PLOT

Miriam's POV 

Although I was a little bit suspicious of his movements late at night I could not say anything.

It was a contractual marriage anyway, soon I will end it and will be free. I only got married to him in the heat of the moment. 

With a deep sigh I walked over to the window and saw him get into a black car. I could not see what brand because of  how high up I was and I was not with my glasses so practically I was blind.

But one thing I could definitely see was the array of cars on the street. Who exactly did he work for and why does he need so many escorts? 

And thinking about it, I can't remember if I asked him about where he works or what he does for a living.

Although my marriage with him is contractual, we could still get to know each other and maybe I could get him a position at my job.

Speaking of my job, I just knew I had a lot of mail piled up for me to respond to.

“Hey Sara.” I said over the phone as I opened my email.

It's going to take a while to respond to all of them.

“Well, hey stranger. Thought you have finally forgotten me.” She joked and I could not help but smile.

“That's impossible and you know it.” 

She laughed at her own end. “So….how is married life treating you? I hope you did not marry a pervert out of pettiness.” She asked her tone, switching from playfulness to seriousness.

“Well he is not a pervert, he seems very respectful and….he is quite hot.” I whispered the last part, hoping she did not hear it.

“Kinda hot? Stop lying, that man is a hunk, he is more than kind of hot, he is insanely hot, sexy and handsome. If he is not a pervert then I will say you got the jackpot. He is way better than that trash can, William.” 

I could hear the disgust in her tone at the mention of his name. Sara had never liked William and I should have listened to her when she warned me, but I was stupid and blinded with love.

But not anymore, I refuse to put others before me. From this moment on I will put myself first.

“Well speaking of William, has he signed the contract?” I asked.

“Yes, he submitted it a few days back, but we haven't responded. I suggest we refuse his proposal. We haven't signed it yet so nothing is finalized.” 

“Hmmmm get the legal team, tell them to proceed with the contract.” 

“What?” Sara gasped from the other end and I could almost imagine her shocked expression.

“Are you freaking crazy? Why would you want to work with a man who betrayed you and was cheating with your step sister?” She asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

But what Sara does not know was, this was all part of my revenge plan. 

I had almost risked exposing my identity to give William that job. Now he and Janet think they can steal my hard work and claim it.

They have no idea what I have in store for them.

And the fact that I was so close to telling William about who I was and what I do.

I will never be that foolish again.

“It's all part of my plan Sara, I know what I am doing?” 

The line went silent for a while, I thought she had hung up the call.

“So what is this grand plan of yours?” She asked, sounding a little bit skeptical.

“No worries you will see, let's get him comfortable and happy and just when he thinks everything is going well for him I am going to make it all crash down.” I replied, the image of his shocked expression when he realised that he had been playing in my game flashed in my mind and I could not help but feel satisfied. Oh! I can't wait.

“I really do hope you are not thinking of getting back together with that asshole?” 

“Never, he is my past but he needs to be taught a lesson. Every single one of them. I am going to make them all pay for humiliating me. I was a fool for so many years but not anymore.” I replied.

“Hmmm ... .I really hope you don't go back on your words because I am really liking this villainess era you have going on.” She teased once again and I smiled.

“As much as I would love to keep talking about your love life and revenge plans, we have business to discuss. We have two currently bidding for the new fragrance, their offers seem good but you will have to go through them of course.” She said,

This new fragrance was something we have been working for for a long time. We needed the right company to collaborate with. 

“Send me the documents. I will go through them.” I said “And Sara, I want to ask for a favour”

“Uhmmm as long as I can do it, sure.” 

“So… My newly wed husband was a little bit suspicious about my shopping rampage today so I told him about my job.. I panicked.” I said, waiting for her to lose it.

“Oh my God Miriam, what did you do? Did you tell him you are the owner of la amore?”

“No. No. No, I did not but I told him I work there and I was a designer. I need to try and keep up with the lie and I was thinking, won't it be a great revenge comeback if William sees me working in the same company as he is?” 

Sara was quiet once again, this was a sign she was thinking. 

Although Sara was my friend she is very calculative and that is why I choose her to be the acting CEO of my company. Due to my absence. 

“I think it's a good idea, but it's quite risky, I thought you want no one to know about your identity?” She asked, sounding worried.

“And no one will… at least for now. I have been thinking, Sara. I have built such a big company from scratch, you of all people know the amount of hard work and dedication I put into this. Maybe it's about time I introduced myself to the world and stopped hiding behind the scene. I think it's about time I embrace my work and stop trying to hide from it.” I said, feeling a sense of relief.

It is a slow process, I haven't worked in an office setting all my life. 

I have always worked for the comfort of my home. Even when I was dating William I had to lie. I worked at a mall, a mall I owned.

I am tired of living in the shadows. This was a new opportunity for me and I plan on taking full advantage of it.

“Well, words can't describe how proud I am for you. I will set something up and you can start tomorrow.” She replied and I could not be happier.

Finally I get to work amongst my employees. This was what I have always dreamed of.

“No more hiding Miriam,” I thought to myself before hanging up the phone and putting off the light.

My phone suddenly brightened up, it was a message from Lazar.

“Sleep tight my sleeping beauty xxx” 

My face immediately became hot. I have to say my new husband was not just sexy, insanely hot and handsome, he was incredibly charming.

“Good night xx.” I responded and closed my eyes, succumbing to the darkness.