The Game To The Contract

CHAPTER FOUR

Mr. Osvaldo listened intently to my story, and when I was done telling it, he went silent like he was contemplating on what to do with the information he had gotten.

“I don't mind working as a cleaner, if you wouldn’t mind…” I offered but was cut off mid sentence.

“Who said anything about you working for me?” He retorted, going back to sorting the paperwork he had on his desk.

“Excuse me.” I blurted out, genuinely confused by his statement.

He stacked his paperwork aside and looked up at me with a very serious expression. "I have a better proposal for you if you're willing to comply, of course."

If I was willing to comply? Given my limited options, I had no choice, as long as it wasn't prostitution.

"What's your proposal, Sir?" I asked, a little anxious to hear what he was about to say.

He stared at me with a very serious expression on his face, “Lenora Prescott,” He began “Will you marry me?”

“That's a good one,” I burst out laughing, amused by his all of a sudden question, who on earth asks a total stranger to marry them?

“You mentioned wanting to repay me, if I'm not wrong,” he stated.

“Yes, I did.” I responded.

I could feel wrinkles begin to form on my forehead from the confused expression I had on.

“I want you to sign a contract with me.” He continued.

“What kind of contract are we talking about?” I asked, my confusion clearing by the second. Of course he didn't mean…

“A marriage contract,” He declared, and I let out a long breath, I hadn't realized I was holding in.

Stunned, I took a second to rephrase what he had just said before blurting out, "Wait, what?"

Mr. Osvaldo leaned forward, his expression unwaveringly serious as he explained, "I think this arrangement could be mutually beneficial. You repay your debt, and I, in turn, gain a partner."

I sat there in his office, dumbfounded, trying to process his unexpected proposition. “Marriage? But... why?” I stammered, trying to make sense of the situation.

He sighed as if he had anticipated my reaction. “My mother is pressing me to settle down, I don't have any intentions to do that anytime soon, so to get her off my back, you will act as my wife.”

My mind raced, grappling with the bizarre nature of the proposal. “But what about, you know, love, courtship and all that?”

“Love isn't always the bedrock of marriages,” he responded matter-of-factly. “This seems like a solution to our respective needs."

“And what am I supposed to do as your wife?”

“It's quite simple— be beautiful, make some public appearances, do things couples do in public like holding hands, light kisses, and, of course, maintain a respectable image for the sake of my family and yours.”

I couldn't help but ask, “And what about, you know, being an actual couple?”

He raised an eyebrow. “We maintain our appearance, play our roles when needed. But behind closed doors, we live our own lives.”

“So, no fancy dates or anything?” I teased, and he glared at me. “Sorry.” I muttered.

“You will also be required to birth an heir to my company.” He added.

“Whoa, whoa whoa... give birth to a child?” I exclaimed. If we were to live our separate lives, how was I supposed to give birth to a child?

“Yes, it's part of the contract,” He said, tossing a file over to me. I took a hold of it and went through the contents.

I was dumbfounded as I read through the Terms and Conditions. It said in the terms that I was to act as his wife; that I sort of don't mind. But, as I went further through the contents, it stated that I was to give birth to a child and leave afterwards when the child turned two.

“You seem uncomfortable with my proposals.” He stated, noticing my discomfort.

“It says I'm supposed to leave my child when they turn two.” I stated, but was met by his confused stare.

“They?” He asked, in confusion.

“I'm not sure of their gender so I'm just using ‘They’ for the meantime, but that's not the point. I can't leave my kid,” I declared.

“If you read through the contract, it says you'll be compensated,” He replied, exasperatedly.

“Yeah, no shit, you're telling me that we're supposed to live our lives separately but have a kid together, and I'm supposed to be compensated when it's all over?” I asked, but what I got as a response from him was a curt nod.

The compensation was mouth watering, I mean, shares in a company sounded very nice, but giving up my child for it didn't sit well with me. The whole concept felt surreal, I felt a mix of confusion and disbelief. “This is too much for me to take, I need some time to think about this,” I finally managed to say.

“Take your time.” he said, going back to his paperwork.

Leaving his office, my head spun with thoughts. Marrying a near stranger for a "practical" solution? It's definitely not what I signed up for.

I went back to my room and plopped on my bed. Letting out a deep sigh, I pulled the covers over my head.

Later that night, I went back to his office with my mind made up. “I'll accept your offer, on one condition.”

“You're not in the place to be making conditions, but go on.” He responded.

“I want to share custody of our child. It'd be unfair to me as a mother and the child to not get to know each other, I would resent myself if my child ever grew to hate me for abandonment.” I requested, hoping for a positive answer.

I had only accepted to sign the contract because of my family, I needed the money for my family and free money doesn't come by this easily.

He stared at me for what felt like forever. In a split second, he pulled out the file from earlier and handed it over to me. “Sign on everywhere that requires your signature.”

“Does that mean you accept my condition?”

He leaned back in his chair and sighed, “I don't see why not.”

I glanced through the Terms and Conditions again in case I had missed something. Everything felt okay, so I went ahead to put my signature on every line it needed to be put.

He went through the document, making sure I didn't miss a spot, and when he was satisfied, he put it back in his drawer and focused his attention on me. “From now till the contract ends, you'll be known as Mrs. Lenora Osvaldo, I have assigned a personal bodyguard to you, since you're already familiar with Yara she'll be your personal maid, if you need anything let me know.”

“I have a question Mr. Osvaldo, what if I'm asked questions on how we met and all, you know, to prove we're a real couple?” My curiosity got the best of me so I asked.

“The only person you would need to worry about answering such questions to, is my mother," He responded, curtly. “And please, call me Richard from now on.”

I was still not satisfied with his response so I said, “I still don't know what to tell her.”

“Vanya will brief you on everything you need to know about her, now if you would excuse me I have unfinished work to attend to.”

"It won't kill you to answer a few more questions." I muttered under my breath.

“Excuse me.”

“Nothing.” I said getting up to leave his office.

“One more thing,” he announced, and I turned to hear what he had to say. “You're not allowed to fall in love with me, it's part of the contract, once you do, the contract will be terminated and you'll receive no benefits, except, of course, if the child is born.”

“I assure you, that wouldn’t happen.” I responded and left his office.

I'm not allowed to fall in love with him? Like anyone would want to fall for a nonchalant ass like him. This contract should be as easy as a pie, right?