Chapter 2.Contractual girlfriend
1646 Words
Zara had always excelled academically, but most importantly, she possessed a photographic memory. Thanks to this ability, she memorized the contact details on the slip of paper Evander handed her with just one glance, and quickly arranged a time and place to meet him.
When she arrived at his office as agreed, her eyes lit up.
Directly facing the entrance was a large Bird of Paradise plant, its tall, flamboyant leaves looking strikingly beautiful.
The mahogany desk was heavy and substantial, its surface free of clutter save for a stylish business laptop, a fine Lamy pen, a brass inkwell, a copy of the Financial Times, and a few hardbound books on history and philosophy.
A small, serene snake plant sat quietly beside them.
Behind the desk was a high-end ergonomic office chair, upholstered in full-grain leather, clearly very expensive. In the seating area, a full-grain leather sofa exuded understated luxury; just the texture of the leather alone made her imagine sinking into its comfortable depths. The side wall was completely covered with industry awards, certifications, and innovation patents, hung densely together.
She couldn't help but stare, utterly captivated. These objects, though inanimate, emitted an invisible glow, proclaiming the immeasurable professional standing and outstanding achievements of the office's owner.
He sat at his desk, watching her with an amused smile. She was dressed like a true professional lady, with shoulder-length wavy hair, a cream-colored suit jacket, a short mini-skirt, and nude high heels.
He signaled to a subordinate, who understood and quietly closed the door as he exited.
He leaned back, his body pressed against the chair, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. “Ms. Zara, it seems you find my office environment quite interesting?”
Her spine stiffened, and she snapped back to reality, giving a hesitant laugh. “Mr. Evander, hello!”
“Ms. Zara, hello!” He looked at her, then paused, his facial features suddenly tightening. The playful expression in his deep eyes vanished completely, replaced by a heavy, almost solid seriousness. “Now that it's just the two of us, I believe you’ll be willing to be my girlfriend!”
Her mouth fell open, and her eyes widened. She stared at him for a moment, as if he were a monster, then exclaimed loudly, “Mr. Evander, you love to joke! But I’m not interested in this particular joke!”
He quickly sat up straight, his gaze becoming sharper and more profound. His brows furrowed with an undeniable authority. “What if I’m willing to pay you a substantial sum?”
“Oh, that’s enough to make me waver, but I’m curious, why me of all people? With your current status, what kind of woman can’t you have?”
She had already done her homework on him. When she found out through her online research that he was the CEO of Salmart Software Company, she had no doubt he could help her find a job. She simply believed that a prestigious company like Salmart would be willing to cultivate honest, kind, and loyal employees, qualities she felt she possessed in abundance.
That’s why she contacted Evander so quickly, convinced her reasons were sound.
But when she heard that the so-called job was to be his girlfriend, she was so shocked she stood rooted to the spot for a long time.
“It seems you know all about me now!” He suddenly knitted his brows, a cold intensity gathering in his expression, his face darkening. “Yes, with my current status, what kind of woman can’t I have? But I trust my instincts more, and my instinct tells me you are more suitable to be my girlfriend than any other woman!”
“This is too sudden, I think… I can’t handle it! After all, you’re not an ordinary person, becoming your girlfriend might… might bring me a lot of trouble later on!” She pulled open the door and fled in a hurry.
He smiled, leaning back against his chair again.
For this meeting, Zara had gone to Sophia’s house early in the morning. On Sophia’s advice, she chose an outfit that was both professional and casually elegant: a cream-colored suit jacket, a short skirt, and nude high heels. Of course, apart from her naturally beautiful wavy hair, everything else was a gift from Sophia.
As she took the suit jacket, skirt, and high heels one by one, her heart swelled with gratitude and a touch of shyness. She consoled herself: this is all temporary. Once I find a job, I’ll repay Sophia! But what could she repay her with? She had just rejected Evander! A golden opportunity to make a fortune!
When her job search hit one dead end after another, she tried to tell herself, “Bread will come!” But as time passed, and she saw her classmates, even those with worse grades and fewer abilities than her, finding jobs, her anxiety grew.
