The Proposal

Bill Sky, the CEO of Sky Corporation.

Backed to her senses, she only had 3 hours left. It seems that time is not her friend right now. Arabella had to decide.

‘Can I really afford to offend Sky Corporation? My Gosh! What should I do?’ She’s talking to herself now. ‘What does he want from me? Is he going to get revenge on me because I hurt him last night?’ She paused for a moment, ‘But I just protected myself.’ She exclaimed. ‘But you were the one who kissed him first you idiot!” Her other self reminded her. ‘Yeah, it’s really my fault last night, so what should I have to do now?’ she was pressured since time is running, she needs to decide.

After pondering for a while, she came up with a brilliant idea.

She would see Bill Sky and clear the issue with him. It is better to put an end to it rather than running away from him. ‘Hello? As if she could hide from this powerful man such as the CEO of Sky Corporation. They almost own everything in Capital Z.’

She just settled in her new apartment. She succeeded in hiding from her parents and Jason for a few weeks now. She couldn’t afford to run again. She just wanted a peaceful life. If she had to beg Bill Sky to let go of his grudges ‘that if he has grudges on her’ she’s not sure, but in the worst scenario, she would beg just to let her live peacefully.

The only thing she’s sure about is he was angry at her.

Arabella was decided on her plan. She would disguise herself for him to disgust her. If she would be an eyesore to him, maybe he would just ask her bodyguards to drag her out right away. He would not waste his precious time talking to her anymore. ‘That’s it! That is the right thing to do!’

Arabella quickly dressed up her baggy clothes and her wig with her big round eyeglasses. This time she put on her makeup, but not to beautify but to make lots of fake freckles on her white glass-skinned face.

Arabella smiled, feeling satisfied with her look at the mirror. She then grabbed her phone and gave a call to Farrah.

“Hey, Darling, What’s up?” The other line picked up quickly.

“Hmmm… I am going out.” Hesitating if she needs to tell Farrah where she’s going. She knew that her friend will go frantic.

She changed her mind. She didn’t have much time left to talk. It would take her more than 30 minutes to the Sky Corporation building. She decided to report it to Farrah after her appointment with that man Bill Sky.

“I just missed you. Let’s grab dinner together later. Okay?” Arabella continued without giving Farrah a chance to ask ‘where?’.

Farrah without any hint replied excitedly, “Sure! I will see you later.”

Arabella ended the call with relief and exited her apartment.

Sky Corporation is the tallest building in Capital Z. It has been the landmark in the city because of its grand and luxurious design comparable to a 5- star hotel.

Holding the business card in her hand, she entered Sky Corporation and went to the reception area.

“Good Afternoon! How may I help you, ma’am?” The blonde receptionist professionally welcomed her with a big smile.

She saw five receptionists at a long counter. They are all wearing black and white suits paired with black short- skirt uniforms. They were fully made -up with pony-tailed hair.

They all look like models on a fashion TV, very slim and with the same height as 6’0”. ‘Wow! Not bad! Impressive!' Arabella thought.

“I am looking for Mr. Bill Sky.” She immediately responded to the blonde receptionist.

The blonde receptionist and the other two who heard her stop for a moment and stared at her from head to toe.

“Do you have an appointment ma’am?” the blonde receptionist retorted blatantly as this was her first time seeing an ugly woman wanting to see their CEO.

Feeling vexed with their reactions, she held a smile up to her ears, lifted up her chin, and with a proud voice she said “Yes. He is waiting for me and he is expecting me in his office while we speak.”

The three receptionists were stunned for a moment. No one could make their CEO wait. ‘Who is this girl? Who does she think she is?’

The blonde receptionist quickly dialed the line in the CEO's office ‘of course she couldn’t afford to delay her CEO’s appointment’, then the secretary picked up the call and in just a minute someone was sent down to pick Arabella up.

The three receptionists were all dumbfounded. ‘What's so special about this ugly girl?’ They’ve been working there for a long time and no one was treated like this by their cold CEO.

“Good Afternoon Ms. Arabella! I am Debbie, the assistant secretary of the CEO. This way, please.” Another tall woman with a model figure greeted her. This time the woman has long hair and is fully made from top to toe. She is wearing a white suit that perfectly fits her curved and white short skirt that shows her long white legs.

“Hi!” Arabella smiled stiffly. ‘What else can she say aside from Hi!? She didn’t even know why she’s there.’

‘It seems that this Bill Sky likes beautiful and sexy women a lot. I bet he is a scumbag, a playboy!’ Arabella thought, rolling her eyes while following Debbie to the elevator.

'Well, in that case, my disguise is perfect! He will be disgusted upon seeing me and will dismiss me right away. Problem solved! I just have to play well to settle this out and live peacefully.’ She smiled surely as if she already knew what’s going to happen.

The exclusive large elevator went up to the 84th floor. Debbie is just silent, so was she. ‘I think they were trained not to mind other people’s business.’ Arabella thought in silence.

