Vernice keeps phasing back and forth in their living room. She is actually worried about their current situation.
Earlier, she checked their joint bank account and saw that there were only a few dollars left. She can’t help but think about how they will survive.
She and Hans rented an apartment in Lys where they can stay in the meantime. It was their temporary solution, while they are waiting for the company to take off.
However, she can’t help but think about when they will be able to buy their own house. When can they afford it? Renting will cost them a lot and it’s a waste of money.
Hans just opened his company and it’s only been a month. Although he managed to convince two people to invest, they do not have enough clients yet for their finance company to get going.
No client means no income, and of course, they cannot use their capital on unnecessary spending. They have to save it for future business use.
Vernice, on the other hand, is a huge spender. She is used to having a lavish lifestyle and her father supported it.
When she was still on good terms with Lawrence Williams, she can always ask him for anything. She would give her money to buy whatever she wants.
With Hans, however, she can only spend a few dollars on bags, shoes, and clothing. He won’t even let her spend on pieces of jewelry.
With her boyfriend, she’s restricted when it comes to money and she’s starting to hate her current situation. She feels poor and she’s starting to pity herself.
But of course, she cannot complain. It would have been different if she married Tristan, but this was her choice.
She loves Hans and she can’t just leave him and return to her family. It will be unfair to her and the man with who she already spent a good amount of her years.
Vernice was startled when the door of the apartment suddenly flew open and Hans came in. The man just came back from work and he looks agitated.
Vernice approached her for a hug but he just walked past her. “What happened?” she asks, worried.
Hans flips the coffee table and she trembles in fear. This is the first time she saw him acting like this.
“One of our investors backed out!” he says thru gritted teeth. His eyes are bloodshot and his hands are shaking in anger.
Vernice can’t think of anything to say to calm him down. Moreover, she can’t say anything to calm herself.
‘What will happen to us now?’ She can’t help but wonder. She slowly sits down on the couch, staring at the flipped table in front of her.
“What are we going to do now?” she asks without looking at the man she loves.
Hans let out a harsh sigh before plopping next to her, slowly cupping his face with both hands. He feels frustrated.
He can’t give Vernice an answer although he already has one in mind. He doesn’t even know if she will agree.
After a few seconds of silence, Hans turns to face her girlfriend, reaching out for her hands. He stares at her for a few seconds before caressing her face and testing the water.
“We need more investors to increase our capital and attract clients. It’s difficult since I don’t have lots of connections here in Lys,” he starts, looking straight into her eyes.
“How can you do that? Where can you find additional capital? Can I help?” Vernice asks. sincere in offering help.
She wants him to succeed so she won’t regret the decision of not marrying into a rich family. She wants them to thrive to start planning their marriage.
Hans squeezes her hands lightly and nods. “Yes, you can help. The company does need your help. There’s something you can do,” he tells her. “You have two options. First, you can ask your father to invest or ask him for money and invest it in the company,” he pauses, waiting for her reaction.
“You do know I don’t want to have anything to do with them right?” Hans nods, not letting go of her hands. “What is the other option?” Vernice asks. She is starting to feel nervous as she already has an idea as to where this conversation is going.
“The second option is,” Hans lets out a sigh. “Marry Tristan. Marry him and ask him to invest or again, ask him for money and invest it in our company.” Hans emphasized the word ‘our’ to make her feel more obliged.
Vernice withdraws her hands from him, shaking her head in disbelief. “Are you serious?” she asked.
Hans nods so she pushed him away and runs upstairs. She plopped on her bed and let go of the tears she’s been trying to stop from pouring.
‘How can he ask me to do this? He knows very well that I already want to cut ties with my family. He also knows that I despise the idea of marrying that De Clarion heir. Just how can he do this? I thought he loves me!?’
She started to doubt Hans’ feelings for her. ‘Is this company more important than me?’ Despite the thought, she still wants to help him.
As she seems to be blinded by love, she can’t do anything about it, she can’t refuse him. She only wants Hans. She can’t see herself with anyone else other than him.
Thinking about it, she locks her door. ‘He can sleep on the couch for tonight’. Vernice went to the bathroom to wash her face. When she came out, she looks for her phone and dialed his father’s number.
“Dad, book me a flight back to Bree,” she tells him as soon as he answers.
“Why are you coming back?”
“We’re visiting Frederick De Clarion,” then she ends the call, tossing the phone on the bed.
Given the two options, Vernice thinks the second one is the best choice, no questions asked. It will be a win-win situation for both her and Hans.
She can help their company and continue to enjoy the life she’s used to. ‘I can just divorce him after a year or two anyway.’ She thought, recalling Hans’ words.
At De Clarion Empire the next day, “Everything’s ready for the banquet!” Belle happily reports to Jacob. “Are we invited?” she asks, Jacob nods at her.
He glances at the secretary who is making coffee for the two of them, “Who are you going with?” he asks in return.
“You, of course!” and Jacob’s body stiffens
‘Is this woman trying to get me killed?’ “Huh! You haven’t even asked me. How sure are you that I’ll agree and go with you?” he asks smugly. He isn’t serious though, it’s just his way of refusing the idea.
The door suddenly opens. Jacob knows it’s the death of him when Tristan comes in just as he finished what he was saying.
He isn’t even surprised when he sees him glaring. Jacob clears his throat and stands up, pretending he didn’t say anything outrageous.
Not knowing someone’s with them, Belle turns around and walks out of the pantry while saying, “I’ll force you to be my date then, whether you like it or not!”
Jacob’s knees feel weak so he slowly sits down in his swivel chair, clasping his hands between his legs. He starts to utter a silent prayer.
He feels like he’s about to have a heart attack. The last time he checked, his heart is very healthy. But right now he feels like it stops pumping blood.
“Hi Sir, do you need anything?” Belle asks Tristan when she sees him standing near the door, she just noticed his presence.
Tristan smirks at her before facing Jacob, “Come to my office!” then he turned around to leave.
‘Why did he have to come here to tell me that? He can just call me. We have phones for a reason!’
Jacob made a sign of the cross before standing up again. He tightens his tie before leaving the office. He even starts praying again while walking toward the CEO’s office.
“So, you’ll be Belle’s date for the banquet?” Tristan asks as soon as his assistant steps into his office. Jacob’s face pales and beads of sweat start to show up on his forehead. Tristan averts his gaze and starts turning the pages of the document he was reading. He feels sorry for his friend but he can’t help but feel irritated after what he heard.
Jacob clears his throat, “We were just joking around!” he chuckles awkwardly.
Tristan was well aware of that. He heard everything. He was right outside the door when Belle told Jacob that everything is ready for the banquet.
Instead of going in, he stood there to listen and see how their conversation will go. Now, he’s just pretending he wasn’t nosy.
“Call Agnes and let her know of the banquet. Tell her you’ll pick her up. You can go,” he told him as soon as he was done giving him the instructions. Before Jacob can go out of the office, he calls him again, “Make sure to pick up Belle as well,” he adds.
Jacob was stunned for a few seconds before he finally leaves. On his way back to their office, he was thinking about whether Tristan was teasing him or threatening him.
Or maybe he really wants him to pick her up because he doesn’t want her to commute going to the venue. Jacob chose the last one to ease his troubled mind.