THE CONTRACT

Jake Wolfe

 

Polished shoes on the floor, laughters that I can’t tell if they real or fake, champagne being served to invitees, people standing beneath the chandelier, content dressed in luxurious watches and jewelry that cost more than people’s home.

 

I have hosted this gala every year since my father passed away, not because I care so much about death but because the legacy must go on, and I have to remind the board that I still play by the rules. At least on paper.

I watched the crowd from the balcony, politicians,billionaires faking smiles with others, women admiring each other’s dresses and hairstyles, sycophants, some desperate to show and lie about their generosity. And then her.

She’s holding a tray, her hair in a pony tail, he lips shut as if she has something to say but cant dare to. Passing through the crowd and faking a smile whenever she wants to serve the champagne.

Chloe Quinn .She doesn’t recognize me but I do, she is moving through the guest head down, she probably thinks that she is invisible but I can see her,  her sharp jawline, her strong neck. Her picture came back to my mind. I remember her crying years ago as her father was being taken out of his property, back then, by our team. I remember trying to fight and scream to help but I couldn’t say a damn thing.

She passed by the room I was sitting in, our eyes met, her eyes were brown, fierce and overwhelmed., she entered put the empty glass on the tray and disappeared. She doesn’t recognize me.

I called the other waitress inside.

“ tell her to go in my office.”

“Which one sir?” She asked

“The waitress with the dark hair. The one near the piano.”

“Sir?”

“Now”

Usually I don’t like sticking to the past, but once date decides when and where the story will begin or end, there no other choice.

 

A knock on the door disturbed my thoughts. My escort, Sam, entered.

“She’s here.” He said

“Let her in.” I said lighting up a cigar.

She entered, I couldn’t tell whether she was terrified or excited to be in my office something dark as a mist in her eyes couldn’t let me guess.

“Have a sit.”

She sat, her face was still the same but she has grown, she has became a woman, strong, confident and mostly very beautiful.

“Im glad you came Chloe.”

“You know my name?”

“Yes, I know your name.”

“Did I do something wrong.” She asked almost in terror.

I stood up, took of my jacket and put my cigar in the ash trey.

It’s smoke went directly to her face, she didn’t move, she was probably scared that I was going to fire her or complain about her service.

I learnt by the table and sat again.

“ I want you to be my fiancée?”

“I beg your pardon?” She said her eyes widening.

“ You heard me right.”

“How’s that even possible?” She asked in disbelief.

“ Because, it’s not being my fiancée, but my fake fiancé just for thirty days.”

“Sir, I have still have a lot of questions.”

“They will be answered, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“I don’t think I can do that,,,,”

“I will pay you, we will make a contract, I know you need some money for your sister.”

Her eyes widened, I could see her stopping tears.

“Why me?” She asked.

“My mother family has a meeting tomorrow, I told them that I have a surprise for them, it should be a fiancée.”

“How do you know my sister, my name?who,,,”

“Hush, just take the deal, you will know everything when it’s the right time, my family is here for thirty days, I won’t ask more than that.”

“ But I have probably served them here, maybe, they have seen my face.”

“Don’t worry, I will make you unrecognizable.”

“What about my boss.” She asked innocently.

“Don’t worry about her, you don’t need this job that much.”

 

CHLOE QUINN

A door opened, my driver, how strange. Life is a beautiful twist. Yesterday I was serving champagne, as a nobody, I prayed for that job even though it wasn’t the best, j needed it. I wanted to do something for my sister. Why did Jake choose me? How attractive was I at the gala yesterday? My driver came to help me, he held my hand. I stood up, my red bottom stilettos walking on the pavement. The smell of wealth and paper is always different. My black backless dress with rhinestones was shining like diamonds. My hair was in a pony tail. Jewelry shone, especially the ring on my finger. I was invited to play the role of a fiancée and God knows how good of an actress I am, especially if there’s some payments to be done. I headed to the mansion, Jake standing there waiting for me with a warm smile.

“You look gorgeous my lady.” He said kissing my hand. I smiled.

“I hope you enjoyed your ride, I am sorry i couldn’t pick you up”

“Worry not,Everything was amazing.”

“Everyone inside is waiting, shall we?” He said giving me him hand. I nodded.

His cologne filled my nostrils, he was very tall and handsome, extremely rich, for some points I couldn’t believe that he was holding my hand and I was wearing his ring. As a fake fiancée of course but how was that even possible? We entered the hallway, the family portraits on every wall, they looked like loyalties. They were loyalties. We entered sitting room. Some part of me wasn’t ready for meeting his family. They stared at me from head to toe. I felt their eyes through my dress, sharp like arrows. Fortunately Jake knew who they were so, he was very strong about my dressing, I passed the test.

“Who is this, mesmerizing woman?”asked his mother. Looking at my jewelry.

“Sweetheart, meet my mother.” Said Jake patting my shoulder.

“Good evening.” I said elegantly.

“So, you are the beautiful fiancée I have been hearing about?”