The Pleasure Is All Mine

Alyssa's POV

“How dare he? Did he even know if I had plans today already? How could he ask me to meet him in his private mansion out of the blue?”

The turbulent thoughts crowded my head as I walked down the lonely street that led to his mansion. I knew better than to come to places like this alone but I still did anyway.

A mint green three piece suit hugged my body comfortably. A comfy trouser, not darn skirts.

Arriving at the gate, I rang the security bell and after a while, the gate rolled open.

Don't even get me started on the mansion itself. I thought I had seen it all but that masterpiece? When I leave here, I will never shut up and I'll forever brag about the opportunity I got to be inside it first hand.

 Just how rich was this guy and what the hell did he want from me? I thought to myself because I would never be able to offer anything to him that he didn't already have.

Upon getting to the big front door, it opened before I could even ring the large doorbell.

 A man in a black suit was waiting and instantly, I felt chills. He looked scary. Infact, he was easily the scariest man I had ever seen but I still put on a brave front.

Staring down at me, he made a call before he made a gesture with his hands, telling me to step inside.

“Sir, She's here.” I heard him say before he guided me up the most expensive-looking stairs I had ever climbed. I was living in past glory and I had already had a taste of a life like this but I still felt dirty as my heels clicked on the steps.

We soon got to a living room, one where its interiors were similar to my outfit. I felt like I was part of the furniture but I still sat down anyway as I waited for the man that invited me here.

After saying I wouldn't honor his invitation, I'm pretty sure I was one of the first humans that woke up today. It's embarrassing, but I hoped to see that boyish grin again, and I was curious about his lifestyle too. Don't judge!

Artworks and vases filled with fresh flowers adorned the living room and honestly, I couldn't stop what I did next. I saw a rare flower and stood up to see it closely but the minute I got there, I heard his loud voice behind me.

Did he fly?

“Don't touch it, Miss Waters.”

Feeling an instant lump in my throat since I just got caught, I cleared my throat and turned around to meet his sharp gaze.

“Do take a seat.” He added, gesturing towards the cushion my clutch bag sat leisurely. There was a brown document in his hands.

Now that I stared at him closely, he was definitely handsome but he wasn't my type. He wasn't my type at all.

He sank into the seat directly opposite mine. An elderly maid served snacks as well.

As I watched her, he broke the silence.

“Thank you for coming.”

 I turned my head around to see that he was already staring at me.

Nodding, I forced out a weak smile.

“So I'll go straight to the point. I need you to write a biography for me. My biography.”

“What?” I asked, wide eyed. Was this some kind of prank? 

“A biography.”

I soon erupted into a fit of mocking laughter. Soon, little tears threatened to fall off because how dare he?

“I'm sorry, I'm no longer an author and I can't write a biography for you. There's no way you don't know about the scandal surrounding me, so I'm sure you called me here to mock me and I find it disrespectful. I'm still a human being with feelings, okay?” I replied, clearly in my feelings. He called me here to write a friggin biography?

“Okay, you're taking this too far–” He tried to talk but I cut him off because I wasn't done talking. I felt hurt and angry.

“You're clearly arrogant if you want me to do that while you're still alive. Even if you were dead, I still wouldn't. If that's all, I'll be on my way–” I reached for my clutch bag and was about to stand up, but stopped in my tracks when I heard his next words.

“Five hundred thousand dollars.”

I shot him a surprised look, one he didn't return. He sipped his vodka like he didn't just call an amount of money I've never seen in my life.

“Other benefits are inclusive. Do I have your attention now?”

Arrogant men. Tsk. I rolled my eyes just before calling him out for wasting my time.

“Why would you pay me such an amount? Even so, I still don't need it.

I lied through my teeth. I was currently struggling even with all my profit shares over the years. I proceeded to lie some more.

“I'm successful even though my career is over. I can take care of myself with the money I've accumulated over the years.”

Finally turning to leave, his sudden dark chuckle sent a chill down my spine, and I felt unease wash over me. His following words even made me sicker.

“I know about your sick nanny in the hospital. I know how much her health care costs and how much you've made from your books so far. From my calculations, you're back to square one.”

I felt a sudden surge of anger, my brows raised so high they could touch the roots of my front hair.

“Did you run a background check on me?” I spat out angrily, my patience running thin.

“I didn't need to. It's glaring. Consider my request. If you do, I'll take care of her and still pay you.”

“Fuck you, Luke Lexington.” I said, succumbing to his request. My old nanny's health was the most important thing to me.

“Fuck you? No thanks.” He replied snarkily and as I stood, I watched him scan the length of me. The weakest and sluttiest part of me wished I had opted for a shirt and wore a v-neck singlet for a better view of my cleavage. I hated myself.

“Ugh, whatever. I rolled my eyes, sinking back into my seat. At least he had made it clear that he didn't find me attractive and it was healthy if we were going to work together.

“What do you need a biography for?” It was clear that he was desperate, even though he tried to hide it under his icy exterior.

“Here, look at this.” He said, handing me over a sheet of paper from the files he brought with him.

I took it from him and looked down at it. Reading it, all my anger dissipated like smoke. Instead, I felt a mix of pity, shock and sadness.

“You've got a brain tumor, and it's..it's terminal?” My voice wavered as I moved awkwardly in my seat. I was filled with instant regrets. He needed help from me but all I've been is a cocky bitch.

“Twenty two months left. That's why I need you.” 

“Wow. I..I wasn't expecting this at all. I'm so sorry” I replied, barely hiding my sadness.

“I don't need pity. I just need to know that you'll be accepting this offer.”

Ugh. Asshole. 

“Five hundred thousand dollars. Do you plan to get rid of me after writing it or something?”

“I'm buying your silence and your time. No one should find out about my tumor and I'll need you to follow me everywhere for documentation purposes. You don't have anything you're doing so it won't be inconvenient for you.”

“Everywhere? And you want to buy my silence?”

“Yes. As a matter of fact, I've drawn the contract already, so please sign.”

He replied, sliding the rest of the file from his side of the table to mine. Picking it up, I saw that my name was already there and everything. It was just my signature left. Very suspicious.

“It's not even a temporary contract. What if I refused?”

“Then I'll pester you until you agree.”

The boyish grin I anticipated materialized as I stared at him. Ugh. Right, he wasn't my type. I should try to remember that.

“I'll sign it anyway so no need to buy my silence. It's clear you've had to do this all your life and I feel sorry for you.”

“You're saying I have no real friends, Alyssa.” My name rolled off his tongue perfectly and it made me feel things. For a man that ‘wasn't’ my type, he was getting under my skin so bad.

“Well, do you?” I asked, pretending like his voice doesn't always weaken me.

“”You've got me there.”

We burst out laughing as I signed.

“Now that you've signed. Work commences. I'll need you in my office tomorrow. There's no time to waste. I think we are done here. I have a meeting to attend and it was lovely meeting you, Alyssa.”

He stood up to shake hands and the way he dismissed me was pretty fast.

A simple eye lock was all it took to destabilize me, but he walked away like it was nothing.

“The pleasure is all mine, Luke.” I forced out a smile.