Chapter 4: CONTRACTED

CHAPTER 4

CONTRACTED

As she sat there, staring at her phone, Ria couldn’t decide whether or not to call him. She thought about all the possible outcomes and wondered if she was ready to take the risk. It has been days and her son was already discharged. The doctor reminded her to make an appointment upon finalizing her decision. The only problem is that she needed a bigger budget for the surgery.

Her son had been a sickly child. They already tried a blood transfusion for his anemia but it was not enough. After a year, his unstable illness reoccurred.

And the only person that she could call right now is the owner of the number punched into her phone. With a deep breath and a sudden wave of courage, she knew that she had to take the chance.

She dialed and heard a few rings before someone picked up.

“I’ve been waiting for your call, Ria,” said a baritone voice from the other line.

Her jaw dropped even before she could say hello.

“How?” she said not knowing what exactly to say. How come this guy knew it was her?

“I have my ways Ria,” he said.

She was imagining those playful smiles on his lips while saying those.

“That weird job,” she started, not knowing how exactly should she describe it. “Is it still vacant?” she asked, almost losing her voice. Yet, she was surprised and delighted by her own bold move.

“Hmm. It is still available. However, I think you still owe me an apology.”

“For what?” she asked in her crumpled forehead.

“Should I mention it one by one, honey?” he said in a playful tone. “”

“Okay. Okay. I’m sorry,” she blurted, almost losing her patience.

“Okay. Bring me a strawberry cake.”

“What?” she asked in disbelief.

“Bring it to my office, okay? See you later,” he said as he hung up on her.

She stared at her phone mumbling “Unbelievable.”

--*--

As she steps inside the towering skyscraper, Ria could not stop herself to be amazed. She kept asking if Grant really is working at that big group of companies. She had looked at the details of his calling card and found the name familiar. That company was known for its big businesses of hotels and real estate.

What could be shocking is the title position of Grant. He was a CEO at an early age.

With each passing moment, the bustling activity of the lobby fades away, replaced by the quiet hum of her determination. The elevator doors open with a soft chime, revealing a sleek, modern interior that carries her higher and higher. As she emerges on the uppermost floor, her heart races with anticipation.

She walks confidently down the corridor, her rubber shoes making spiky noises on the polished marble floor, until she reaches the table of the receptionist beside the door of the CEO’s office.

The girl by the table was talking to her phone in a flirty tone, probably talking to her lover. Her nails and long and painted red.  Her hair was blonde and curled like the telephone wires. Her corporate attire is too short and tight-fitting. She looked up at her and said goodbye to someone she was talking to.

“Hi,” Ria greeted and tried her best to smile. “I’m here for Grant Emmett Morgan.”

“Do you have an appointment?” the woman asked as she began to tap her nails on the computer keyboard.

“No. But he was expecting me.”

“No appointment, no entry.” The woman raised an eyebrow after looking at her from her ripped baggy jeans to her plain black fitted shirt and she shook her head.

Ria is not there to have a fight with this unprofessional woman. She was there because she was called. She pulled out her phone to call Grant.

“I’m outside. And I don’t have any appointment listed on your schedule,” she uttered as she looked at the receptionist who gazed up at her.

“Oh, I can make an exception for my rule, honey. Put me on speaker.”

She pressed the button and faced the pone towards the woman.

“She’s my girlfriend. Let her in,” announced Grant.

The woman’s eyes slightly got bigger and her expression somehow softened. Ria was also shocked at how Grant told the woman who she is.

“This way, ma’am,” the woman opened the door for her. Her head is even bowing.

It was an awkward moment when Ria entered the office.

Grant was leaning his back against his table where his name was engraved in gold calligraphy. He was slightly sitting on it. Sat across him, by the soft sofa was a tall woman with a vision of elegance and grace. Her flowing hair cascaded down her back in luxurious waves.  Her eyes sparkled like diamonds and complement the sparkly peachy eyeshadows on her eyes, drawing you in with their magnetic gaze. It was a pair of familiar eyes that Ria had always admired.

They were having an argument and she could feel the tension in the room.

