Chapter 4: Blair’s Indecision

Blair Monore

Sitting up in bed that night, with no hope of sleeping, Blair finally picked up a pen and paper to begin to write down a list of questions and concerns, a Part of her couldn’t believe that she was actually considering his Offer! But how could she not?

Things has never gone her way before, never had the luxury to write her final exams in high school or even attend college, with her low pay job as a barrister she might be lucky to even pay for her education. She has once considered taking a student loan but the fear of not be able to pay not to talk of the loads of debt acquired by her own uncle on her neck and name, she doubts she will qualify for a loan...

Blair spent her night mauling over Zeke's words till she zoned out and finally dropped to sleep.

The next morning she dragged herself after a hours of fitful sleep. Before heading to the coffee shop she made a beeline and a quick stop for Mr. Thorne's office which was the barrister Zeke has recommended. She held his card like her life depended on it because it actually did, as crazy as it may be this might be her only chance or opportunity to enjoy luxury.

She stopped at the assistant’s desk, she looked really busy. The barrister's secretary spared a quick glance at Blair and immediately her eyebrows flared up with a look of contempt and intimidation..

Blair recognize the look, it was the kind of look she would get anytime she walked into a place where people of her class weren't needed or invited..

“I need to see Mr. Thorne,”She said ignoring the spiteful look.

"Tell him Blair Monore is here, I was sent by Zeke Armani. He told me to stop by anytime.”

immediately she Heard the name Armani her looks and composure changed, Her lips thinned as she immediately pressed the button on the intercom.

“Mr. Thorne. Ms. Blair Monore is here to see you.”

“Oh really. Been expecting her,please send her in.”A Deep rich voice replies..

Immediately I walked in slowly, shutting the padded door behind me. I was sure he’d look up when I came to a stop in front of his desk, but his head stayed down as she shuffled through a pile of paperwork.

I cleared my throat.

“Ms. Blair,” he said, blinking. “Good morning. You’re very…early.”

I smiled sheepishly "Sorry, I had to stop by before going to work”

“Of course,” he said, beginning to collect himself into the smooth professional that I somewhat recognized. “Please. Take a seat.”

I sat down in the chair across from his desk, clutching my notepad to my chest. “I just have a few questions about the proposed arrangement,”Blair says nervously..

"Although I can come back later if this is a bad time.”She says licking her lips..

“No, no, not at all,” he said. “Please. Go on.”

I stared at my paper. The questions all sounded stupid now that I was in front of him, under Mr Thorne's piercing green stare. But somewhere in the rational portion of my mind, I knew that they were still important. I swallowed hard and then began to speak.

"Am sure you're aware about the arrangement Zeke Armani made right? He directed me to you"Blair says

"Yes Yes and am happy to help if you have any concerns dear. Just know all the answers am going to give to you are unbaised.

“Okay, There’s only one copy of the contract, right? Who will keep it?”

Mr. Thorne answered quickly. “Excellent question. There will be two copies made of the contract and as the attorney in charge I'll be responsible for keeping the document private and secure. I realize this may sound like a conflict of interest, since I’m being payed by him, but I assure you that I will be representing you both equally in this arrangement. Also because of Zeke's identity and the fragility of this arrangement it's best it's kept secret and confidential and paramount that only trustworthy people who won't leak the information to the press handle it...

"Zeke trusts me, beens his lawyer, his father's lawyer too for years and you too will soon be a couple so I'll be the family's attorney so I need your trust"Mr thorne says..

“During the term of our marriage, do I have to live with him.” I hesitated. “I understand that I’m supposed to act like his wife but I just want to know will there be any restrictions or expectations on my behavior that I should be aware of?”

“None whatsoever,” said Mr. Thorne. “So long as you appear to be in love with him, and faithful, I see no reason why you shouldn’t be able to live the rest of your life as you choose. You just need to fulfill your part as stated in the contract and yes you do have to live with him but am sure the both of you can come to an amicable agreement on your living arrangements"He finishes as he straighten his glasses ..

"As long as you do your part you can do what you want and live your life, as long as it dosen't put his image or yours into jeopardy or give leeway for the press to write bad articles"He says..

God, this was so weird. Her mouth suddenly goes incredibly dry at his final statement. 

"Okay, he did say he'll be supporting me. Will I have like a daily allowance, or…?”

