MARRIED TO MY BOSS

CHAPTER FOUR:

The black and sleek limousine cruised out of the parking lot of the company building as the two young men sat in the backseat. The sun was already setting, casting a warm orange glow across the sky.

"So, what are you going to do about it?" The first man asked, his voice a mix of concern and urgency. He had deep brown hair that curled about his head in thick waves unlike his cousin's which was black and sleeked back.

"What do you mean?" The second man responded, a hint of irritation in his tone.

The first man sighed, "Where is your head? The issue about you finding a wife. Grandfather's was serious when he kept talking about giving the company to Derrick if you don't settle down soon."

Ethan rolled his eyes as he looked out the window, "I'm pretty sure Derrick is the one that came up with this. This pathetic attempt to win against me."

"But that's not the point," the first man replied. He was Jeffrey, Ethan's other cousin who honestly wasn't interested in anything about the company.

"The point is that grandfather is serious about this. He wants to see you settled down and probably start a family…"

Ethan let out a long and frustrated sigh. Was this really necessary though??

"If you don''t, you can say goodbye to Black Corp, because he will give it to Derrick and believe me, my brother won't let you come in contact with it ever again." That was true, it was also true that Derrick was the twin brother to Jeffrey but obviously the latter was preferred by Ethan because they had always been close.

Ethan sighed again, leaning back into the plush leather seat. "I know, I know. But it's not like I can just snap our fingers and find someone."

"That's true," Jeffrey admitted.

"And it's not like I can just see her pop up in front of me."

"Or pay some random woman to marry you till grandfather gives you full authority over the company or anything."

Ethan's eyes went open as he looked at his cousin who was confused for a second before shaking his head slowly.

"No, no. That's a bad idea, grandfather is not a fool he would know."

"It's a great idea and it's YOUR idea!"

"Ethan, seriously. A contracted marriage? No…"

"Well how else am I supposed to find someone and get married to her in a month?"

"You can try your girlfriends?" Ethan raised a brow at him, "C'mon, they must be one good one among all those walking silicone and plastic women."

"No there's not. Their 'goodness' ends in bed."

Jeffrey sighed as he looked at his desperate and frustrated cousin. Their grandfather sure didn't do right.

"Okay, who then? Who are you going to find that would agree to do something like that and would blow it all over Twitter the next day?"

Ethan thought for a while and became silent. Jeffrey was right…who?

He looked out of the window again as the car moved slowly, silence enveloping the car again. He kept staring at nothing in particular till his sight caught someone familiar. Someone with red hair and a thousand curls.

Olivia? What was she doing there?

He saw her standing close to a man a little far off from a known supermarket. The man was obviously a beggar and she brought out things from her grocery bag and gave to him..

Why would she do that when she obviously had so little. That little act was something he hadn't seen in a long while. Something he had forgotten…simple humanity that most of the women he knew didn't possess. If only they could be a little like what he was seeing Olivia be…if only..

He blinked again as his eyes widened at a crazy realization.

"Stop the car!" He said, knocking on the screen that separated the driver's area from the passenger seat behind.

"Ethan, what are you doing?" Jeffrey asked, surprised.

"I found her. I know who she is…"

"Huh?"

Without explaining, immediately the car stopped, Ethan jumped out and called her.

"Mason!"

She turned, her curls following her. Olivia looked at her boss who was beckoning wildly at her and she rushed over, confused.

"Mr Ethan? Is everything okay?" She asked confused.

"I was going to ask the same thing," Jeffrey said, stepping out of the Limousine as well. "Hello, Olivia"

Olivia smiled as she recognized the man as her boss's cousin. Another Blackwood celebrity. "Good evening, Mr Jeffrey." She bowed in greeting.

"I need to talk to you." Ethan said and turned to look at Jeffrey who sighed and walked back into the car.

"Mr Ethan?" Olivia was still confused and didn't understand what was going on. Ethan stepped forward and held her hand pulling her to the sides before letting her go.

But that breif moment of coming in contact with him was enough to make Olivia remember that daydream she had and more.

"Olivia, I need your help with something," He said, taking a deep breath, "Think of it as a project that I will pay you handsomely for. Any amount you mention."

Olivia blinked rapidly, her blue eyes meeting his. What kind of 'project' would that be for him to say this? "Sure Mr Ethan, what can I do for you?"

