Chapter 4

• If only a smile could kill, the smile of Denver Giordano had long sent Wisdom Weisz dropping on the lustrous floor.
• His smile was making her scream on the inside as if she just saw her favorite k-pop idol smiling on her very side.
• Denver cleared his throat before speaking. “Indeed she is. In fact, we’ll be wed a month from now.”
• ‘A Month!!!’ Wisdom was shrieking again, on the walls of her own mind and consciousness. She would have disagreed and countered Denver if not for the ridiculous surprised faces of Francine and Richard. Both are gaping as if they never expected that a delicate dove like Wisdom Weisz couldn’t marry the richest man in town. After all, luck is unpredictable; so is destiny itself.
• She just plastered a sweet fiancée-ish smile on her beautiful face. “Shall we go into the penthouse now, honey?”
• Well, at least Wisdom has a cute and innocent-sounding voice as she faced Denver and spoke those sweet words as if she just gobbled an entire bag of white sugar. Francine is not the only so-called actress who uses crying as her self-defense. Wisdom too has her own indomitable shield ,and that is her sweet-voice and sophisticated grace and beauty that she was born of.
• Denver tightened his grip around her waist and escorted her to the elevator. The two snakes-in-a-human-skin were already at the side of the waiting area.
• As the elevator closes, Wisdom gestured a middle finger to Francine and Richard—a mockery and a victor’s emblem to the two losers that were also cheaters.
• Denver waited for at least a minute before speaking. His voice echoed in the walls of the VIP elevator.   
• “I never knew you know how to be a badass, Mrs. Wisdom…”
• “Mrs.? Such a fine and absolute assumption for a lavish billionaire like you.”
• “Well, I already told you the deal, Wisdom. And I presume you have no choice considering what you did a minute ago is only the start of your revenge on the two adders in the lobby area.”
• “What do you mean, Denver?”
• The man averted his gaze and instead looked directly at the elevator doors.
• “Think of this ‘job’ as a form of revenge for them. In addition, I bet you never had tried to bathe in luxury and eat in golden plates anyway. If you sign up for the job, you can have and taste all the luxury and lavishness in the world. Plus, you’ll have your weekly allowance and upfront as soon as you sign our contract.”
• A thin line formed at Wisdom’s forehead. Her scowled face made him chuckle a bit.
• “Why are you so obsessed with hiring me as a wife, Mr. Denver Giordano?”
• Denver gets his wallet and shows him a picture of a woman who seems to be in her fifties or late forties.
• “My mother once saw you back when you’re Gerry’s secretary. And for heaven’s sake, you’re her ideal wife for me.”
• His voice was bland and resonated with an uninteresting tone. Wisdom was  enigmatic whether she’ll be happy or be a bit embarrassed as Denver was only forced to hire her as his hired wife due to his mother’s
• beseech.
• “Why use the term ‘hired’?”
• Silence was the only thing that answered Wisdom’s query.
• “Because I told my mother that we’ve been dating for a year…”
• “You said what?!!” That was a shout coming from Wisdom Weisz’s voice, a deafening loud shout.
• The elevator door opens, signalling their arrival at Giordano's penthouse. Wisdom was debating whether to go back in the lobby and walk away as she always did or just accept this so-called luxurious job and lessen her pride.
• Denver stared at her. The ticking of his 20,000$ watch could be heard by her ears.
• In a heartbeat, he pushed the elevator’s hold button and pinned her in the lustrous walls of the elevator.
• And before Wisdom could blink, Denver’s lips crushed into hers; drowning her in a passionate kiss as if he had never kissed a woman as hard as this moment.
• ***
• The luxury of the penthouse could perhaps feed a hundred beggars…or probably more. If she didn’t waste her money on that bar, she wouldn’t be able to meet this handsome billionaire. The billionaire that made her lips swelling and wanting for more of that romantic elevator kiss. Or
• perhaps that wasn’t romantic for her as she was only tested by this shirtless well-toned man on how she’d react. Wisdom was lucky that she had more self-control left. Because if she didn’t, she’d probably be banging the man in the elevator itself until the elevator reached the ground floor again.
• “You haven’t yet touched your brandy, Miss Weisz.”
• Wisdom drew back her attention to the present. She glanced at the glass of brandy she forgot that she was holding. Two out four ice cubes have already melted. Damn, she had been daydreaming for a time it seems.
• “Miss Weisz?”
• “Hmm?”
• Denver tilted his head to the side, revealing his flawless neck that could perhaps send any sane woman crazy by just a glance of that delicious neck.
• “It seems your mind is drifting far away in the middle of daylight…or twilight to be exact.”
• She looked at the wide glass window. Indeed, the summer sun is sinking in the western horizon already.
• “I was thinking about your offer.” Well, that was an excuse…and a lie. She touched her wet lips, courtesy of the brandy and the kiss hours ago—or both.
• Denver smirked at that gesture. “You enjoyed my kiss?”
