5

“We need to talk”

The message appeared boldly on my phone screen. I stared intensely at it. My heartbeat was pounding in my ears a little bit louder. I knew who the sender was.

Alexander Donovan, one of the most eligible bachelors in the country. A cold and aloof business man, a tyrant in the business world.

So does the magazine I always read, says. The stranger I had signed a marriage certificate with forcefully.

Being occupied with my feelings for Pete made me forget something this important. A heavy sigh escaped from my mouth.

Having nowhere else to go and not wanting to go back to that coven to be dealt with by the memories of Pete, I decided to face this music once and for all.

“ Driver, turn the car” I sighed “ take me to blue orchid restaurant”

The blue orchid was dimly lit. Filled with exquisite people that screamed wealth and power.

As I stepped in, I instantly felt out of place. With my dressing and worn out sneakers, it surely made me stand out.

But does It matter, should it bother me, no not at all. They could stare at me with their clawing eyes for how long they wanted, she didn't mind. That's not my problem anymore.

My eyes scanned the room and landed on a handsome, perfectly composed man. His tailored suit fit perfectly on his shoulder as they were meant to be.

His eyes seemed to have noticed me as our eyes met, he raised a hand slightly, gesturing for me to come over.

We sat facing each other, waiting for the other to break the uncomfortable silence.

Alex gaze bore into me searching for something that seems to have not been lost.

With those dangerous and calculating gray eyes that seemed cute but had a dark side. His perfectly crafted jawline moved tilting his lips slightly up in a grin.

He had this aura that surrounded him which could suppress someone if the person was not careful enough.

I clicked her lips already at my peak. My fingers tapped slightly impatiently on my crossed leg.

“ Did you text me to stare at me or was it for something else?” I asked impatiently.

He didn't respond and just continued staring at me. This action puzzled me so much and at the same time irritated me.

If this was all he would do to waste my precious time, if I had one, then I would rather waste it in my hotel room trying to figure out how to get back at Pete.

“ Excuse me”

I stood up taking my small purse containing the documents earlier and was about standing up when his voice stopped me.

“ A month” he said, still locking his gaze on my face.

I raised a puzzled eyebrow before sitting back down.

“ be my wife for a month and consider all your problems solved”

I looked at him for a second before a sarcastic laughter fell out of my mouth.

Problems, that was one way to put the turmoils that Pete had brought up in my life. The recent problems that had turned my life into a rollercoaster.

Problems that made people think I needed help with one look at me.

I gulped, blinking severally and fighting hard to stop the welled up tears from dropping “and what problems do I need saving from” my smile a bit sarcastic but shows enough pain. “ Mr knight”

He sighed, his expression still unreadable as he stretched out a document he brought out of his pocket.

“ You need my help Elena and I need yours. You only have two choices: you could either decline this and go back leaving a miserable life or accept this”

I scoffed outloud a second time. Men, they were all the same, thinking they could get whatever they wanted whenever.

“ And what do you get out of this” I demanded

He hesitated for a second, before his eyes darkened “ I have my reasons”

“ What?” I shots back“ that's not an answer Mr knight, you can't just ask someone for a fake marriage and not have a reason”

He exhaled slowly as if choosing his words but frowned. “ I'm being threatened with my position to get married so I need someone I can trust to help me with this. It's temporary and you would be compensated”

I laughs bitterly, “ so you need someone you can use to lie your way to the top”

Alex could see the sarcasm plastered on my face. For sure no one would want this, no one would believe any of what he had just said.

And now that I have faced a heartbreaking disappointment from my ex. I wouldn't just trust whatever he said simply.

“ You are my wife whether you like it or not. I didn't bring it up so as not to upset you. Still It's a win win, you get financially stability and I get what I need”

I sigh slightly looking at him, I'm still skeptical about this but I know that if I didn't accept this a lot of things would go downhill for me and now that Pete's had taken everything I definitely need a backup plan.

I would use this opportunity to use him to get back at Pete.

“ And what happens next after a month”

“ The contract ends, we go our separate ways, you get what you want and I get what I want”

And yet again, it felt wrong. I didn't love him and doesn't want any drama in my life anymore.

“ I don't trust you” I said, my voice hard.

“ You don't have to” Alex replied, his voice cold “ it's a business arrangement, nothing more nothing less”

Sitting face to face with the famous heir of the SK group was one thing but the idea that I was his wife was another thing entirely.

“ A month?” I hesitated

“ A month” Alex confirmed.

With a deep breath, I nodded , sealing my fate with a single word “fine” I said plainly after an unsure contemplation.