Chapter3
1131 Words
Chapter Three
“Huh?” Ava said almost in a whisper. She didn’t know what to say. What was she?
Supposed to say? She had never heard such a request in her life. It was stupid, it was dumb, it was crazy. It was all the negative things.
“Did I stutter?” He said. The smug smile still plastered on his face.
Ava backed away slowly, from his gaze and what also seemed like a hug.
“No” she said plainly.
“No?” He repeated. “Never heard of it.”
“It means I refuse.”
“You can’t”
“Then what am I doing?”
“You tell me”
Ava took another deep breath. She was losing it. Everything was happening so fast and didn’t make any sense.
“Listen” she said, standing up and walking towards a small sized shoe rack she saw in the corner of the room. “I don’t know who the hell you are or where you came from”. She bent down and picked a pair of gray-colored crocs. “But, I’m done with this madness, I’m leaving”
She slid the croc in. They were a bit big for her, but they were comfortable.
She walked towards the door, her hand on the knob. She hesitated. Why? She didn’t know.
“Let’s make a deal” his voice echoed behind her.
“Not interested”
“Just listen to me....please?”
Something in his voice changed, it was softer now. Ava felt compelled now. Like she had to help. But it didn’t make sense to me. She can’t just agree to help a random stranger with a crazy task and, besides, her grandparents, what would she say to them?
“What’s in it for me?” she asked, her hand still resting on the door knob. She turned slightly to face him.
He tapped on the bed. “Sit, let’s talk.”
“So let me get this straight” Ava said after listening to him explain what he wanted from her. “You want me to pretend to be your fiancé for a month?”
“Yes”
“I can’t even stand you for a day.”
“Am I that handsome?” He smirked. “Don’t worry, I’ll try not to tempt you too much.”
Ava scoffed. “Narcissist, all you rich people are the same, hard pass.”
She stood up to leave. She must have made up her mind to leave up to a hundred times already, but he always stopped her. This time she wouldn’t let him.
“C’mon sweetheart, don’t be like that.”
“I’m not your sweetheart”
“It’s just a month” he said. Then he looked at her, his upper lip slowly turning into a grin, “or are you scared of falling in love with me?”
Ava let out a sigh. “I’m not going to let him get to me” she said, more to herself than to him.
“Find someone else” She said, taking a step forward.
He held her hand, pulling her back and making her sit back down.
“You’re not business, inclined sweetheart.”
He stood in front of her. His expression was serious. Ava hated the fact that she had to look up before she could meet his gaze. But she wouldn’t break her gaze away from his. She could also be intimidating.
“Think about it like this. You get paid, you’re getting relationship experience, and you get to be with me for a month.
“Yay, that’s so exciting” she said sarcastically. “How much am I getting paid?”
“How much do you want?”
“How much are you offering?” Ava asked, not looking away from him still. What was she thinking? What if he offers an irresistible amount? Would she agree to this madness? What would her grandparents say?
“One million dollars”
Ava’s eyes widened. She had to look away at this point. That was a lot of money and she meant a lot. Was she really going to be a part of this madness? No, how could she?
Thoughts ran through her head. The voices in her head were screaming. You could get a new bike, open a new bakery. You would be rich!!! Plus, it's a quick way to get rich and, most importantly, it’s not illegal.
When Ava said she wanted a quick way to get rich, she didn’t expect that. Ava looked up at him.
He raised a brow “What do you say sweetheart,”
I’m not fit for this. Proposal declined. Find someone else
“That wouldn’t do.”
“Why not?”
“Because, sweetheart,” he sat beside her. A little too close for Ava. She moved a bit to the right. “You’re the wife my mum describes.”
“How so?” she said, trying her best to sound natural. She was sure she had heard the word wife, but that wasn’t what he just proposed. This was getting crazier by the minute. And for some reason, she was still there. Taking in all the craziness.
“She wants a middle-class lady.”
“What happens after the month elapses?”
“We fake a break-up, she thinks I’m heartbroken, and she stops bothering me about marriage”
Ava found this crazy, extremely so. She must have hit her head hard.
Or, you could just find a middle-class lady and get married. Ta-da!”
“I don’t want to get married”
“Why not? You’re not exactly young.
“That, my sweetheart, is none of your business.”
He stood up, stretching his long limbs. He stood in front of her again. His eyes searched her face.
“So what do you say?” He said, extending his hand. “Partners?”
Ava had made up her mind, she was going to do this. It was high time she spiced up her boring life with a little drama, plus she’d be making money, so why not? Besides, it was just a month. It would be over before she even knew it. Beach vacation, here I come, she thought to herself. She tried her best not to smile.
“Partners” she said with a smug smile on her face as she also extended her own hands. They shook hands. It was a sealed deal now, and she wasn’t backing out.
“I’ve agreed, can I leave now?” she said, standing up and heading towards the door. This time, there would be no opposition.
“Not like that you’re not” he said, facing her. You’re Mr. Andrew’s fiancé now”
- Writer
