"Adam, I know you're in there! I won't leave until you come out and take responsibility for your actions!" She yelled, shaking her fists angrily.
"My husband isn't home. Now, please leave before I call the cops!"
"That's what you'd like, huh?" She scoffed with contempt. "I'm not leaving till Adam knows what he did to me."
"What he DID to you?" I ask, perplexed.
"He didn't tell you about that night, did he?" She smirked wickedly. "Well, tough luck, sweetheart. I'm pregnant and he's the father."
She's . . . Pregnant?
But I'm pregnant for him, too. . .
TWO MONTHS AGO
I walk into the office with the most composed face I could pull and ignore everyone's curious looks. I frantically pull out the computer records and start inputting data.
I'm never taking the bus again.
Half an hour later, when I see that I'm barely on the seventh page of the document, I let out an exasperated sigh.
I have so much work to do! How will I ever make it on time?
Focus Payton, you can do this. You like this job, and you can't afford to lose it.
Just then, my phone pings. It must be Thea . . .
T- Hey, girl!
T- Just wanted to text you and congratulate you!
P- Hi, Thea . . .
P- Congratulate me on what?
T- You've been working for Adam Owens for a month now, and you still haven't gotten fired!
P- Jeez, thanks for believing in me, T
T- That's not what I meant and you know it.
T- You're the first assistant to make it this far in a year
P- Yeah, he replaces staff just as regularly as he brushes his teeth.
P- Trust me, I've seen it with my own eyes. Don't need a reminder.
T- I guess you can do that when you're a famous music producer and the number one handsome bachelor.
T- According to Gossip Today, at least!
P- You sound like a walking ad . . .
P- But I know what you mean
P- Working for Adam isn't exactly easy
P- He's very hard to please.
T- I bet.
P- Thea! You're always so crude!
P- Anyway I have to go. Adam wants me in his office.
T- Oulala! Remember to use protection
Great, so much for that.
I walk into Adams office and find him looking at some papers. "You wanted to see me, sir," I squeaked, my cracking voice betraying my fright.
He glances up and pierces me with his eyes. "Yes, have a seat."
Adam leaned back on his chair and crossed him arms. His lips are in a thin, straight line, and his eyes narrowed on me.
Oh no! This is it. I'm about to be fired!
With shaky legs, I take a seat in front of him.
I think I heard somewhere that flattery gets you everywhere. Time to test that theory.
"You look lovely today, Mr. Owen. I really love your tie. And your skin is fantastic, what kind if product do you use?" I questioned with a bright wide smile on my face.
"Soap," he grunted.
"Oh . . . any special kind of soap?" I laughed halfheartedly.
"Payton, what is this about?" He frowned.
"I'm afraid you're going to fire me," I lamented. "I'm really good at my job, and if you just give me a chance--"
"Payton, please stop talking." He said, raising a hand to shush me. There's a brief pause before he continues. "I'm not going to fire you."
"You're not?" I ask appalled.
"No. So calm down and breath. You remember how to do that, don't you?" He instructed.
I close my eyes and release a breath I didn't know I was holding. I open my eyes a moment later, and I notice that he's much closer to me now.
He's leaning over his desk, watching me carefully. Then he rakes a hand through his hair and sighs, and I find myself wanting to do the same.
Get a hold of yourself, woman. I shouldn't be making googly eyes at my boss!
I take another deep breath and blink rapidly to shake off the feeling I just had. "So . . . Why did you call me in here?" I questioned now that I was calm.
"I'm travelling to Las Vegas tomorrow to get an exclusive contract with a new Pop star singer, ' Ginger Stale'." He explained.
"Oh, that sounds fun. I'll make sure to handle everything you need."
"I'm sure you will," he stated and started flipping pages of a book on his table. "We're flying out tomorrow, could you book the tickets?" He asked.
"I'm sorry . . . Did you say "we"?" I fumbled.
He raised his eyes from his work and glanced at me. "Is there a problem?"
"Only two tickets? Is anyone else joining us?"
"Nobody that I'm paying for," he answered nonchalantly.
What a vague answer.
But still, this is good news. Here I thought I was getting fired, and instead, I'm going to Vegas!!
"Payton?" He called, bringing me out of my mind.
"Yes?"
