CONTRACT WIFE?

Luna walked back home dejectedly. She sat on her couch and began to cry. She didn't want to call Allison, and she didn't feel like going to the hospital.

Each time she saw her daughter who was lying on the bed, she felt an indescribable pain in her heart.

She had initially wanted to keep Claire at home, but she figured it was better for her to be at the hospital. That way, they could avoid things that would aggravate her health issues. She also believed that if she was there, it would be easier for her to focus and raise the sum of money she needed.

In the past six months, she had done her best to gather as much money as she could, but all she had was two thousand dollars, which was nowhere near what she needed.

Her friend Allison didn't earn much as her job barely paid her well. What she made was just enough to pay her bills and also send money to her mom who lived in Texas City.

Allison had a supportive boyfriend who seemed like the only decent man in the world, but he also didn't make much since he worked as a cook.

Allison had already done so much for her. After her messy divorce from Cyrus, Allison had given her a roof over her head.

Initially, Luna had wanted to work hard to get a place of her own, but there was just so much to do with a new baby in the picture. There were so many bills to pay and no one else to support her.

Luna felt terrible because she was infringing on Allison's privacy, but Allison insisted that they stayed together. In her words, "You are like a sister to me, and Claire is like my own daughter. I would feel at ease knowing that you both have a comfortable place to stay. My house may not be big enough, but you will get all the love you could ever want from a sister, and so will Claire. I promise you."

Allison was her strongest support system. She knew that Allison's boyfriend, Adrian would have loved to spend some nights at her place because of Luna's presence, Allison was the one who always went over to stay at his place.

Luna felt uncomfortable about it most times, but there was nothing she could do. She hadn't gotten the kind of job she wanted, and this had been her only chance. But, it was ruined by a bastard named "Alex Cooper."

She had never met him, but she had seen his pictures on posters, TV, and other places. Now she hated him so much. If anything, he proved that he was nothing but a scumbag.

Luna spent the rest of the day huddled up on the couch, thinking of what to do. A few minutes later, Allison called her and said the doctor said it was time for her to leave so they could attend to Claire.

On her way back home, Allison met with her boyfriend, and together they came back to the house.

When Allison saw the state Luna was in, she was surprised. "What happened? Why do you look so sad? I kept waiting for good news, and then when you didn't say anything about it, I thought you wanted to surprise me. From the look on your face, I can guess that it didn't go the way we all hoped."

Luna shook her head. "No, it didn't."

She explained everything that happened to Allison.

Allison gritted her teeth. "Arrrgghh, this is why I always say men are the scum of the earth. The only exception is my baby, though."

Allison's boyfriend laughed, "But who would be so inhumane? I mean, how could they not even stop to look at the damage they had done?"

"Who else could it be? If not that bastard called "Alex Cooper."

"Alex Cooper? Both Allison and her boyfriend asked at the same time.

"Yeah, why?" Luna asked.

"Well, didn't I tell you that he is Adrian's boss?"

Luna stared at Allison in surprise. "What? Adrian? You mean the man you work for is Alex Cooper?"

"Yeah," Adrian replied, "and he is not who you just described. I mean, I know my boss to be a kind man."

Luna rolled her eyes, "A kind man my ass."

"He is," Adrian insisted. "He doesn't really pay attention to his employees, but he's not a bad person. His sister, on the other hand, is overbearing and a real piece of work, but he isn't that way."

"Well, what do you know? You may not have had a personal encounter with him." Luna argued. "Yes, you are one of his cooks, but I bet all you do is serve him food. That man has no sympathy; he is an animal."

"I can't believe this," Adrian replied, "Well, if you are right and he is really like you described, then I guess that's the reason why he doesn't want to get married."

"He doesn't want to get married?" Allison asked, "But why?"

"Well, I wouldn't know, but then I overheard his conversation with his P.A."

"What was it about?" Allison asked.

"You're always so nosy," Adrian teased.

