Hey, lovelies! I haven't died yet, see?!😎 Sooo, here's another story. I intend to keep this one short and simple but who knows where it will go?😏 As you guys know, I'm writing after quite a while and this might seem rusty!🙏 I apologize for that in advance but I wanted to gift my YuZhou babies something for the Valentine!💕

Anyway, this story is loosely based on the American movie, The Proposal (2009), written by Peter Chiarelli. When I say loosely I mean it because my plot will deviate quite a bit from the original. 

If you guys are reading it, please, leave your thoughts. If I don't get to hear from the readers after I publish something new, my motivation flies through the window.😢

So, here you go! Off with the read!

A lovely Valentine to all the single potatoes like me!😚💃

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Chapter- 1

"The Devil's on the roll!"

The charged whisper spread through the office, going from one cubicle to another and on its tail along came the 'Devil', collecting "Good morning, Sir's" with a stony face. As soon as the man disappeared behind his den, a collective sigh could be heard from all around.

Only one person could not join in the relief- Huang JingYu, who had the dubious honour of being the Devil's Henchman aka personal assistant aka punching bag.

"Why does my coffee tastes like bubble tea?" WeiZhou asked, holding the travelling cup to his eye level, scrutinising it with the seriousness of a scientist.

"Because it is a bubble tea, Sir. The coffee was spilled in the elevator," JingYu answered without missing a beat and waited for the snark.

"Hmm," eyes still on the cup, "and why does this Patty want me to call her?"

"Er...because he thought that was my tea."

"He?" WeiZhou's eyes left the cup and landed on his assistant with an arched eyebrow.

"Patty is short for Patrick," JingYu told the floor and added, "the barista."

"Hmm," WeiZhou put the cup primly on his desk and leaned back on his chair which bounced a little from the impact; fingers joined in front of his suited torso. "But you don't get paid for drinking bubble tea and spilling your boss's coffee, do you?"

"No, Sir," JingYu replied obediently.

"Then bring the file I've had you prepared yesterday. We have an employee to fire. Chop chop."

With a nod JingYu turned and fled the room. Not even remotely affected by the words; having been accustomed with it a long time ago. His boss, Xu WeiZhou, the future heir of this company that delved into a multitude of business, was a known arsehole. He was a couple of years junior than JingYu but everything about the man was old and cold and obnoxious. Devil was such an apt name. JingYu hated the bastard. But the job paid handsomely; hence he gulped down all the expletives he wanted to hurl on his boss.

He heaved a sigh and retrieved the file. This was going to be a long day.

XOXOXOX

When his assistant told him that his grandmother came to the office and asked for him, he already had an ominous feeling about it. Grandma was the head of all their businesses, the de facto owner of this company as well. WeiZhou was an employee under her, being treated as one too. She was the source of his own brutal professionalism.

But something told him this meeting would not be the usual. And he was proven right a few minutes later, sitting in front of his grandmother, blinking at her, trying to wreck his mind to find anything to save the situation.

"If you do not consent to the marriage, you will be terminated from this office and from my business as well."- was his grandma's ultimatum.

This had been going on for quite a long while. He had no desire to get married, was not mentally prepared for it. But his sick mother wanted to see him 'settled' and his grandmother seconded the sentiment, for an entirely different reason. He had avoided the issue as long as he could but looked like the time was up this time.

It was fight or flight.

"I apologize, grandma, but I cannot do it."

The old woman pinned him with a stare that demanded further explanation.

"I'm gay."

The surprise the fleeted across the lady's face was quicker than a flash and her face resumed its usual stoicism. "Why is it news to me?"

"Because I haven't told you yet."

"And why so?"

"Because I was not sure how the reception of this information would be."

A tight line formed in between his grandmother's lips. The effect WeiZhou was aiming for. He was deliberately evading her actual question.

"The talk of your marriage is not a new topic of discussion between us. Then what prompted you to bring this issue out in the open this time?"

WeiZhou hesitated. He was uncertain if he should tangle an actual person into this mess but his hands were bound. "Because I am already in a relationship and realized that I must not keep you in the dark any longer."

"A relationship," Lady Xu stated rather than asked. "Such a frivolous term. How long have you been in this relationship?"