"You may leave now," he dismissed.
"Oh, yes. Of course. I'll go and book the tickets for us," I said standing up.
"First class."
"Of course," I nodded. I went straight to my office and git on it immediately.
THE NEXT DAY
When we got to the hotel, I immediately went to deal with our reservation and pick up our keys.
I find Adam in the lobby, scrutinizing the painting of a naked woman. As soon as I'm next to him, his eyes are back on me.
"Oh my God. It's so beautiful in here," I lamented, my voice showing awe. Adam didn't seem very impressed though.
"There's dust on that painting," he remarked.
"Is there?" I squint my eyes at the painting, "I don't see anything."
"And do you hear the music?" He scoffed. "They could do so much better than playing this elevator nonsense in a loop."
"To be honest, I don't mind," I shrugged. "This is all above my pay grade. Even that plane was amazing, and I took economy class."
"Speaking of that . . . When I said first class, I meant for you too."
"Oh, really?" Warmth spread across my cheeks.
He wanted me there with him?
He continued. "The flight attendant kept asking me what kind of coffee I like, and I completely forgot. It's been years since I had to remember such frivolous details as that."
The colour drained from my cheeks. Of course he didn't want me there for my company.
"I'm so sorry, sir!" I apologized, "I should have --"
"Payton," he cut me off, "if you want to make it in this field, you have to stick to your guts. Never, EVER, apologize." He instructed and I quickly nodded.
"I have something to discuss with you. We need to find our rooms."
I unlock the door to room number 105. I think this is my room.I walk in and my eyes go wide. My hotel room isn't a room at all. It's a freaking apartment."This isn't mine, Mr. Owen," I exclaimed. "I must have accidentally switched the keys.""No, this is yours. Mine is down the hall," he replied."But . . .""Is there a problem?""I'm pretty sure I booked a smaller and cheaper room for myself," I stated."I upgraded you. I want you to be on the same floor as me if I need you. Is there a problem?" He asked again.Why did he even do that? I thought that was my job . . ."Of course, there's no problem! This room is fantastic. Thank you so much!" I smiled widely."You don't have to thank me." He glanced at his Rolex. "My business meeting shouldn't last long. Let's meet up for dinner in, let's say . . . an hour?""Sure, that sounds great." Wow. I'm having dinner alone with Adam.He seems to have read my mind, because he promptly adds. "Of course we won't be alone. My friend Paul Winston
I cautiously enter his office. I take a chair in front of him, trying to appear confident."So, Mr Owen." I began, "what did you want to talk to me about?There was a brief pause, and the room gets so quiet that I can hear my own heartbeat. His face is stone cold and I hold my breath as I prepare for the blow."I need you to be my wife!""I'm sorry?" I coughed out, almost falling off my chair.Surely, this must be a joke. He didn't just ask me to be his fake wife, right? I keep waiting for him to burst out laughing and yell, “Got ya!” but it doesn't happen so I start to get nervous."You want me . . . to be your wife?" I slowly repeated."Fake wife," he corrected."Right. You're going to have to elaborate on that," I said, folding my arms. Adam sighs like he can't believe he's having this conversation right now.But how could I understand what's going on in that handsome head of his? One minute ago, I was so sure he was going to fire my ass . . . but instead, he wants me to be his fa
I call Thea and ask her to meet me at the mall. As soon as I see her, I scowl."Thea, how could you not tell me about the document?" I cried. "You could have at least warned me!"She blinks a few times. "What document?""Oh, I don't know. The one you signed this morning, maybe?" I replied sassily."I have no idea what you're talking about," she said, confusion eminent on her face. She looks sincere but I still can't let it go."Does the name Adam Owens ring any bells?""Oh! Yea, he showed up on my doorstep this morning and asked for my autograph," she beamed. "He looked amazing, I'll tell you! I don't know why he was wanted it, now that I think about it . . . Damn it, I should have asked him for his!" She exclaimed."Did he get mad because I didn't?"It doesn't take me long to realize what actually happened. "So you just signed a document without knowing what it was about?" I deadpanned."To be fair, it was really early, and he looked like a god," she remarked."Jesus, Thea! You signe
