Chapter 5
975 Words
"Your contract wife?" Ava asked, to be sure she heard what Benjamin said clearly.
"Are you in or not because this is the business deal I have for you. I'll pay you handsomely" The seriousness in every word Benjamin said shows that he isn't joking.
"I will call you back Mr. Benjamin. I need to think before I make my decision" Ava said skeptically.
"Okay that's fine but you have just 1 hour to decide whether you're interested in this one-year deal. If an hour elapses and you don't call back, you're disqualified for this deal, Ava." Benjamin spoke in a tone more of a threat. He knows he has to sound manipulative to make Ava accept his offer because his mother is on his neck.
"I'll call you back." Ava assured him
Cuts call
Ava begins pacing the room, thinking of the offer Benjamin has proposed to her.
"Is this the answer to my predicaments? What if this is a setup or a plan or something? Why would the CEO of Harris John need a contract wife?..." Multiple questions run through Ava's mind all at once as she sits down on her bed completely overwhelmed.
"Should I quickly go see Mrs. Charlotte?" Ava asked herself. Immediately she answered.
"No! If I go I won't be able to make a decision or even have the time to call Benjamin back" Ava decided to stay back and contemplate the offer Benjamin proposed to her until she finally made her decision.
1 hour later.
(Phone rings.)
"Yes, Ava, what did you decide?" Benjamin asked before Ava could say anything.
"Yes, but I'd like to ask some questions before I let you know what I decided." Ava said, her voice strong.
"There's always room for questions in every business deal, so go on." Benjamin replied unperturbed.
"Okay, I have just three questions to ask. First, are we going to live under the same roof? Second, are we going to do the normal things couples do in public? Finally, what is my pay for this contract marriage?" Ava asked, her voice still strong even as she was feeling nervous
"You asked some quite intelligent questions, Ava and I'm impressed" Benjamin chuckled.
"Your first question, yes. We'll live under the same roof, to make it real that we're married to clear doubts. Your second question, yes and no.
"I don't understand" Ava quickly said on impulse
"I'm still talking, Ava. Let me finish" Benjamin replied, his voice still strict. Whenever it comes to business and deals, Benjamin always speaks in a tone that shows complete seriousness, to him business is business.
"Alright" Ava mumbled
"I said no, only if I can handle the situation, and yes if we must do the things couples do in public but will only be limited to kissing, and your final question, your pay is $20,000 a month but I'll help you with any other expenses you might have. Do you have any more questions?" Benjamin said feeling relaxed. He had no problem with paying her and settling her other bill because he was very sure he would be awarded the multi-trillion contract if he had a wife.
"No, I don't have any more questions but, what you said last, do you mean I can ask for monetary assistance even when it's not up to the time I'll get my pay and it will not be part of my actual pay?" Ava asked to be sure that's what Benjamin meant.
"Absolutely correct. Since you have no more questions. What did you decide, are you in or not?" Benjamin asked, curious.
Ava breathes deeply as she is about to make the biggest decision in her life. A once in a lifetime opportunity to save her family from penury.
"Yes. I'm in" Ava said, slightly relieved from her nervous state.
No"Alright, good. Meet me at Robinson Avenue tomorrow at 9 am, you need to sign some documents. Ava, tell no one about this contract" He said in a voice barely a whisper.
"I won't tell anyone" She replied him in an assuring manner.
Call ends
"Yes! In the next few weeks, my family and I won't have any problem with money ever again." Ava was extremely happy she accepted Benjamin's offer. Something was telling her she made the right choice.
Next day.
Ava was preparing to go sign the biggest deal that had the potential to change her life forever. She scanned through her wardrobe multiple times to choose the best dress so she wouldn't look odd before Benjamin and she finally settled for a short flared red grown and black heels. She was about to apply makeup when her phone rang.
"Hello, Ava. Why didn't you come back to the hospital yesterday? You didn't call, you just left me and Mom here. This is unfair Sis" Nora spoke angrily but she was emotional.
The way Nora spoke made Ava melt and tears fell from her eyes as she replied.
"Listen, Nora. I am up to something that will not only save the life of Mom but will save us all from poverty."
"What do you mean?? Nora asked, confused.
"I just got a business deal and I need to go there right now as we speak. (She paused a while and continued) Nora, I promise everything will be alright. Just stay with Mom and stay strong"
"So you mean, you aren't coming here today also? Ava, what has come over you? Mom is here at the point of death and all you can say is… by the way, what business deal are you going to sign? Because I remember well that you didn't talk about any business before you left here. What's going on?"
"I'll talk with you later, bye for now."
"Ava! Ava! Don't hang…
(Cuts call)
"(Ava sighs) This is all for our good"
- Writer
