Chapter 3

(Anastasia's POV)

I followed Mr. Carter. to a private parking lot where all the VIP vehicles are. He unlocked the trunk of his car and took out a brown leather duffle bag, and pulled out a white cotton towel.

"Dry yourself first. I don't want you to catch a cold." he handed me the towel before putting the bag back in the trunk. He then unlocked the driver's seat and motioned his hand at me to get on the other side.

"I'll dry myself first. I don't want to ruin the seats. They look expensive."

He rolled the sleeves of his dress shirt to his elbows, "It doesn't matter, you can do it inside. Now, get in before someone sees you."

Reminding me of how scary reporters can be, I hurriedly hopped in the passenger seat.

He started to move out of the car from the parking lot with ease. "So, what's this important thing you were going to tell me?"

I looked outside the windows as they go past building by building. "W-where are we going?" I also noticed how the rain seemed to have also calmed down a bit.

"You looked like you wanted some privacy and this is the only private space I could think of right now," he began before turning left to enter the highway. "-I can't go back to my office. The press must have already camped outside my building." his mouth curved up a little. "-My other properties are too far from here and you look like you needed something urgent so we're here." He glanced at me.

"B-but why...?" I fiddled with my fingers as I wondered why is he suddenly treating me well.

"Why what?" this time his eyes remained on the road as the rain began to get heavier once again.

"Why are you being good to me?" the question came out more like a whisper as I continued to stare at my lap, afraid to look the man in the eye.

He let out a chuckle, "My mother raised me better than you think. I can also empathize with people who look at me like I'm their last string of hope."

I felt my cheeks go warm and shame began to flood my senses.

A ghost of a smile appeared on his face, "So, what were you going to tell me?"

Silence hovered over us again before I started to speak, "About that...I decided to take your offer-" I began. "-on one condition." but I quickly added before he had the chance to respond. "I know it's not my place to give out conditions but if you agree to this, I'll do anything you want." I felt relieved that my voice didn't waver as I said that.

He then gave me a sideways glance before pulling the car over to the side, "What condition?" he finally said while facing me for the first time since we went on a drive.

I clenched my clothes. This is good. He's willing to listen which should mean that he'll try to consider what I'll say.

"Please help me find a shelter right now. We... We were just kicked out and my father's debt is pushing us to pay this instant or else they will put my mother in jail as she is the benefactor of my father's debt but I was just fired yesterday, so I... I don't know where I should go. Until... You offered me this kind of job." I didn't care now if that came out as a rumble. He has to know so he'll see how desperate I am right now.

He watched me for a few more seconds before nodding his head, "Are you sure? You can't turn back this time around..."

I earnestly nodded my head feeling relieved that his response sounded positive to me. "Yes, I'm sure."

He fastened himself to his seat, started the car again, and went back on the road.

I felt surreal that my plan worked. He agreed to my condition. My hand shook in relief while my eyes teared up a little. I am getting help for them and I am more than glad for it than getting nothing at all.

I wondered if it was worth selling my soul to the devil for this but thinking about how this has given me the slightest chance to find a shelter for my family and pay all the debts then all my doubts immediately vanish.

We were about to enter a subdivision. Wait... This is a Forbes Park an exclusive subdivision. Is this where he lives?

"There might be a few people from the press waiting outside so I suggest you keep your head down. I can't promise that your picture won't get taken but I'll do my best to cover you so stay close to me."

I nodded at him in response and just as Mr. Carter has predicted, reporters were scattered outside the subdivision holding their cameras and mics getting ready whenever they have a chance to spot Mr. Carter. However, calling them few is an understatement. Some even had tents prepared to camp outside the tower while others have large vans with them to accommodate their whole media crew.

"Are they always like this?"

"No, there are better days where they get tired of you for a whole week." He assured her, "-I believe they're just like that because of the engagement announcement. Their numbers should eventually die down in about a month or so."

"Oh."

Are people curious about this man's private life? I thought looking at him before noticing security men running after us as soon as they sees the car arrive. They also seemed to have memorized Mr. Carter's cars as they get their cameras ready when they spotted his car drive along the curb that leads to the subdivision.

"The security team will stop the press from getting close but it won't stop them from taking pictures so just do what I told you and we'll be inside the building before you know it."

"Okay."

True to his words, Mr. Carter did his best to keep me by his side to cover me from the press, and in just a few minutes, we were already inside the subdivision.

We entered a big gate only to find a spacious yard. My jaw was left hanging in an exquisite house in front of me. Each corner of the wall of the house was beautifully carved, and the designs were made with complete care. With the combination of sky blue and spotless white paint, it was looking like a palace from a fairyland. Greeneries around the mansion were adding more beauty to it.

He stops the car at the entrance of the clean white huge door. Sturdy three-story residence designed without the least imagination.

A man is standing in front of the closed door. Mr. Carter got off the car and I unbuckled my seatbelt. Suddenly Mr. Carter opens my door and signals me to get off.

The huge door opens and revealed the large living area features a foyer with a groined vaulted ceiling, crystal chandelier, and a grand single staircase with a wrought-iron and gold balustrade. The dramatic great room, with its 37-foot-high, arched cathedral ceiling, has a three-level bay of Palladian windows.

"I had my lawyer write a new contract and it should be ready today."

"Oh... Okay." I nod in response.

