It's Official

Logan’s morning had been golden from the moment he stepped into his office. The skyline shimmered through the glass walls, the city was alive. Logan slept so well yesterday he woke up smiling like he won the lottery.

Right now, he just won the lottery.

The call had ended less than a minute ago, but the satisfaction from it still pulsed in his bloodstream.

The huge contract his company has been working so hard to get, just got offered to them on a platter of gold. No tussel. A perfect way to end the year.

He exhaled slowly, rubbing his palm along his jaw, still processing the number they had agreed on. It was the kind of deal that made noise in boardrooms and would turn his stubborn father silent.

“Mr. Russo,” Ava, his assistant, pushed the door gently, tablet in hand. “Is it finalized?”

Logan turned, unable to hide the grin stretching across his face. “Finalized and sealed. Get me the project files, all correspondence from last quarter, and book a meeting with the analytics team.”

“Already on it,” she said with a proud smile. “Congratulations, sir.”

“Thanks, Ava.”

She flashed him a charming smile, her enormous boobs teasing him. Ava was a drop dead gorgeous woman and she knows it. Few months back, after his ex left him, he was heartbroken and drunk in the office. She came in to make sure he was okay and he couldn't hold back. 

He fucked her right here in his office, on his table. It wasn't the only time, she was more like his sneaky link. She wanted them to take whatever they were doing to the next step, but he knew better not to. He doesn't like her, he only enjoyed sex with her.

Just as she was about to move closer to him, someone barged inside the office without knocking. She turned around and excused herself.

Logan looked unfazed.

“Yo!” The voice was loud, familiar, and inappropriate as usual.

“Daniel,” Logan sighed, bursting into a helpless laugh. “You ever heard of knocking?”

“No.” Daniel strolled in like he owned the company. “When you’re the CFO, knocking becomes optional.”

“You’re the CFO because I made you CFO, you idiot.”

“And because I was the only genius who passed calculus in high school,” Daniel shot back.

Logan shook his head and sat on the edge of his desk. “What is it?”

Daniel grinned like a man coming to sniff drama. “I saw Ava smiling when I walked in. And you…” he pointed dramatically “are glowing. Tell me something good.”

“We got the contract.”

Daniel’s eyes widened. “No freaking way.”

“We did.”

“Holy shit.” Daniel clapped once, loudly. “We need champagne! We need fireworks! We need…wait, actually we need to go out. Tonight. Nothing crazy, I swear.”

Logan chuckled. “We’ll see. But yeah this is big. Really big.”

He could feel Daniel studying him. Not the business part of him.

“And yet,” Daniel folded his arms, “you’ve still got that other look on your face.”

“What look?”

“The look that says you’ve done something questionable.”

Logan hesitated.

Daniel’s brows shot up. “Please don’t tell me you bought a yacht again.”

“I didn’t buy a yacht.”

“Then what? A plane? A private island? A tiger?”

“No,” Logan groaned. “Why would I buy a tiger?”

“I don’t know, rich people do weird shit when they’re stressed.”

Logan dragged a hand through his hair. “I’ve found someone.”

That froze Daniel.

“A someone?” he repeated. “As in you met a girl? Don’t tell me it's the girl we met at the club that you hooked up with.”

“No.”

Daniel stared. “Who’s she then?”

“I met her at the airport.”

“…the airport?” Daniel blinked. “Wait. Wait. Airport girl? Coffee spiller girl?”

“That one.”

“Oh God.”

“I’m serious.”

“Oh God.”

Logan sighed, clearly running out of patience. “Daniel, please stop saying ‘oh God.’”

“I’m sorry but oh God! Logan!” Daniel started pacing. “You can’t tell me you’re actually thinking of dating someone you met at the airport.”

“I’m not thinking. I’ve already asked her.”

Daniel froze. “Asked her what?”

Logan inhaled. “To act as my girlfriend for the Christmas holiday.”

Silence.

“Logan,” Daniel dragged out slowly, “that is fraud.”

“It’s not fraud. It’s…”

“Say it.”

“A strategic personal arrangement.”

Daniel dropped into the chair opposite him like his knees gave out. “Bro.”

“It’s the only way,” Logan insisted calmly. “You know my father. You know the condition he gave me.”

“Yeah. ‘Find a stable relationship before the end of the year or I cut you off.’ The man is a villain. But still this plan is insane.”

Logan shrugged. “She signs a contract, she gets paid. No drama.”

“Women are drama.”

Logan glared. “Okay, not all women. She seems… normal.” He rolled his eyes. “She’s signing a contract. There will be legal boundaries. A non-disclosure clause. Penalties for breach.”

Daniel squinted. “So you’re paying her?”

“Of course.”

“How much?”

“Two hundred thousand.”

Daniel leaned back, rubbing his face. “I pray this girl doesn’t ruin you.”

“She won’t.”

“You hope she won’t.”

“No,” Logan said quietly, surprising himself. “I trust she won’t.”

Daniel froze again. “You trust her?” he whispered. “After knowing her for what? forty-eight hours? Whatever, I’m your friend. I’ll support your madness. Just be careful and make sure you vet her.”

“Duly noted.”

……..

She was alone in the apartment when the doorbell rang. Tara had left earlier for a double shift, leaving the living room unusually quiet. She couldn't sleep last night, she kept thinking about what she'll do when she gets her money.

Melody dried her hands on a dish towel and walked to the door.

A man in a navy coat stood there, holding a thin black folder.

“Good afternoon,” he said. “I’m here on behalf of Mr. Logan Russo. Delivery for Miss Melody.”

Her breath caught.

“Oh yes, that’s me.”

He handed her the folder with a professional smile. “You may sign here, please.”

Her fingers trembled a little as she scribbled her signature. When the door shut behind him, she let out a slow exhale and walked to the couch.

The folder felt heavier than paper. It felt like her entire life. It has a red and green ribbon on it. 

She sat, opened it, and began to read.

The contract was thick, surprisingly thick filled with legal phrasing she had to reread more than once.

Her contract with Logan lasted for six months and each month comes with more money. By the time she reached the end, she sat back against the couch cushions, exhaling shakily.

Was she really doing this?

Yes.

She picked up the pen tucked inside the folder. Her signature came out small, but firm. Done. She was officially Logan Russo’s girlfriend.