Gabriel barely slept last night.

It was a usual thing for him now. Insomnia had become a nice friend even as the bid to get his father's approval and the boards vote intensified. He didn't think his father would betray him and side with his younger brother in the long run but he couldn't afford the risk. His ego and pride would kill him if he lost to Malcolm. And he was determined not to.

For him, Malcolm Asika was a nincompoop, a mannerless sod and an ungrateful ingrate. He hated that he was in a war with his own younger brother but he would rather die than to see their fathers company in the hands of that greedy, covetous fool.

More than once, Malcolm had tried to go over his head, stealing his own proposals and products and presenting it to the board as though he came up with the original idea, and more than once, Gabriel had worked tirelessly to tarnish and ruin his plans. It was a circle now really, but he wouldn't rest until he found a way to put that idiot brother of his in his place.

But that was not why sleep had eluded him last night. The real reason was closer to home. Her name: Gina Dike.

He was certain he knew her from way before. It had even shocked him this morning to realize it as he left her bed. The resemblance may have been sketchy but it was there. Same pair of eyes, same high cheekbones and lips. Although, he inferred the personalities would invariably be different. But surely, it would be unwise to mingle with that family again?

Hadn't he foolishly mingled with that family again? He thought, as he stared at the hot coffee mug in front of him, allowing the aroma to waft into his nostrils, calming him and his distracted thoughts down. He had come down early this morning to prepare for work but after getting that blasted call, had decided against it and went for a run instead to clear his head. He needed it after his discovery this morning.

He didn't want to proposition her inside the club for fear of saying the wrong things and ruining his plan entirely. She had suddenly become a very important tool in his plan, so he held his offer back, agreeing it was best to tell her about it when they were both clear in mind.

He sipped his drink and decided to go ahead with his initial plans simply because time was not on his side anymore. He had to tell her everything once she woke up. He couldn't afford for this plan to backfire on him, time would not allow room for mistakes. He needed Gina to make this work, and even if he had to force the offer down her throat, he would do it. He lifted the mug to his lips again and took a sip, breathing deeply as the hot liquid trickled down his throat, awakening his remaining senses the run hadn't been able to.

He glanced at the time on his tablet and sighed audibly. She should be on her way downstairs any minute now since he had sent his housekeeper to go bring her down for breakfast. Right on cue, he heard footsteps coming down the stairs and he braced himself. He had to appear unruffled in front of her when he told her. His plan was paramount and nothing could ruin it.

He watched as Gina followed Thelma, his middle-aged housekeeper, closely, looking slack-jawed at the luxuries and intricate designs of the house. She hadn't had time yesterday to admire the house since Gabriel was more interested in getting the benefits of his money than giving her a tour.

The older woman led her into the kitchen, telling her to sit on one of the high stools, opposite where he sat. He kept his gaze on his tablet, choosing to focus his thoughts on the work in front of him, not wanting to alarm her. That would come in later.

Thelma placed a plate of fried eggs and tomatoes with toast and tea mixed with creamy milk in front of her, telling her to eat plenty before exiting the kitchen, leaving them alone.

He looked up as she shuffled a bit, drawing her undersized black gown down to cover her laps. Then running her hand through her hair to smoothen it. The gown was quite scandalous and Gabriel tried not to let the swell of her perky breasts in them confuse him. He needed his wits about him. Besides, his grey sweatshirt and matching pants would not be able to hide the evidence if she managed to distract him.

"Good morning, Gina," he greeted, breaking the silence.

Her eyes flew to his automatically before she averted them. "Umm, good morning, Gabriel."

"Did you sleep well last night?" He continued conversationally.

She nodded, nibbling at her toast. "Yeah, I did. Thank you for breakfast even though you didn't have to." She flashed him a smile while reaching for the butter jar in front of her.

"It was my pleasure," he mumbled absently, watching as she spread a generous amount of butter on the toast before stuffing it into her mouth. She moaned at the taste, unconsciously as her eyes lifted instinctively to his.

He smiled, shaking his head slightly.

"Did you sleep well?" She asked, noticing his empty mug.

I did not. "Yes, I did."

She nodded. Then she noticed there was no plate in front of him. "Have you had breakfast?"

I don't have breakfast when I'm nervous. "I've had coffee." His response was curt, shutting down his subconscious mind.

"Okay," she murmured, loosing interest, since it seemed he was not interested too.

He watched her eat hungrily and wondered if she was always this hungry. She finished the five slices of toast and then reached for the bread sitting in the corner to collect extra fresh slices. She was too hungry to toast them.

"Do you want one?" She asked, gauging his demeanor, and wondering if she was being gluttonous. But since he was offering breakfast, who was she to refuse?

