Chapter 5

• "Good morning, Mademoiselle."
• I was speechless, I didn't know how to respond, I wanted to flee the place, I was mortified.
• "Good morning," were the only words that came out of my mouth as I hurried into the cafeteria.
• In a few minutes, Director Renaud arrived, we discussed some matters, and agreed to meet again to sign his contract with us and start filming.
• Director Dupont is a very pleasant person, there was definitely a good connection between us. I have a good feeling about this project, I'm sure it will be a great success.
• When I left, that man was nowhere to be seen, I felt quite relieved, even if I see him again I have no idea what I'll do.
• I rushed back to work.
• "Chloé, I'm back, everything went wonderfully."
• "I'm glad, Juliette, the Vice President called you and asked you to go to the President's office, apparently you're going to meet Mr. Durand."
• "I don't think so, Chloé, sometimes Vice President Leroy uses the President's offices to make some important decisions. I suppose he wants to talk about the new film 'For Love'."
• "I was already excited."
• I went to the President's office, knocked on the door, and an unknown voice told me to come in.
• "Enter."
• Mr. Alphonse was standing next to a very elegant man.
• "President Gérard Durand, let me introduce our Director of Creative, Juliette Moreau."
• Immediately, I recognized the man to his right, my nerves betrayed me and it took a lot of effort to speak.
• "Pleas... pleased to meet you, President Durand."
• I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, it felt like a cruel joke of fate, I had spent the night with the wealthiest man in all of France, Gérard Durand.
• ***
• Point of view of Gérard
• When she entered the office, she looked so delicate, like a flower. I immediately realized that she had recognized me, she turned pale with fright upon learning my identity.
• I turned to my friend.
• "Alphonse, could you leave us alone?"
• "Of course."
• She straightened up and regained her composure.
• "Tell me, Mr. Durand, how can I help you?"
• "Juliette, you can call me Gérard, no need for so much formality."
• "I can't, you're my boss."
• I saw her very nervous, she looked so cute. I approached her, we were face to face.
• "You can't call me Mr. Durand, tell me Gérard." I repeated.
• "It's not that easy for me."
• "Juliette, stop being so shy, after all, you and I... It's not necessary to go into details, you already know."
• Her blushing face made me want to kiss her right then.
• "Tell me, Juliette, have you gotten back together with your ex-boyfriend?"
• She remained silent for a few seconds.
• "No, him and I have definitely broken up."
• I was glad for her answer, I didn't want another man getting close to her.
• She locked her gaze with mine.
• "Mr. Durand, forgive my boldness regarding that night. I take responsibility for my actions, on my part no one will know, I don't want to cause you any problems. I promise to stay away from you."
• Suddenly, a sense of disappointment welled up inside me and I decided to change the subject.
• "Juliette, I actually summoned you here because I need to make a deal with you."
• "A deal? What do you mean?"
• "It's very simple, I just need you to marry me."
• "Excuse me, sir, I think I must have misheard. Can you repeat what you just said?”
• "You know, Juliette, I don't like to repeat myself twice, I need a wife and I want you to be that woman."
• "Excuse me, sir, but this is a joke, isn't it?"
• "It's not, I'm serious."
• ***
• Point of view of Juliette
• He approached me, our eyes met, I felt his breath, and my heart was pounding.
• I couldn't process this information, why did Mr. Gérard Durand want to marry me? It simply doesn't make any sense.
• I was direct when I asked him the reason.
• "Why do you want to marry me?"
• "I want to be honest with you, my grandfather Daniel Durand's health is somewhat delicate, he wants to see his grandson married, it would be a shame if he died without this wish being fulfilled."
• "I understand that part, rather the question is why me? You're one of the most important people in the country, you can have any woman."
• "But I don't want just any woman, I want you."
• Those words shocked me.
• "Don't worry, we'll establish a contract. In case of divorce, you'll receive a large sum of money."
• "Mr. Durand, with all due respect, marriage is not a game for me. Of course, I want to get married, but to a man who loves me and vice versa."
• "Do you think I can't be that man?"
• I remained silent at his response, his gaze was charming, but no matter how handsome Gérard is, I can't overlook my principles.
• "I don't want to get married just for the money, Mr. Durand, I really want to build a family in the future."
• A slight smile formed on Gérard's face.
• "Well, I'll give you until tomorrow to think about my proposal, Juliette."
• "That's not necessary, my answer is no!"
• He didn't lose his composure, he seemed very confident in his words and it sent shivers down my spine.
• "I hope you will consider my proposal, Juliette."
• "I'd better get back to my work. Please excuse me, sir.”
• "As soon as I could, I left the office; I was extremely nervous, at one point, I thought I was going to faint from shock.
• This must really be a joke, why would Gérard Durand want to marry me? For him, everything seems to be a game.
• I arrived at my desk, and Chloé was trying to tell me something, but I couldn't help but think about Mr. Durand's proposal.
• "Juliette, how did it go?"
• "I... I..."
• "Are you okay? Juliette, wake up!"
• I reacted to her cries.
• "What? Sorry, what were you saying, Chloé?"
• "Juliette, you look like you've seen a ghost, you're very pale. What happened in the President's offices?"
• "Nothing, we just talked about work, go back to work, Chloé."
• "If you say so, I'll go."
• All afternoon, I couldn't concentrate on my work; I was very disturbed by what had happened.
• When I got home, I saw my mother crying.
• "Mom, what's wrong? What happened?"
• "Juliette, your father had a terrible argument with Sophie."
• "Why? Is Sophie in trouble again?"
• "My dear Juliette, why didn't you tell us you had broken up with Bastian?"
• I sighed, tired of the subject.
• "Now I understand, Sophie told you that she's now his girlfriend."
• My mother seemed somewhat horrified by my words.
• "Yes, he came home with her to talk to us and ask for our blessing to get married."
• Even though I already knew, I couldn't help but feel a pang in my chest. Am I so insignificant in Bastian's life? What horror to have spent so much time with someone like him.
• "Wow, that's a surprise, apparently they want to get married soon."
• I coughed to dispel the knot in my throat, convinced that neither of them was worth it.
• "Juliette, your father got angry with her; she was supposed to be your fiancée," said my worried mother. "Sophie was very brazen in saying that your relationship with Bastian had ended a long time ago, that what happened was necessary for you to finally open your eyes. What happened?"
• I bit my lip because it's a subject I didn't want to talk about again, especially not with my parents.
• But I had to tell her everything, and in passing, ask her what Sophie had said about us not being real sisters.