WeiZhou was reminded again the mistrust his grandma had towards relationships. He knew he was trading into dangerous waters and had to be extra careful. "Long enough to plan our engagement."

This time it was shock that came over the old woman's face and remained there. "WeiZhou! When did all this happen? Why did you not tell this before?"

"Because the situation was never appropriate."

"Who is he?"

"Huang JingYu," he said, staring dead into her eyes.

"Huang Jing- you mean you assistant?"

"Yes," he lowered his head, preparing for the next lie. He really was a manipulating bastard, wasn't he?

"But you know-"

"Yes, I know! I know that fraternizing is not allowed in our company and that's the reason I have kept it hidden from you this long," he looked up with desperate eyes. "I knew you would never approve and I had no choice."

Silence prevailed in the room while he was being pierced by two doubtful eyes.

"How serious are you?"

"Enough to risk my career."

This would seal the doubt in his grandma's mind, or so he hoped.

"Call him in."

"Pardon?" Lost in his desperation to get out of this situation, he had not factored the chance of his grandmother verifying it with JingYu! "Grandma....I haven't talked to him about telling you. This would be very sudden for him and..." he tried with suddenly dry lips.

"If he is brave enough to be in a relationship with his boss, then, I am certain this won't damage him in any way. Call him in."

"Yes, grandma."

He was about to get up but was stopped.

"Use the intercom. No need to leave yet."

The dryness travelled back from his lips towards his throat. He surreptitiously swallowed and nodded in affirmation.

Seconds later there was a knock.

JingYu entered after being called in and greeted, "Good morning, Ma'am" and nodded at WeiZhou, "Sir." And looked at Lady Xu expectantly.

A weird sort of stalemate began with Lady Xu watching JingYu, WeiZhou watching his grandmother and JingYu flickering between his boss and the boss of his boss.

"Are you aware," the matriarch started and WeiZhou lowered his head in silent prayer, "that this liaison can not only ruin your career but your boss' as well?"

A pall of silence and then JingYu spoke, "Ma'am?"

WeiZhou quickly got up and stood beside JingYu who looked at him in utter bafflement.

"Your relationship goes against the rule of my company and therefore I can fire both of you."

"Fire..." JingYu repeated in the same confused way, then his eyes widened comically, "re-relationship?" His head swung towards WeiZhou who put a hand in between his shoulder blades.

"It's okay. I've told her about us. It's all right," WeiZhou soothed and pointedly looked at him, hoping against hope that the idiot would get the drift.

"Us," JingYu parroted in half whisper and turned his face away, towards Lady Xu. "Us," he said again nodding, clearly trying his best to connect all those invisible, impossible dots.

"It is extremely brave of you to risk your career like that, Mr. Huang."

"Risk...yes," he kept nodding, "very....." nod changed into a shake, then back to nod again, "risk-...y."

Only when WeiZhou pinched his back that the nodding stopped.

A ghost of a smirk appeared on his grandmother's face and went away.

"So, when do you plan to get engaged?" His grandmother asked, eyes still on JingYu.

"En-"

Before JingYu could voice his shock and start nodding again, WeiZhou jumped in.

"Uh- I- uh- we," he looked at JingYu with a sweet smile- at least he hoped it came out as sweet- and said, "plan to meet his family the next week and discuss the matter there."

"Oh? Is that so, Mr. Huang?" Again she targeted JingYu who, after a pause, began to shake his head.

"No?" WeiZhou asked him with fake surprise, his fingers digging holes into JingYu's flesh, "Didn't we talk about it last night?"

JingYu stared at him, eyes oddly glassy, and his headshake turned into nods, "Yes! Yes...we- yes. We talked about our..... engagement last night, yes that's- that's right."

"Very well, then. I hope you two have applied for your leave."

"I-, yes, I did, Ma'am," JingYu answered.

"And you haven't, WeiZhou?"

"I....wasn't sure of going but- um- I will apply for it today."

"See that you do. I will approve it immediately."

"Thank you so much."

She, then, looked at JingYu, "You may go now, Mr. Huang. I look forward to all the chances we will get to know one another."