He smiled briefly, shaking his head. "Don't bother about me. Eat as much as you want."

She nodded quickly while spreading butter on them before they were charted down the same course as the others before.

He watched her clear her plate, moving to the sink to wash them off. Then she walked back to come sit on the side stool opposite him, fiddling with her fingers.

"Gabriel, I-I'm sorry if last night was not to your satisfaction. I swear I'm usually up to my A game but y-you took over and I got confused," she apologized, playing with her thumbs while successfully avoiding his gaze. Since he paid handsomely last night, she hoped he would patronise her more if he found her capable.

"It doesn't matter to me. I like to be in charge in the bedroom. And quite the contrary, I was utterly satisfied with you last night. More than I expected, if I'm being honest."

That sounds good, she reviewed, but then wondered about his countenance. He seemed to have more things to say.

"If that's all, I'll like to take my leave now."

He nodded, but instead, he dropped his tablet on the counter beside him carefully before regarding her.

"Would it be too much trouble if I asked that this conversation we're about to have remain between us?"

Gina stared at him, noting his seriousness before giving an uncertain response. "Okay."

"Good. 'Cause what I want to discuss with you is very sensitive and should not be taken as a joke." He paused to watch her closely before continuing. "I like you Gina, and I want us to become friends. Possibly, sooner than later."

An uncontrollably fit of laughter left Gina's lips but it wasn't until she saw she was the only one who got the joke did she take a breather. Composure intact, she replied stoically.

"You and I can't be friends, Gabriel. It's not done."

"Why not?" He frowned.

"Because it's unethical in my line of work. A stripper and a client should strictly maintain business at all times," she explained.

"Of course it would be unprofessional." He smirked, an annoyed expression ghosting his facial features. "But what if I want more than just flings and sex? What if I don't want just friendship but something else, something much more definite with you? What happens then?"

It was her turn to frown. "You can't want more, Gabriel. We must maintain professionalism at all times," she chanted from memory her work rules of conduct. She didn't know what would happen if a client suddenly wanted more, no one had ever wanted more with her before, and now the bane of her family's existence was requesting more of her time? What were the odds?

"Professionalism is a word designed by greedy bosses to keep young girls in line and working for them always. It will not agree with you getting your independence, your freedom and I know you crave that more than anything else. I see it in your eyes, Gina, and I can give you your freedom."

Her gaze locked on him instantly at the word 'freedom'. Of course, she wanted her freedom. She wanted out of this awful business badly. Clarissa, her sister may be happy in it but she wasn't. This was not what she dreamt of her life and the possibility of still doing this for the next five years had her cringing very hard she wanted to cry.

"How?"

"I can offer you ten million in a heartbeat if you want. I believe it is more than enough to get you out of your current work line and into something more productive. Of course, you'll need to sign a non-disclosure agreement once you agree to my request."

Throwing away the rest of the statement, she paused briefly at the figure he mentioned, wondering first and then deciding how he figured she needed independence was a mere dot on the issue in front of her. He was offering her such amount of money to be her friend. What type of friendship did he need? Friendship for what? At what exchange?

"Why are you offering to help me gain my independence? What do you want in return?"

He joined his fingers together and raised it up to support his chain as he studied her carefully.

"Why do you work in a strip club? What trapped you into this line of work?"

Her eyes widened on their own accord, wondering why he sounded concerned, genuine. Was this a trick question? From what she had heard about him, he was cold. Detached, impassive and heartless were his best qualities. This side of him confused her greatly.

"What do you want from me?" She asked instead, deciding he did not need to know her reasons. She wanted out and he was offering her a chance to do it.

He smirked again, his heart galloping in happiness that she was considering it. That was the first step. Well, his offer came with no room for rejection. Accepting it was harder, of course.

"I want you to bear me a child."

+++++++++

Gina was incredulous.

There was no other word to describe it. She was stupefied, stunned, confused, bamboozled and even confounded. Actually, there were words to depict what she felt, they just didn't fit in quite right with the situation.

"What I want would make you really rich if you do it right. It will make you a millionaire when we are done. I plan to make my father very happy and you'll help me do that," Gabriel said, breaking into her stupefied state.

She didn't speak. There were no words to say. She didn't react. There was no right emotion she could imagine displaying. So she just stared dumbly at him.

He continued, taking her silence as acceptance. "It would be an agreement between us both. It's very simple, really. You get pregnant, have the child, hand him over to me, collect your money and leave. We won't ever need to see each other again. Of course, the payment is dependent of the sex of the child. A boy means more money naturally." He finished briskly as if he was conducting a business meeting with her.

Judging by his unwavering gaze, she realized he wanted her to say something and forced her brain to work.

