~The Better Offer~

It was crazy how six long years had passed and so many things had changed.

Her cowardly father committed suicide three years ago after his fradulent activities were exposed. Chloe and her stepmother took off with everything of value, leaving nothing behind for her, but one year ago, she heard that the cruel woman had died and Chloe had been missing ever since.

Nadia needed Chloe to be alive. They still had scores to settle. Forgiveness was not an option.

Nadia moved in with her grandmother, Kaia, when she was kicked out and has been living with her ever since—until recently. She didn't know what she would do without Kaia because raising twins was not something she could have ever done on her own.

Her babies, Lily and Lyle, were the only good things that came out of her horrible experience. She didn't know what she'd do without them, either. And to think that her father had once wanted her to abort them when he found out she was pregnant.

It had taken Nadia loads of time and effort, but she survived and had made it this far. She wasn't going to back down this time.

Her daily prayer was never to cross paths with that mystery devil again. She didn't know what would happen if she ever saw him.

Nadia wasn't confident about a lot of things, but she was confident that today, a lot of things were going to change.

She marveled at the incredible high-rise building thriving with life in front of her. From what she knew, this was the headquarters of one of the top automotive industries in the USA—Lane Motors.

And it was the working place of its great chairman who started all of this, as well as his most favored son, who was the CEO, along with every other administration and management employee.

It used to be the only headquarters—with every other location being dedicated to manufacturing cars—until three years ago, when they suddenly built another one in the UK.

The family conflict of the Lanes for the company was well known by everyone, but she could care less about it when all she needed was a freaking job that would freaking pay.

Adjusting her short black sheath dress, she made sure her subtly patterned tights were in shape. Her classic black heels did not look like they came from a thrift shop, and her short, light auburn hair was made into a messy, razored pixie bob that took her a fortune to make.

As soon as she was assessed by the security, she stepped in, wondering how much the interior decoration must have cost when a beautiful woman who anyone could have easily mistaken for a model approached her.

Her flowing long black hair reminded her of how she once used to keep her hair, and her elegant business casual style of dressing made Nadia feel insecure.

"Good day, Ms. Wilde. I'm Lorraine, the CEO's personal secretary. You were here for an interview for a business administration and management position, is that right?"

Her voice made Nadia adjust her posture. "Yes, wait, did you say 'were'?"

She smiled, her crimson-red lipstick making Nadia wish she also had a bolder color on. "I'm afraid you won't be able to attend the interview."

Nadia's hopes crashed down in a flash. All the good feelings she had when she walked in here vanished so quickly.

"Wh-what do you mean I can't attend the interview? You're telling me now... that I'm already here! That's..." She bit her tongue before she cursed, and was so ready to storm away in anger when Lorraine said something else.

"You won't be able to attend because we have a better offer for you." It was already interesting enough that the CEO's secretary was dismissing her personally; that just made her feel like she had won the jackpot. "The CEO himself looked through your resume. He believes that you would be the perfect candidate for a job he urgently needs and is presently waiting for you in his office."

Her eyes were wide open. "The CEO? Is asking... for me?" It almost sounded like a scam, but it seemed too real to be one. "What type of job would make the CEO personally want to hire me?"

The smile Lorraine gave her was not reassuring. "You'll find out when you arrive."

Lorraine turned around and walked ahead. It took Nadia a moment to gather herself before catching up to her.

The CEO's personal elevator took them up to his office, and Nadia was skeptical all the way. She wondered if this was a prank the company occasionally played on unsuspecting interviewees.

She really hoped it wasn't because she was ready to do almost anything for money. For her twins.

Lorraine opened the doors to his office and ushered her in. Her breath was taken away by how expensively furnished it was. But did she expect less from the CEO himself?

Think of the largest and most extravagant office you could ever imagine, in Gothic style. That, right there, would be what she was looking at. She smelled freshly ground coffee, the rich type, and could feel how exquisite the vintage carpet beneath her heels was.

Her wavering eyes finally fell on the man sitting in a revolving chair behind a luxury spiral desk, his back facing her.

Lorraine stood beside the powerful man and signaled Nadia to take a seat.

Sitting down, she almost gasped from the comfort of the chair and wondered if she was worthy of even being in here, thoughtless of having the CEO in front of her.

Lorraine placed some documents on his desk, but Nadia's eyes were on the man whose face she couldn't see. All she had a view of was his styled midnight black hair.

His cologne was so nice, it unlocked unwanted memories.

"You attended acting lessons during your three-year stay in the UK?" Lorraine asked, keeping her eyes on her.

Nadia nodded. "Yes."

"So you possess acting skills and have been long enough in the UK to have certain knowledge about it?" Nadia nodded again, with no idea where this was going. "You also have a history of once being wealthy and famous."

Nadia gulped, not wanting to be reminded of her past, but answered anyway. "Yes, I do."

"Then let me ask you this question." The man spoke, instantly sending shivers down her spine. For some reason, she held on to the seat for dear life, savoring his deep, dark, satisfying voice. Nadia's heart sped as the man slowly turned his throne to face her, waiting for the question that could either make or break her life. "To what lengths would you go for money?"

The revolving chair stopped, and it was only then that Nadia got a good look at his face.

Her blood froze. Shock waves hit her like lightning, and just like that day, she was immobilized.

No matter how much she wanted to get up and run, she couldn't. She just couldn't do anything.

His glorious face and smoky gray eyes pierced her soul. Nadia thought she had forgotten what he looked like, but she was wrong. He was always there, in her subconsciousness, tormenting her.

It was him. The man of her dreams and nightmares. The father of her twins.

"If you're willing to do anything, Nadia Wilde..." Her eyes widened upon hearing him say her name. "...then be my wife."