"Oh. Okay. I mean, yes, me too. I look forward too, yes. Um, thank you, Ma'am." He turned to WeiZhou, "Sir?"

"Please, leave......dear," he added the last part as an afterthought and watched JingYu choke on air and dash through the door.

"Congratulations are in order, I assume," Lady Xu said; her words tinged with amusement.

"Thanks," WeiZhou replied cheerily.

"Pity that your assistant looked less eager about all these than you."

WeiZhou did not spend his childhood in vain to not catch the barb thrown at him. However, he did not let his smile waver. "Boyfriend. As now the proverbial cat is out of the bag, I think I can drop the act and be open about our actual roles. And he is just," he gestured at the door through which JingYu had ran off, "shy. This was very sudden for him, after all. Can't blame him."

"Of course, not." His grandmother smiled blandly, "So, will I be the one to tell your mother the good news or you will do it yourself?"

At the mention of his mother, WeiZhou sobered up instantly. "I will do it. Some things are still unplanned and I don't want her to get excited beforehand."

"Indeed."

A meaningful pause followed before WeiZhou cleared his throat.

"May I go now, Grandma? I have a leave to apply for."

"Yes, you may. And if I remember correctly, I told you not to address me informally while we are in the office, did I not?"

WeiZhou's cheeks warmed in embarrassment. He bowed apologetically, "Yes, you did. I apologize, Madam."

When he was at the door, Lady Xu spoke again.

"I hope you know what you are doing, WeiZhou. The consequences, sometimes, exceed the original action."

He turned and offered her a half smile, "The truth had to come out sooner or later. I'm glad it did now."

With another stare, he left.

He was playing with fire, he knew that, of course he did, but as long as he was not the one to get burnt, everything was fair. It was all about profit and loss, after all.

XOXOXOX

WeiZhou came back to his office to find a frozen-in-place JingYu in the middle of it. He shot the man a disinterested glance before sliding into his chair and opening the file he was working on when his grandmother summoned him.

"What was that?"

WeiZhou frowned absently, eyes skimming through the papers, "What was what?"

A long pause.

"Are you serious?"

He looked up at the incredulity of JingYu's voice and blinked. His assistant had never dared to use this kind of tone with him before. Only the start of a facade and his fake boyfriend is acting up already? He wanted to snap but the utility of this man was bigger than his urge to set him right at this moment. He decided to underplay it.

"Hmm? Oh that? That was nothing," WeiZhou waved a dismissive hand, "just a game we would be playing for a few days." He concentrated to his work again.

"A game?"

There was silence which WeiZhou filled with the image of his assistant gaping like a fish.

"I'm sorry but I thought I heard you telling Madam that we are getting engaged? Care to explain if it isn't much of a trouble....Sir?" JingYu pushed the last word through gritted teeth and finally WeiZhou could no longer ignore his rant.

"My grandmother wants me to marry the daughter of another business tycoon which I cannot let happen. Not because I hold the principles of holy matrimony above business dealings because frankly, if there is a chance of profit then it should be done but in this particular case, the only outcome that will happen is of me being under my grandmother's thumb for the unforeseeable future." WeiZhou spoke in a single breath and continued to speak more, "I do not want to stay in the country. I am roping for our branch in Finland. So, the way, through which I can kill two birds with one stone, is for me to be in a fake relationship that my grandmother cannot botch, get engaged, have a messy break up, pretend to be heartbroken and in need of getting away, leave the country and never come back again. Are all your questions answered or is there more?"

JingYu's slackened jaw was in danger of hitting the ground. "Oh. My. God," he stated and repeated those three words a few times; his breathing fastening with each utterance till he almost began to hyperventilate and dropped to the chair in front of him. "Lady Xu will kill me when the truth comes out!" He told the wall and turned his face to WeiZhou, "I can't do it."

"And I will fire you if you don't do it," WeiZhou replied with a saccharine smile.

"Still it would be better to keep my life over my job!"

"Will it? Because I can make you wish for death as well."

When JingYu shot him a stricken look, WeiZhou sighed. This was taking more of his time than he would care to spare.

"Look, if you do this, I will make sure your position in the office is held after it is over. And grandma is not foolish enough to let a loyal employee go."

