Chapter 6

“Why should I give you this project?” he demands of me, flipping the pages of my proposal, glaring at the numbers in front of him.
“To stop me from killing myself?” I try. His hand stops in its track, but his face was impassive. He looks up at me. Hard. As if trying to decide whether to laugh at the revelation or to chase me out from his spacious office. I look right back at him. And then his smooth face broke into a smile.
“Interesting, but risky all the same. Your answer, I mean” He add after my baffled expression.
“Your answer might gave the impression that you were emotionally retarded or just plain stupid; taking into consideration that your cheek could jeopardize this chance”
I shift uncomfortably in my seat, fighting the whim to kick myself. He was right. I was stupid. What was I thinking? That’s the problem. These days I didn’t think. I just act on impulse.
“But it could also mean you would do right by this project. I found it best not to underestimate a woman, especially one with such fortitude” He extends his hand and clasp mine in a handshake.
“Congratulation Miss Maya Riana, I believe you have found yourself a financier”
I gape at him, astound by his abrupt decision. He smiles at me. His face kind and benign, too much understanding in his eyes. I averted my gaze. People say he was intimidating, I couldn’t help but agree with them. Mr Amil Hakimi at 43 was indeed a venerable figure.
“Why?” I asked him.
“Because I have the money” he answered simply. I couldn’t help but chuckle at that. Oddly enough I feel all the tension leaving my body and I relax a little.
“Now, you understand that by extending you the loan I will retain ten percent of total ownership” He continues, all businesslike now.
“Yes sir, I am aware of your terms and condition and I have no problem with that” I assure him. “As you requested, repayment will start the year after next and that include 10 percent interest as well.” I promise him, practically quoting the contract his secretary gave me just before the meeting.
“Miss Maya, since we were going to be partner in business I think we should drop the formalities. Just call me Amil. Uncle Amil, if you should prefer it” he wink at me good-naturedly.
“Its Maya for you too then,” I corrected him.
“Maya” He repeat my name, humoring me. “About the contract, there were few clauses I’d like to change”. My heart sunk. If he increases the interest rate I wouldn’t be able to pay his monthly installment. I might have to decline the offer after all. Besides, this was too good to be true. Why would he give me the loan? I was nobody in this industry, with no prior achievement or family opulence that could give credibility to my name.
“Maya..I am going to give you a free reign. I’ve read your proposal and it’s a good one. You were very detail, maybe a little too ambitious but it gives the impression that you know what you were doing”
“What do you mean..” I was almost afraid to ask. This can’t be happening. I pinch my arm just to make absolute certain. Ouch. Ok, that hurt.
“You are not dreaming Maya.” He assures me. “I’ll forfeit the interest and you can start repayment after 3 years has elapsed. But I want monthly report on progress. Without fail.” He stressed. “Bear in mind that I could call off this loan should your project fail to meet my requirement.”
“I could live with that” I squeak nervously. Trying to take it all in. This is it. My very first step.
“The new contract will be ready by tomorrow and by the end of this week, the loan will be wired and you could get started.”
That was how I met him. My husband. And that was how I started Angel Book Café. From the very beginning he trusted me. I couldn’t betray that trust now. It felt disloyal to be weeping my heart out before him for another man. I could have kicked myself for being that inconsiderate. Deep inside I know he knew that sometimes I still lay wide awake at night, remembering. It hurt that I could never love him as completely and abundantly as I had love Nick. He deserves so much more than I could ever give him.
I groan with the injustice of it all. Why should Nick come back now? And why oh why it hurt so much? Surely time would have lessened the pain, wouldn’t it?