Chapter Four: The Deal

Mackenzie Isabella 

Packing up the broken bottles on the floor so I would not step on them. 

I hissed in frustration, staring at the man sleeping peacefully on the couch next to the shattered bottles; he had a blissful expression as if he had no worries in the world.

If he was like this in real life, maybe my mother would not have been in that bed, and I would not be looking for an escape.

My thoughts wandered to the strange woman who struck a terrible bargain with me. 

Ruining someone's life? Was not that harsh, too hard? 

I had been thinking about this since yesterday, and it still did not make sense to me, but I had nothing to do. There was no one to look up to, and the more I slowed things down, the more my mother suffered in pain on that sick bay.

My phone rang, jolting me out of my trance, and I dashed into the kitchen, dropping the broken glasses into the trash can before answering the call. 

"Hello, dear; have you considered?" I immediately went silent when I heard the woman's stern voice.

I was speechless. If only he was different from all fathers, I would not be disturbing anyone's peace.

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, but I held them back.

"I deserve an answer. "I am busy here," She said impatiently, and I sighed.

"Yes, I took it into consideration."

"I am glad you did. You did not have a choice, anyway." Her sharp words pierced through my soul, causing pain in my heart.

Wasn't she right about this?

"Let us meet at the hospital to finalize the agreement." She said, and I nodded before humming.

"Yes."

After hanging up the phone, I changed into one of my best faded blue dresses and quickly packed my hair before leaving the house after catching a glimpse of the sleeping man.

~~

My gaze wandered down the hospital street, eventually landing on the same Mercedes Benz AMG that I had seen the day before.

"You finally got here." The woman's vibrant voice made me take a deep breath before entering the open car.

"Let us make an appropriate introduction before you sign the papers." She asked, reaching into a file and pulling out a piece of paper to show me.

I scoffed inwardly. I never imagined I would be signing some damn contract. Because of what?

"I am Genevieve Kensington." She announced, and I squinted my eyes.

That name seemed familiar to me, but I could not recall where I heard it.

The best name to suit her features. She had the perfect name for her status.

"MacKenzie Isabella," I responded quickly, and she handed me the contract. 

"Sign these documents, Isabella." She instructed, handing me a pen as I stared down at the documents to read the laws.

"Does it matter now?" She inquired, her eyes coldly fixed on me, and I swallowed hard and clenched my fist as I signed the document.

"I do not know what...

"Say no more." She said as her hand searched the files again, revealing a small photograph of a handsome man. Well, he was a handsome fine man, and for a moment, I could get lost in his damn face.

"This is Theodore Maximiliano." "Maximilliano Real Estates' CEO." She declared, and I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

Someone with this type of name? He was undoubtedly a powerful man. How was I supposed to do this kind of job? Never planned on ruining someone's business.

Rich people would always have certain characteristics.

"What makes you want to ruin him?" I inquired, and she glared at me, agitated by my question.

"That is none of your damn business!" I am not asking why you need the money I am offering you. Keep in mind the limit. She spoke, and I sighed.

"You can not ask me that because it is obvious; I am using it for my mother's treatment. But I do not get yours. I replied innocently, causing her to smirk.

"Perhaps you are not interested anymore. You may leave." She asked, and I dug in hard.

"I am not going to ask any questions again.....

"Yes, simply shut up!" She erupted, her eyes turning red in rage.

"Ma'am, if I agree to this deal, you will pay for my mother's care until she gets better and can leave the hospital." I requested, and she smiled.

"Why weren't you saying this earlier? Anyway, I am doing exactly that." She responded, looking out the glass, but I could feel the pain in her eyes.

Most likely, business rivals. In the same way, she would not do it if they were relatives. Enviness.

"Ruin him. Ruin both him and his empire. I do not want to hear about him." She fired, and I immediately nodded.

There was a loud ping, and she raised her phone, staring at something that appeared on her phone, which I do not know, as a smile spread across her face.

"You are going to be the secretary at his company." She announced, and I looked at her, perplexed by her words.

"What!" I exclaimed, my eyes wide with amusement.

A secretarial position?

"Me? Secretary Position? How?" I blurted out, flabbergasted at the new change of things.

"Do not appear dumb, Isabella. This was something I had been thinking about for ages. It has been bothering my mind. Without this type of position in his company, you would be unable to complete my mission here. I discovered in your records that you studied business administration." She retorted, and I gasped in utter shock.

"What's going on here? How did you learn about that? An...and my records? I questioned unbelievably and she scoffed.

"You are so naive." People like you are incapable of doing this job. I hope you are prepared to do more of this." She spoke while I simply stared at her.

Sure enough, more of this was on the way. But why would she go through my records?

"You could have asked me. I do not like it when people behave this way." I warned in annoyance, and she raised her brow in surprise.

"I had to check. You cannot have a bad record. You are submitting your resume tomorrow, and you will receive the best response. "Do not be dumb."

She retorted, and I sighed, pain in my eyes as I considered these facts.

I have always wanted to work, but not in this way. I guess life is not a

s sweet and romantic as I had imagined since I was a child. 

I had to go with whatever it brought to the table.