Ethan's Bride

The Agreement

Chapter 1

Katherine.

Making sure that I was OK, I walked into the Restaurant, Prestige, which was Dumont’s most famous. Known for being the only one with private rooms for people to dine in and not the usual set up like other restaurants. I was really impressed with Mr. Flanagan's show of wealth. I never thought I would ever see somewhere this grand.

Three weeks ago, I was contacted by my parents' former employer, Mr. Andrew Flanagan. More like his PA, Brady, that he had a job for me. I was surprised that he was able to reach me, because my parents didn’t work for him anymore. And it had been twenty years since they did.

Not wanting to miss this opportunity, I agreed immediately to see him right away.

Meeting Brady at a small coffee shop I worked part time at, I got to know what kind of job it was. And it turned out to be an unorthodox one.

He told me that I was to pretend to be Mr. Flanagan's daughter and agree to an arranged marriage to the son of his business rival so I could help him get their business secret as well as get his revenge.

“Miss Katherine, I know this is quite the job and must be shocked by the offer. However, as Mr. Flanagan knew your family, he feels he can trust you to get the job done.”

“ Brady, this is crazy. I thought you wanted a maid or something within those lines. But to pretend and get married to someone I don’t even know. That’s just……. I can’t even think of another word besides Crazy.”

“ I understand why you would see it that way but, Miss Katherine, if you agree to this, it would be a most beneficial agreement. Besides, the marriage lasts so long as you are able to deliver. Once you do that, then you’re free to leave. No harm, no foul.”

“ I sincerely feel so sorry for him. But marriage to get revenge is absurd. And why use me? He can always employ those secret agencies who do this type of work. I’m not a spy, Brady. I doubt I’ll be able to pull this off.”

Informing me that I would be handsomely rewarded for my services, he went as far as writing the said sum of money I would be paid on a piece of paper and giving it to me. My eyes bulged out. It was more than handsome, it was even beyond generous.

“Miss Katherine, if you agree to this, I assure you, you will be most handsomely compensated. Mr. Flanagan is widely known for his generosity.”

Looking at the paper, he passed it across to me on the table. I gasped. This was insane. Who would pay such an amount to get back for a wrong committed so long ago? I looked up at Brady and thought there was more to the story than what was being said to me.

“ If that’s the case, I’ll need sometime to think about this. It does not look like a job I should rush into saying yes even if the deal is such a sweet one.”

“ I’ll give you a month, Miss Katherine, to make up your mind. You might be the one Mr. Flanagan wants to address this matter, but I can assure you that we have other options that we can pick from. At least I do. I have to stress how important this is for Mr. Flanagan.”

“ Just take your time and give me a call. I’ll be waiting.”

I was up all through the night thinking over everything. I was so confused about what to do. I wished for a sign that would help me make a decision.

That sign came a week later when I received a call one morning from my mother that my father had collapsed and was admitted to the hospital for treatment. Rushing there to find out what happened. I was told by the doctor that my father needed surgery to remove the accumulated blood just above the base of his spine. Otherwise, he would keep on getting arrests till they eventually lost him. I asked him how much it would cost, but as expected. It was more than they could afford.

I assured my mother that I would get the money.

“ Mum, you don’t have to worry. I’ll get the money and Dad will be OK.”

“ I’m so sorry Katherine dear. Because of us, you’re not living your best life. I’m so sorry. Her mother had said while hugging her.

Close to tears myself, I pulled myself together and smiling weakly at my Mum, I went back home to look at my options.

My only option being the job offered by Mr. Flanagan. It was a crazy thing to do, but my family came first. And there was also an agreement.

It wasn’t a life sentence and, as i was told, it was only for a year. I could manage for a year and then I could also give my own conditions so I wouldn’t be so disadvantaged. Making up my mind, I called Brady and told him I was in. And that I would like to speak directly to Mr. Flanagan.

Fast forward to now as I sat before him, with my heart pounding. I was scared but nothing compared to the pain of losing my father because I wanted to keep my pride intact. There was no pride in poverty.

“ Mr. Flanagan-

“ Please call me Andrew.” He said when he interrupted me.

“ Before I agree to this, I have some conditions to put before you and if they would be a deal breaker, then I’m out.”

“ Alright then, let me hear it. But I want to let you know Katherine. I don’t think there’s anything you would propose I do for you that I can’t.”

Once we had both agreed with each other's new conditions, with me asking for a much larger scale than was offered and it was easily accepted by Mr. Flanagan as if it was just pocket money he was handing out.

I was handed over a file that contained every information I needed to know about my duties and also the family I was marrying into. The Locke family. Well, well. That wouldn’t be so bad.

And as I continued to read on i saw a face I never thought I would see ever again.

“ Is this who I’m getting married to?”

“ Yes. That’s Ethan Locke, son to Stewart Locke. The bastard who ruined my life.”

So he was to be her fiancé, then this deal just got even more interesting. Ethan Locke was about to chew more than he could handle. If he thought he could get away with deceiving her, he was about to find out why women scorned in love were the deadliest.

“ Andrew, I believe we have a deal.”

Andrew smiled at this and offered his hand. I took it and, just like that, I was committed.

“ So when do I start?”