Name your price

~Ariel~

I watched as the doctor attended to him. I felt guilty. Very guilty.

"I am really fine, Shugar" He said for the umpteenth time but she wasn't listening. She was busy answering all his phonecalls. He glanced at me and I gave an apologetic look.

"...you heard me Fernando..." Shugar said.

".....he got hot coffee all over him...."

".....what do you mean where were his guards? Are they supposed to sleep in his room as well?...."

"...geez! Are you serious?. Yes, it was hot coffee....."

"...he needs rest.....no, he's not coming...."

"....you won't get fired....whatever!..." She hung up with an eyeroll then another phone beside him rang.

"How do you deal with so many phone calls?" She scoffed, picking the phone. Before she could answer, another rang so she switched all of them off.

"That wasn't necessary" Canaan muttered and she glared at him. He looked away, sighing. Now this should have been termed meek. I think he doesn't like to argue generally but he didn't seem exhausted of talking to her.

The doctor finished and left. Shugar made sure to keep his phones away from him so he could rest. Then she decided against it and forced him downstairs with her.

I went to my room to check on Honey. I changed her bandage and got her something to eat from the kitchen.

Mrs Moore returned few minutes before lunch. She was genuinely surprised to see Canaan at home. She didn't ask until we were all seated for lunch.

"So may I know why you are still at home? I thought you were leaving for Canada?" Mrs Moore broke the silence. I looked up from my plate of ramen.

"Shugar wouldn't let me leave" He replied quietly, playing with his food. I watched him stealthily. He barely ate. He just twirled the fork, playing with the noodles. Then he took out his phone from his pocket.

I guess Shugar didn't get that one. Someone kicked me under the table and I goanced around in confusion. Cheng smirked at me.

"Admiring your boyfriend?" He whispered and I shook my head immediately, feeling my cheeks redden. Then I caught what Shugar was telling Mrs Moore and my eyes widened.

"...then I asked what happened and he jumped to her defense. He took the blame and asked me to leave her alone, could you believe that, ma?...." She grinned.

Canaan seemed lost in his phone cause he barely reacted. Isn't he hearing this? Forget that, won't he eat?. I tried to reach him under the table but his legs were far and he was just opposite me.

I cursed my shortness. I shifted out until I reach him and tapped him with my foot. He didn't respond at first so I kicked him. He looked at me and I nodded at his plate.

He continued on his phone like nothing happened so I kicked him again. He sighed and looked at me.

"It'll get cold" I mouthed to him and he rose a brow.

"Just look at them, communicating with signs in our presence. I wonder what they got so close" Shugar smiled at us and my expression turned puzzled.

"And Canaan is yet to tell him how all this began. He didn't seem interested in women even when they came crawling" Cheng said and it was Canaan's turn to look puzzled.

"And they met in a local library. How crazy is that! Canaan is a blockhead" Shugar teased. I would have smiled if the situation was different. He looked purely confused now and I could sense trouble.

"What's with that look? You're the one who kept your girlfriend from everyone" Cheng rolled his eyes.

"Girlfriend?" Canaan asked then shot me a look. "I don't understand".

"The pretense is cute but I still wanna know about your first date. How was it like? Was he fixed on his phone like he is now?" Shugar directed the question to me.

"We didn't go on any date....." I tried explaining.

"Are you serious? He didn't even take you on a proper date?" Shugar gasped, then knocked him on the head.

"Ouch! What did I do?" He rubbed the spot, with a whine. He looked like he was about to cry. Was it really that painful?.

"Oh don't give me that look! You couldn't even take her on a proper date. Do I have to teach you everything?" She scolded then knocked him again.

"Stop bullying your brother, Shugar" Mrs Moore chuckled.

"The cunny little twip isn't even in pain. He just gets away with being cute" She scoffed, then turned to me. "Don't worry, I'll plan a proper date for both of you. He won't dare bail, I promise".

Canaan looked irritated now.

"And you are going to make it the best. No work or calls. Just boh of you" Cheng added.

"That is a great idea. He needs to start living" Mrs Moore agreed. Canaan looked like he was about to say something but his phone rang.

Sugar glared a warning but he threw her an apologetic look and walked away from the table to answer. Lunch couldn't have been longer.

They kept talking about the date until I wished I could disappear. I couldn't understand why they easily believed Canaan could date someone like me. I still laughed at it in my head but it wasn't funny anymore.

That look on his face didn't look like an amused one. He was irritated and I couldn't blame him. They were trying to put his life on hold for something that didn't exist.

I helped Mrs Rose clear the dishes. I was washing off the plates and conversing with the maids when everywhere suddenly went quiet.

I was about to ask what happened when I turned and saw him glance around the kitchen until his eyes landed on me.

"Follow me" He said coldly and I washed my hands quickly and wiped it. I trailed behind him until he stopped. There was no one around so it was convenient to talk.

"Sir, I know you're angry about what happened during lunch but I swear, it was a big misunderstanding. I really tried to explain but no one would..."

"I don't care what your reason is but I want you to leave" He interrupted.

"Huh?".

"I am not going to be tied to a stranger I find unattractive in every way. My mom and sister are ready to out my life on hold just for that misunderstanding. I don't want that" He sighed. I stared wide-eyed at him.

Unattractive in every way?. Hey, that was the same thing I said in my head but my tongue wouldn't cooperate. Now he had to spit it in my face.

It hurt but I didn't really care about that. I was trying to understand what he was asking me to do. Am I being sacked?. Dismissed? Suspended? Fired?. All of them sounded the same and they all involved leaving.

"What exactly do you need to get out of my life?. Pick any car of your choice, I'll get two of it. Is it a house? I'll buy you three. School? I'll sponsor you to any level. I can get you any job of your choice. Just name your price but get out of my life" he said.

Okay he meant fired. Like permanently fired. Not the fired with a second chance. The payoff fired. With no return.

I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay with Mrs Rose. But the owner was asking me to get off his property at a price.

It was a juicy offer that got me wondering whether to take it or not.