"Marian, let's stop laughing."
“How did these men look? Describe every detail to me."
"In all honesty, they seemed very scary, they were intense, so that's why I found it funny when one said he is your husband. Like you would marry such a person, ma’am."
"And?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, how did they look? Especially the one that said he was my husband."
"Ma’am, is there something that you’re not telling me? Why are you so interested in these men?"
"Marian, I'm in no mood to be interrogated, just answer the question I asked."
"Okay, no need to get so grumpy. Well, from what I remember the one that said he was your husband had black hair and green eyes."
"You don't remember anything else, Marian?"
"I think he had tattoos all over his body, if I'm correct."
"Where is the folder for his company?"
Marian pulled out the folder and Talia took it. She opened it quickly, and she saw it. His signature.
"Should I tell them you decline it?" Marian said with a question in her eyes.
"No, you say nothing and leave them alone, hopefully, our silence will let them know that we declined the contract."
"Okay ma’am, I will go and delete the folder of the company."
Talia could tell that Marian wanted to ask more about the matter, but she held herself. She was in no mood to explain to her why she was going to lose out on such a big deal.
Since that day they never spoke about the company, nor did Marian bring up anything about it. Talia could tell that she was speculating. That Marian had questions and the biggest one of them all was whether Talia wass married or not?
Two weeks passed and Talia did her normal routine. She did her normal contract procedures, went home and watched the T.V. and the cycle would repeat itself.
She was sitting in her office, it was almost time to go home and she couldn't wait. She wanted to go and soak in a nice hot bath.
A knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Marian walked in, with a sense of urgency. "Ma’am, they are back."
"Who?"
"Those men with the billion-dollar contract."
"Tell them that we refused it."
"Okay."
Marian scurried out of Talia’s office and a few minutes later came back.
"They want to meet you in person. To hear why you declined," she said.
"Why don't you tell them the usual answer."
"They look scary to me."
"Marian, go and say I said no."
With that Marian left and Talia carried on with her work. Marian came back after a few minutes,
"They finally left."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I made sure of it."
Talia resumed her work and when she finished, she went home and made some food for herself. She watched a bit of T.V. and, when she felt tired, she went to bed.
She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Morning came too soon, and she showered and got dressed. She ate some breakfast, covered her face and went outside and got into her car. She drove to work and went in.
Marian was already there.
"Morning, Marian"
"Morning, Ma’am."
Talia went to her office and began to work. Sometime in the afternoon, her door barged open.
"Ma’am, the men from yesterday, they are back. And they refuse to leave."
"Let them in."
Marian was taken aback by her sudden change of mind. She never let anyone in.
"Are you sure, ma’am? I mean, they look scary, but I can try to ward them off or threaten to call security. Why do they keep coming back? There are other companies elsewhere."
"That's why you should let them in."
"Why are you so calm, ma’am? Aren't you the least bit scared of them?"
"No, I have been waiting a long time for this. And I think nature should play itself out. Now that they are here destiny must have led them to their fate."
Marian hesitated a bit and then she left. A few minutes later there was a knock on Talia’s door, and she knew Marian was giving her a chance to reconsider.
"Come in."
Marian walked in, "here they are, ma’am."
She stood aside and there she saw what she already had anticipated.
Axel and London were standing in front of her.