When the elevator reached the 84th floor, Debbie went out first, leading the way. She just followed her steps. She was so amazed at how big the floor is and the entourage is very unique and luxurious. The wall was all painted white. All tables are white with gold frames same as their chairs, shelves and even their big computer monitors were white.

Her eyes couldn’t help to wander everywhere ‘Wow! Sky Corporation truly lives up to its name.’ Until her gaze landed to a big French gold door with two handles attached vertically. Surely, the man she’s looking for is inside.

Debbie passed her to an older woman. She was also a beauty. ‘Seriously? Are all people here beautiful? Are ugly people not allowed to work here? This man is really something!’ She couldn’t help her thoughts flowing.

“Welcome, Ms. Jones. I’m Sharon. Mr. Sky’s executive secretary. Mr. Sky is waiting for you inside. Please follow me.” With a professional tone, Sharon greeted her.

Sharon knocked on the big gold door and pushed it open. Arabella followed behind Sharon.

“Mr. Sky, Ms. Jones is here.” Sharon said in a professional manner.

“Leave us.” A cold as an icy voice could be heard somewhere in the room.

Without any hesitation, Sharon slightly bowed her body and left the room.

Arabella's eyes wandered into the huge room. ‘This man really has an exquisite taste!’

The room was large as an executive room of a 5 - star hotel with a 360-degree view glass wall overlooking the city. ‘Wow! How nice to see the fireworks here and the night city view.’ Arabella was stunned for a while.

Then her sight landed on the man’s tall and broad back. He was looking seriously at the view outside clutching his two arms together in front of him.

“Ehem! Ehem!” Arabella pretended to be coughing to get his attention.

The man didn’t move an inch.

“Excuse me Mr., I’m here. Arabella Jones.” Arabella, feeling a bit nervous but determined to finish the matter with him and leave his company quickly.

This time the man turned around and put his two hands in her side pockets. Wearing a navy-blue suit with a matching white inner shirt and a deeper gray silk tie, he stared at her with sharp eyes.

‘What the heck!’ Arabella felt the time had stopped for a moment. ‘How can there be someone as handsome as him leaving on this earth?’ she was astonished that her eyes turned big. ‘Shit!’ Arabella couldn’t stop appreciating the beauty in front of her. She was shy that her body parts were so obvious showing her appreciation. ‘Please don’t drool.’ Her other self shamelessly reminded her.

“Do you have enough?” A man’s arrogant voice came out as if he is aware that he was being overly appreciated.

‘Shit! Am I too obvious? What a shame!’ Her hands couldn’t help fidgeting, but she tried to stand up straight and settle the matter with him.

“Let’s get to the point. Why do you want to see me, Mr. CEO?” Actually, Arabella wanted to add ‘Beautiful CEO’, she couldn’t help to stare at his handsome face. It was like her eyes were a magnet to his face and his tall and masculine body was oozing with hotness. ‘Shit! What am I thinking?’ Even Arabella’s thoughts couldn’t concentrate on this man’s appearance.

The man suddenly walked towards her. In just a meter away, he stopped. He stared at Arabella emotionlessly. He scanned her starting from her face down to her shoes with a cold like ice expression. Arabella thought that he would order her to leave right away, but even disgust on his face couldn’t be seen. ‘Why? Doesn’t he like only beautiful women?’ She thought, feeling a bit disappointed in her heart.

“How do you plan to compensate me for what you’ve done last night?” With a serious tone while his eyes fixed on her.

‘I knew it! This is all about last night’s incident.’ Arabella thought with confirmation.

She was in a daze for a while and her body became stiff thinking about the kiss they shared last night.

“Why do I have to compensate you? As far as I remember you enjoyed my kiss.” Arabella’s face blushed at what she said. ‘Shit! Why do I have to mention our kiss?’ She cursed herself.

“Are you sure of that?” The man's voice was full of arrogance as he walked closer towards her.

She was like seeing a prince charming walking in slow motion.

“Wait! Stop!” She raised her two hands in the air to make a barrier. The funny thing is that she didn’t even know what she’s afraid of, if it’s the man or herself.

The man stopped leaving only a small space gap between their bodies.

“Mr. CEO, please behave yourself. It’s just a kiss and it’s just a mistake. I am sorry about that. I was drunk last night. I am truly sorry for hurting you. For an ugly woman like me, I know you don’t have anything to do with me. I am also poor, as you know where I live, so you probably know by now that I don’t have money to pay you. I hope my humble apology will be enough for you.” She explained steadfastly, not allowing him to interrupt her so they could finish the conversation immediately.

“I don’t accept any apology.” He said coldly still staring seriously at her.

She was stupefied after hearing his words. She clenched her small hands into fists, trying to stand steady and easy as her knees were already shaking at the moment. Her hands were sweating as she felt nervous in an instant.

“As you can see Mr. CEO, I have nothing to bargain look at me.” She said while her two hands pointing at herself to justify her current state.

“I am, looking at you,” he paused while his cold gaze never leaving her eyes.

“Marry me.”