THE DEAL IN THE CLUB

Olivia Brooks was 24 years old. She worked as a data entry clerk at a bank. Her salary was twelve hundred dollars a month.

Her boss threw the files on her desk. Make this report again, he said. She had not slept for three days.

Her phone lit up with a hospital bill. Fifteen thousand dollars for her father's chemotherapy. If she missed the payment, his treatment would stop.

She wiped her tears and opened the files again. Yes sir, she whispered. Poverty was chasing her like a dog.

The same Olivia worked as a waitress at night. Club Velvet was the most expensive club in the city. She wore a small black dress and carried champagne on a tray.

A drunk man grabbed her hand. Have another glass here, he said. Olivia pulled away. Please sir, she said.

He pulled out notes. How much do you want, five hundred or a thousand. A cold voice cut through the music behind her.

Leave her alone. Everyone turned. A woman in a white suit stood there. She wore a diamond necklace and had two bodyguards.

The manager ran over. Madam Victoria Hale. Victoria Hale. The owner of Hale Group. Net worth one point three trillion dollars.

Victoria looked Olivia up and down. Tired, but her eyes held dignity. What is your name. Olivia Brooks, ma'am, Olivia stammered.

How many hours do you work. Day at the office, night here. Sixteen hours, ma'am. Victoria smiled.

She told the manager to pay Olivia for one month. And she would not work here after tonight. Olivia felt the ground fall from under her feet.

Victoria took Olivia to a private room. It was just the two of them. She poured whiskey and asked if Olivia drank.

No ma'am, Olivia replied. Victoria studied her. You work hard. I can recognize people like you.

I have a son, Victoria said directly. Ethan Hale. Twenty seven. CEO of Hale Group. Olivia had seen his name in magazines.

He has a rare illness, Victoria said quietly. The doctors have given up. He needs care twenty four hours. He needs love and hope.

So what do you want from me, Olivia asked. Marry him, Victoria said. Contract marriage. Six months.

Victoria took out a checkbook. Take care of him. Give him a reason to live. In return, ten million dollars.

And your father's treatment at Hale Hospital will be free. The best doctors. Olivia's hands started to shake. Ten million. Her father could live.

But ma'am, I don't even know him. You will, Victoria said. Come to Hale Mansion tomorrow at nine. The lawyers will bring the papers.

She paused at the door. My son is a good boy. He is just sick.

Olivia's taxi stopped at the gate. The gate was twenty feet tall and gold. The garden was as big as three football fields.

The fountain did not smell like water. It smelled like perfume. Olivia's clothes were old. Her shoes were worn out.

Inside there was marble and chandeliers. Fifty servants stood in a line. Victoria was waiting on the stairs.

This is Ethan's room, Victoria said and opened the door. The room was dark. The curtains were closed.

A man lay on the bed. Tall and pale with messy hair. He had an oxygen mask and an IV in his hand. His face was yellow but his features were perfect.

Ethan Hale. The trillionaire CEO. He was not in a coma. He was awake but his eyes were closed. His breathing came from a machine.

Ethan, Victoria said softly and touched his head. We have a guest. Ethan opened his eyes halfway.

He looked at Olivia for two seconds. Then he closed them again, like he was tired. Victoria pulled Olivia aside.

See, he needs someone to talk to him. Someone to make him smile. Can you do that. Olivia's heart ached. So rich, so big, and so alone.

I will try, ma'am, she said. Good girl, Victoria smiled. The lawyers will come today with the papers.

Olivia had already signed the contract. She got a call that her father's hospital bill was paid. She cried with relief.

Then her phone rang. Unknown number. Hello, a cold male voice said. Is this Olivia Brooks.

Yes, she answered. I am Ethan's friend, the man said. You are being fooled. Olivia froze.

Victoria Hale is his stepmother. His real mother died five years ago. When Ethan dies, all the property will go to Victoria.

This whole thing is a drama to remove him as the heir. Olivia's throat went dry. That cannot be true.

Ethan is being poisoned, slowly. In six months he will be dead. And you will be blamed for it. The call ended.

The phone fell from Olivia's hand. Outside, it started to rain. She had two choices now.

Run away and return the ten million. Let her father die. Or go back to Hale Mansion. Save Ethan, and save herself.

She wiped her tears and stood up. I will fight, she told herself in the mirror. For my father. And for that sick boy too.