She returned to her rented room and, out of habit, opened her email, only to see one debt collection notice after another! Rent, her mother’s medical bills, daily grocery expenses… Zara had a splitting headache.
Suddenly, she stood up and ran out.
Evander seemed entirely unsurprised by Zara’s sudden return.
He called his lawyer, who handed a contract to her. “Ms. Zara, please take a look at the contract. If everything’s in order, you can sign the agreement.”
She took the contract, glanced at it hurriedly, and extended her hand.
The lawyer handed her the pen. “Aren’t you going to read it carefully?”
“No need!” She was about to sign.
Evander suddenly walked over, snatched the pen from her hand, his brows drawn together in a serious expression, and said in a deep, firm voice: “Out of responsibility for you, please read the terms carefully. It’s never too late to sign after you’ve confirmed everything is in order!”
She paused, speechless.
He glanced at the lawyer, who understood, picked up the contract, and began reading it clause by clause.
She watched the lawyer, growing more and more serious.
When he finished, the lawyer asked, “Ms. Zara, do you have any questions?”
“The compensation isn’t specified in the agreement? More than anything else, I care about how much money I’ll get!”
“Don’t worry, that’s already written into the contract. You can double-check it. If there are no issues, you can sign. Currently, my boss is offering you a very high compensation.”
She meticulously checked the compensation section again and again, ensuring the sum was sufficient for her mother's medical expenses and daily living costs. She picked up the pen, and just as the tip was about to touch the paper, Evander suddenly called out, “Wait, add one more clause!”
Zara and the lawyer looked at him.
His gaze shifted to the window, his voice deep yet powerful: “No matter when or where, if either party encounters any difficulties, they must speak up and we will solve it together!”
She couldn't help but scrutinize the man before her. He was stunningly handsome; his appearance seemed wild and uninhibited, yet the subtle glint in his eyes commanded respect. His deep, exquisitely beautiful eyes, coupled with his golden-ratio model-like physique, left her utterly awestruck.
The lawyer picked up his pen and added the clause to the remarks section.
She turned her gaze back to the contract, glanced at it, and quickly signed her name!
The lawyer collected the contract, closed the door, and exited.
“Mr. Evander, may I ask you for something?” She blushed, speaking in a low voice.
“Hmm?” He looked up at her.
“This matter, for you, is just a trifle, but for me, it holds immense significance!”
He smiled but said nothing.
She took a deep breath, her gaze fixed firmly on him, and said, word for word: “I want to work at your company. I’ve longed for a programmer position there. Of course, I’m willing to start as a junior programmer, or even an assistant, and I promise not to cause you any trouble!”
He responded with a casual “Oh,” but a ripple of surprise went through him. The partial payment he’d advanced her shouldn’t have made her so eager to start working. It seemed this woman wasn't just after money, and a woman who wasn't just after money was certainly not simple. If it weren't for his elders pressuring him into marriage, he wouldn't be in a hurry to find a girlfriend.
The thought of being forced to reluctantly accept Lisette at the Ann Arbor family dinner in just three days made him feel as if he were being pricked by needles all over.
Her appearance gave him a sudden sense of déjà vu, instantly sparking the idea of a contract girlfriend. She seemed to need money, and he needed temporary ‘protection’. It was a win-win, a mutually beneficial arrangement.
He spoke rapidly, smiling as he looked at her: “That’s not difficult to arrange, but a CEO and his new girlfriend working in the same company… wouldn’t that invite gossip from subordinates and make it hard for you to do your job?”
“For my dream programmer job, I can endure anything that makes me unhappy! Please give me this chance, and I will be 100% loyal to you!” She said this, her gaze firm, her face filled with sincerity.
“No, our contract agreement doesn't include a complimentary programmer position!” He paused, then changed his tone. “However, if you perform well, it could be an additional bonus!”
“Really?! I think I’ll work even harder!” Her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed loudly.
He gave a slight, subtle smile.
- Writer
