Chapter 1

Lisa's POV

For some unknown reason, I’m nervous. My nerves right now might as well be shooting up to the heavens!

He’s staring at me. Looking at me. Studying me. His actions made me even more nervous. A white folder rested under his clasped hands on the table.

“So, Lisa, I want to tell you that I have a business proposal for you.” I blinked at what he said. I didn’t understand it right away.

Is that why he called me into his room?

“W-what? But I don’t have a business,” I asked, confused. I really couldn’t figure out what he was trying to say.

He laughed, raising both eyebrows in front of me. “No. I’m the one offering you a job. Okay! Okay! Let me rephrase it… Lisa, I have a job offer for you that I’m sure you’ll like.”

He adjusted his posture in his seat and looked around. We were on the balcony of his room. That’s where he told me to go when he opened the door for me earlier. I thought he was just going to ask me to do an errand like he usually did. He had me wait a bit before he came and sat with me.

“Ah! Okay!” I said, laughing a little as I held my hair that the wind was blowing around.

“This is not an ordinary job, Lisa.” From his relaxed position in the chair, he leaned forward and opened the folder he was holding.

“A maid? Laundry lady? I can totally do that!” I replied cheerfully. I smiled at him, even though he wasn’t looking since his attention was on the papers.

“No. In this offer, you won’t need to do laundry, cook, or anything like that. I can provide everything you need. Everything! Just do what we’ll discuss today well, and the rest—it’s all mine.” He raised his hands as he said the last part and stretched his neck.

What kind of job is that? Where I don’t have to do anything?

Does he want me to just be a statue!?

I looked at his serious face in disbelief. He didn’t look playful or mischievous at all. He seemed like he was in an important meeting or business deal.

“W-what exactly is the job you’re offering me?” I asked curiously.

Oh, Em! Could it be something illegal? Maybe he wants me to be a drug dealer!!

I screamed fearfully in my head.

“Be my wife, Lisa.”

He lowered his gaze to me and pushed the folder toward me. I stared at it, brows furrowed. When I looked back at him... I saw nervousness in his expression. He blinked several times when I met his eyes.

He looked surprised, even!

“W-wife? A wife? Why are you asking me to be your wife?!” I asked, my voice raised. Has he gone crazy?

“Is this another prank? I have a lot to do, sir.” I stood up, annoyed that he delayed my tasks for this prank. Ugh!

“If you accept my offer, Lisa. I’ll take care of all your needs. Everything.”

He clasped his hands on the table again. “Everything we’re discussing now is documented and recorded. Just sign it and you can live like a dream. Money. A dream house. Cars. Expensive things. I can give you all of that. Anything! If you want to study abroad... then go! If you want your own school after you graduate, I’ll build one for you!” He tilted his head.

“Be my wife, Lisa. My wife on paper.” He looked into my eyes, saying it with such confidence like he was offering the easiest job in the world.

But—why not? The offer is amazing. But…

I didn’t say anything. Just stared at the paper he had pulled out from the folder. I read it. It was a marriage contract. A marriage contract with his signature, dated today!

“Just pretend, act, and do what I say. After a few months or a year—we’ll file for annulment. Depends on when I get my inheritance. Everything I promised, I’ll give you. If you want something, just tell me. I’ll take care of you and your mom,” he continued.

“Ahm, so we’ll have to… uh, do the… thing…”

I couldn’t finish my sentence. I didn’t know if what I was thinking was right. I was embarrassed to say it. I heard him laugh and shake his head, making me look down and bite my lip.

Ugh! Embarrassing!

“Have sex?” he continued my thought. I nodded shyly while looking down.

“We can talk about that. Do you want to?”

I quickly looked up at him. He was grinning at me, head slightly tilted, clearly amused by my reaction.

I heard his laughter again. “You’re so cute. You’re blushing like a teenage girl. I like that.” I looked down again, speechless at what he said.

“If you want—don’t worry. I can teach you if you like. I’m willing to please you. It’s obvious that—you’re still a virgin. Am I right, Lisa?”

I blushed at his question. The embarrassment doubled. I knew I wasn’t like his friends. Not in looks. Not in body. Not in wealth or status. Not even close!

I once saw how he kissed Sabby by the pool. I couldn’t believe people kissed like that. With tongues and even some biting!

It stuck in my mind for days. My virgin eyes! My mind and soul! My goodness!

How do they even do that? They looked like starved pitbulls! Even that other one—together with Ma’am Kat. All of them by the pool. Kissing at the same time. Not caring about the others who were also doing weird stuff. Or about us maids who might catch them.

As much as I didn’t want to think about it, my brain... So dirty! I even tried mimicking it with a pillow. Tried kissing it, moved my lips like they did while hugging it to my chest. Pretending it was on top of me, kissing me.

Am I crazy? Am I a perv for doing that?

“Okay! If you don’t want to, it’s fine. I’m not going to force you. I have lots of options for that, just so you know.” He laughed again when I didn’t respond. Proud of what he said.

“It’s not like that, Sir.” I said softly, still not looking at him. I knew he was just staring at me. I could hear his playful smirks in front of me.

“Alright. I give you a day to decide. I know it’s a lot to take in.” He smiled at me. “Keep that contract for now. Read it. Everything you can get and the privileges while we’re married are listed there. If you have questions, just come to me. But—this deal is confidential, Lisa. No one else can know. Just us. Understand?” he added.

I looked at his handsome face. His dreamy eyes with soft lashes.

I nodded slowly, which made him smile. He revealed his white, perfectly aligned teeth.

“Are there any rules to this deal?” I asked, making his brows furrow.

“Yes. Just one.” He nodded once and leaned back in his chair.

“Wow! Just one but I get all of this?” I said in amazement, scanning the papers in my hands. There were bank account application forms from various banks. There was also a passport application and a check with his name and signature but no amount written.

“Yes, just one. I hope you can follow it,” he said simply. I nodded in response, continuing to look through the papers. I was fascinated by them. It was my first time seeing documents like this so I wanted to read them all.

“What is it?” I looked up at him, still calmly seated and watching me.

“Don’t fall in love with me.”

I blinked at what he said. I couldn’t see any emotion in his eyes. Clearly, he wasn’t joking.

But why? I have no reason to fall in love with him, right? And even more so, he with me.

I laughed. He frowned at my reaction. “Okay! Deal!” I said, which raised his eyebrow.

“You’re agreeing?” he asked, incredulous, even straightening up in his seat.

I nodded and placed the marriage contract on top of the other documents.

“Yes! On one condition.”

This time, I got serious. I gave him the same look he gave me earlier. I saw he was surprised. He pouted slightly then smiled before nodding at me. He raised his hand, signaling me to speak.