CHAPTER 3

I threw my head back, laughing loudly.

"What?"

I couldn't remember the last time I had a good laugh like this. I had probably forgotten what it was to genuinely laugh.

Charles didn't look the bit pissed. Matter of fact, he might have well prepared ahead for my outburst.

He didn't interrupt my laughter.

Instead, he waited patiently for me to get a good fill, like he knew I hadn't had any in a long while.

"Where's the hidden camera?" I looked around the car but found nothing.

"This has to be a prank."

"It's not a prank, Miss Davies." He corrected.

It would be weird if Charles had made all this preparation just to prank me but I didn't rule that out.

Pranksters were becoming extreme these days.

"Everything you'll need to know about the proposal is clearly stated here." He handed me the envelope which of course, I refused to open.

"So what? You're offering me some sort of marriage contract?" I still couldn't stop laughing.

Didn't crazy things like this only happen in books and movies?

"Yes." He nodded.

"If the thought of being married to me terrifies you, I assure you that it shouldn't. I'm not the one you'll be getting married to but my boss." He adjusted his tie and then cleared his throat before continuing.

"It's only a short contract of two years after which you can both go your separate ways."

"Who is this 'boss' of yours?" I didn't read anything on these papers but I looked out for pictures of who his boss might be but the only picture I could find, was mine.

"Unfortunately, that information can only be made available to you if you decide to sign the contract." He leaned a bit forward.

"So, you're telling me that I'm supposed to be someone's pretend wife for two years?" I return the papers back into the envelope.

"You're not just going to be a contracted wife, you're going to be entitled to benefits like a good pay and good shelter. While you're married to my boss, you will earn four hundred and fifty thousand dollars every month. If the amount doesn't resonate with you, we can always make adjustments."

"You will get other financial bonuses too as clearly listed out in the contract. Also, you will live with him as his wife. The contract doesn't cover sexual obligations from either party to the other party so be rest assured that you won't be forced to get involved in anything you're not comfortable with."

"If both parties willingly decide to engage in a sexual relationship, it's solely out of their own will and not contractual obligation."

"During the course of the contract, concerned parties are prohibited from engaging in a public romantic or sexual relationship with external parties. The contract will not impose on your love or sex life, be rest assured. But it is also expected that it does not impose on the contract."

"You don't have to worry about getting dragged into scandals that would affect you after the contract has come to an end. You have absolutely nothing to worry about getting into this contract, Miss Davies. I assure you, it has been drafted out with your best interest at heart."

After Charles finished giving me a highlight of the contract, I went quiet.

We both remained quiet, each thinking different thoughts.

Four hundred and fifty k was definitely higher than my expectations from any job at all, especially as an ex-convict.

From the way he spoke, Charles definitely knew I had been to jail.

Why the hell would he even approach me with a marriage proposal?

First off, how did this dude even know me?

Something was definitely shady about this.

Who the hell got someone to be their pretend wife, especially a stranger?

Who the hell offered so much benefits just for being a pretend wife?

Definitely not someone I should get involved with.

"Thank you for such a wonderful evening, Charles. It's been a while since I last had a good laugh." I don't even bother handing the envelope over to him instead, I dropped on on the empty seat next to me.

While I'm attempting to open the door, he spoke again, "You might have to reconsider, Miss Davies."

Was he threatening me?

I frowned, "Not interested, Charles."

"Not even if my boss is the reason you escaped three more years in jail?"

What the…..

Oh….

No, it couldn't be.

A lump formed in my throat as I repositioned myself to sit properly.

"W….w…What are you talking about?" My lungs were begining to lose oxygen.

"The mysterious person who cleared your fine, saved your life and gave you the opportunity to be sitting right here, is none other than my boss."

"Stop making things up just to make me sign your stupid contract!"

I hated being indebted. But if Charles was speaking the truth then I was in deep shit.

"You missed a document." He pointed to the envelope.

I immediately picked it up again and searched thoroughly. The little oxygen left in my lungs disappeared when I saw an original copy of the cheque paid to clear my fine and my hospital bills.

His boss had called the ambulance.

He was right, Charles was right.

"How does he even know me?" I whispered.

"Again, that information can only be revealed after you've signed the contract, Miss Davies."

"What the hell?"

"I understand that this revelation is rather shocking so I'll give you some time to think about it." He dipped his hands into his pocket and retrieved a card he handed over to me.

"Contact me when you make up your mind."

Slowly, I grabbed the card and ripped it into shreds.

The anxiety filling up my lungs was replaced with intense anger.

Who the hell did this dick head think he was to try to control me from the shadows?

"If your stupid boss wants his money back, he can come ask for it himself. Fuck him and fuck you too, Charles."

Without waiting for a response, I got out of the car and made sure to slam the door.

For added emphasis, I flipped him off through the window before walking away.

Writer's POV:

"She's just as you explained, sir." Charles chuckled.

From the driver's sit, someone responded to Charles, "For a moment, I hoped she had changed over the years."

He didn't sound pleased or amused.

Rather, he sounded irritated.

"You can always go for other options, Sir. Even if she does accept to get into the contract, I bet she'll be hard to tame for two whole years." Charles had suggested this when he saw her criminal record but his boss had refused.

"What will tame Allison cannot be created, Charles. That's exactly why she's going to be the perfect hired wife for me." From his tone, Charles could tell his boss hated this Allison girl but what he hated more was the fact that she was the best option he's got.

"What do you suggest, Sir?"

"We move on with plan B."

They exchange positions; Charles behind the wheels and his boss in the passenger seat.

While Charles is driving away, the man winds down to stare at the silhouette of her frame through her curtains, "We could have done this the easy way, mischief."