CHAPTER 3-DESPERATE

Adam missed all his part-time job for the day and couldn't get any pay. It was 8pm and he was waiting for his childhood friend Claudia who works for a large firm to dismiss from work. He needed her to look after Avril while he rushed to the hospital and was desperately praying she came back home with anything Avril could eat.

Luckily Claudia had been inform about his mom's condition by Avril who called her on phone and she bought three take out of pasta.

“ Adam! How is your mom?!"

Claudia ask the moment she walked into the two rooms apartment with few properties that could be counted by just a glance.

“ Claudia! You are back!”

“ How is your mom?"

She questioned again looking anxious.

“ She is on life support! They need a deposit as soon as possible before any treatment can commence”

“ How much are we talking about?”

“ I need to make a deposit of $300,000 before they would commence treatment"

“ What!!! That a whole lot of money, where do they expect you to get such money when you don't even have an insurance!!”

She complained as she narrowed her eyes, almost shedding tears.

“ I really don't know Claudia, am so confuse! Have tried searching for a job everywhere, but no one wants to hire a drop out”

“ Adam! What if there is a job? I mean what if there is a job out there that pays you very high?"

“ I wish there is Claudia, but there isn't!!"

He heaved a sigh, sliding his fingers through his strain hair in frustration.

“ There is Adam! My boss needs someone like you right now, but the conditions are very specific and....... I must say difficult"

“ What ever it is Claudia, am ready, as long as I get to pay for my mom's treatment!"

He sounded so desperate.

“ What about working as a spy for my boss?"

“ What?! Is that a joke Claudia?!!”

“ No! It not! Where is Avril, has she eaten anything?"

Claudia asking placing the box of take out on the table.

“ No! She was very hungry, but thank God she was able to fall asleep. Thanks for the food, you can give it to her when she wakes up, I need to be at the hospital right now!"

“ Adam am not done talking, the job....."

“ There is no job Claudia. I was so interested and taught yes, there really was a way but being a spy.... Don't you think that too much, what if something happens to me, who will take care of my mom and sister?"

“ Relax Adam! Nothing is happening to you. Do you think I will even let you on it if it was something dangerous. Listen to me, have you heard of the name Natash Garcia?”

“ No! What about her?"

“ She used to work for my boss, but ran away with her money which she used in starting her own company, now my boss wants to take revenge but she just needs someone who would work for Natash and bring every information about Natash to her"

“ If she stole her money, why don't she just go over to the police and report her, her tactics, it so absorb”

“ Is not as easy as you think Adams, Natash is a very powerful person, she has a way of getting away with all the bad things she does”

“ How can we be sure I won't get caught?"

“ Because you will have to use the pretense of love!!”

“ What!!!”

“ Yes Adams, the only thing my boss wants is someone capable of making her fall in love with him”

“ And you think it possible, for a wealthy lady to fall in love with someone like me who has nothing to offer?”

“ It a long game, but it also a challenge. Think of the kind of money involve, think of all the things you could finally achieve, get your mom treated in the best hospital, Avril can attend the best college, you even get to start up your own business and maybe get married"

She explained, Adam was quiet, so many thought going through his mind.

“ Claudia, I can't decide right now, let talk about this tomorrow, for now I need to be at the hospital”

“ Okay! Sure, Take your time”

He grabs one of the take out on the table and left.

***********

Mrs. Cruz just finished having a meeting with potential clients and was informed of those waiting to see her at the waiting area, going back to her office, Claudia followed her.

“ Ma'am! I brought someone you would like to see?”

“ Who is that?"

She ask picking up a file from her desk and glancing at it.

“ Our spy for the Natash project"

“ Good! Send him in!”

Claudia walks out of the office, Mrs. Cruz drops the file she was holding as she anxiously stood beside her desk waiting.

“ Good day ma'am!”

Adam greeted politely. He is wearing a white plain shirt and a plain trouser which he bought from an auction at the market.

“ You are indeed capable Claudia! Just what I need!! except for the fact that he needs a few brush up and a new identity”

She spoke walking around him, scanning his dress from head to toe.

“ Claudia am sure you have briefed him about the job?”

“ Yes Ma'am!"

“ Young Man, what your name?”

“ Adams Madison!”

“ Adams do you think you are equal to the task?”

“ I am ma'am! I just have one question. Your target, she is Rich, she probably have men with money begging at her feet, why would she fall in love with someone like me?”

“ Natash has all the money in the world, she is not looking for money in a man, she has power, men bowl at her feet, she doesn't need all that. But she is human and definitely has a need. That will be your target. Get close to her, find out what she really needs, provide that for her and gradually she will fall. Have arranged a new identity already, you will be seeking a job at her company as a driver.......”

“ A driver? Ma'am, don't you think that too low”

Claudia questioned

“ Do you have something better in mind?”

“ I don't know, he cooks well, maybe a chef that way he gains access to her house and stomach”

“ A driver goes everywhere, a driver sees all secrets and hidden locations, I prefer a driver. Adam what do you think?”

“ It fine by me”

“ I will have my lawyer draft out the contract. A payment of 20million will be made, 10million after signing the contract and when the job is done, 10million will be wired into your account, you and your family will have to leave Los Angeles where a mansion and a job will await you as long as you never steps your foot in L.A again”

“ Okay ma'am!”

Adams bow his head in loyalty before walking out of the office.

After he left the company, he was scared, that was a lot of money involve that could change his life forever but he knew there were also risk involve. He was desperate, so much responsibilities awaits him, he just didn't have a choice.

**********

Natash got home early from work, she spent the whole week planning the anniversary of the company, and when she was sure everything was in place, she decided to treat herself.

She sat by the pool alone sipping a glass of wine, while her thought wandered around. Robert was standing from afar watching her, he has known her long enough before the fame and power, whenever she sits close to the pool all alone, he could always tell what she was thinking.

After Natash lost her parent, she went through several abuse from several people both men and women, most people who went through the same abuse would be dysfunction by now, but Natash was never scared facing her fears, whenever she taught they were trying to overwhelm her, she would immediately face them. Robert walked towards her, he knew she wanted to be alone, but he didn't want her to be alone.

“ Boss!"

He called gently.

“ What is it Robert? Can't you see am not in the mood?”

“ Am sorry. Just taught I should inform you, your driver, he resigned today!”

“ So? How is that a problem? Hire another driver!!”

“ Yes Boss! Do you mind if I seat?"

He finally Taught he should ask, she was silent, sipping through her glass and gazing at the water. He knew exactly how she was feeling, he didn't bother saying a word, instead he just sat close to her, staring at the water also.

“ Are you ever going to open up about what happened at the pool that day?"

He finally ask after he was sure his presence was now comforting for her.

“ Please Robert, don't go there, that road is too dark for me”

Her voice calm but he could feel it cracks, he could feel even her deepest pain buried deep in her heart.