Contract And Marriage

Maximus

“Find me a competent secretary, Aries!” I shouted at my assistant. The previous ones had resigned one by one, and any replacements never lasted long. They couldn’t handle my temperament despite my assistant’s efforts to keep them. The two secretaries with me in Las Vegas had also left, as they often bore the brunt of my anger. I didn’t intend to, but I always couldn’t help shouting and yelling whenever I felt frustrated.

It’s been a year since the Las Vegas police confirmed Sarina’s death. For several months, I locked myself in my own world again, refusing to talk to anyone. Until one day, I suddenly woke up and started working. But that was it; I just continued doing what I used to do. Sometimes, I tried to find happiness with other women but felt nothing. I couldn’t find solace in them, and even if Midori had frequently visited me, I still couldn’t let myself take her. There’s a part of me that stops me from getting closer to her.

“The HR has already started posting the hiring notice, sir. There are already some scheduled for interviews.” I nodded and told him that I would be the one to interview the applicants, and it would be held in my office. I think it’s time to tell them beforehand what I expect from them and what they will experience working under me. I should give them a heads-up on what they will hear from me constantly or when they fail to do what I want.

“There are three applicants for interviews later at three,” Aries said, making me smile. He’s really reliable, and I felt relieved that he chose to stay working with me.

“Okay,” I answered and dismissed him. He might have left me, too, if it weren’t for our friendship.

When Aries closed my office door, it suddenly swung open and my grandma came in, smiling. “Hello, grandson.” I smiled, stood up from my seat, and greeted her.

“I’m fine. Have you eaten?” I replied. She has been worried about me, so I try not to get mad at her even if she always insists Midori on me.

“Not yet. I hoped to have a meal with you if that’s okay.” Recently, my grandmother often asked me to have lunch or dinner gatherings with her friends. I didn’t want to join because I knew she would just set me up with the children or grandchildren of her friends. But I thought I needed to go out to have a little bit of life.

“I haven’t had lunch yet, so it’s okay,” I replied, making Grandma smile and nod. I arranged my things on the table before we finally left my office.

We went to her favorite restaurant, which served Filipino dishes. Even though my grandmother was somewhat snobbish, she didn’t like Western foods or any kind of exotic cuisine. “Order anything you want, grandson.”

“No, grandma. Order what you want. This is on me.”

“Thank you.” Then, she chose the food she wanted. She told the waitress what she wanted to eat and ordered for me. What puzzled me was why she ordered food for four people.

“Are you expecting anyone else, grandma?” I asked with a frown. She smiled at me hesitantly before answering reluctantly.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“I’m really sorry about this, Maximus; I just want you to live outside your office.”

“Haven’t you seen that it’s slowly happening?”

“But not the Maximus I know. All I see is my grandson buried in work like before, but lifeless. If you want to be with other women, go ahead.”

“What are you talking about, Grandma? You probably know how old I am. So I hope you understand that I’m done counting the women who come into my life and bring to bed.”

“It’s not like that, grandson; your eyes are lifeless. My gullible and mischievous grandson is gone. I want to see that kind of Maximus again before I die.”

“Don’t ever say that again. You’re too young to leave me.” I emphasized my words because I didn’t like what she said. I haven’t fully recovered from the loss of my wife, and she wanted to add to my sadness.

She took a deep breath before looking behind me and smiling. I looked at what she was looking at and couldn’t help but feel annoyed when I saw the two approaching.

“Hi, granny,” Midori greeted Lola with a wide smile before turning to me. “Hi, babe…” She still hasn’t changed. I’ve told her several times not to call me that, but she still does.

“How are you, Dona Sol?” Midori’s father greeted my grandmother.

“I’m fine, Botan, take a seat,” Lola invited him.

“Thank you,” then the father and daughter sat down before turning to me. “How are you, Maximus?”

“I’m fine, uncle.” I didn’t smile and made myself formal so they would know I had no intention of agreeing to whatever they wanted to discuss with my grandmother.

“That’s good to know.” The conversation continued until our orders arrived. I ate quietly, not participating in their discussion except when asked a question that needed answering.

“Grandson, I invited them here to discuss you and Midori.” After hearing what Grandma said, the clatter of my spoon and fork made a noise. “Botan and I agreed that you two should get married.”

“I already told you I am not ready for another relationship.” I was angry, and I made sure it showed on my face.

“You don’t have to worry, Maximus. Midori is very understanding, and I’m sure she would be a big help to you,” Uncle Botan interjected, making me look at him and meet our eyes.

“Does Midori know how to cook?” I asked, wiping the smile off the woman’s and her father’s face.

“Ahm, no, but you can hire a maid. Come on, Maximus. You need a wife, not a maid.” This man actually responded.

“Can she clean the house? Do the laundry? Wash the dishes? Clean the toilet?” I continued to ask, ignoring Uncle’s sudden, displeased look.

“Grandson,” Lola gently tried to stop me.

“My wife knows how to do those things. Even if she’s not a doctor, she can cure my pain. She massages me whenever I am tired because of work, and most of all, she hates shopping and traveling. Can Midori do that?” I asked Grandma and Uncle Botan before turning to Midori and asking her directly. “Can you do that?”

“Maximus, we are going to be husband and wife. I will stay beside and care for you, but not as a maid.” How the hell did she manage to say that? Is she even thinking? What I asked her were the basic qualities of a wife.

“How will you care for me if it’s not for those things?” I asked, controlling my anger. What the hell does she think about marriage?

“I can be your companion”

“In short, you can only offer your body and nothing else? I can pay someone to do that for me. I can even get women for free; why would I tie myself to you?” I asked. I am not trying to mock her, but what she said insulted me, thinking I only care about sex. She disrespects herself for being clueless about the world and how life goes.

“Maximus!” Uncle said angrily but in a controlled voice.

“Grandma,” I turned to my old woman. “I know you’re worried about me, but I want you to know that my married life will be even worse if I’m tied to her.”

“Why don’t you try it out first? If you think you really can’t learn to like her, then go, do whatever you want, and I am not going to pair you with anyone anymore.” I knew it was pointless to refuse now, so I let her be. But before that, I clarified to them that Midori and I had no relationship, and she couldn’t call me “babe” or any term of endearment other than my name. She also couldn’t spread any news about us being together or that our getting-to-know-each-other stage would be over.

Grandma and the rest left after we ate, and what should have been a simple lunch took longer because of their plans. So, when I returned to the office, I started working on some tasks because Aries reminded me about the three applicants for the interview.

“Tell me something about yourself that is not in your resume,” I told the female applicant seated on a chair. She was the third one, and I didn’t like the first two. I wasn’t expecting to like this last one either, so I didn’t bother to look at her. Not to be disrespectful, but I had seen and read their resumes earlier. I didn’t like the first two with excellent credentials, so why would I like this one with an empty resume?

“I am a single mother of a special child, but I know how to manage my time. Sir Aries asked me if I was patient. It seems that my work requires me to be like that, and I am confident enough to say that no matter how stressful the work is or the people I work with, I will not give up unless my boss fires me.”

From the first word she spoke, I stopped what I was doing. Why? Because that voice is one I will never forget.