The words seemed to work their magic as JingYu looked contemplative. And just when WeiZhou was about to ask him leave and bring him coffee, the man spoke.

"That's not incentive enough."

"Excuse me?" Incentive?

"If I have to risk my career and my life so that you can achieve your goals, I need something that will motivate me too."

And here I thought you were a gullible, honest, fool, WeiZhou smirked. All too familiar with how the smell of profit brought out people's true colours. "Name your price. How much do you want?" He asked. This was good. This way he would not have to feel guilty, knowing that this person would invariably lose his job after he left. Money made everything easy.

JingYu stared at him, deep in thought, and said, "Promotion."

"Promotion?" WeiZhou repeated in question. This was not exactly how he was envisioning but okay, he could work this out too. Promotion basically meant a raise in paycheck.

"Yes, promotion. A good one," there was a sudden feral light in JingYu's eyes. "I know you think I'm an idiot but I'm not. I know the moment you drop me, I will be kicked out of this company. I'm your personal assistant. With you gone, my position will be nullified too. Therefore, I want a position from which it would be harder to sack me."

WeiZhou bit his tongue as he looked at this Huang JingYu in a completely new light. Honestly he had never thought the man had this much cunning in him. But he would not be a good businessman had he not bargained.

"I admire your ambition but it won't happen. Promoting you at this point will be as blatant as open bribing."

"I'm not asking you to announce it right now. Do it in a way that it will take effect as soon as you leave."

"That will be even harder. And what kind of promotion you have in mind?"

"Head of the marketing for the eastern zone," JingYu told at once.

"Impossible. That's too important of a position and way above your pay scale," WeiZhou negated without so much as a blink.

"It's either that or I won't do it," JingYu shot back stubbornly.

The more WeiZhou saw him the more stunned he became. Where did this guy hide his greed all this time?

"I hope you know I can always hire someone else with a lesser price?" He asked tersely.

JingYu chuckled. He chuckled on WeiZhou's face! On his boss' face!

"Well, then hire them. I hope it goes well." Saying this he turned his back, heading for the door.

"Wait!" WeiZhou's insides were boiling. This worthless, greedy piece of trash dared to push him to the corner?! But now was not the time to lose his head. He'd get plenty of scopes to get his revenge. He'd rather bid his time for when he got the upper hand. Stomping down the rage, WeiZhou forced his voice to sound apologetic, "I did not mean to refuse your demand. But as you know, putting you in charge of the entire eastern zone will not be an easy feat to achieve. I will have to pull many strings and for that I will need time. It has its own risk. And before I commit it, I need your word that you will hold your side of the bargain as well. Will you do it?"

They eyed each other like two birds of prey. Full of mistrust and hidden scemes.

"What do I have to do?"

WeiZhou exhaled an internal sigh of relief.

"Nothing much. Just that we will pay a visit to your family, talk to them about the engagement, come back, announce that we have engaged in secret. Then have a break up after a couple of weeks."

JingYu seemed to be in a dilemma, "Must you bring it to my family? They don't even live anywhere near you. Must they be involved in this mess?"

"I envy your simple mind, JingYu," WeiZhou smiled. That wasn't a compliment. "Do you really think my grandmother will take my words as the ultimate truth?" When JingYu did not answer, he added, "In fact, I am certain, as we talk here, she is employing people to dig out every little detail about your background. So, in short, yes, we must involve your family in this, even if I detest it as much as you do." For a very different reason, he said mentally.

Just when JingYu opened his mouth, clearly for spouting more nonsense, WeiZhou beat him to it, "It must have slipped your mind but my purpose of being here is not solely for entertaining you, JingYu. And you don't get paid to badger me with questions either. Now, go, draft a leave application on my behalf. A book a flight to...." he stopped and realized he did not know, "to wherever your hometown is. Make sure you book me a hotel with good network."

"Oh, trust me, Sir, I will do exactly that," JingYu suddenly grinned and reminded WeiZhou, oddly, of a killer shark he had seen on Animal Planet. Disturbing.

"Good. Now, go. Chop chop," he shooed him away without another glance and missed the hate filled glare his assistant shot him before leaving.

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Any thoughts?😶