We walk upstairs with a grand single staircase that sets a refined tone, a grand French-inspired manor.

When we reached the second floor, my eyes widen as we entered the room filled with books.

It looks like a library, with its richly carved bookcases, was as indiscriminately filled as the dusty shelves of a street book s and. This stately library, perpetually smelling of morocco, varnish, and new carpet, with its richly carved rosewood, plate glass, and book-backs of gilt was solely kept as one of the series of show-rooms in which Mr. Carter delighted in displaying his money's worth. I carefully sat on the white sofa while my eyes roamed around the room.

He takes out two bottled water from a fridge. He opened the bottled water before handing it to me and then doing the same thing to the other one for himself. He quickly swigged it down in one drink.

The door opened and a chestnut brown hair peered from it arrives holding a couple of paper bags in his hand.

"You promised to explain to me why I have to buy a woman's underwea-" he stops mid-sentence after seeing me now awkwardly sitting on the couch.

Mr. Carter walks toward the man who just entered and pushed him in the direction where I am sitting.

The two continued to bicker before I finally decides to clear my throat to grab their attention.

"Is that for me?" I point at the bags in that man's hands. The man smiled awkwardly as he handed me the paper bags while rubbing the back of his neck. "Thank you," I said with a smile. The bag has an underwear set, a grey v-neck pullover sweater, and denim jeans.

"So, you're?"

"Anastasia Hansley." he reached his hand. I stand up to accept his handshake.

"I'm Josh Moore, Caleb's cousin." The man's mouth curved upward, "It's nice to meet you." He said before taking my hand to his lips while he looks at me with amused eyes that shone with interest.

"Likewise," I replied embarrassed at what he did. After all, I reached out my hand to him expecting a handshake not a light kiss on the back of my hand.

Mr. Carter pulled me away from the man when he seemed to linger. He let me sit on the leather chair behind it.

"You don't have to talk to him. He'll just get on your nerves." Mr. Carter began as he shoves some clothes into an empty paper bag.

"Hey, I only do that to you." Mr. Moore protested and I watched the two with newfound interest.

Mr. Carter then walks behind Mr. Moore wearing a gray shirt, jeans, and plain white sneakers. His hair is also combed down making him look a few years younger. In his hand is a bag of take-out food.

"Come on," he motions at me with his hand, "-change your clothes, and let's eat." He leads me to the bathroom to change.

After changing, I walks out of the bathroom and saw Caleb walking into a room wearing a white V-neck shirt and black sleep pants. He's holding a folder in his hand.

I rose to my feet to greet him but he motions his hand for me to stay seated as he settles himself beside me. I suddenly falter moving a little to the left to create a space.

"Did you just move away?" Mr. Carter suddenly asks out of nowhere. Did he notice that? Damn it.

I tried to keep a straight face, blinking my eyes as though innocent of his claim.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I say before avoiding his narrowed stare.

He handed me the folder in his hand. "Here. Make sure to read it before signing." Mr. Carter is up on his feet in just seconds."-you can also list down a few rules of your own if you think the ones in there aren't enough. We'll look into it before signing to make sure we're both getting what we want here."

He started walking away but stopped, "-And I will be back... Josh come with me." he says and exited the room followed by Josh who was waving his hand to me, I smiled in response.

After confirming he closes the door, I slump on the sofa comfortably while gawking at the high ceiling of the library room. So, this is what an expensive house looks like. I remember only seeing this in magazines and on television and now I am sitting in one. It still feels bizarre how I got from being jobless to a fake wife in just two days.

I scanned the documents thoroughly. I read the contract's rules. The second to last page stated;

One Year Agreement

Name: Anastasia Hansley

Date of Birth: September 10, 1995

Name: Caleb Carter

Date of Birth: February 25th, 1992

Rules:

1.) Will not flirt or be with any other man when in public.

2.) Will not tell anyone about the agreement or it will be void.

3.) If you decide to leave before the year

is over you won't get any money.

4.) Has to kiss, hug, etc. with Caleb Carter in public.

5.) When not in public Caleb Carter as well as Anastasia Hansley may see anyone they want.

6.) After the year is over Anastasia Hansley will receive additional money, leave, and never contact Caleb Carter under any circumstances.

7.) Caleb Carter nor Anastasia Hansley will not have any sexual contact with one another without the other's consent.

I looked at the page once again and realized that my full name was on it. How did he know my full name?!

The arrangement stated in the contract was simple to understand, pretend as Mr. Caleb's wife for a year, get paid, part ways, and never see each other again. This also means that getting emotionally attached to the other person is prohibited which makes the job easier for me. But ultimately my main job is to make his stepmother and lawyer believe that we're a couple in love.

How should I do that? Now that I thought of it, reality began to hit me. I've never been with anyone before. As I grew up, I realized how being in a relationship is easier said than done.

Aren't there better things to do than fall in love? I'd rather work than deal with guys who will only bring her heartache.

Although now I am in a great dilemma because of being inexperienced. Should I tell him?

No, no. He'll get mad and we will just make up. I'll just study. There's nothing I can't study and learn.

I take a few minutes to weigh the pros and cons and think about my decision a million times before making a decision. Ten million dollars will come in handy after the year is over. I can start my own business and make something out of my life, for my mom and sister.

I bite my lip before I signed it.