CHAPTER FOUR:

The sounds of music and chatters of the guests continued to fill the air as everyone danced and mingled with one another. Jane decided to excuse herself and step away from the crowd, as she began to feel overwhelmed and her head began to throb.

Slipping into the kitchen, Jane poured herself a glass of water and took a sip. The kitchen was quieter and it was empty.

Without warning, Liam’s mother stormed into the kitchen, seizing Jane’s hand in a painful grip, her fingers digging into Jane's skin.

“I know your type,” she sneered, her eyes narrowing at Jane, “Desperate for love and money and somehow you’ve got your clutches on my innocent son,” she spat.

“Ma’am, you’re hurting me,” Jane simply said, maintaining her expression as she addressed his mother.

She knew she had nothing to say as his mother was partially correct and she had no intention of exchanging words with the woman that raised someone as despicable as Liam.

“Call off this damn engagement and leave my son alone. He already has the woman he loves, and I suspect you’re blackmailing him into this arrangement,” she said, still not letting her go.

“Perhaps you should have a conversation with your son and husband. It’s not my fault he chose to marry me instead of his previous lover, so please let me go,” Jane patience had worn thin and she had had enough. She pulled her hand and turned to walk out of the kitchen.

Not stopping, she continued walking, going past the entrance door and ended up outside into the cool night air. Pulling out her phone, she ordered an Uber and continued walking, heading straight home.

‘I’ll deal with them all, they’ll see,” she thought, her expression set in a firm, annoyed look.

~~~~~~~~~~

The sounds of laughter from the TV filled the living room as Jane lounged on her couch, snacking on popcorn and stretching her feet out while watching her show.

Jane had just finished applying for some more jobs and now, she spent most of her time lounging around lost in thought.

Her phone ringtone blared through the room, shattering the calm atmosphere. Jane quickly grabbed it, pressing the receiver button, and switched to speaker mode.

“Hey Mark,” she greeted.

“Jane, you need to get here ASAP,” he responded, sounding urgent and breathless.

“Why? Is anything wrong?” Jane got up, her brows furrowed, “Where are you, Mark?”

“I’m at the office. Mr. West said you could resume work immediately and he’s requesting to see you, hurry here as fast as you can,” he said before hanging up.

Jane paused for a while, considering her options. She had no idea why Liam wanted to meet with her and suspected his intentions were far from pure, but the possibility of getting her job back was too good to resist. The pay was good, and that’s all that mattered to her.

After deliberating for a while, Jane rushed into her room and hastily prepared herself to face her arrogant fiancé.

A few minutes later, she gently pressed the elevator in the building that would lead her to the top floor, straight to Liam West's large office.

The large doors of the elevator opened and Jane walked out, stepping into a sleek, modern hallway. Liam West receptionist sat across her desk as she typed furiously on her keyboard. Jane approached the receptionist, who turned to face her, a nonchalant expression on her face.

“Erm… I’m here at Mr. West's request,” she said, tapping her foot.

The woman turned back to her keyboard and continued typing, “Name?” She asked curtly.

“Jane D****e,” Jane responded.

Few seconds later, the receptionist pointed her perfectly manicured finger at the end of the hallway, “You may go in, Mr. West is expecting you,” she said, then went back to ignoring Jane.

Jane took a deep breath and walked towards the large door. She pushed it open and walked into Liam's expansive large office.

Liam sat behind his massive desk, the view behind him taking her breath away.

“Come seat, Jane,” he said, his deep voice firm.

Jane walked towards him not bothering to hide her sneer as she took the seat across from him.

“Jane, I had my lawyer draw up a contract,” he said, not bothering with pleasantries. Liam picked up the papers next to him and placed them in front of her. “I made the contract as fair as it could be for both of us. Review the contract and inform me of anything that may not be favourable to you,” he concluded.

“Oh how thoughtful of you, Mr. West,” Jane sarcastically replied, rolling her eyes in disdain.

She scanned the contract, her brows furrowed in concentration as she quickly reviewed the terms, a deep frown set on her face.

“We’re to maintain our relationships as long as it’s remained private and kept away from the public and our families,” she read aloud, looking up at him, she continued, “I don’t think I ever told you I was in some relationship, Mr. West. I refuse to make our ‘marriage’ an open relationship situation.”

“Well I do,” Liam replied, a scowl on his face. He leaned forward and placed his hands on his desk, his muscles rippling from that single action, “I have a relationship I want to maintain, D****e and I have no intention of letting you intercept with that. You can either accept the terms as they are or propose changes. Decisions made there are final,” he finished, leaving no room for arguments.

Jane thought about it and realised she was better off accepting her fate as his roommate than a partner. Without further hesitation, she grabbed the pen and signed the contract, sealing her fate.

“Aren’t you interested in reading more of the contract, Jane?” Liam asked, a grin on his lips.

“I’ve read enough, Mr. West. Let’s focus on honoring our agreement. You’ll pay me to maintain this facade, and I’ll stay out of your way,,” she replied, her tone firm and detached.

Straightening up, Liam observed her for a while before speaking. He couldn’t decide if she was foolish or completely ignorant for refusing to look through the contract but he knew he couldn’t be bothered.

“Our wedding ceremony will take place in three days. My parents will be hosting a family trip next week and we have to play the role of a lovely couple while we are there. The trip would last for two weeks so make sure you pack accordingly. Drop your phone number with the receptionist and I’ll send you the venue.” Liam said, his tone final.

Jane’s ears perked at the sound of a trip. A trip was what she needed and she was not in the position to object.

“That would be all,” he finished, turning away from her. Jane let out a sigh and stood up to walk away, not in the mood to exchange words with Liam, “One more thing - you resume work immediately after the trip,” Liam spoke up.

“Why are you doing this, Mr. West?” Jane said, her voice barely above a whisper, “I’m curious. You’re rich enough to scream bullshit and tear up these papers so why?”

Liam narrowed his eyes as he stared at her with a frown, “Because Miss D****e, everything I’ve worked for is at stake, refusing this arrangement is not an option,” he replied, not batting an eye.

Before Jane could say a word to him, the door burst open and a tall, slender and stunning woman swept into the room. Her blonde hair was styled in the perfect ponytail on her head and she walked with effortless poise as she approached Liam.

“Oh honey!” She shrieked, walking towards Liam, “You never told me you were back already.” She said and Jane watched her with awe.

The woman reached Liam and slung her arms around him. To Jane's utter shock, Liam reciprocated with a gentle peck on her lips.

“I was going to surprise you, babe,” he said, his voice low and affectionate with a smile spread across his face.

The woman turned, her face twisted into a frown, “who is she?!” She shrieked.

Jane looked away and walked out of the office not bothering to know what Liam would say next as she focused on controlling her beating heart.