• Wisdom made a face; as if a child was caught by her father eating a candy secretly. How could he know her thoughts?
• “No.” That was perhaps the tenth lie she had spoken this day, or probably more.
• Denver chuckled in a masculine manner. Wisdom should check if her underwear is still intact or has it already plummeted on the floor due to Denver’s sensual and sexy laugh. Indeed, this handsome creature is an “underwear dropper” as to what Wisdom would you usually call these kinds of men.
• ‘Focus, Wisdom!’ She scolded herself for thinking such carnal thoughts towards the man that she barely knew. The man who kissed her just weeks after divorcing her cheating husband.
• “What was the contract again?” That’s a good move for Wisdom; changing the topic from the pleasure side to the business side is wholly unbelievable for her to do. After all, never mix business with pleasure as they say. But, what if the business is all about pleasure itself? A wife is an all-in-one kit for a billionaire. They can be a ‘secretary’, a personal assistant, a cook, a ‘housekeeper’, and a bed servant. And many more.
• She watched Denver gulp the half of brandy in just a heartbeat. How could men devour a bunch of alcohol as if it was just a glass of water?
• “It is stated in the papers in front of you.”
• Good gracious, Wisdom didn’t even know that there’s a bunch of paper in a white folder in front of her if Denver didn’t mention it.
• “Oh!” She exclaimed, wholly surprised. Her brain is indeed absent for today. God knows where in the four corners of this earth it went.
• “It’s already late, Miss Weisz,” Denver said as he stood, treading towards the door. “I suggest you read the papers when you arrive at your apartment.”
• ‘How did he know I was living in an apartment?’ She thought randomly.
• “Okay.” That was all she said as she grabbed the papers and her clutch bag. The brandy seems to weep in loneliness for not being finished by the one and only Wisdom Weisz.
• “See you tomorrow.”
• “Tomorrow?”
• That was all she managed to mutter as the elevator doors closed, heading downwards to the lobby area.
• “Miss Weisz? Follow me, please.”
• A man in late thirties stated as he walked towards the outside of the lavish condominium. The condominium that is perhaps built in gold and using gold due to the myriad of glinting gilded furniture and ephemera surrounding the lobby.
• As soon as they reached outside, a Lamborghini greeted her. And she was about to have a heart attack when the man opened it and beckoned her to enter.
• She hoisted her face and looked at the penthouse. Though he’s a dot in the distance, she could clearly see Denver waving a hand to her—somewhat saying “Goodbye for now, dear wife.”
• Without any ado, Wisdom aboard the Lamborghini and the man drove her towards her cheap apartment that could perhaps be as ten times cheaper than Denver Giordano’s watch.
• ***
• Denver watched as the Lamborghini drove off. The city lights were indeed blinding, but at least he’ll be watered after three months of waiting. Watered—such a bizarre term for someone who’ll be drilled  after three months of abstinence.
• He could’ve proposed to Wisdom earlier. But, there is always the right timing. And he did well in choosing the perfect moment.
• The last sip he took was the last drop of brandy left.
• “Damn. Not again!”
• Brandy is Denver’s favorite alcohol. Martini is fine. But brandy is indeed finer.
• In a snap, he decided to go out and buy brandy as his chauffeur was still driving Wisdom home.
• ***
• The night breeze was cool. As cool as his patience and mood. When Denver Giordano reached the counter, the face of Richard Weisz beamed at him.
• Denver was having thoughts on what smile to show to his employer. Is he gonna plastered a wry smile, a turtle smile, a jovial grin, or perhaps a grimace?
• “Hello Denver…”
• Denver’s face seemed to have a life on its own as he demonstrated a bland smile. “Hello Richard.”
• Richard looked behind him, seemingly looking for someone else with him.
• “Is Wisdom with you?” Denver shook his head as he was forced to drink the brandy here while handling the cashier a few dollars as a payment.
• “Francine was already home.”
• ‘Who the fuck cares?’ Denver thought while his mouth savoured the heavenly taste of the alcohol.
• “Are you really my ex—I mean Wisdom’s fiancé?”
• He glared at Richard before pocketing the change given to him by the brunette cashier.
• “Yes.” It wasn’t a lie though—just an assumption.
• “I see. Congratulations then.” Richard’s tone was as plain as ever. He was talking to the man he bumped into in the middle of the night, who happens to be the C.E.O. of the company he worked for, and just randomly approached and conversed with him as if he was just an old acquaintance. What an asshole of him to dare to treat the ever-glorious Denver Giordano like that.
• Denver watched as the man exited the store looking utterly unhappy. ‘What could happen with him and Francine?’
• “Mister! Could you please step aside as you are hindering the line..” It was the voice of an old woman who seemed to be an inch from being enraged. Her skin is as pale as the white hair that adorned her head.
• Without anything to say, he stepped aside and sauntered towards the condominium across the street. As he arrived at his penthouse, a naked woman was already inside the penthouse. Her glinting skin was enough to make Denver Giordano plunged in lunacy and enigma.