Chapter Two

Surprised, Claire was at a loss for words. “What did you say?”

“It’s only for three months, and you'll be well-paid. I know you need money for yourself and your mum’s heart surgery.”

“You looked into me. If you’re making this ridiculous request because we spent the night together—”

“No, it’s not,” he cuts her off. “And if you’re worried, I can assure you it’ll never happen again. I just happen to need a wife, and you need money.”

She couldn’t believe her ears. How could he be so brazen? She stands up and adjusts her skirt. “I’ll take my leave.”

“You have three hours to respond before I find someone else,” she heard him say as she stomped out of his office.

Claire went back to her workspace and tried to suppress tears; she wasn’t sure why they were coming. She would never accept something like that, ever. “He doesn’t even respect me, so why should I marry him? He could have at least offered in a decent way,” she thought to herself.

Her phone started ringing, and she looked at it to see it was her ex-boyfriend. She rolled her eyes and cut the call. He called again and again, but she cut it off every single time. Then he sent a message: “We need to talk.” She scoffed at his shamelessness.

She put her phone on silent after that and continued with her work until it was time to clock out and give her answer. She checked her phone again to see many missed calls from her mum’s doctor. She had put her phone on DND and missed important calls. She quickly rushed out of the office to the rest area to call him back.

“Your mum went into cardiac arrest, and she almost died. She needs to have the surgery now; it could be really dangerous if it’s delayed any further,” the doctor informed her.

The words from the doctor rang in her head continuously as she went back to the office to get her bag. But when she got there, she met Alexander waiting for her.

“So, what’s your answer?" He didn’t even bother to ask anything else, even though she was obviously troubled.

She really didn’t want to do it, but what choice does she have? It’s not like $75,000 will fall down from the sky for her mum’s surgery.

“I’ll do it.”

“Good, now let’s go meet my family.”

The drive to his place was silent. Claire dared not to say a word and just sat still. They arrived at the mansion and went in. His stepmother, Diana, and her children, Charles and Celine, were having dinner.

“If you don’t get married before tomorrow ends, you know you have to forfeit your inheritance, right?” Diana asked.

“You don’t have to worry because I’m getting married tomorrow.”

Everyone seemed surprised at the word "wife" coming from his mouth.

“I just came to introduce her, and we’re not having a ceremony, so you don’t have to come.”

“Your fiancée is really beautiful,” Charles said, standing up and walking over to Claire. “I’m Charles,” he continued before taking her hand and kissing it. Surprised, Claire withdrew her hand, and he wore a sly grin.

“I don’t appreciate you touching my fiancée, Charles.” Alexander said and his expression turned darker.

“She’s family now,” Charles replied.

The next day came, and before noon, they were married. They had agreed that she would stay with him as his wife for three months, and their relationship would be kept secret from the rest of the world. He paid for her mother’s hospital bill, and treatment started immediately. She moved into the new house he got, and their life as a married couple began.

The next day, she woke up early to prepare breakfast. She was quite optimistic as she waited for him to come out of his room, and he soon emerged already dressed for work. She was wearing an oversized t-shirt that went down just a little over her thigh.

“You should have breakfast,” she said with a bright smile.

“No, I’m good,” he replied in a cold voice.

“Come on, I woke up early to prepare this.”

“You say that like I asked you to.”

“That’s a bit harsh, you know.”

“If you’re looking for a loving husband, I suggest you think again because I’m far from that,” he said lastly and took his leave.

She knew exactly what she was getting into, so she brushed it off and got dressed for work. Traffic was a bit heavy on her way. “He could have at least offered to take me to work with him. I'm going to be late.” She said to herself.

She did get to work late, and her manager was furious. She ran as fast as possible to get to the office.

“I’m sorry, I was stuck in traffic.”

“Then you should have left home earlier. This is the problem with women when they’re employed; they don’t take their work seriously. All they do is paint their face and look for rich husbands.”

“I was late. I don’t think I’ve slacked off to deserve such a sexist remark from you,” she replied, and everyone was surprised.

Her manager scoffed. “Now you even talk back. I guess you don’t like your job.”

“I’m sorry if I offended you with my reply, sir. I won’t be late again,” she said finally and went to her seat.

And from then onward, her manager swore to make her work life hell.

Claire was exhausted when she got home. Her manager made her do a lot of work because she talked back; it’s not like she could complain. She stays in the second biggest room in the house. She took a quick shower and came down for dinner, and Alexander was there too.

Dinner was going well and silently as they sat farthest from each other before Alexander broke the silence. “Quit your job at the office.”

Claire couldn’t believe her ears. “What?”

“I can’t have anyone finding out we’re married.”

“If that’s what you’re worried about, you don’t have to worry. I want to keep it a secret more than you do; I’m the one that’ll suffer the most if this gets out.”

“I’m glad we’re on the same page, and one more thing: under no circumstances should you be directly involved with my family, especially when I’m not there. Avoid them at all costs.”

She rolled her eyes as she answered, “Alright.”