"We dated for about four months before we got married," Adam lied."How did you two meet?" He questioned."She used to deliver pizza for a living, and the first time she knocked on my door, I couldn't take my eyes off her. I found myself ordering pizza almost everyday which really wasn't good for my figure," he answered.Some journalists chuckle."So instead, I offered her a job, thinking it'd pass. It only made it worse. Until one day, I finally talked myself into asking her out . . .and she said yes." Adam turns his head and looks at me.His eyes burn with passion and desire as he takes me in. "She's the most beautiful woman woman I've ever laid my eyes on." His gaze dips to my lips, and my heart starts to beat faster.Did he really mean that? If not, he's one hell of an actor! Right at that moment, a journalist yells, ‘Give us a kiss!’" My eyes go wide, unsure what Adam is going to do. He accepts the challenge.He places his hand around my waist, and he gently pulls me closer to h
A few hours later;Adam is pacing the floor with his hands behind his head. His best friend, Paul, is sitting in one of the arm chairs, while I'm standing and looking at them while leaning against the wall. The air is tense."This is such a mess. I can't believe she's doing this to me!" Adam fumed, his tone slightly aggravated."Calm down. I'm the best lawyer in town. We'll fix this," Paul reassured."I don't understand what's happening right now. Can someone please explain?" I begged."My wife is suing me for half of my fortune, that's what's happening!!" Adam bellowed."I knew that. But why was she so certain that I wasn't your real wife?" I queried."God, my head is killing me," he groaned, stopping his pacing and rubbed a hand down his face to his chin."Let's focus for a while, alright? I won't let her screw you over," Paul voiced out."And how are you going to stop her?" Adam sneered.Paul strokes his chin and addresses us. "Well, first if all, you two need to move in together,
"Adam?" I breathlessly called out."Yeah?" He hummed in response.I take a step back and turn my head away, averting my eyes from his handsome face and tempting lips."It's probably best if I leave. I need to start packing my stuff since I'm moving in with you," I announced."Yeah, right. You do that.""I'll see you later." I start to walk towards the door. I flip my hair and add a little sway to my hips as I make my way to the door. Once I reach it, I turn around and see him smirking.I bet he liked the show. ***I look at all my stuff, now neatly packed in boxes and suitcases. It's been three days since the red carpet rendezvous and I still can't believe I'm doing this.Marriage was one thing, but living together?Just then, my phone pings and I see it's a message from Adam.Adam- Are you getting here soon?Payton- I'm still waiting for the moversAdam- Well, hurry upPayton- Oh . . .Payton- Hey, it's not up to me.Payton- I'm doing my best.Adam- I know, I know. The thing is, I h
I must be seeing things. There's no way there's a pair of handcuffs on his bedpost!I close my eyes and open them again.Nope, the handcuffs are still there. Who is this man, really? He's proving to be much more interesting than I imagined.I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around and give Adam my most sheepish smile knowing I'd been caught."I thought I told you not to enter my room?""I was just...""You were just what?""See, the thing is..." He arches an eyebrow and I sigh. I can't wiggle my way out of this. "The door stood ajar, and I got a little curious... So I peeked inside. I'm really sorry. I promise to stay out of your bedroom from now on."I move to walk past him but he takes a step to stand in front of me. "Where do you think you're going?" He asked."Since you don't want me in here, I thought I'd leave as soon as possible," I explained."I won't let you off the hook that easy, Payton.""Is that so?" He tilts his head to the side and smirks. "I never expected I'd get suc
I can't stop staring at the box of condoms in his drawer. He bought them today, that much was clear. And he obviously had someone on his mind when he bought the box.Is he sleeping with someone else? Maybe someone from the office?Most girls would be more than willing to jump his bones if they had the chance. Or...Maybe he's expecting to sleep with ME?I leave the office feeling confused and worried.***I arrive quicker than I thought and Adam meets me in the hallway."Did you find the contract?" He asked expectantly."Yes." I hand him the contract without making eye contact."Thank you for bringing me this," he said."Whatever." I turn to leave, but he grabs my arm and spins me around."Hey, wait a minute. Are you in a hurry or something?" He inquired."Something like that," I replied.His eyebrows pinch together and he looks me deep in the eyes. "Is everything okay?""Of course. Why wouldn't it be?" I answered with a fake smile plastered on my face."I don't believe you," he frown