4| BEING KASSIE

PERSY

One hundred and fifty dollars was a big deal, there was no need to look at me like that.

I let Aiden show me the different spots where I needed to sign and I did the necessary signings. I had almost forgotten my signature, because I rarely used it for anything. We hardly got enough food to start worrying about signatures. Even Trevor hardly needed my signature for anything; we lived in the same province, and his place was just slightly more comfortable than our rented flat which I got thrown out of immediately my parents died—two years ago.

It seemed so long ago now. I had stayed with Trevor for two years, until he finally decided I was a burden and threw me out a month ago, too. It would only be a matter of time before I got discarded by Aiden as well, but at least I would be leaving with enough money to start a new life afterward.

"… are you even listening?" Aiden's sharp tone brought me back to reality, and I quickly donned a smile, trying to appear chill. Only thing was that, I sucked at pretending, so I already knew that the smile looked so fake. Judging from his deepened frown, he had picked it up as well.

I cleared my throat and stopped smiling, nervously fiddling with my fingers as I stared straight into his eyes and asked, "Sorry, what were you saying?"

He did not respond for sometime, until finally, he got up from the loveseat which he had been sitting on. He stood directly in front of me now, towering over me with his six foot height. He pushed a paper-bag into my hand impatiently, before explaining, "That bag contains your new phone. Did you have one previously?"

I shook my head no, shaking with excitement as I opened up the bag. I took out the phone's packaging and gasped on seeing that it was an iPhone. I was holding an iPhone 13 pro max, after only just hearing about it for years.

"I already set the phone up for you, the box has been opened before now. I trust that you know how to use phones?" He asked me, actually sounding very serious. Could I blame him?

Deciding to not make a big deal out of what he said, I replied, "I do. Thank you so much for the kind gift."

"As much as I admire your appreciation, I will have you know that this is not a gift. It is a very necessary tool for communication for the duration of this contract. Do not lose it." His last sentence held a warning, to which I almost rolled my eyes.

"Always so damn serious for what?" I muttered under my breath, with my head bowed, so he could not see my face.

"What did you say?" He questioned with a sharp tone. I quickly shook my head, before he decided I was not worth the stress and took everything from me.

"Nothing, I was just… talking to myself, you know. We all do that…" I trailed off when he just kept glaring at me.

After what seemed like forever, he finally spoke, "This contract would only last a few months until Kassie returns. Do not get carried away during the course of this contract. You are not allowed to develop feelings for me, because if you do, you will only get hurt. The contract will be on, still, and any attempt to jeopardize the contract because of your feelings will have dire consequences. Worse, if it affects the company, I'll make you wish you chose jail in the first place. Understood?" He finished with a calm edge to his voice, like he had not just threatened me in the most lackadaisical way.

I almost laughed, though. Who did he think he was? Some irresistible greek god, maybe? Okay, he probably was, but I was immune to his charms. I mean, I could not care less about love at this point in my life. Or ever.

Everyone I had ever loved had left me broken. I did not think I had it in me to love again. I just wanted to go to college after this and get a mechanical engineering degree so I could have my own big mechanic shop… it was dad and I's dream. Now, I guess I had to make it happen on my own.

"You have nothing to worry about, Sir Aiden. The last thing I would ever do is fall in love with you." I told him, and this time when I smiled casually at him, I knew it wasn't awkward.

To my promise, he nodded once and muttered, "Enjoy the rest of your day."

"You too," I spoke to his back, as he briskly walked away, towards the door. When he was finally out, I exhaled a breath and flopped back onto the bed, shutting my eyes due to how comfortable the mattress was.

This room was a literal wonder. I remembered arriving here with Sam, after my makeover. I ended up falling asleep in the jacuzzi, because of how insanely comfortable it was.

The room had pure white walls and the most expensive-looking designs I had ever seen, ranging from the gold furnitures, Queen-sized bed, soft mattress and magnificent tiles (I could literally see my face in the tiles!), there were stickers everywhere, and most of them contained pictures or writings about Selena Gomez. 

 

I took the pictures and writings down, just because I was a full belieber, and I had never liked the ‘Jelena’ ship.

 

The bathroom had my jaw dropping to the ground. There were mirrors and glass everywhere! Clean tiles, exquisite walls, more than two shower heads. I decided that I would enjoy my stay here very much.

I just had to remember not to fall in love with Aiden Bates… Noted.

________________

The next day was a Monday, and I had just finished having breakfast—which I made by myself, because I had laid off the chef assigned to me by Aiden. I would never feel comfortable having domestic staff around, not when I was once a domestic staff. I always hated being ordered around like some rag doll, and though I was not about to order the chef around so much, I just did not feel comfortable having her here when I could cook myself. She begged me not to tell Aiden about the whole agreement between us, and I agreed.

I had just plopped down on the bed when my phone beeped, indicating a new message. It was Aiden. He was the only contact, saved as Aiden Bates, by himself. The man was always so serious, it got super annoying sometimes.

I opened up the message and read through,

AIDEN BATES: I assume you know how to read. If you're having a hard time, give me a call now, I have something very important to tell you.

Probably the most derogatory message I had ever received, but what could I do about it? I did not call him; I had already made up my mind to switch the phone off so I could frustrate his plans of reaching out to me with his 'important message', but another message came in before I could carry out the task.

AIDEN BATES: I will now add you to a zoom meeting. Please turn on your internet connection. Right now, please.

My heart skipped a full beat. What did he mean a zoom meeting? Every time I heard about those meetings, they were pretty serious. What could I possibly offer?

AIDEN BATES: Kassie, do me a goddamn favour and turn on your data connection. Open your damn Zoom app too. It's installed on your device already.

Right away, I typed back furiously,

ME: It's Persy! That's where you're getting it wrong. Do you sometimes forget that I am not her? What do you expect me to say in a whole zoom meeting?!

AIDEN BATES: You really want to go to jail, don't you? I'm sure the old women in there would treat you nicely. Forget about the 150,000 dollars, too.

That was all the push I needed to turn on my data connection and open the Zoom app with shaky hands. The moment the call went through was when I realized that I was still clad in my pyjamas with my morning hair sticking out in different directions.

I froze in front of my phone, as everyone stared at me with different reactions at my appearance.

"I'm sorry, pops. I will just have her disconnect from—" Aiden started to say, but the man whom he spoke to simply raised a hand to cut him short as he looked me over on the screen with concern in his eyes.

And then he broke the brewing silence, "Good to see you, Kassie. I hope you have your proposal ready. I loved it, and I have gathered a couple of friends to listen to your masterpiece."