6

Logan packed the car, almost getting to the front of Allyson’s house.

“Please” He pleaded, wanting to hold her hands but she withdrew.

“No.. I.. I can't” Allyson shook her head. “Our deal ends here. I have nothing to do with you anymore”

“But you heard my father, he wants us to get married, he approved of you” He pleaded.

“I… I can't do this. I shouldn't haven't pretended to be your girlfriend in the first place” 

“He’ll take my only job, the company” He looked so scared.

Allyson heaved deeply.

“Please, marry me” Logan begged.

Allyson literally took a time before uttering;

“You have no idea if I'm in a relationship with someone”

“Are you?” He blurted.

I shook my head; “But I want to genuinely love someone. I want genuine companionship” That was a slip of the tongue.

“The marriage contract will only be for a year then we’ll go our separate ways”

 “And what are you gonna tell your Dad when we are no longer together?”

“We fell out of love and decided to divorce” Logan said.

I looked at him unbelievably.

“My parents are not together likewise”

“I'm…uhm sorry about that” I muttered; I know what it's like to grow up without a parent figure.

“It's fine. I'm all grown” He said.

I didn't say anything.

“So will you be my wife for a year?” He proposed again.

 “Will you keep all your promises?” I also asked to confirm.

“I cross my heart” He placed his palm on his chest. “I’ll make sure your sister's health is attended to ASAP and at the end of our marriage year, I'll give you a sum of $100,000”

“I still need a job” I requested.

“Done. And as a matter of fact, you can resume at my company any time you want” Looks like he’ll do anything to get me.

“This is so good to be real” Allyson said in her mind.

“I… I.. have to think about this thoroughly” I told him.

“We don't have much time, you know” He reminded me.

“I'll get back to you Mr Logan, don't force me” 

Logan sighed and started the engine again;

“It's just Logan, call me Logan” He corrected as he began to drive.

He dropped me in front of my house, his gaze was pleading, he watched me go inside before he drove away.

*

*

Inside the house, I leaned against the door and closed my eyes, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart. 

I tried to process everything he said, I could hardly believe what had just happened. A marriage contract? One year? And with Logan? I was beginning to find him irresistibly charming? It all seemed too good to be true.

“Well well, welcome back” 

Kessia, a bosom friend, clapped to announce her presence because I was oblivious.

“Oh hey Kessia” I said.

“Why would you leave a sick girl all by herself?” Kessia quarried.

“What happened to Mabel?” I panicked, almost rushing to her room but she followed me behind.

“Shh she just fell asleep but she was restless before I got here but trust me to be always there for her” Kessia spoke compassionately.

“Thank you” I mouthed as I took a seat.

“So where are you coming from?” Kessia inquired. “In that outfit”

“Uhm.. somewhere”

“You are seeing someone?”

I didn't know what to answer yet.

“Mabel told me and I confirmed it when the guy dropped you off”

“Oh Kessia” I shook my head.”This guy and I, karma is a bitch” Was the first statement I resumed with.

“Okayyy..” She tried to reason along with me but expected me to go straight to the point. “Spill the tea”

“So I stole from him at the club” I confessed.

“You did what?” She exclaimed.

“Shh” I shushed her, so Mabel won't hear. “I needed my sister's hospital bill”

“I wanted to help you Allyson, you didn't have to steal” Kessia made a fuss.

“I needed a lot of money and we can't continue to be a burden to you” Allyson said.

“Did I ever complain to you Allyson?” She crossed her arms underneath her breast.

“You are only managing Kessia. I need a whole lot of money” I emphasized on the ‘whole lot’ referring to the huge amount Logan promised to give me.

“Okay so, if he is the guy you stole from and he didn't get you arrested, is he blackmailing you?”

“Nope.. he…uhm ..Logan is actually a cool guy” 

Allyson explained everything that happened, from how she stole from him to how they met again in his company to the girlfriend contract turned marriage contract to his awesome offer.

Kessia opened her mouth in awe.

“So if you were in my shoes, what would you do?” I asked her.

“Honestly, I don't know” Kessia said. 

“I know what to do but I'm scared to do it” I said.

“Then I think you should let Mabel know about this”

I nodded in agreement with Kessia. 

I don't know how Mabel will react, knowing she is the reason I'm doing all this”

***

Logan shut his laptop, he couldn't concentrate nor work. He looked at his phone countless times, waiting for Allyson to call and just say ‘Yes’.

“In a twinkle of an eye, I'm about to be a married man” He scoffed.

If this was too sudden for him, how about Allyson?

He ran his hand through his hair:

“Fvck! Dad really has to stop treating me like a child!” He groaned in frustration, getting off his desk and his chair rolling back with a loud creak.

“What if Allyson turns me down?” He bit his finger.

 “ I wouldn't blame her but there's too much at stake” He paced back and forth in his office, pondering on the next move.

“Maybe I just need to re-establish myself and stop relying on some inherited company”

Allyson has every right to refuse to do this with him because holds nothing against her. The theft was only to bring her to his way but if she turns him down, he has to start all over again.

Find a new girl and create fresh lies to feed his father.

While his thoughts were running wild of what to do if Allyson really turns his contract down, his phone rang jerking him back to reality.

‘The petty thief’ was the caller ID.

“Hey Allyson, I was expecting your call. I mean your feedback. So what do

you say?” He said into the phone quickly.

“Uhm…I’ld like you to come to my place tomorrow. There's something I need you to do, " said Allyson.