Chapter 5: Falling in Love is for Losers

Eloise tapped her foot on the ground as she waited for Vaughn to arrive.

After she finally accepted his proposition, the two of them decided to meet at a cafe to discuss everything that was bound to happen in their marriage and her surrogacy.

After a few moments, he finally arrived.

It was easy to spot him with his expensive clothes and aura. Even some of the customers looked over his way when he came in.

She couldn’t help but shake her head.

He sat down in front of him and ordered from the waiter.

“What do you want?” he asked.

She shook her head. She already browsed through the menu a while ago, and she didn’t want to spend 11 dollars on a cup of coffee.

“It’s alright,” she said. “I already ate at home.”

He sighed and ordered a bunch of stuff, probably much more than he could eat.

However, she let it go since he probably has more money than she would ever know.

“So,” Eloise said. “How are we going to do this?”

“I only want two things,” Vaughn said, leaning back against his seat. “Marry me, and carry a child for me and my girlfriend.”

“I already established that,” Eloise said. “If I’m going to be doing this, I need to know the reason behind it.”

He sighed. “Let’s just say that my parents would only give me the company that I’ve worked hard in if I have a family of my own.”

Just then, the waiter came back with Vaughn’s orders. She looked at the bountiful food and couldn’t help but think how delicious it must be.

“Eat,” he said, pushing one of the drinks in front of her.

“This is for you, isn’t it?” she asked.

“Just take it. It's yours,” he said, sipping his iced americano.

She looked at his face for any sign of teasing, but he looked genuine, so she took a sip from the frappuccino and couldn’t help but smile as she tasted the sweet liquid in her mouth.

Okay, maybe he’s not as insufferable as she had thought.

“Going back to our conversation,” Eloise said. “Why don’t you just ask your girlfriend about having a family of your own?”

“Shouldn’t you be thankful?” he asked. “If I weren’t in this predicament, then you wouldn’t have had the chance to have someone pay for your brother’s treatment.”

Eloise takes back her words. He’s insufferable.

She looked down at the table and couldn’t help but feel a bit ashamed. She’s in a really desperate situation, and it sucks that she has resulted in this because of her lack of money.

“But to answer your question, my girlfriend doesn’t want to have a family yet. She’s at the peak of her modeling career, so she’s focused on that.”

“Can I know the name of your girlfriend?”

“Alina Jenkins,” he said.

“Holy shit!” she exclaimed. “Your Alina Jenkins’ boyfriend? She’s like the next big thing now.”

She doesn’t know much about Alina, but she’s seen her pictures every now and then. She’s really pretty, from what she had seen.

He nodded his head. Alina’s name had become trendier these days ever since he introduced her to one of the most sought-out editorial companies in the country.

“And you already told her about this?” she asked.

He nodded his head. “Yes, she approved. She agrees that this is the best for the two of us. That way, she gets to keep her career while I get to have the company. You, on the other hand, get to pay for your brother’s treatment.”

Well, it’s pretty reassuring hearing that the two of them won’t be doing this behind his girlfriend’s back.

“How long are we going to do this?”

“A year,” he said. “It could be more. It could be less, but once we already have the baby and the company has been transferred to my name, the two of us would get a divorce and live our normal lives.”

It seemed like a plausible plan, but there was something inside Eloise’s mind that thinks not everything is going to be as easy as she thinks.

“In that duration, you would be staying in my house—just so my parents would think that everything is real.”

“But aren’t you living with Alina?” she asked.

“We live separately,” he said. “However, she comes to my place quite often, so don’t say anything when she’s there. Just leave the two of us alone.”

She couldn’t help but scoff under her breath. The two of them haven’t even started with the deal yet he’s already so cold.

Could she be able to live with a man like this?

Well, for Cameron and her family, she could. She would do everything for her family.

“Do we have a deal, then?” he asked.

Eloise bit her lip before nodding her head.

For Cameron.

“Let’s do it.”

For the very first time, she saw a smile grace upon his lips. After only seeing him smirk and frown, it was surprising how he actually looked much more handsome while smiling.

“Good,” he said. “Now let’s establish some ground rules. I’ll start, then you follow. We’ll go on from there.”

Eloise nodded her head.

“First, you can’t date anyone in the duration that we’re married.”

She chuckled. He’s the one who’s dating somebody else, but he’s laying down this kind of rule. However, she quickly agreed since she probably wouldn’t even have the time and luxury to date someone during this time.

“Got it,” she said.

“My rule is that I still get to see my family whenever I want, and that I’ll be able to keep on working during the deal.”

“The first one's okay,” he said. “But I’d expect you to stop working once you try becoming pregnant. I don’t want to put you or the baby’s health at risk.”

She nodded her head, understanding his sentiment.

“My second rule—don’t meddle with Alina and I’s relationship. I also don’t want you asking personal questions since this relationship is bound to end in a year.”

“Alright,” she said. “Now, we have to establish rules with our skinship. Would we act like a normal couple when in public?”

“Just in front of my parents. This wouldn't get out of to the press too,” he said.

She nodded her head.

“Okay, I think that’s good for now. Do you have any other rules?” she asked.

He thought for a bit.

“I have one last rule,” he said.

She looked into his eyes and waited for him to speak.

“Don’t fall in love with me.”

She raised her eyebrows in surprise before bursting out into laughter.

“That’s a ridiculous rule. I’m not going to fall in love with you!”

“Make sure you don’t,” he said.

“I definitely won’t!”