Chapter 3 – A Deal That Changes Everything
1085 Words
Amara stood there for a moment after Adrian spoke, still trying to process what he had just said. Shopping. For a dress worthy of his girlfriend. The words sounded strange in her ears, almost unreal. Just a few hours ago she had been worrying about finishing her cleaning duties before lunch. Now the most powerful man in the company was talking about buying her expensive dresses.
“You’re serious?” she asked carefully.
Adrian looked at her like the answer was obvious. “Do I look like I’m joking?”
Amara sighed quietly. “No.”
He pressed the elevator button and the doors opened almost immediately. Adrian stepped inside, then looked back at her. “Are you coming?”
Amara hesitated for only a second before stepping into the elevator with him. The doors closed and the elevator began moving down smoothly. The silence between them felt strange. Amara had never stood this close to the CEO before. The expensive scent of his cologne filled the small space.
She looked down at her worn shoes and suddenly felt very aware of how different their worlds were.
“So,” she said slowly, trying to calm her racing thoughts, “let’s say I actually agree to do this. What exactly are the rules?”
Adrian leaned back slightly against the elevator wall. “Rules?”
“Yes,” Amara said. “There have to be rules. I don’t want to accidentally ruin whatever plan you have.”
Adrian seemed to consider this for a moment. “Fine. First rule: when we are in public, you act like my girlfriend.”
Amara nodded slowly. “Okay.”
“Second rule,” he continued, “you follow my lead during conversations with my family.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning if I say something, you support it.”
Amara frowned. “Even if I don’t understand what’s happening?”
“Yes.”
“That sounds risky,” she muttered.
Adrian ignored the comment. “Third rule: you don’t tell anyone the truth about our agreement.”
“That part was obvious,” she said.
The elevator reached the ground floor and the doors opened. Employees walked past the lobby, some of them glancing at Adrian respectfully before quickly looking away. Amara followed him outside the building.
A sleek black car was already waiting at the entrance.
The driver stepped out immediately and opened the back door.
Amara stopped walking.
“You expect me to get in that?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“I’ve never been in a car like that before.”
“Then today will be your first time.”
Amara slowly stepped toward the car. The seats inside looked softer than the bed she slept on at home. She carefully sat down while Adrian entered from the other side. The driver closed the door and returned to the front seat.
As the car began moving, Amara looked out the window at the busy city streets.
“This still feels crazy,” she admitted.
Adrian glanced at her. “You’re free to refuse.”
Amara laughed softly. “After hearing how much you’re paying? I’d be stupid to refuse.”
“That’s good,” Adrian replied.
They drove in silence for several minutes before Amara spoke again. “Your father… is he really that strict?”
“Yes.”
“And he wants you to marry Sophia?”
“Yes.”
“Do you like her?”
Adrian’s answer was immediate. “No.”
Amara raised an eyebrow. “That was fast.”
“She’s ambitious,” Adrian said calmly. “But not someone I want to marry.”
“So this whole fake girlfriend plan is just to avoid the engagement?”
“Exactly.”
Amara leaned back slightly, thinking about everything she had learned.
“What happens after the dinner?” she asked.
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“On how convincing you are.”
Amara gave him a look. “No pressure.”
The car slowly turned into a wide street filled with luxury stores. Tall glass windows displayed designer clothes that probably cost more than Amara’s entire yearly salary.
The car finally stopped in front of one of the biggest stores.
Amara stared at it.
“You’re joking.”
Adrian opened the door and stepped out. “No.”
Amara followed him reluctantly. As soon as they entered the store, several employees immediately greeted Adrian politely.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Blackwood.”
Adrian nodded slightly.
One of the saleswomen approached them with a friendly smile. “How may we assist you today?”
Adrian gestured toward Amara. “She needs a dress.”
The woman looked at Amara, then smiled warmly. “Of course.”
Amara suddenly felt very nervous as the woman guided her toward a section filled with beautiful evening gowns.
“These dresses are perfect for formal dinners,” the woman explained.
Amara touched one of the fabrics carefully. It felt unbelievably soft.
She quickly looked at the price tag.
Her eyes widened.
“That’s more than three months of my salary,” she whispered.
Adrian heard her and simply said, “Pick what you like.”
“I can’t wear something this expensive.”
“You can.”
“What if I ruin it?”
“You won’t.”
Amara looked at him suspiciously. “You sound very confident.”
Adrian shrugged slightly. “I chose you for a reason.”
The saleswoman soon returned with several dresses. “Why don’t you try these?” she suggested.
Amara hesitated before taking them and walking toward the fitting room.
A few minutes later she stepped out wearing a deep blue evening dress.
The dress fit perfectly, flowing smoothly around her as she walked.
The saleswoman gasped softly. “You look beautiful.”
Amara looked at herself in the mirror, hardly recognizing the person staring back.
Adrian watched quietly from across the room.
For the first time since they met, he seemed slightly surprised.
“Well?” Amara asked nervously.
Adrian studied her for a moment before speaking.
“That one.”
Amara blinked. “Just like that?”
“Yes.”
She looked back at the mirror again.
The cleaner from this morning was gone.
Standing in the reflection was someone completely different.
And suddenly Amara realized something important.
Tomorrow night, when she walked into that dinner beside Adrian Blackwood…
No one would ever guess she used to clean the floors of his office.
- Writer
