His Mafia Redemption

Chapter 13: The Deal Sealed with a Kiss

Richard stood still, his heart pounding fast. The words echoed in his head like thunder.

A kiss.

He stared at Sarah, unsure what to say. For a moment, he thought she was joking, but the calm and confident look on her face told him she wasn’t.

“I don’t understand,” he said slowly. “You mean you’ll give me the contract… if I kiss you?”

Sarah folded her arms, watching his every move. “Yes. One simple kiss. That’s my condition.”

Richard looked away. He didn’t want this. He had promised himself never to betray his wife, Dianne. She was the only person who stayed with him when everyone else turned their back. She was the reason he kept fighting. 

Even when her family threw him out and called him worthless, she still held his hand and said, ‘We’ll make it.’

And now… this?

“I can’t,” Richard said, his voice low. “Please, don’t do this.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Don’t do what? It’s just a kiss. Not a marriage proposal.”

“It’s not just a kiss to me,” Richard replied, his tone firm. “I’m married. I won’t disrespect my wife like that.”

For a moment, silence filled the room. Sarah’s lips pressed together tightly. She was not used to hearing ‘no.’ Men always chased her. They always gave her what she wanted. But this man—this one man who had captured her heart—was turning her down.

Her pride flared.

“Fine,” she said coldly. “Then tell me the truth. Why do you want the Denali contract so badly?”

Richard froze. “I already told you—”

“Don’t lie,” Sarah cut in sharply. “I can tell when someone is hiding something.”

He looked down, his mind spinning. What could he even say? That he needed the contract to win back his wife? That her mother told him never to return unless he succeeded? That he was fighting not just for love but for his dignity?

It sounded pathetic even in his own head.

Sarah walked closer, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. “If you can’t tell me the truth, then maybe you don’t deserve the contract at all.”

“I…” Richard began, but the words wouldn’t come out. He didn’t want to sound weak. He didn’t want her pity.

Sarah studied his face for a while, then sighed. “Alright, Mr. Richard. Do you want to play this game? Then let’s play it my way.”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

She walked to her desk, picked up a sleek black folder, and flipped it open. “I’ll give you the contract,” she said. “But with a clause.”

Richard blinked. “A clause?”

“Yes.” She smirked slightly. “If I ever find out you used any illegal means—or that you’ve been stalking me for this deal—then I have every right to do whatever I please. I could take your company, your reputation… everything.”

Richard frowned. “That sounds unfair.”

“Unfair?” she said, her tone amused. “Then maybe you shouldn’t have been asking questions about me for days before today.”

His eyes widened. “You knew?”

Sarah gave a light laugh. “Of course I did. You’re not as invisible as you think, Mr. Richard. You’ve been asking too many questions about my company, showing up where I go. I’m not stupid.”

Richard swallowed hard. He didn’t know what to say.

She stepped closer, her voice soft but sharp. “So here’s the deal: you can kiss me now and seal it with trust, or refuse and face something far worse in the future.”

Her perfume filled his nose, refreshing but at the same time dangerous. He could feel the warmth of her breath near his face. For a second, his heart betrayed him—it raced faster.

Sarah’s eyes met his. They were bold and confident, but beneath them, he saw something else. A tiny flicker of curiosity. Maybe even an interest.

But Richard clenched his fists. He couldn’t do it.

“I’ll take the clause,” he said quietly. “But no kiss.”

Sarah blinked, then laughed softly. “You really are stubborn.”

“I’m loyal,” he corrected.

Her eyes softened slightly, but only for a moment. “Very well. Then we’ll do it your way.”

She turned toward her desk again, pressing a button. Within seconds, her personal assistant walked in, carrying a thick set of documents. The contract for Denali Clean Energy.

“Place it here,” Sarah ordered.

The assistant obeyed and left the room quietly.

Sarah picked up a pen and spun it between her fingers. “This contract will make you a very rich man, Mr. Richard,” she said softly. “But remember what I said—if I find out you lied to me, I’ll come you.”

Richard nodded slowly. “Understood.”

“Good,” she said, handing him the pen.

His hands shook a little as he held it. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the chance to prove himself, to rise again, to get back what was Brian and Margaret were trying to take away from him. 

His wife. 

He took a deep breath and signed his name.

The second he did, a familiar voice echoed in his head.

<Ding!>

<Mission accomplished!>

<User should prepare to level up!>

Richard’s eyes widened slightly, but he kept his face calm. The system’s message faded quickly, leaving a quiet smile on his lips.

Sarah noticed it. “You look happy,” she said.

“Just relieved,” he replied.

She nodded slowly, walking closer to him again. Her hand brushed against his arm, light and soft. “You’re different, Richard,” she said quietly. “Most men I know would’ve taken the kiss without thinking twice.”

He smiled faintly. “Maybe that’s why I’m not like most men.”

She looked at him for a moment longer, then turned away. “We’ll see how long that lasts.”

Richard laughed lightly, then stood. “Thank you, Miss Sarah. I won’t let you down.”

“I hope not,” she said, her voice calm but her eyes thoughtful. “Because this is only the beginning.”

As he walked out of the mansion, the sunlight hit his face, warm and bright. He could still smell her perfume faintly on his jacket.

For the first time in a long while, he felt like he was finally moving forward.

But deep inside, he knew Sarah Robertson was not a woman who let things go easily.

And if she had her way… that kiss might not be off the table for long.