Ethan ook a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. Not understand why he felt this jittery all of a sudden. This was Olivia, he knew her, he had known her for two years now and she was his clumsy and jovial secretary with red hair and massive crazy curls. With that thought in mind, he went all out.

"I need you to marry me."

"…."

At first, she was sure it was another daydream and she didn't hear correctly. So she shook her head fast and looked up at him but he looked so…serious.

"Huh??!"

"I want you to marry me" Ethan repeated, stressing his words to add effect and watching the way she went all red.

"Think of it as a project, I'll pay you for it."

"...."

"What?" He asked when she kept looking at him in utter disbelief.

"Mr Ethan it's not April yet. April's next month."

Ethan was confused, "Yeah, so?"

"So you can't pull a prank on me when it's not April fool's day yet!" She was so confused,what was this?? Was her boss alright??

What was he saying??

Ethan took a deep breath and looked around for a while before his gaze came back to her, "Look. I will lose this company and stop being your boss, if you don't marry me."

"I don't understand, Mr Ethan" Olivia looked on confused, "how does that have anything to do with—"

"It does. I've been given a month to get married or this company will be taken from me."

Olivia stood there, slowly understanding what he meant. "So you…you want a contracted marriage with me?"

"Exactly."

The scene from the supermarket played in her mind. Wow…the irony. Who would have guessed it would happen to her?

"But why me, Mr Ethan? Why not other women, like Miss Clara Blanca for example?"

Oh, no. Did she say that last part out loud?? She covered her mouth with her hand and whispered and apology.

"I don't like them. I'm not saying I like you but you're better than them. Besides you already work for me and I know you won't blabber it to anyone else, " he said. "Besides, I'll be paying you. Or don't you want money?"

Olivia thought about it for a while, this was sudden and yes she did need money. Other than that, this was a fantasy come true. Getting married to Ethan even on a contract would mean she would get close to him!

"Three hundred thousand dollars…" she muttered, looking down at her feet.

Ethan didn't care, he was just glad that she accepted. "I'll give you a million."

Her eyes popped from their sockets, "Sir?"

"I'll have my lawyer draft out the contract tonight and by tomorrow I want you ready to sign them and the ones at the court where we will get married later tomorrow."

Olivia was stunned, "But we didn't talk about how long it'll be…the marriage."

"Four months. After that I'll give you your money and and additional one for you to start a business somewhere." He said, "preferably a dancing and singing school?"

Olivia's cheeks flushed, "I understand."

"Good." He said, already turning away, "Email me your address so I'll send someone to pick you up, okay?"

"Okay," she smiled warmly and paused and turned to look at her.

Seeing this, she said, " I don't really know the details but I'm going to do my best to help you keep the company, Mr Ethan."

Ethan smiled a little, "Thank you, Olivia. Goodnight" he stepped into the limousine and it rolled away.

Back at home in her little one bedroom apartment, as she was cooking dinner in her pajamas, her red hair in a messy bun, she kept thinking about what just happened.

Was this the universe's way of telling her something? Or giving her a chance??

While eating her dinner of ramen, she kept thinking about it and wondering if accepting it was a right thing to do.

She was being hypocritical with the way she talked about the couple in the supermarket. And wasn't marriage supposed to be sacred? What if her parents found out over there in Italy?

She sighed as she took another bite. She was doing this for a good cause, if she didn't her boss will lose the company. Or so he said…

Was he telling the truth or did he just want to marry her?

Wait, that'd be a good thing! Either way she'll make a win out of it.

She picked up her phone from the side and emailed Ethan her home address, a few seconds later he sent a message:

“Okay, great. Pick you up tomorrow, get some rest.”

She smiled as she continued her dinner, still thinking about him.

"Are you sure about this Ethan?" Jeffrey asked again as they sat close to the pool, sipping a cocktail made of Irish cream whiskey.

"Choosing Olivia was a good idea. She's better than your options"

"Yes, yes I know. She's a good girl but I meant grandfather."

Ethan raised a brow, "Hm?"

"I repeat, he's not stupid. He would research everything about her. I just hope you can pull this off or it could be disastrous."

Ethan thought for a while. "I know that. I will pull this off so don't worry I already have a plan."

Jeffrey shrug in acceptance, "So when's the wedding?"

"Tomorrow."

"Mmm," Jeffrey sipped his drink, "So soon?" He added ironically.

"A five minutes procedure and then a photoshoot to have pictures to send to Grandfather."

"Hmm. Smart."