Chapter 4
Elliot Garrett wasn't just a popular figure. Apart from him being the CEO of Garrett Corporation, he was one of the hottest billionaires in history. There were no magazines that wouldn't have his picture, even though I rarely read them. No news that wouldn't have Elliot Garrett's name on it.
He never announced anyone as his girlfriend not to talk of his fiancee. He wasn't known to have any girlfriend so more often than not, he had his things with ladies. He didn't spend more than one week with any of them, and after he was done with them, he paid them off. The only lady that stayed with him for almost three months now was Sharon Myles.
These were things Kathy had recounted to me yesterday when I found out who Elliot Garrett really was.
My mouth slacked off as I stared at the guy. He held this nonchalant face that made me question his sanity. His grin didn't waver as he shifted them back to me.
"Baby, are you okay?" I blinked rapidly, my eyes fixed on the guy before me.
I coughed, smiling as I took a step away from him but the guy held my waist tight. "I am," I assured with a stiff grin.
A bald man pushed forward, his mic in front of Elliot. "Miss. Myles is known for her willful act. She certainly won't want a competitor. What do you say to this, Mr. Garrett?"
"Zora is my love. Anyone that doesn't want that should have me to deal with."
With that, Elliot pulled me behind him and strolled towards a car, ignoring the questions they threw at him.
"Are you saying, Mr. Garrett, that Miss. Walter means more to you than Miss. Myles?"
"Miss. Walter is way below you, what is your family's reaction to that?"
"Miss. Walter, how does it feel to be with Mr. Garrett?"
Elliot pushed me into the passenger side and pushed through the lights to get into the driver's side. Giving a quick bow to the reporters, he hooted and zoomed out of the restaurant.
***
"Are you out of your mind?" I screamed five minutes later when I was certain we were off the paparazzi's clutches.
He glanced at me, his eyes holding a thoughtful gaze. "What do you mean, love?"
"Mr. Garrett, don't you dare pull that off with me." My eyes were blazing. "Why the hell would you announce me as your fiancee when we aren't as much as an acquaintance?"
It all got worse. Now, I wasn't only going to be left with messages, I certainly was going to be followed by those reporters and maybe worse, get threatened by his real girlfriend.
He shrugged and I narrowed my eyes at him. "I thought you accepted it." I smacked my forehead in frustration as my phone beeped from my bag.
"Accepted it?" I repeated in anger. "I barely know you and you want me to be your girlfriend?"
"Fake fiancee." He emphasized and I rolled my eyes.
"Tell me the difference in th-"
"Moreso, I didn't think this would be an issue," he cut me off, swerving around a left corner. "If you could kiss a stranger, it certainly shouldn't be an issue. It should be a win-win situation. I get the media off my back, and you get money. I'm sure you need some."
"I'm not that cheap, Mr. Garrett and you can keep your filthy money, I do not need it." I hissed. "Where are we going?"
"Somewhere."
"I don't entirely feel safe with a guy I don't know in a car with me."
He chuckled, throwing his head backward. "I wasn't the one who kiss-"
My phone beeped again and I wanted to bash my head against the window. Taking my phone out, I grunted when I saw the name.
"Big sister." I moved the phone away from my eyes at the intensity of Aaron's scream.
"Aaron, what is it?" I replied, my voice even and calm. I looked by my side and sighed when I saw the guy staring straight ahead. "If it's about money, I don't have it, Aaron," I whispered into the phone.
"Zora, I have to buy a book by Friday. I was told just today and I swear I'm not lying."
"Aaron, see-"
"I love you, big sis." He cooed from the phone and I rolled my eyes. "I know you are struggling and I really do hope I can help. But of course, you told me not to do part-time jobs so-"
"How much is it?" Aaron has always been like this. True, I told him not to do part-time, but that was so he could face his studies. And he used that to ask for money every single time. Once again, I glanced at the man beside me and I was relieved he wasn't paying attention to me.
"$300"
"$300?" I screamed and apart from a narrowed gaze from Elliot, he didn't react. "But-"
"Zora, I'm sorry I'm just saying it now." He pleaded and I rubbed my temples in frustration. I was really short on money. Dad's treatment made everything very rough, but I really wasn't complaining. "The lecturer won't grade our works until we buy the book."