He wanted a child, no, he wanted her to bear him a child. Actually it was more of he wanted her to bear him a son. She would gladly bear him a son, ten sons if he wanted except for the rest of the statement. He would pay her, force her to give up her child and they would never have to see each other again?

She didn't like this at all. It didn't feel right to her. She couldn't ever imagine doing something...

"Gina?" He interrupted her thoughts suddenly.

Her gaze snapped to his features. "Why?" Me.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "It's pretty basic. An old man is tired of his life and needs the nearest thing to make him happy which is a grandchild. None of my siblings have been able to give him that unfortunately. My sister should have, naturally, but a trauma doesn't let her deal much with the sensitivity of conception. My father is lonely, even if he won't admit it. So I'll give him a grandchild to soothe him. He'd welcome the change. I'm certain of it."

She stared dumbly at him. She had tuned out half of his explanations, her mind twirling on why he would do this to her. Didn't he say they were to become friends? You don't do this kind of thing to a friend.

"Why me, Gabriel? Your girlfriend couldn't fill the role?" She spat out in anger.

She watched as his eyes narrowed into slits instantly. "If you don't want to do it, I'll find someone else. I've decided you would bear my child but if you think you're incapable, I'll gladly look elsewhere."

His heartless persona had slipped into place as soon as she mentioned his girlfriend and Gina thought it wise to refrain from the sensitive topic.

"Do you have to take my child from me? A child needs to stay with its mother."

"If you don't want to do it, I'll find someone else, Gina." He was being indifferent.

She shook her head. "I didn't say I wouldn't do it. I need to understand what it is I'm agreeing to. I believe you are supposed to read the terms and conditions of a contract before you agree to it, right?" She didn't even know why she was considering it. This was crazy.

He exhaled deeply, resting his elbows on the counter table again. "Yes."

She nodded. He was being very professional about this. He might have said they were friends but it was clear friends meant something else in his dictionary.

"So, then, explain to me how this will go so I'm sure I understand."

He sat up straight and went into a lecture. "When you confirm your pregnancy, I need to be informed of it immediately. All health expenses will be on me. I expect you to not put my child in any form of stress or danger. I'm referring to your work at the club. You must quit. In fact, you won't be allowed to do anything until he's born."

Her jaw dropped. "But you know I need my freedom. You even offered to help me get it!" She cried out.

He was adamant. "I will help you get it. I made you a promise and I will keep it, but I also need you to move in with me. I need to be around to monitor the pregnancy. I cannot allow negligence near my child."

"Moving in with you would not be possible," she started, thinking now about what Rissa would do once she finds Gina frolicking with the enemy.

"If I have to drag you out of your house and chain you in my house to get you to move in, I will not hesitate. Moving in is a must, Gina. I need you here."

Gina nearly recoiled at his words. This was a well thought out plan. He had every intention of giving his father a grandchild despite her protests.

He continued when she didn't rebel. "Like I mentioned earlier, the payment is Ten million. There are other bonuses too, some incentives also. Ordinarily, a boy pays more so I'll prefer that. I'll give you half of the money now and the rest when you give birth. When the child is born, you'll relinquish your rights to him as his mother. He will not be told anything about you, not ever. Like wise, I expect the same from you. You will not contact him to tell him you're his mother. I will kill you if that ever happens. Nothing can ruin this for me. Not even you," he finished emotionlessly.

Gina watched the impassive man sitting across from her and wondered why she had let herself love him. He was cold-blooded, as heartless as Amelia had portrayed him. There was not an ounce of empathy in his words. This was a business deal to him and he expected her to abide by it completely.

She wasn't sure how he would react if she rejected his offer, her subconscious didn't want to see what he would do if she refused his offer and walked away. Somewhere in her mind, she knew most assuredly that it would not signal good things for her.

"If you need some time to think about it, I'll let you have some privacy," he said, standing up from the stool to walk out of the kitchen.

She watched his retreating back and frowned. "I may need some days to go over this. It's all very sudden. Moreover, I'll think better when I'm away from here." Away from you, she opted to add but scolded her thoughts thoroughly.

He nodded. "Dami will take you back when you're ready. I'll only give you two days, though. I'm on a tight schedule so I expect an answer on or before Monday. You are to move in latest Tuesday and conception should be before this time next week. The faster, the better, Gina." He finished before striding out of the kitchen, leaving a shocked Gina staring open-mouthed at him.

~~~~~~~~~

Yeah, that's the Gabriel I know. Calculated, impassive persona. I hope Gina knows how to deal with someone like him.

What do you think of him? What do you think of his proposal?

Vote and comment as you read.

Thank you 😉😘