Desperation
1299 Words
Susan was still reeling from what she had overheard earlier. She was not the type to meddle in other people’s affairs, much less gossip. But why would her boss want to hire a wife?
Handsome, wealthy, influential—he could have any woman he wanted. Perhaps, she thought, that was the problem.
Her phone rang, snapping her from her thoughts. The name on the screen made her gasp.
Herietta Swan.
Susan’s fingers tightened around the phone as though it might burn her if she held it carelessly. She forced her voice to remain steady.
“Hello.”
“Ms. Evans, this is Herietta Swan from Child Services.”
“I know.” Susan’s tone was grim.
“I came by your place this morning and saw a notice on your door. It states that you must vacate within two days. Ms. Evans, is everything alright? Are you behind on your rent, or are you planning to move?”
Susan swallowed hard. “I’m looking for a new place—something more spacious,” she lied, trying to mask the fear in her voice.
“You know you can’t afford a repeat of what happened three years ago,” Herietta warned.
The words sent Susan spiraling back.
She had been twenty-three then, her son only a year old. She was living with Cassey, a friend she hadn’t known long but who had quickly become like family. Their apartment was small but comfortable—two rooms and a sitting room—and Susan had covered most of the bills while saving for her own place.
Everything had seemed fine, until Cassey’s new boyfriend entered the picture.
Jonathan.
Susan remembered the day as if it were etched into her bones. She had been home with her baby when a knock sounded. Jonathan stood on the other side of the door.
“Cassey’s not home,” she had told him politely. “But you can wait for her.”
What followed blurred in her memory—Jonathan complimenting her beauty, his voice lowering as he confessed feelings he had no right to. She had snapped, furious that he would betray Cassey like that. But before she could shove him out, he leaned in to kiss her—just as Cassey walked through the door.
Jonathan had twisted the story, accusing Susan of seducing him. She had been too shocked to defend herself quickly enough, and when she finally found her voice, Cassey didn’t believe her. In blind anger, she had thrown Susan and her baby out.
For weeks, Susan and her son had lived out of her old car. When child services found out, they nearly took her baby from her. If not for a kind colleague who helped her find a place, she might have lost him entirely. Since then, Herietta had never stopped hovering, watching for the smallest misstep.
Now, three years later, the nightmare threatened to repeat itself.
“No,” Susan said tightly into the phone. “I can’t. And I won’t. We are moving.”
“So you already have a new place lined up?”
“Yes.”
“Where exactly?”
Susan forced cheer into her tone. “We’ll let you know once we’re settled.”
Herietta paused, unconvinced. “Hmm. Very well then.”
“Goodbye.” Susan ended the call before the woman could say more.
Her chest heaved with frustration. In desperation, she dialed her twin sister, hoping for help.
“Sorry, sis, but I don’t really have any cash to spare. I have projects I am yet to pay for.”
“Oh, what project is that?” Susan asked.
“Hmm…” her sister hesitated, clearly scrambling for a lie.
Susan sighed, already knowing. “There is no project, right? Let me guess—you want more clothes, shoes, bags, or jewelry.
Which is it?”
“Yes, yes—new collections of clothes, shoes, and jewelry just came out. If you lived in the same city as me, you’d know you have to stay on trend to remain in the rich man’s circle. You know how long I’ve dreamed of marrying a billionaire.”
Susan shook her head. Typical. Her sister had always been selfish. They might be identical twins, but Stephanie was nothing like her. Even after their parents’ death, she was still as self-centered as ever. It seemed she had inherited all the selfishness while Susan had been left with all the compassion.
“How can you prefer buying shoes to helping your twin sister and her son?”
“Don’t get me started on that, sis. I told you to drop him off at an orphanage, but you refused and decided to raise him. That was your decision.”
Susan’s throat tightened. “Alright. I’m sorry for calling.” She ended the call before Stephanie could reply.
What was I thinking? Susan sighed.
She had no one at the office either; she still hadn’t repaid her last loan.
Slamming her fist on the desk, Susan hissed, “Damn you, Alex Sanders!”
Her mind was made up—she would find a way to get the money, no matter what it took. Thirty minutes. That was all she would give herself to come up with a plan. And maybe—just maybe—helping her boss with his wife's problem could solve hers.
But where would she find a woman willing to play the role of his contract wife?
On impulse, she called her best friend.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Sus,” Mary’s familiar voice answered.
“Have you figured out your accommodation yet?” Mary asked quickly.
Susan sighed. “No. In fact, I’ve been told to move out in two days.”
“Wish I could help, but you know my situation…” Mary’s voice trailed sadly.
“I know. But maybe you can help me in another way,” Susan said cautiously.
“Oh? How?”
Susan hesitated, then asked, “How would you like to be a billionaire’s wife?”
“What?” Mary’s voice shot up in disbelief.
“Yes, you heard me right,” Susan told her about her boss and his dilemma.
“So you are suggesting I marry your boss?”
“What makes you think he would want to marry me? He is one of the most handsome billionaires in the city, and you think he would want to marry me?”
“Why wouldn’t he? You’re intelligent, beautiful, hardworking, and kind. Besides, I don’t think he’s in a position to be picky.”
“So why don’t you marry him?”
“I have a kid. He won’t want a woman with a kid,” Susan replied quietly.
“Really?”
“Alright, but what does it mean to be in a contract marriage? Will I be able to see other men?”
“Of course not, Mary!” Susan said, startled.
“So there’s no intimacy? It’s only on paper?”
“Yes.”
“Wow. How long will this be for? Will I be getting paid?”
“Yes, I think so. It depends on what the contract says.”
“And why are you helping him, Susan?”
“I’m hoping he’ll help me too—with my accommodation issue. So… are you in?”
Mary was silent for a moment. Then she sighed. “It’s not like I have a serious relationship. My three-year boyfriend, Nathan, dumped me. I have nothing to lose. Count me in.”
They said their goodbyes, and Susan ended the call feeling elated.
She stood up and walked towards Mr. Scott’s office, rehearsing in her head what to say. When she got to his door, she took a deep breath.
Here goes nothing, she thought, and knocked
- Writer
