Chapter 15 - Gift or Bribe?

"Maybe a gift or two wouldn't hurt"Juni thought as he sat in his office that fateful afternoon and before he think any further,he had called his secretary in.

"Hey Beyonce,What do you think Angela would like as a gift?"Juni inquired of Mark just as he came in

"Do you really think we should be getting her a gift?"Mark asked sounding unsure

Juni's eyes snapped up to Mark's"It's just to appreciate her as a woman not to bribe" saying what his secretary must have been thinking

"Regardless,I think she might see it that way"Mark stated

Juni sighed and replied "Leave that to me,let me worry about it" and then added "Buy a bottle of the best grape wine and an expensive perfume , package it and send it over to her house"

He quirked his eyebrows at his still secretary who finally moved and said "Yes boss" before closing behind him.

***

Wow, that's quite an hassle, Juni thought as he alighted from his home driveway to head into the house at 9pm

"Wow ,you are home early"Carmen commented

Juni smiled wearily and kissed her cheek before asking "How about Derek?"

"He fell asleep,babe, he's a kid"Carmen answered as Juni chuckled

"Ok let me go freshen up and come back down or should we go upstairs together alreafy.?"Juni asked as he nibbled slightly on her ear,she pulled away with a smile

"Go get clean and I will think about it"Carmen replied

Juni's weary laughter rang through the house as he climbed up the stairs.

****

The cool water trickled off Juni's body as he thought about the last events of the day,he had met up with .

Yes Angela had shown up,drank some coffee ,even shared stories about her son.She even thanked him for the gift tough she told him she wouldn't be bought.

Minutes after she looked after the proposal. she requested for a new one with adjusted terms though.

The cool water didn't miss it way down to the floor as Juni sighed out loud and long in frustration.

"You shouldn't be so full of yourself ,you know?"she had asked rhetorically and he had replied

"I'm not "he stated as she chuckled and then said

"The proposal is not fit for me yet"

"Dinner next week Monday,my house?"she had offered and quickly added so she wouldn't be misunderstood.

"can't leave my son,you know?"she said as she stood up to leave

"It's a pleasure to meet you again,Mr Cartel"

"No please,call me Juni and ofcourse the pleasure is all mine"he responded eagerly

"Alright Juni,See you on Monday"

"Monday ,it is"he concluded as he watched her walk away with a bit of smile to himself

.

****

He walked back into the room to meet a peaceful but sleeping Carmen Cartel on the comfy couch, apparently she had come to the room and was waiting for her husband to finish up when she fell asleep,he carried her in bridal style and laid her down carefully.

"I love you"He said and he bent down to kiss her forehead before heading to his side of the bed to sleep.