Chapter 3

Upon Serena's sudden appearance, Fred suppressed the nostalgia he felt and decided on the best way to use this opportunity. She was perfect for the job as his fake wife. Since, she had stayed hidden all these years, though he didn't know why, but he thought to use it to his advantage.

He was worried she might get angry when she sees the contract as that would be the first thing he does after years of no communication but somehow, he didn't care. She was the one who left without a reason anyways.

He had sent an agent to do a background check on her before sending for her. When he heard of what happened to her mother, he felt bad but then on second thoughts, it proved that Serena was in need of money. So he would use money to get her.

He decided to make their meeting just business based, no questions or personal conversations. Not that he wasn't curious about what happened and how she'd been all those years, but he thought maybe that would be what she wanted too.

But he was wrong. Serena gave him a puzzled and angry look.

"What the hell is the meaning of this?"

"It's exactly what you read. I'm not here to talk about our personal lives, Serena. It's strictly business. I invited you here because I thought you were the perfect person for the job" he said

When he didn't get a reply, he continued, " you're going to be paid handsomely for it as you can see on the contract. It's a sweet price if I may say"

" I will not be playing this game with you " Serena scorned as she stood up and hurried to the door. She couldn't control the anger in her anymore. Tears had gathered in her eyes as she left the company.

On her way home, she looked up Fred on the internet and was surprised. He was a billionaire, a businessman known across the world. He was beyond successful. How did she not hear of him until now?

Arriving at her house, Serena met a sobbing Dhoti and a terrified Troy.

"The bakery… it's all burnt to the ground" Dhoti said with tears in her eyes.

Anxious and puzzled, Serena tried her best to stay calm for Dhoti. She consoled her and asked for what exactly happened.

"I don't know, the… the oven… the oven, it just… caught fire and … " she whimpered

" I was able to get Troy out as fast as possible and… I tried my best to stop the fire but I couldn't and it just kept spreading… I called the firefighters but before they came… it was all gone".

Today definitely wasn't a good day for Serena but she tried her best to remain calm. She made dinner for Dhoti and Troy and assured them that everything would be fine. But she knew it wouldn't.

Rejecting Fred's proposal meant she had to find another job, but where else would pay her as much as Fred was willing to?. It was hard for Serena to decide. What about Troy? What if he finds out about Troy? No, she wouldn't let that happen. There had to be some other way to solve her problems.

Fred, on the other hand, was quite certain that Serena would return. She wouldn't have a choice. It was just a matter of time. He had instructed Elene to bring Serena directly to him if she showed up.

Serena proved Fred right. Two days after she had left abruptly, she returned to the room where she and Fred had been. It took alot of humbleness and critical thinking to decide on coming back here.

She had decided to take the risk.

Fred walked into the room, his hostile comportment overwhelming her. She finally acknowledged the fact that Fred had changed so much. He used to be jovial. He was that ebullient young man full of magnetism. What changed him so much?

Fred presented the documents to her and went over the rules.

"In the period of one year that we're going to be together, I've set simple rules we're going to follow. You'll have to oblige them as well" he said, making eye contact with her. She seemed disturbed at first but quickly softened her look. She was trying so hard to be casual and he noticed it.

"I hope you're aware that we'll have to live together. You'll also be restricted from leaving the house, well unless it's both of us leaving. There'll be people everywhere, watching every step you take"

" Seriously?" She said " I hope you know that I have a life aside from this. What about my mum? My friends? "

"Like I said Serena, if you'll have to go somewhere then it has to be both of us… "

" No " she interrupted, " it's okay, I'll abide to that"

Her sudden change of mind was unusual. Was she hiding something?

"Ah, speaking of friends, this is a secret contract that only the two of us should know. If you should share this to anyone, you'll suffer the consequences Serena, do you agree with that?"

"Yes" she nodded.

" And as for your mother … I'll have her transferred to a private hospital under my name. It'll be easier to visit her there without anyone monitoring you"

"How did you know my mother was at a hospital? " She asked

He raised an eyebrow " I had someone investigate you". Her eyes widened, " is that all you got to know about me?"

" Yes, that was all, why?,"

She sighed, dernly, with relief, " it's nothing, you should go on with what you were saying " she said with a straight face.

" If we're going to convince the media and the world that we're married, we'll have to do it the right way. I have everything prepared for our honeymoon… "

" Honeymoon?,"

" Yes" he replied as he raised his eyes to meet hers. Her face was flushed and she probably didn't know that. He snickered at the thought of her realising how red she looked right now. She would have probably died from shame and embarrassment.

She looked at him, puzzled on why he laughed. Did she say something wrong?. Also it was the first time she saw him laugh even if it was a small one. His face softened a little.

"It's just a show for the public. While we're together, we'll respect each other's privacy and boundaries. It's part of the rules so you don't have to fret"

When Fred showed her where she would sign, she asked, "will I be paid in instalments?, Starting from tomorrow"

"Will you be moving in tomorrow?" He asked

"Yes" she answered hesitantly

"Then yes, you'll be paid immediately when you arrive" he said leaning back onto his chair.

Then she signed the contract.