Chapter 119: SOFIA
I opened my mouth to tell him that he didn’t need to think about my offer because I was willing to sign the document with or without. But for the third time, I couldn’t say it.
It’s been over a minute since he had been silent. A minute that stretched like a goddamn year. A minute that I’ve tried three times already to tell him that I take those words back. That my demands were irrelevant, but couldn’t.
Each time I had tried to tell him, the words just freeze on my throat as my mind whispers,
"Remember, you will be keeping silent for the rest of your life. That’s too much compared to what you are asking"
It was true. My brand for lifelong loyalty was more than a fair bargain. In fact, I
was been kind and considerate. More than most would, if they were in my shoes. Many would demand monthly payments to keep their lips shut until the day they draw their last breath and that was reasonable.
Till-death bargains, promises, oaths or in this case, agreement can never be really paid for. No amount no matter how much can be enough to squash a till-death loyalty.
But here was Richard, from the slight furrow of his brow, he was considering not fulfilling my request. He was thinking about turning me down. He most certainly was.
His fingers massaged his jaw as he stared intently at me as if the answer he sort could be derived from my expression. It was hard cooling my expression to neutrality when it felt like those obsidian pools were boring into my soul.
It was harder still keeping calm. My legs were bouncing and I resisted the urge to bite my nails. The wait felt excruciating and dreading. Honestly, a rejection or denial would certainly feel better than this dreadful anticipation.
"What would people think if after a year or less with me, you are relieved with your own brand?" He suddenly asked.
It wasn’t a denial, but it wasn’t really acceptance either. But it was something, even if I didn’t know what.