facing right now? He is the one who will give me a job?

I couldn't answer his question right away, nor even blinking my eyes. I can't believe, that Miss Laila has a brother who looks so handsome.

From his hair that was clean-cut, his forehead without any wrinkles, his baby face smooth cheeks, his perfect high bridge nose, even his perfect jawline and... My gaze lowers down into his red kissable lips. No wonder, Miss Laila is also a beautiful woman.

I stop fantasizing about his face when he cleared his throat and ask me that question again. "Miss Maxie? Are you ready for the job that I'm going to offer to you?"

Hmm. What kind of job he will offer to me? To be the secretary? Janitor? Driver? Ops. I forgot I don't know how to drive.

"S-Sir? Ahm. Yes. Yes, Sir. I'm ready. Any job will do." I happily say. "What kind of job will you going to give me, Sir?"

"Well, it's a simple job." A smile curls on his lips and he stood up from sitting. He crossed his arm as he laid his butt on his table behind me. "Be my fiancee."

What he had said is echoed in my ears.

Wait-wait. Fiancee? Did I hear it clearly?

"Pardon, Sir?" I uttered. Because maybe I heard it wrong. My hearing is weak too.

"Be my fiancee." He repeated.

Okay. What I heard is right -- but! WHAT?

I quickly got up from my chair and faced him. But I didn't yell out too quickly because he smiled. My saliva is going to drip down.

Urgh. Maxie! Go back to your senses. This is not the time for you to flirt.

"Excuse me! Fiancee? Do you mean? I will be your fiancee?" I pointed myself. Sounds good -- what did I say? "Huh. Why would I accept that? Hey, Mister! I'm poor, I don't have family, even a home, and above all, I had no money, but I still had dignity--" I wasn't able to finish my sentence because he cuts me off.

"One million pesos." He stood up and move closer, paying attention to me. "If you consent, one million will be paid to you immediately." He says in a serious tone of his voice, his eyes as well full of sincerity.

My mouth hanged and I swallow hard. And I feel like I'm being nailed to where I am standing.

"Not only that, but you also have a home, you can eat it more than three times a day. Above all, you can do everything you want. Don't worry, you won't last long in my place. It's just a matter of time." He added like he is doing a sales talk.

Yes, I need money to live, eat every day and find a new apartment. But not in this way. I have the dignity to hold. Even if people think of me as a beggar, poor, still, I can't give up my dignity. It's the only one thing I have.

"I'm sorry, Sir. But--"

"Say yes, I will give everything you want--"

"I'm poor. People see me as a useless beggar. And yes, I need money. I badly need money. But even if I don't have anything, I still had dignity. No matter how poor I am, no matter how beggar I am in the eyes of rich people, you can never buy me with your money. I'm sorry. I can't accept that job--"

"I have dignity too, Miss Maxie." He says as he cut off my line. He walks towards his swivel chair and sat on it again. "I'm not asking you to be my fiancee for your sake, but this is for my sake. Honestly, I don't need someone in my life, why? Because, I'm a billionaire, CEO and professional surgeon. I have a lot of money. I can do whatever I want and I can go wherever I want. But my father wants me to marry the daughter of his friend. I disagree. I know whats their purpose, what they want to me and to my family." He paused and look at me seriously. "Our money, our wealth. And I don't want that to happen. In fact, the engagement party was ready for Cassandra and me, but I told my dad that I had finance, but the truth is, I don't have." He shrugs his shoulder. "Just then, I saw you, the day that my older sister, Laila, fired you."

Did he really saw me?

Suddenly, I remembered the man that was standing before me that day. But I couldn't see his face, I was bowing my head down, I only saw his shoes that was glistening in super clean. So, it was him.

"I didn't intend to listen to your supplications to my sister but its too late, I already heard. You badly need money. But don't give me your judgment first. I'm not buying your body, your whole, rather I'm buying your help. In essence, we're both customers. I'm buying your help with my money, and you're buying my money with your help. Max, I need you. I know you need me. We need each other. So please, let's help each other. Accept this deal." He says, sticking his eyes on me. His ears were waiting for my 'yes.'

After all, he's right. I have dignity but I need him. I need his money. Besides, I could see and feel that he was not looking down on me.

But... All of the women out there, why me? Except, I'm the one who needs the money right now.

I sat down again on the soft chair in front of his table.

"Don't you have a girlfriend?" I ask and he just laughs, I can see his shoulder lowering.

"In this handsome face of mine? Of course, I don't have." He chuckles.

What a boastful man.

"But, why did you choose me? I mean. Excluding the fact that I need money. Why a beggar like me?"

He let out a sigh and laid his back on the swivel chair before answering me. "Are you really a beggar?"

"Huh?"

"I'm asking you if you are really a beggar."

"I'm.. not. I'm, not a beggar." I answered while shaking my head.

"Then, why do you keep calling yourself a beggar?"

"Because that's what people see me--"

"But you're not. You know to yourself that you are not a beggar. What other people think about you is false. You know yourself well. So stop calling yourself a beggar."

In what he said, tears began to well in my eyes. I'm moved. I'm so moved. I didn't think that this rich man will not judge me by my outward appearance. In my whole life, this is how good it is to feel being respected.

"Hey. Y-You're crying. Wh-Why?" He asks, worried written on his face.

I just smile and wipe my tears. I'm so crazy. "I'm just happy."

"Really. You are?" He asks, confused.

I nodded. "Yes."

"Okay. Okay. So... I will ask you again. Will you be my fiancee? Deal? Or no deal?"

Maybe its time for me to rest in the hardships of life in this world. This man needs my help. And I need his help too. I don't want to be a mean.

"Deal."

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