“Of course, you don’t wanna give in, my dear brother. But I am finally back and I am going to take over the company if you won’t agree with what Mom and Dad arranged for you,” the pretty girl stated.

Grant’s eyes diverted to her and smiled. “Hi, there.”

“Is it bad timing? Maybe I should return later,” Ria said.

“No, honey. Come here.” Grant stood up.

She took her pace slowed as she could feel the sharp eyes observing her every move.

“I want you to meet my girlfriend, Ria,” Grant introduces her to the pretty girl.

The pretty girl raised an eyebrow without even standing from her seat. She even crossed her arms on her chest. Her eyes scrolled until her eyes widened with delight as she caught a glimpse of the box she was holding. The delectable scene of the strawberry cake on the transparent box made her mouth water with anticipation. “You bought a strawberry cake?” she asked without removing her eyes from what she was holding.

“Yes. It is,” she answered as she looks at Grant with confused eyes.

“I think it is time for me to get a cake slicer,” he whispered and left her alone with the girl for a moment.

If it is the start of her weird job, then maybe she should act properly to convince that she is the “girlfriend”.

“Okay. I’m Grant’s girlfriend,” she mumbled and smiled at the pretty girl.

“Well, well, well,” she said with a playful tone. “Are you going to share that or are you going to keep it to yourself?”

“It must be your favorite. Grant told me to buy one,” she said, unsure of what exactly is her task at that time.

“Sit down.” She tilted her head.

Ria was about to take a seat across her but she tapped the space beside her. She hesitated but did eventually, placing the box on the coffee table.

“It’s Giana Eunice Morgan,” the pretty girl said, her fingers starting to remove the pink lace ribbon on the cake. “Call me Giana. I’m Grant’s sister,” she introduces herself and smiled at her with sparkling eyes. “You know, you’re the first girlfriend that ever gave me my favorite cake.”

Meanwhile, Grant came back with some utensils and sat across them.

“So, you really have a girlfriend. That is why you keep on declining Madison,” Giana uttered as she digs in in her cake that tastes heaven in her buds. “Okay. I’ll try to convince them.”

“But? What else?” Grant asked.

Giana smirked. “You really know me, dear brother.”

“Of course. There’s always a but in your statement.”

She wiped the side of her lips and put down the cake on the table. “I can help you with not marrying Madison. But it doesn’t mean that you can have the company because you choose to marry the one you like. That’s why I am back. And I was given a chance to take back what I’ve worked for.” She stood up and flicked her hair. “I think our conversation for today ends here. I’ll ask Nathan to take this later. And as for you…” She looked down at her and smiled. “I think we’ll need a girls’ bonding time.”

Giana grabbed her bag and put on her shades as she dashed out the office.

“So, Miss...” Grant started. “I still do not know your full name.”

Ria fixated her eyes on Grant. “How come you know where your girlfriend work but doesn’t know her name.”

“I don’t mind about personal information unless they told me personally.”

“What about my number? That’s personal.”

“I saved it but never really used it,” he answered.

“It’s Cortez,” she answered nodding slowly.

“Ria Cortez,” he mentioned.

“Yes.”

“So, coming here confirms that you are finally taking the job that I offered you. As you have heard, I am declining the marriage that my parents set up for me. I just need you to act as my girlfriend until then.”

It was a relief that Grant’s job offer was just a mere business and no emotional involvement. And she doesn’t plan on having any attachment to this man. She is only doing this job for her son.

“I have our contract ready. Feel free to tell me what you want to change.” Grant reached out a sleek black folder, its contents a symbol of the agreement they had just reached. He handed it out to her.

Carefully, she began reading the content. She knew that this contract was more than just a piece of paper.

They began to discuss matters about it and ended up revising a few things. That includes her rules while they have a fake relationship.

After a long moment, she looked up at him, her eyes are clear and determined. With a steady hand, she signed her name on the dotted line.

Grant stood up and so was she.

“It’s a deal then. I am looking forward to working with you Miss Cortez.”

She smiled as she took his hand for a handshake to close the deal.