14 - The pretend-mate agreement - part 1

(Raya POV)

“Be my pretend mate…” He tells me, explaining a little what it entails and I gawk at him. “...by the end of which, we will part as good friends and… I will pay you ten million dollars.”

Ten million dollars. An absurd amount tossed like that as if it was nothing. I would have believed him more if he’d said ten grand…It’s still a preposterous amount for someone like me, but at least it’s reasonable.

So he’s gotta be sh*tting me, right? Ten million dollars, my sweet patootie! There’s no way he’s serious.

Well, two can play this game…

I close my mouth, the lower part of which must have dropped to the ground with the mention of ten million bucks, and I try to keep a bland expression on my face, although the way his lips twist in amusement tells me I am unsuccessful with my effort so I just roll my eyes instead.

“You never really explained what a mate is and why you called me such.”

He acknowledges it with a nod as he beckons me to sit with him in the living room.

“I had to cla