3

RONALD'S POV

I sat in front of my computer, typing away at the screen when my phone rang,without glancing at the phone screen I picked the call.

“Hello,”I said hoarsely, my eyes still on my computer screen

“Let's meet.We need to talk," A feminine voice said across the phone.

I paused looking at the strange number that called then my mind drifted to the previous day.

“Aghh, it slipped my mind,I almost forgot I had a deadline. I guess I can't get used to this," I sighed, realization dawned on me .

I swiftly put on my suit that had been laying on the couch.

I picked my phone to send a text to her “Let's meet at Daily Grind”

Daily grind is a coffee shop that sells the best brewed coffee in the area,just a few blocks from my office. I quickly reserved a private room for the meeting.

I checked my golden wristwatch at intervals waiting for Emily,after some time she arrived at Daily grind looking stressed.

“I'm so sorry for being late,got into traffic,” she apologized, removing some strands of hair from her sweaty face.

“Here,”I said, giving her my handkerchief so that she would use it to dry the sweat on her face .

“Thanks,” She muttered looking at me weirdly while we both took our seats in the reserved room.

“I was surprised when you told me that you want us to meet. what made you change your mind,” I asked , lifting the coffee cup to my lips.

“Well, I reconsidered it.And I think this will be a good opportunity for me to spread my wings,” She replied crossing her legs.

I adjusted my tie and brought out some documents out of my briefcase “Based on what we discussed,I have drafted some rules for this contract marriage in case you change your mind or I find someone else”

“Rules?” she asked with raised eyebrows and took the documents I passed to her.

“Party A and Party B must:portray as a loving couple for the 6 months they will be together. They must work hand in hand to achieve each other's plans.This agreement is strictly among us,a third party shouldn't know of our bargain and after achieving whatever they desire through this marriage,both can divorce and go separate ways after 6 months ." She read the words ,her eyes scanning the documents before placing them back on the table.

“Do you have any problem with the rules?. You are free to add yours,” I stated icily, couldn't wait to get this done with.

I know I sounded hasty,I can't just wait to get the inheritance and go back to my normal life.

”I have my conditions, Party A and B should not interfere in each other's businesses when not in the public. There should be no form of sexual intimacy,” she noted while I knuckle

“That shouldn't be funny,” she said, rolling her eyes.

I let out a laugh “Ah, sexual intimacy my foot,” I snickered.

Clearing her throat “Moving on,The privacy of each party should be acknowledged and respected. That's all I have to say about the rules,” she said crossing her arms over her chest.Her phone kept ringing all through the bargain but she just left it go into voicemail.

“You can go ahead and pick your call,it must be very important,” I said, guessing that it was an important call since the caller wouldn't stop bombarding the phone with calls.

“ It's no important call” she replied with a narrowed eyes

“ Okay,I will include your contribution to the contract,so do we have a deal?” I said standing up from my seat and stretching my hands to her .

“Deal.” she replied with a tiny smile on her lips, placing her tender hands on my palm.

“Shall we?” I said walking out of the private room,hand in hand with Emily.

We walked out of the coffee hand in hand ignoring the stares and whispers from onlookers.

I offered Emily a ride but was turned down. “We will have to do this often so get used to it.We need to make people believe we are dating,” She let out a stored breath while I explained.

‘I think she is nervous about this whole thing’ I said in my thoughts.

“You don't need to worry babe, I got you covered,” She smiled, hooking her arms with my arms.

“Babe? That's new,” I said, reciprocating the smile, knowing that she already switched to acting as a lovely couple .

We walked to the place I packed my car, opened the passenger door for her in a gentlemanly way. I entered the car and drove off.

“You can drop me here,” she said looking out of the window.

“Is this where you live?” I asked, facing her while my hands were on the wheel and matching the brake to a stop

“No,I just want to walk on the street as an ordinary person for the last time,”she said, biting her rosy lips and strapping her bag on shoulder before getting out of the car.

‘She is nervous,’ I said in my mind observing her.

“We will be going on a date tomorrow.Text me your house address so I can pick you up” I said,smirking.A part of me is glad that this is going well as planned.

“I will” she said waving her hands in approval.I stared at her as she walked out of sight.

****

“Good morning sir,” Leila said, making her way into the office.

“Morning,” I replied, looking up from my laptop.

“I just got an update concerning the current project we are working on.These are the project files,” She said, placing the documents with another stack of documents on the table.

Leila has always been keeping tabs on ongoing projects.Her diligence, Capabilities and smartness made me assign her for projects that I don't have time to attend to.And that's more reason I made her my Personal Assistant.

“ You can go,”I said, flipping through the pages of the documents.

“Okay Boss” she nodded opening the door

“ Hold on, I need you to get a dinner dress, shoes and bags from the best boutique and send it to this address,” I emphasized strongly on the best boutique and gave her the address .

“ And lastly, book a reservation for me in one of the best restaurants.I trust you will recommend a good one,”I started giving her a trusting glance.

“Noted Boss, I will work on it right away. Is there any other thing I can help with?” She asked courteously , taking notes on her tab .

“ None for now .You can leave,” I replied, eyes on the screen.

Fatigue sipped in as I began to finish up the documents I was working on. I got up to prepare for the dinner date after I sent my driver to pick Emily up.

I got to the restaurant a few minutes after seven waiting for Emily's arrival.

The restaurant was lit with a warm,soft ,dim light but a little dark,the table was decorated with a brown table cover and flowers to adorn it. I sat waiting for my date

After a while, I saw someone walking into the restaurant, directly to where I sat,my eyes widened in stunned surprise at who was in front of me. A person from my past who I don't want to meet.