chap.4

LUNA POV

I sat down, my stomach twisting with unease. I had no idea what he wanted to say, but after hearing his conversation with his mom, I knew he claimed to love someone and wanted to marry her.

It was a shock—everyone said he was a notorious womanizer. On my way up to his office, I’d even passed a beautiful brunette, and I was sure she’d come to see him.

"What do you want to talk about, sir?" I asked.

"About giving you that second chance you asked for," he said.

"Really? You’re willing to give us another shot?" I asked, my heart lifting.

"Yes, I am," he replied. "But tell me something—are you single?"

"What?" I blinked, confused.

"Are you single?" he asked again.

"Why do you ask that?"

"Because I need you to help me with something, and in exchange, I’ll give your company the contract," he said.

"And what would that be?" I asked, already bracing myself for something I wouldn’t like.

I should have known there’d be a catch. He doesn’t play fair—he’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants.

"What do you want in exchange for giving us another chance?" I pressed.

"You heard my conversation with my mom, right?" he asked.

"Well… not all of it," I said. He didn’t look convinced.

"Fine—I heard a bit. From what I understand, you have someone you love and want to marry," I said. He smiled.

"Just like I fooled my mom, I fooled you too?" he said, looking pleased with himself.

"So you don’t love anyone?" I asked.

"I don’t believe in love, and I don’t think I ever will," he said flatly.

"Then why did you lie to your mom?"

"You see, my mom divorced my dad and married James Drake. He took care of me, treated me like his own son, and did me a huge favor in the past—I won’t go into details, but it changed my life. I never thought he’d ask for anything in return."

"What does he want?" I asked.

"He has a daughter—Isabel Drake. We grew up together, and I’ve always thought of her as the little sister I never had."

"And?" I urged, wanting to get to the point.

"Well, he wants me to marry her. When I was still on the island, they talked me into getting engaged to her. I thought that would be enough, but they kept pushing for marriage. I’ll agree to being engaged, but marrying her? That’s a hard no for me."

"A problem came up in the city, so I had to come back. I haven’t been back to the island in three years," he said.

"The call today was for me to go back and marry her—but I don’t want that," he finished.

"So that’s why you lied to your mom," I said.

"Not really a lie," he said suddenly.

"What do you plan to do? And what does this have to do with us getting the contract?" I asked.

"You see, I need a fake wife—someone to come with me to the island and live with me until I can convince my family I’m better off without Isabel," he said.

"And? Do you need me to find someone for you? Because let me tell you right now, I don’t ha—"

"You will do it," he cut me off. I stopped mid-sentence, staring at him in shock.

"What?"

"I said you will do it. I’d rather have you as my pretend bride than anyone else. Besides, you need this contract, right? Agree to be my fake wife, and I’ll give it to you. If you play your cards right, I might even throw more work your way," he said, giving me a sheepish grin.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I just stared at him, my mind reeling.

"So what do you say, Luna? Will you accept my deal?" he asked.

"Not in a million years," I said, standing up abruptly.

"You’re really going to decline?" he asked, sounding surprised.

"Of course I am! I won’t get dragged into this crazy scheme of yours. If you don’t want to marry her, just tell your family—why go through all this lying?" I said.

"You’re not here to question me, Luna. Just tell me yes or no," he snapped.

"I say no. I won’t do what you’re asking. And I suggest you ask one of those brunettes you’re so popular with—they’d probably jump at the chance," I said, grabbing my bag and heading for the door.

I would have made it out if he hadn’t stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

"I’m giving you a chance, and you’re throwing it away?" he asked.

"If it means lying and getting close to you, then I’d rather pass," I said firmly.

"What’s so bad about being close to me? What do you even think of me?" he asked, leaning back against the door so I couldn’t leave.

"You really don’t want to know what I think of you," I said coolly.

"You made it pretty clear outside your company earlier," he said.

"And you think that’s all there is?" I challenged.

"Don’t tell me there’s more I don’t know," he said, his eyes narrowing.

"There is—but it doesn’t matter. I’m not wasting my time telling you what I think. It’s not like you’d change anyway. I’m leaving," I said.

"You’re going to leave knowing you could’ve gotten your company this contract?" he asked.

"If my boss and colleagues found out the kind of deal you’re offering me—trading my dignity for work—they’d stand by me. So you can cross me off your list and go find some airhead to do your dirty work for you," I said. His expression hardened instantly.

"You’re going to regret this," he said lowly.

"I won’t regret it. And good luck finding someone to play your little game. If you can’t find anyone, call me—I’ll be happy to introduce you to guys who deal with people like that," I shot back.

"Get out of my office!" he yelled. I smiled, knowing I’d gotten under his skin.

"Goodbye, Mr. Callaghan," I said, and walked out.

But as I left, his words kept echoing in my head, and a heavy feeling settled in my chest.

A really bad feeling.