Chapter 5: Blair's Choice

Blair Monore

By the end of the week, She had chewed every single fingernail down to the nubbins.

Every time She considered asking someone for advice - even anonymously on the Internet - a wave of paranoia would overtake her and she would bite her tongue. She couldn’t risk doing anything that would violate Mr. Thorne’s trust or even Zeke's Trust in her. Even if she hasn't signed the contract yet, and even if she did, she was pretty sure the silence clause would apply retroactively. Or would it?

She found herself wishing that she could afford her own lawyer. An attorney she could pay for his silence and counselling, but she knows damn right that the press would do a better job in striking a better deal with the lawyer if ever they want to dig out the truth. But it would be helpful to go over this whole thing with someone who was level-headed and experienced, and who could be trusted to keep things quiet. But that simply wasn’t possible.

Driving home on Friday, she was completely drained. And for the first time in a while, a weekend of quiet relaxation simply wasn’t in the cards, she was going to spend the whole break mulling this situation over in her head, trying to figure out her next move. Whatever decision she made was certainly one she would have to live with, well, for the rest of her life.

Suddenly she became dimly aware of a rattling noise coming from somewhere, but she tried to ignore it as she approached the world’s longest traffic light. She wasn’t sure if it was really longer than others or if it just seemed like it was, because it was only a few blocks from her apartment. But either way, she gritted her teeth when she saw it turn red as she approached. 

She could feel her back begin to ache as she sat at the mechanic’s, in a tiled room that stank of oil and rubber. The car was going to give up soon, she was very much aware of it. It was the only thing she ever got from her uncle.

Although it was an old crickety car but it help with errands and her multiple part time jobs. Saved her money too from boarding a bus. SheI couldn’t shake the feeling of dread because she just knew the news wasn’t going to be good, and there was no way she could afford a major repair right now.

When they finally called her up to the counter, she could barely focus on what they were saying to her. The few words that penetrated the haze in her brain didn’t sound good. “Badly degraded.” “Major repairs.” “Payment plan.”

Numbly, she pulled out the only credit card she had that wasn’t already maxed out and handed it over to make my first deposit. If she lived off of cup noodles for a while, she could manage to make the minimum payments. Hell, if she was lucky, she would be paying this off until she retired.

"Christ! Fuck my life"She grimaced.

Of course, there was another option.

"Zeke's Proposal"A little tiny voice in her head squeaked. 

If she took zeke's offer then she wouldn't have to suffer this much, the thoughts and ideas of what she could do with the money that will be deposited to her once she signs the contract is scary but yet thrilling.

But the real question is, Living a fake and premeditated life to access that much wealth is it worth it. Going that far with a fake facade that involves an innocent child. A baby? Was she willing to risk all that.

As Blair rode the shuttle home,she lost herself in a fantasy of being a billionaire’s bride. Even if it was just for a year…of course she'd have her payment after that, which would be a dream come true in and of itself. But to live for an entire year, without having to think or worry about money once? That was beyond anything she could even imagine. Once she was managing her own small fortune, it would be different. Instead of being worried as to where her next meal or paycheck will come from, she'll be worried about where to invest it, how to save it.

She would spend all of her free time concerned with making it last. If decides to play the role of Thorne's wife, she would be completely worryfree. All her needs would be met, anything just anything she would ask for she could get and have it.

She was tired of this life, ehausted from living paycheck to paycheck, trying to scrape enough money together to float her credit card bills for another month. Between the loan payments and some old medical bills, most of her paychecks left her hands before she even had a chance to think about where to spend them.

But it didn’t have to be that way anymore.

Zeke had given me his personal cell phone number, something that I suspected he rarely gave to anyone. He was anxious to know my decision. Of course he was. He tried to hide it as best he could, but I knew how badly he needed me to say yes.

Just as my thoughts ran wildly and freely, my phone rang and uncle Charles name popped out of the called ID.

Not again!

Blair ended his call almost immediately and the phone rings yet again with violence. She decided to let it ring out when he got tired he'll stop calling..

His calls came in three more time, and then it stopped. Soon her phone pinged signalling she got a message, picking up her phone to check who it was she saw his bold threat .

SEND ME THE MONEY I ASKED FOR! YOU DON'T WANT ME GOING TO YOUR WORKPLACE TO CAUSE A SCENE RIGHT??

Send it now!

Immediately Blair transferred the last cash in her account to her uncle Charles. He has always been like that, him with the threats and extortion when will it all end!

When she got home, she pulled the wrinkled sticky note out of her pocket and dialed Zeke's number.

He answered on the first ring.

“Hello?” His voice was dark and smooth, like…no, she couldn’t let herself think that way. Come on, Blair, Get it together.

“Hello, Mr. ARMANI? It’s uh…it’s Blair Monore”

There was just a moment’s hesitation. “I think maybe…you ought to get used to calling me Zeke now. I could hear him smiling down the phone. The fact that I was calling him out of the blue gave away my hand.

“Okay, Zeke” I said. “Have the contract ready for me on Monday.”

“Of course,” he said.

“I know it’s a purely verbal agreement at this point, but can you do something for me?”

“Anything.”

I felt goose bumps rising on my arms, for some incomprehensible reason.

"Please do not go back on your words, in helping me pay off my debts and loans. The ones under my name and my uncle's, am pretty sure you ran a background check before asking me to be your contract wife."Blair says nervously her hand shaking so terribly she feared they might fall off.

"Am a business man Blair. I never go back on my words, all the terms will be stated in the contract so am bound to do and fulfil my part of the contract and as you in helping restore my image. So you've got yourself a deal Ms. Monore or should I say Ms. Armani"He says with a playful drawl added to his deep rich tone.

"Yes"She says sputtering. Immediately she ended the call her kness grew weak and she slumped crashing on the floor...

Is it really worth it??

She hopes so!!

Been burnt terribly by the hands of poverty can make you want to take all the risk in this world when given the opportunity!

Fuck it! 

She's Ms. Armani now