CHAPTER 5

THE MYSTERIOUS MAN

W-What, is this a joke?”I exclaimed, literally jumping up from my seat as I glared at both Mr Orton and the mystery man who just kept staring at me like I had something on my face.

“This is crazy, outrageous even. I-I can’t do that, I don't even know you guys.

“Just think about it. “Ok?”

There’s a lot you’ll be gaining from it, and…

“And what?”. I say, cutting him off.

“How do you know I’ll be gaining from it? You don’t even know me.”

“Trust me Mrs Simmons, I am well aware of your financial situation, and this contract is offering more than you make in a year with your two jobs combined.” The mystery man said while staring at me intensely.

“And also,” Mr Orton chipped in. “A contract will be drawn so you’ll also get a say in everything and it will be tailored to benefit you both.”

I guess Mr Orton was trying to do some damage control. As he probably noticed me standing there with my two arms crossed around each other fuming with anger and wondering why I thought coming here was actually going to be a good idea.

“ We can’t go into detail until you sign the non disclosure agreement and marriage contract but I swear to you it’s not as bad as it sounds.”

“Ahhem,” the mystery man cleared his throat as he adjusted his tie, making me realize how awfully gorgeous he was, with his perfectly sculpted face and his deep-set hazel eyes that hinted a little bit of mystery and his…..

I shook my head aggressively in hopes of sending my brain a message to snap out of it which earned me a puzzled look from both Mr Orton and the mystery man.

“Is everything alright Mrs Simmons?” Mr Orton asked me.

“Yes, i think there was a bee,” i said waving my head over my head pretending to wave off a mystery bee.

“Luke, you can leave, I’ll take it from here.” The mystery man says practically waving Mr Orton off.

Mr Orton sends me a glance before getting up and walking out of the room. I followed him with my eyes till he was out of sight and stared at the door he walked out from like it would give me answers and delay whatever the man in front of me wanted to say with Mr Orton gone.

“Take a seat Mrs Simmons,” he said pointing at the chair in front him. I complied, feeling self conscious as his eyes followed me as I walked anxiously to the seat.

“ I understand this might be alot to take in, but you have a week maximum to decide-“ the mystery man speaks and I avert my gaze to him.

“ Once the week is up, that’s it. The offer is off the table and trust that we won't bother you anymore .”

“Arrogant much”. I mutter under my breath before looking up at him to catch his eyes.

“ I don’t even know anything about you, more or less even know your name, and you and Mr Orton just dropped this gigantic bombshell on me and expect me to just comply?”

“Where are my manners Miss Simmons?”.

“My name is William Atlas Armani, I am the CEO of Armani petrochemical corporation and I am deeply sorry but I cannot share the reasons why I need this contract with you, but trust that if you do accept the terms of this contract then you will be well catered for. You have a week to get back to me. Have a nice day.”

He says getting up from the seat In front of me and back to the seat in front of his desk and proceeds to continue whatever he was doing before Mr Orton and I intruded his space.

“E-Excuse me”, I said, stammering as I sat there frozen and unsure of what just transpired.

“You’re Excused,” he said, waving his hand like I was some insect that was in his personal space.

“You can’t possibly be serious right? This is a joke right?”. I said.

“Mrs Simmons”, he said, raising his head from his laptop looking me dead in the eyes.

“I am a businessman of very little words and i don’t have time to joke around, i have made you my offer and how you respond to it is totally up to you”, he responded.

“So, No this is not a joke and you are dismissed, i have more pressing matters to attend to”, he added.

I stood up to walk out, embarrassed and annoyed. “What an arrogant jerk,” I muttered to myself as I headed for the door.

As I stepped out of his office , I immediately saw Mr Orton waiting by the elevator and he lifted his hands to me gesturing for me to come closer.

“So…what did he say?” Mr Orton asks as he pressed his floor digit and that of the ground floor for me on the elevator panel.

“He said he is giving me a week to accept or deny the offer, and he was also quite rude about it too,” I said and Mr Orton just nodded at me without saying anything.

“I am sorry on his behalf, don’t take anything he says to heart, I am sure he didn’t mean to come off as rude”, Mr Orton said, giving me an apologetic look.

I wanted to reply by saying he literally shoved me out of his but I decided against it not wanting to give Mr Orton another reason to apologize to me.

“ Would you advise me to accept the offer, Mr Orton?”. I said

“I can’t tell you what to do and what not to do. But all i can tell you is this Mrs Simmons, i have been watching you for quite a while now and i can say confidently that you are a very hardworking and driven woman and an offer like this doesn’t come up everyday, all you just have to do is pretend to be his wife for a couple of months and you get paid with no strings attached.”

“And yes, call me Luke, hearing you call me Mr Orton makes me look and sound old,” he said and I laughed.

“Thanks Mr Ort- I mean Luke and I wish your boss was as nice as you.” I say as I huffed and he smiled down at me. The elevator opens and he gets off doing a salute.

“ See you around, Miss Simmons.”

“Call me Bailey," I say as the elevator door closes and I continue the trip down to the ground floor.

Once the elevator door opens, I walk out of the elevator and straight out the door.

My heart was pounding, torn between logic and desire, I knew I had a decision to make— if only knew it would eventually be a decision that will alter the course of my life.