3

"Aileen?" Mom's voice in the kitchen made me hurry my way to my room. I didn't want to have to tell him where I spent the night, besides my friends are also wondering who I went with. I went up to my room and took off my clothes from last night. I couldn't believe Oliver Price took me to his house. He could well denounce him for kidnapping but knowing how powerful he is would be of no use. I went in to bathe, thinking that I had finally told him his truths but what good would it do? About what? If you didn't give me back my scholarship. Minutes later I left the bathroom and looked for my clothes to go to that job that I didn't like. I chose white pants, low shoes, a pastel pink shirt and I put on my beige coat. I combed my hair, leaving it tied up in a loose ponytail. I took my bag and went down to the kitchen. I was hungry.

"Oh, good morning," Mom smiled. She was having breakfast and had a computer on the table, it seems that she was working.

"Good morning," I sat down, my breakfast was already served. The day was sunny, my head hurt a little.

"Vanessa called," he told me when I put the sandwich in my mouth. There was also fruit. "He asked if you were home." Which I thought was weird because they left together and they were supposed to be together.

I looked at her wrong.

“I stayed with Trisha.

"Hmm, are you sure?"

"I don't have to lie to you," I murmured as seriously as possible. I felt sad and disappointed, definitely this day would not be pretty.

-It's okay. Today I will come a little later than normal, I will stay working with a colleague. Will you do something after work?

I denied.

-Any.

"Okay," and turned his gaze to the computer again.

I finished breakfast, went to the bathroom to brush my teeth, and left for work. On the way I sent a message to Vanessa telling her that I was already home and not to worry. Obviously they will want to know every detail of where I spent the night and with whom. I sincerely wanted to forget about last night at all costs.

"Good morning, Zac," I greeted the boy as soon as I arrived.

"Good morning, Aileen," he replied. He was cleaning the tables, it was too early for people to come. Unless they want to eat junk food for breakfast.

I went to my post, putting on my huge apron and the cap with the earpiece. I had no orders, but as the hours passed, people began to come. The morning was very busy, it seems that there was a lot of sale today.

"Good afternoon, what do you want to order?" I asked into the earpiece.

“I want an order of fries and a plain burger,” someone else said. I hadn't seen his face but his voice sounded familiar. I packed up his order and waited for his car at the window. To my greatest surprise, a luxury car appeared, through the window I could see that handsome man who was wearing sunglasses and the sleeves of his shirt rolled up to his elbows.

Can not be.

"Oliver Price," I muttered his name like it was a joke.

Oliver took off his glasses and looked at me curiously.

I handed him the order.

“My, my, Miss Aileen. What a surprise to meet her often since I've known her.

-Surprise? I don't believe you at all, Price, what are you doing here? Speaks.

"Buying hamburgers," he answered obviously, taking the bag.

"Of all the fast food places you come right here," I muttered. "How strange."

He smirked.

"Aileen?" —I heard the voice of Carmela, my partner—I'm here on my turn... —she was stunned, looking at Oliver—Is that Oliver Price? -whisper.

“As I told you, Miss Aileen, this is a terrible surprise. He gave me a quick look and took off, driving off.

How I hate him.

—Oliver Price is sexier in person —Carmela was moved. I took off my apron and cap and left my place free for her, I had the hour free for lunch. I had fries and a double cheese double meat burger, also a soda and headed to the same old place. In the distance there was a small garden where no one else came so I sat there.

•

At about nine o'clock at night I felt dead, I was very tired and all I wanted was to get home and cry a little. In the subway I ran into my old college classmates, I felt so bad seeing them. They advance and I don't. When I got home mom still hadn't come so I locked myself in my room and investigated jobs where they will pay more, I needed to make my own future, I needed to do something to come back, there was still time. I was about to give up when suddenly the doorbell is rung. Who could it be at this hour? I put the laptop on the nightstand and went downstairs. When I opened the door I was speechless.

“Good evening, Miss Aileen.

That handsome and attractive man was at my door. Yes, right in front of me.

-What the hell are you doing here? I snapped, glaring at him.

"Will you let me in?" It's cold out here.

"Why should I let you pass?" I could let you freeze to death out there.

Oliver seemed unfazed by my insults.

"I have something important to propose to you." It suits you." He smirked.