"I will call you later. Bye."
I hung up and let out a tired sigh.
"Boyfriend problems?" Elliot Garrett turned to me and I ignored him, fiddling with the hem of my hoodie.
I peered out of the window. "I have to get to work. Turn around."
I had taken permission from work but I knew today's pay would be deducted from my salary and with Aaron asking me for money, I would do with any money.
"Except you want to get choked by the paparazzi, it's better you stay indoors for now."
"I have to go. I can handle it. Drop me off at that junction. Thank you, but I really don't know how to help you plus you made it worse by declaring me as your fiancee so it's not on me anymo-"
I wheezed out when he reached over to me. His breath fanned my face, his lips inches away from mine. He stared into my eyes and the words got lost in my throat.
"What are you doing?" I rasped out when he didn't pull away, instead, his shoulders stroked mine.
"What am I doing?" He snorted, as he opened the passenger door. "You wanted to get out. I am just helping."
"Right!" I whispered, pushing a strand of my hair behind my ear.
"What were you thinking?" He let out a hearty chuckle, as I shuffled around to get my bag. "You wanted something more?"
"Keep dreaming." I sneered as I got out of his car, my heart still beating fast.
Chapter 5 I wasn't sure what I expected when I got down from Elliot Garrett's car, but the chilly breeze that hit me was not it. I shivered, my body getting used to the cold as I flagged down a taxi. I hugged myself tight as I rushed into the car. "Chicken and Co, Restaurant." Five minutes later, I was in front of my workplace. The cars were more than thirty, something that hasn't happened in a long while, and people were scurrying in and out of the restaurant. Snickering to myself, I pulled my hoodie over my face as I ambled towards the entrance. "Move." I blinked, turning around to see a pregnant woman with a boy struggling to get into the restaurant. For a second, I wondered if the Manager put up a promo but then, I would have known about it. I hurried towards the kitchen, nodding at some staff as I walked past them. "Hey, Bella," I whispered to one of my colleagues. "Is something wrong?" "Zora…" She screamed. I narrowed my eyes at her, swiftly clamping my hand over her mouth
Chapter 6 I swallowed, the lump in my throat getting bigger. My chest tightened and my hand shook as I struggled to hold the phone to my ear. "Is there no other way?" I whispered slowly, and the sigh I heard from the other end made a tear slip down my cheek and I wiped it off. "Doctor, say something." I held my breath. "No, there's not, Zora." He replied. "The other way is for him to live on medicines and I won't recommend that because even his medicines are expensive." "The cons of the surgery?" I scrolled through my laptop, my eyes searching for companies that might need a part-timer. "Is it assured that he will make it?" He must. There would be no essence of my living if he doesn't. He has to! "It's not 100%, Zora." Doctor Kim explained and I shut my eyes. "Mr. Walter is getting worse by the day. Even if the surgery won't go well, the least I could do for the poor man is let him rest in peace." "No." My voice was sharp as I shook my head vigorously, even though the man
Chapter 7 "Zora." I threw off my sneakers, as I walked into the room, ignoring Kathy's call. "Zora." She yelled again and I knew if I didn't reply this time, my best friend might just murder me. I turned around, letting out a sigh as I stared at Kathy, raising my eyebrows. "What?" I rolled my eyes at her. She was smiling at me which made me narrow my eyes. "Did Fredrik propose to you or something?" Fredrik was her boyfriend and even though they have been together for just two months, Kathy was head over heels for the guy. And the guy was cool so I had not a single problem with their relationship. She rolled my eyes at me, her eyes holding this glint to them. "I wish." She huffed. "But that's not it, Zora. Tell me, how did the meeting with Elliot Garrett go?" I hopped on the bed and pushed my hair into the pillow. "Bad. He is a jerk." I felt the bed dip beside me and the next second, my best friend smacked me on my butt. "Elliot Garrett? Who are you to call Elliot Garrett a j