"I want to know about the boss who tried to ruin my friend's life." Allison defended.

Adrian smiled and said, "Well, apparently, his grandfather wants him to get married because he wants an heir or something like that. He just wants him to get married, you know he has two cousins from his father's siblings. All three men have refused to get married, and their grandfather is fed up with them.

So, he has decided that he is going to hand over all his shares to whoever gets married first."

"So how is that beneficial information?" Luna asked. "It only confirms the fact that he's a monster and so are his cousins."

"Relax, I'm still getting there." Adrian continued "I overheard him telling his P.A to get in touch with some girls from notable families and he will examine them and pick the one who would pose as his contract wife."

"Contract wife? Why would someone with so much money and status want to go through so much trouble?" Allison asked.

"Beats my imagination," Adrian replied, " Perhaps, he doesn't want to get married, but just needs a wife to show off for the time being and get whatever he wants from his grandfather.

I think after that, he will let her go. I'm pretty sure his cousins may be planning to do the same, but the question is, who would be the winner? Who will do it first?"

Adrian looked at Luna and said, "Well, perhaps if you were classy enough, you would have gone for the position."

"No way in hell!" Luna replied. "I will never agree to become even a contract wife to such a bastard."

"Well, I heard he will pay thirty thousand dollars upfront," Adrian added.

"What?" Both Allison and Luna stared at him in surprise as their mouths fell.

"Is that a joke?" Allison asked.

"I'm not joking," he replied, "I heard him say that the lady of his choice will get thirty thousand dollars upfront and seventy thousand dollars once he gets what he wants.

All they have to do is play by his rules."

Allison got up, "You can do this, Luna."

"No, I can't," Luna replied. "Didn't you hear? He asked his PA to get in touch with girls from notable families. I don't think I fall under that category."

"Come on, listen to me," Allison said. "Think about how you looked this morning. You looked so beautiful and classy. All you have to do is get quality clothes. Designer brands to be precise."

"Who has the money for such frivolities?" Luna asked.

"It is not frivolous." Allison began to explain. "See, once you pass his interview, you get thirty thousand dollars upfront. So, what you need to do is get designer clothes, look stylish and beautiful, and appear in front of him."

"But his P. A will expose me." Luna pointed out.

"Come on, that's what we have Adrian for. He will make sure his PA is not around. You can arrive when his PA is not there and pretend. Just do your best, whatever it takes.

The earlier, the better though before his PA gets in touch with all the girls from notable families. It may take some time for his PA to do that so why not try and do it today? If he picks you, you get the thirty thousand dollars instantly. Think about Claire. You can pay off her hospital bills." Allison advised.

"And then, what if he finds out the truth?" Luna asked. "You should know that... I don't think he will want to get involved with a woman who has a child. And honestly, I can't stand men. I don't even want any man in my life anymore."

"You're not having him in your life. You just have to pretend. Now, this is what you're going to do. When you get there, you won't tell him you have a child. In fact, you won't tell him anything about yourself.

You can even pick a fake name. Once you pass his interview and get the money, you can go to the hospital, pay Claire's hospital bill, and that's it.

When he finds out the truth, well, he might get you arrested and send you to prison.

But look at the bright side. Your daughter will be alive, and I will be here to take care of her while you serve your time in jail."

Luna smiled, "That is a very brilliant plan, Allison. I always knew you were a smart lady. What's the time now?"

Luna quickly checked her time and continued, "Hmm, it's just a few minutes past five. We shouldn't wait anymore. Listen, Adrian, you have to go back to Alex's house.

You need to make sure the coast is clear for me, okay? Come with me, Allison. I need to hurry and get some designer clothes."

Adrian shook his head, "I don't see this going well for both of you. This is going to cause you a lot of problems."

"I don't care how it ends. As long as I get the thirty thousand dollars and give my daughter the care she deserves." Luna replied before dragging Allison out of the house.