Darren thought about the announcement he made, it was his mother's idea , so as to give Rhea a comprehensive check up without her being suspicious of him. But who would have thought this would make Rhea confide in him.  He calls his mother.

" Mrs Hart, how are you doing". He joked. His mother chuckled, replying" well if young master Hart had a girlfriend, I won't be the one he's calling right now, besides we saw each other like an hour ago, so you tell me". " Mrs Hart, can't a son call his mother?" He joked.

" A son can call his mother but you Mr Hart .What's going on, Darren? You didn't call me just to chat," she said, her tone gentle but inquiring.

Darren hesitated for a moment before speaking. "It's about Rhea. She confided in me today. I think the plan is working, Mom"
His mother's tone turned serious. "Tell me more, Darren. What did she say?"

Darren took a deep breath before clarifying, "Well, it wasn't exactly a direct confession. She was talking about someone else, but I know she must have been hinting at something more personal, since I got the report about her. And, in the heat of the moment, I might have done something a bit... impulsive."

His mother's curiosity was piqued. "An indirect confession, you say? Did she ask you out, perhaps oh did Mr Hart's crush asked him out" she teased, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Darren quickly corrected her, "No, nothing like that. It's just... I think I might have overstepped a boundary. I'm not sure if I did the right thing."

His mother's expression turned thoughtful, her voice gentle. "Care to explain what you mean by 'impulsive,' Darren? What exactly did you do?"

He thought about how he proposed a contract marriage to Rhea, he knows better than to tell his mom, he hesitates before saying" well, mom, haven't you always wanted to meet Rhea?"
" Sure, why?" Mrs Hart asked
" Well, you will soon meet her" he said. " As your girlfriend or assistant?" His mom teased.

Darren quickly corrected her, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his tone. "No, nothing like that, Mother. It's just... I think I might have overstepped a boundary. I'm not sure if I did the right thing."

His mother's expression turned thoughtful, her voice gentle. "Care to explain what you mean by 'impulsive,' Darren? What exactly did you do?"
" That's all mom, just wanted to let you know, you will be meeting Rhea soon".  Darren replied, bidding his mom a quick farewell before ending the call.

The orange glow of the setting sun cast a golden light over the city, a constant reminder of Rhea's impending date with Gerald. She quickly finished up her tasks, bid Darren a hasty farewell, "good night boss" . Without waiting for Darren's reply, she dashes for the elevation, she frantically bites her nails an habit of hers whenever she's nervous.

She arrives at their date spot ten minutes late, Gerald passes her an unapproving and disappointed look, an expression she knows too well, a creeping sense of fear causes Rhea to visibly shake.Gerald notices this, he reveals a smirk, clearly relishing in the feeling of unease she felt, and he revealed a glimmer of amusement.

"You're late," he said, his voice dripping with condescension.Rhea's nerves were on edge as she apologized profusely. " I'm sorry, I'm really sorry".
During their meal or should as I say Gerald's meal, he only ordered 3 glass of water for Rhea, a subtle yet sinister reminder of his control. While Rhea was having a hard time, In another part of the city, Darren and his friends, Damon and Martin, were engaged in a heated discussion at a dimly lit club. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and alcohol.

"I still can't believe you're off the market," Darren said, shaking his head in amusement.
Damon furrowed his eyebrows. "Who says I'm off the market?" he asked, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his tone.

Martin chuckled. "" Jeez god grandmother just announced your engagement today, don't tell me you are planning something incredibly stupid" Martin said.

Twirling the wine cup in his hand Damon smiled " oh we'll see about that, we'll see".

Damon's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, we'll see," he said, a sly grin spreading across his face.

As they bantered back and forth, Damon's gaze wandered to two beautiful women walking into the club. The atmosphere was electric, and the air seemed to vibrate with tension. "damn bro look at those chicks ".he pointed . Martin & Darren looked at the direction Damon was pointing.

One of the women, a brunette, stood at an impressive 5'11 and wore a stunning blue knee-length dress with a slit that ran up to her mid-thigh. Her black heels added a touch of sophistication to her overall look.

The second woman, a  5'1with black hair and highlights, wore a daring red strapless dress that showcased her curves. Her black wedges added a touch of sass to her overall demeanour. Both women exuded confidence and poise, drawing the attention of everyone in the club.
Martin, never one to miss an opportunity, proposed a bet. "How about we make a wager?" he asked, a sly glint in his eye.
Damon's curiosity was piqued. "What kind of bet?" he asked, leaning in.

Martin's grin grew wider. "Whichever one of us can invite one or both of these lovely ladies over, or perhaps even fuck one or both wins the bet, the loser or losers owes the winner or winners a favor".
Darren declined, "Count me out."

Martin teased, "Why? Besides, one of them is a blonde with blue eyes, your favorite."

Darren smiled, "People change, and besides, the next time you see me, I might not be single."

" are you also getting engaged or getting married?". Martin asked teasing Darren.
Darren nods affirmative "I might get married".
Martin asked " to Hailey?, you can seriously marry her after what she did..".
Darren cuts him off" I already vowed to have nothing to do with Hailey again, she's made her choice."
" Then who are you getting married to?" Martin pressed.

Damon joked, "Obviously one of his blind dates or mistress."

Darren replied, "No, she's none of those." He revealed his proposal to Rhea, excluding the fact that she was in a toxic relationship.

Martin asked, "So, let me get this straight – you proposed to your assistant because you love her, and she doesn't know?"

Darren nodded slowly, " not one of my smartest decisions tho". He said slowly sipping his wine. "I need a break," Martin said, walking away.

Meanwhile, Rhea's thought wonders about the discussion she just had with Darren. ' could a marriage with Darren be my ticket out of my relationship with Gerald'. She thought as her mind drifts to the reason she wants to break things off with Gerrard, the load that snapped the camel's back was the fact that he was ....'. she could not even think about it.

" Um, Gerald" Rhea softly called his name.
" What?" Gerald questioned , visibly annoyed at her for interrupting his dinner.
Summoning all the courage she could muster, " Gerald, let's break up". She declares. Gerald erupts into a fit of laughter, other couples in the restaurant were wondering what sort of funny jokes they were sharing. Softly patting his chest he said " Rhea, you just told the most hilarious joke of the season". He chuckled softly saying " oh Rhea, Rhea".

She is quite familiar with that sinister laughter of his,this means another night of torture and pain. Clutching her purse, Rhea stands up, saying " I- I need to go powder my nose". " Yes sure, Rhea, go on". Gerald replies.

On her way to the bathroom, Rhea sends Darren a message .

' boss please I need your help, can you please come get me, here is my address, and lock pin.'.
A feeling of anxiety clouded Rhea , as she ponders ' what if he does not come, what if he doesn't reply my text. Exactly a minute later Darren replied to her. ' sure thing '. Just those two words sparked a glimmer of hope in her.
With a resolved determination, she decides to leave the restaurant.

In the mean time, Darren bid Damon farewell " dude, I have to go, my regards to Martin and good luck with your bet". Damon asked" anything the problem?"
Darren shook his head " not something I can't handle ". Damon nods tentatively  " call us if it gets out of hand". "Sure". Darren replied while briskly walking away.
Gerald checks his watch and notices that Rhea had been gone for over fifteen minutes. Realization dawned on him that Rhea might be serious with breaking up with him. Standing up abruptly, he spots a waitress, the same waitress that had served then earlier. He asks her " miss, I can't find my date, have you perhaps seen her".
" Oh, she already left" the waitress answered.
" Thank you". he replied.

He dashes out of the restaurant, with one thought in mind, he will teach Rhea the biggest lesson of her life