I narrowed my eyes in his direction because I didn't know what he meant. It seemed strange to me but it also made me curious. What if I change my mind and decide to return my scholarship to me?

"Come in." I stepped aside. When he was inside I closed. "Okay, what are you going to propose?" He was looking at my house, every detail.

—Today when my father saw you, he made many things clear, things that honestly I'm sick of tolerating.

"And what does that have to do with me?"

-A lot of. What I'm going to tell you, Aileen, is confidential and you can't publish it later, whatever your answer.

I did not understand anything.

"Why don't you tell me what you want and leave me alone?"

—Well, John Price has always been dissatisfied with me since he says that I need more than work to be able to take full charge of the company. He says I need to "start a family" like my brother did. He has a stable life, a wife, children, so for my father he would be a better candidate for total management of the company. he explained. I still didn't understand why that had to do with me. “We both want something, Aileen, we're here for a purpose. You want your scholarship and I want the company to be totally mine.

"You're very…" I wanted to say something but nothing came to mind. I had more or less an idea of what I wanted him to do.

-Let me finish. —He sat on the sofa, pulling out a folder with some papers—That's why I have a deal to make you.

-What thing?

-Come and sit.

I crossed my arms and reluctantly sat across from him. Surely he already looked at my red eyes from crying for a long time, but I didn't care.

“Speak up, Oliver, I don't want my mother to see you here.

"This is a contract," he gave it to me. I took it—You can read it in detail, even show it to a lawyer. It says there that you would be my fiancée for a year and that when you complete that I would return your full scholarship and you could go back to university without any problem.

I looked at him.

-What are you talking about? I opened the folder. Promise and marriage contract. Oliver wanted to buy a wife?

-Of that. I need to prove to my father that I have a "family" too. You will have no choice but to give me all the power.

"It's all you care about: power."

“We both have interests. I also know that we would both be willing to do whatever it takes to achieve our goals.

I looked at him. I couldn't believe that this very successful and important man was here in my house asking me for something that... I didn't understand why he couldn't ask other people.

-Because I? If you have so many women who would kill to be in this place.

"Well, there's something about you that gives me confidence. I know you wouldn't go to the press right away. With news like that they would pay you a lot of money. Besides, my father also saw something in you. He practically told me that women like you I need in my life so that I can move forward.

Wow, having said all that in front of that man had been worth it. But not only that, he had a chance to go back to college and all he had to do was put up with this idiot in one year.

"According to this contract we would pretend that we are committed to everyone."

-So is. Everybody.

"Besides... would we get married?"

-Yes of course. Three months after I asked you to be my wife.

I swallowed thick.

—What I don't understand is why you'll give me the scholarship until after you've completed that? Why not when I sign? So I won't lose this year.

-Because...

"What assures me that you will give it to me later?"

—Aileen, I already told you that you can confirm with a lawyer that the contract is real. I will give you your time to read and analyze it.

—I accept but on the condition that I return immediately to the university. Not otherwise.” I crossed my arms facing him.

Oliver stared at me for a thoughtful moment.

"Okay," he took the folder, "I'll take this so my lawyer can change that clause." It would be ready tomorrow morning.

-Perfect.

"Do you want me to bring it here for you to sign?"

—No, at the moment I don't want my mother to see you so tell me where to meet.

"In my office then," he stood up. "Do we have a deal?" He shook my hand.

"Sure." I shook it too. I felt a little shock of electricity when that happened. Perhaps Oliver could sense it too because he withdrew his hand immediately. "See you tomorrow, Miss Aileen." He left my house, leaving me completely speechless. I'm sure he's wondering why I didn't insult him or say things to him. The truth was he had no courage, he had cried for a long time but at last he had the opportunity he wanted. I didn't care if I had to pretend to be very in love with Oliver in order to have my scholarship and to continue studying, to graduate in two years. The emotion invaded me. I head to my room and delete all the job search tabs on my computer. Oliver Price had taken away my dreams once and now he's going to have to fix it. Besides, don't think I'll make it that easy for you. That a billionaire comes to ask you to do something for him is not seen every day, plus Oliver owes me a lot. Tomorrow he would have to go to his company and sign that contract. Nothing more than I don't know what to do or how to act when everyone knows that we are committed. Obviously lies, I just hope this doesn't bring me more trouble than Oliver brought me when I didn't even know him.