Chapter 8 "Shitty alarm," I grumbled as I moved my left hand around the table. With my eyes still closed tightly, my fingers brushed against the alarm clock and immediately switched it off. I opened my eyes slowly, and just like I had expected, Kathy was on her bed, her body sprawled out on the small bed. I walked to the wardrobe and picked blue jeans and a purple top with a purple bandana. I threw it on the bed and shuffled into the bathroom. Thirty minutes later, I was out and I pushed Kathy off the bed. She fell with a thud and I burst out laughing as she scrambled up, glaring daggers at me. "Get your shitty ass off the bed. You will be late for work." She rubbed her eyes and stood up. I watched as she staggered into the bathroom and shook my head. Kathy wasn't a morning person. I made some pancakes and scrambled eggs and by 7:30 am, we were all done. I grabbed my bag as Kathy wobbled down her meal. I sent a message to Aaron and the next second, he replied. "Hey, sis. I'm
Chapter 9 It was one thing to be in one of the most affluent companies in the country but to stand in the CEO's office with a dashing young man staring right at you, was something I could have fainted from. Averting my gaze from his, my eyes scanned through his office, taking in the beautiful decor. Starting from the small parlor on the left side of the office with a long sofa and small glass table in front of it, a 60-inch flat-screen tv, a refrigerator to the left, a water heater, and back to the main dish. Seated at the center of the office was a big glass table with two black leather chairs situated in front of him. To his side were a telephone, a notepad, a stack of beautifully designed pens, and an award frame with his laptop situated directly in front of him. I let out a short breath as I brought my eyes back to him, letting them hold the god-like being before me. I had seen him before but the way his black hair smoothed backward, and how professional he looked suited up
Chapter 10 As soon as we got into the car, my nostrils were once again assaulted by the same scent of Elliot I had perceived back at the office. For a minute there, I inhaled deeply, ignoring everything else as I let my eyes flutter to a close while I tried to have this scent forever imprinted in my brain. "Drive." In a simple but clear order, Elliot instructed the driver and we left. All through the drive, no one spoke to each other until it pulled up in front of a breathtaking building. Elliot's door opened and I watched as he stepped out of it before rounding the back to get mine for me. Such a gentlemanly act, I noted inwardly but kept my smile simple. My eyes remained glued to the magnificent structure before me, as they screamed one word – rich. I couldn't help but look around and take note of the decorations hanging from the ceiling which was covered in glass that showed my reflection. With our elbows locked, Elliot led me to a table he had reserved for the occasion a
Chapter 11 "Hello," Drew greeted from behind me. His trademark smile was still plastered on his face. "Hi," Kathy responded, pursing her lips into a thin line before gesturing with her eyes for me to enter. "I am in a hurry. I will take my leave first," Drew informed me with a wave and got into his car. With that, I proceeded into the apartment and was greeted first with numerous questions. "What the heck, Zora? Are you going out with two dashing young gods at the same time?" "Relax, Kathy. What happened to welcome, Zora? How are you?" "Not with what I just witnessed, Zora. Now tell me quickly. Who is he? What about Elliot? What happened out there? I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "You worry too much. I am not double timing. He is Elliot Garrett's friend," I explained. "Uhm-uhm." "Yes. On the other hand, I see you have left some juicy details from me." My words had hit straight at my aim and immediately she blinked shyly and turned her head away. "Oh no, you don't. Not
Chapter 12 Elliot stepped out of his car and entered my workplace. He searched around and I watched until our eyes met. He walked over to where I was standing and narrowed his eyes at me as he took in my overall appearance. He glared subtly at me, annoyed that I was still putting on my work clothes. He was likely pissed that I asked him to come by and I wasn't even ready yet. I was still running around in my work clothes, waiting tables. "What is the meaning of all this?" He hissed. "You asked me to come to your workplace and even gave me a fixed time, and here I am only to see that you are not ready. You are still even working. Why do you like being so tardy at everything?" His glare did not diminish as he was still glaring at me fiercely. So fiercely that it almost threatened to burn holes into my skin. I was annoyed by his tone but I decided not to react to it. I was learning to take it in stride so as not to make everything harder between us. Even though I didn't like him, I sti