CHAPTER THREE
1169 Words
Serena’s Pov
The school auditorium buzzed with excitement as the charity event reached its peak. Milton Herdinberg, the esteemed guest of honor, had just been introduced on stage. Sitting in the back row, I froze in my seat.
My heart raced as I watched Milton walk to the podium, his commanding presence silencing the crowd. Liam, seated beside me, tugged at my sleeve.
“Mommy, look! That’s the man from the big TV at Grandma’s house!” Liam whispered excitedly.
My blood ran cold. Milton’s sharp eyes scanned the crowd—and stopped when they landed on me.
His gaze shifted to Liam, and the resemblance was undeniable.
Time seemed to stand still as Milton’s expression turned from curiosity to something darker.
“Serena?” he said into the microphone, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.
Every eye in the auditorium turned to me.
My secret was out.
………………….
Three years earlier
Here I was….again….standing in front of the HerdniBerge mansion. My heart is beating hard against my chest.
“Serena, calm down….he probably just wants to get you the best thing—a job, because you did so well in the last delivery.” I tried to calm myself down but a little voice in my head told me that was not the case.
No matter what, I am here now, and there is no going back. I clicked on the bell and within a second the door was opened and I walked in.
I will never get accustomed to this place—the beautiful scenery, the magical lights, the big space, and the giant mansion.
“Miss Robinson….” a voice came through, I looked to see Master Kon—the butler, standing by the pouch.
I picked up the pace to avoid him waiting any longer, “Master Kon, a pleasure to see you.” I shook his hands.
“Pleasure is all mine, let's go in…..Young master is waiting for you.” Butler Kon turned on his heels and I followed suit.
We got to the living room and he told me to sit and wait as he offered me a glass of orange juice.
I took the drink, thanked him, and sat down quietly waiting for my judgment.
Twenty minutes down the line and deep into the show that was being aired on the TV, I heard his voice.
“Serena, I presume.”
I turned to see the god-like man standing a few feet away from me. I stood up to greet him.
“Master Herdniberg!” I bowed a little.
He smirked, “Call me Milliton, Serena. Please…seat!”
My eyes blinked, trying to understand what was going on but I quickly hid it under the disguise of a smile.
I sat down and I could see his attention was on the TV, which was airing the show—TWO HOT WIVES!
We sat in silence for the longest time, my mind wasn't at ease at how long we had gone without a word. It was just the clacking of glasses being used and refilled by the servants that could be heard.
I ran my hands through my hair in frustration, and from the corner eye, I could see a smirk forming.
I clenched my fist in anger, “Master Militon, or Herdniberg….Sir, I need to get going.” I finally said it.
He turned to me, “Is anything the problem?” He asked me and I shook my head
“No….I just need to get going. I have a lot to do.” I stood up, his eyes roaming down my body. I adjusted my dressing feeling very awkward about the staring.
Clutching my bag to my body, I moved to leave, scolding myself for why I had come here in the first place.
“I have an offer for you.”
I paused…..turning around, I saw him still seated with the glass of wine in his hands.
“Huh….”
He stood up, adjusting his suit, “I have an offer for you….If you want to hear it, you would sit down or you can walk out that door but I recently got to know that you can't sell your eggs anymore till a certain amount of time.”
My eyes widened in horror, “How……”
“I make it my mission to know who I want to deal with….now I would advise you to sit or you can refuse my help like the first time and keep drowning in debts.”
His tone was as harsh and cold as ice. I took a deep breath and slowly walked to my seat. I had no choice but to listen.
He had a little smirk on his face but the moment to come, it was gone. He snapped his finger and butler Kon walked forward with a document that he handed to me.
I took it from him and my eyes blinked severally to see if I hadn't been pranked.
MARRIAGE CONTRACT—was what was spelled out in full black and white ink.
“What is this?”
“Like it says, a marriage contract, Serena. I need you to be my bride for the term of five years and it would bring a lot of benefits but it will be strictly business, no strings attached.”
“But….but….you don't know me!”
“I know enough to know you are not stupid to pass on this deal. Your monthly income would be time five of whatever you earn from all your side gigs put together.”
I looked at the contract and it was a yearly estimate of two million dollars and lots of benefits. My eyes widened at the mouth-watering proposal but I knew all this was not for free—it would require something huge in return.
“I….” my phone beeped and it was my mum telling me about groceries and her medication. I swallowed hard.
“I’m willing to give you a hundred thousand as a start-up to take care of any pending needs, you just have to sign it will all be yours.”
I stared at the contract, my mind racing with the possibilities. Two million dollars a year, plus benefits, was a staggering amount of money. It could change my life, my mom's life, and Liam's life forever.
But at what cost?
I looked up at Militon, his eyes gleaming with intensity. I knew that I was taking a risk by signing this contract, but I also knew that I had no other choice.
"Okay," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.
Milliton's face broke into a smile, and he nodded at Butler Kon, who produced a pen from nowhere.
I took the pen, my hand trembling slightly as I signed the contract. As soon as the ink dried, Milliton took the contract from me and handed me a check for $100,000.
"Welcome to the family, Serena," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement.
- Writer
