CHAPTER 3

***

We walked out of the bar and I instantly noticed a black shining car that shined brighter than my present life and I couldn’t help but widen my eyes and scream when the ‘handsome man’ beside me opened the car with a small remote in his hand. 

He truly is wealthy as he looks  I said to myself 

We walked towards the opened car and as I got in I sat on the most soft and comfortable seat ever, although a car seat, it was as soft as a five-star hotel bed. 

After about twenty five minutes of driving without saying a word to each other, we got to a fancy restaurant. He was a gentleman and he opened the door for me, I felt ashamed because I wasn’t dressed for dinner at a fancy restaurant

“Why didn’t you say we were coming to a place like this, I’m not dressed for this place” I couldn’t even look up because of how I shy and ashamed I was 

“It doesn’t matter, you look okay” he said without any emotion and I couldn’t even blush at his compliment because it sounded like an insult. I looked at him blatantly and rolled my eyes. 

And as I ate the most delicious and expensive food I have ever eaten the ‘handsome man’ stared at me with a blank face and I couldn’t say what he was feeling because his face gave no emotion. I tried to start a conversation and the only thing I could come up with was “I don’t even know your name”

“Why is my name necessary” he said 

“You don’t have to but at least to know who you are” I said nonchalantly 

“If you must know I’m Felix Bailey” he said like it was no big deal 

My eyes widened the more and I choked on my food whatttttt  I said to myself. I’ve been talking rudely to the most powerful man on earth and I was here eating in front of him like he was nobody. I immediately stopped eating and tried to apologize and beg for forgiveness because I heard he has the capacity to destroy one’s life. 

“Don’t embarrass yourself”  he said almost nicely 

“I’m sorry, I haven’t seen you before so I sure didn’t know you are who you are, I’m Da-Dana Joseker” nervously I muttered 

“Why do you work at the bar” he asked 

“everyone works for a reason which is to survive” I said 

“True!!, are you desperate for money?” He asked me without any care in his eyes but softly 

“I have lots of bills and stuffs to take care of so yes I kind of am” I said back ashamed but firmly 

“Okay then” he said 

“This wine is amazing” I said, I could feel the wine flush down my sadness

We had a nice time drinking wine and talking about random stuff, he made me feel somewhat comfortable and I didn’t know if it was him or the wine but I giggled all night long. 

***

I woke up with a dreadful headache and blurry vision, I looked around and saw clothes everywhere and in an unfamiliar room with the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever laid on. I was admiring the room and tending to my headache when I realized that my apartment was not as beautiful as this was. 

Turning to my side I saw a broad figure under the duvet only to see ‘ the most powerful man on earth’ by myself. I closed my mouth to avoid screaming and immediately I became conscious of what was happening. I immediately packed all my stuff, wrote an apology letter and snuck out without a noise. 

I hailed a cab and as soon as I got to work, I ran as fast as I could and got to work immediately. I was an hour late already so I couldn’t take chances, I started working like I had been there since last night to not be noticed because I was 5 days away from getting paid and I couldn’t risk it as my bills were already piled up. 

I was thinking about what happened last night and I was having mixed feelings about it. ‘Should I be happy or sad?’ I said to myself as I brushed my hair backwards. ‘Why did I sneak out?’ I asked myself, tapping my forehead out of embarrassment. But I started smiling because I gave my dignity, my virginity to a billionaire and it made me feel somewhat special. 

***

“She’s not here?, where is she then?” I demanded from Dana’s coworker 

“She works two jobs at a warehouse and this bar” she said 

I drove to the address that was given to me and turns out it’s one of my companies, I asked my secretary to go get her because it would be a talk of the town if I was found there. 

“Get in the car” I commanded 

“Good-good day sir, I’m sorry I snuck out but I was late for work and I didn’t want to get fired and I just….”I was stuttering when I got cut short by his deep voice 

“You don’t have to explain, I didn’t ask and besides it’s fine” he said giving with a grin

“I’m still sorry” I muttered looking at my shoes 

“What time do you have your break?” He asked 

At this point I was confused. I didn't want this to be a regular thing and I was trying to not pass my boundaries. ‘What does he want with me?’ I asked myself. I was excited and confused at the same time and I replied glancing at my wristwatch “ in about thirty minutes” 

“Get in the car” he commanded 

On reaching a fancy restaurant with the ‘most powerful man on earth’ the second time I couldn’t help but blush. ‘He brings me to a fancy restaurant’  I said to myself. We were ushered in by the waiter and we sat down. 

Twenty seconds after sitting down, a file was dropped on the table by his secretary it  looked like a contract but I wasn’t so sure so I asked “what is this?”

“Feel free to go through it” he said and then he added “to save you the stress though, it’s a marriage contract” 

“Sorry what?” I raised my brows 

“Here’s the thing, I need a wife and most importantly an heir. There’s this rumor going around that I’m associated with men and it’s about to tarnish my image. This is a five year marriage contract and you’ll be provided with everything you need and want, you also don’t have to work. After the years pass and you’ve provided me with a child you’ll be rewarded with a huge sum of money to go live your life with and aside from that, a house and a car and publicly we’ll call it a divorce” he said with a dark tone. 

I cleaned my ears to be sure I heard right, I pinched myself to be sure I was awake, I looked at the contract, raised it and saw that I was not in a dream. I could feel my intestines squeezing together out of irritation and embarrassment and I just sat there looking at the contract. “What the fuck do you take me for?” I yelled with tears streaming down my eyes 

“I know I’m desperate for money and I work my ass off for it but that doesn’t give you the right to talk to me this way. I can never marry anyone like this. A what? Contract marriage?” I scoffed  “to avoid myself from disrespecting you and to cut the whole story short I’m not interested” I said tears still flowing out my eyes 

I stood up and was about to walk away when his voice stopped me 

“Wait….” His deep impish voice called out to me 

He stood in front of me, held up my hand, opened it and placed his business card in it. “Call me when you’re done thinking about it I give you two days” he commanded and walked away 

I sat in front of the bar thinking about the marriage contract that was offered to me earlier. I was perplexed and that was the only thing that was on my mind. I have never thought of getting married out of desperation or because of money or even getting married at all. I was scared of commitment because my dad died and left my mom and the loneliness made her sick. I didn’t want to go through what my mom was going through and that’s why I’m working day and night to make ends meet to avoid depending on a man. 

But here I was offered with a marriage contract to get married to a man I’ve only heard of and seen twice, although we shared a very erotic and exotic night, I know nothing about this man well of course aside from the fact that he was a powerful billionaire. 

I was doubtful of what my life was going to be;should I take the offer,marry this stranger and someone I don’t know and my life become better or I should say a hard ‘no’ to it and continue to struggle to make ends meet and keep my dignity with it. 

Two days passed by so fast and I hadn’t mentioned it to anyone not even my mom or Claire neither had I made my decision and my phone had been ringing. Claire noticed how unsettled I was acting “you’ve been acting weird for some days now are you okay?” She asked with concern.

“I got an offer” I said barely above a whisper. Ten minutes after my offer explanation to Claire she exclaimed and gave me a big hug. “What are you thinking about it for?, you need this Dana” she said and I was surprised because she didn’t give it any thought and instead of the criticism I had expected she advised and encouraged me to say yes to the contract. Few minutes after our conversation my phone rang again. 

“Have you made up your mind yet?” A very deep and breathtaking voice called out to me on the other end and immediately I knew it was Felix Bailey the powerful man. 

“Uhhh…..” I muttered