"Well Zeke will hand you a credit card,” he said

“There is no limit. You’ll be added as a joint member in his bank account and you'll have your own card. You may use it to pay for anything you like. You see, Ms.Monore this whole arrangement requires a mutual trust. 

"Also 7 million dollars will be added to personal bank account as bonus for signing the official contract, you'll be given a compensation fee too of a 800 million dollars that too will be added to your personal bank accounts, Zeke mentioned something about also paying off your loans that will be added to the contract. We don't need the press calling you a debtor, and tarnishing your image immediately you get married, the tabloids are nasty creatures and all they know how to do is dig which is why a year after marriage all the money will be added to your account. We don't want the paparazzi sniffing, but if you're okay with us helping you to open an off shore account to deposit all the money just say the word"Mr Thorne says smiling sweetly at her.

Blair began to sweat as her head began to run figures, how could he sit still as he called such an amount..

He was talking about me like I was a set of characteristics rather than a person. Then again, I supposed that came with the territory. Being a successful businessman meant coldly evaluating situations, completely devoid of any emotional impulses. It meant reading people like they were a string of zeroes and ones who happened to have an organic brain rather than one made of chips and diodes.

It must be liberating, to not have to worry about other people’s feelings.

But perhaps that was best. If I was going to enter into a marriage of convenience, then I really ought to keep things professional and break it off at the end without any messiness.

“There was something else I wanted to address with you,” he said, looking down at the desk. “I meant to bring it up later. If, during the term of the marriage, you were to meet someone…”

“I’m not worried about that,” I interrupted, quickly.

He looked up at me, his eyes searching my face. It seemed like I’d succeeded in reminding him that I was, in fact, a human being. “Are you certain about that?”

“Yes,” I said. “Can we move on?”

“Of course,” he said. “That brings me to my next point. It’s important that you keep things professional. With an arrangement like this, sometimes the lines can become blurred. But I hope you can both act as checks and balances against each other to ensure that things stay appropriate. You’re clearly a sensible person, so I don’t anticipate this being too much of a problem. But it would be foolish to pretend we’re not human beings.” He gave me a sharp look, like he’d been reading my mind. I fidgeted. 

“Zeke wants a marriage of convenience of no feelings, as absurd as it sounds am the attorney to this case, you feel things are becoming too personal, please don’t hesitate to let me know. And I will make sure to get you out and don't worry you won't leave empty handed either way.

I nodded, trying to ignore the uncomfortable prickling at the base of my neck. It almost felt like he was looking through me.

He was silent for a while, and I realized he was waiting for some sort of verbal acknowledgement.

“Yeah,” I said. “Of course, that…that sounds good,” I said, my voice cracking a little. I realized belatedly that I was making it sound like I’d already consented to the arrangement, and briefly panicked. “I mean - if I decide to go through with this.”

“Of course,” he said, raising both hands in a supplicating gesture. “Nothing is official until you both sign the contract in the presence of both lawyers.

“Sorry,” I said. “I just wanted to make sure you weren’t misunderstanding me.”

He smiled. “I’m a very cautious man, Ms. Monore. I’m not in the habit of making assumptions until I have signatures in triplicate.”

“Well, that’s good to know.” I stood up. “Thank you, Mr. Thorne. I appreciate your time.”

“I ought to be thanking you,” he said, rising as well and extending his hand for me to shake. “Take as much time as you need now that's my advice as your lawyer but I don't think Zeke has much time tho.

I had to laugh. “I appreciate that, but I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep properly until I make a decision.” And maybe not even then.

He looked a little bothered. “I never meant to cause you any distress,” he said. “I meant it when I said that refusing wouldn’t impact you in anyway. 

"I know, also thanks a lot for your time. I know you have more important clients than me, it's going to be a hard decision to make I guess I can’t decide if the risk is worth the reward.”

He considered this for a moment. “I won’t pretend there isn’t a risk,” he admitted, finally. “But…it is not as great of a risk as you might think. It might be an advantageous position for you.

My eyes narrowed. “What does that mean, exactly?”

Mr. Thorne shrugged a little. “Money opens many doors, Ms. Monore. As I’m sure you know.”

“Fair enough,”She said. “I’ll get back to you when I’m made my decision.”

“Thank you,” he said. “Again. For everything