The Love Arrangement

My mother was… There were no words to describe her at this very moment. She overheard from one of her colleagues that some rich guy was ‘seeking’ a wife. And She signed me up for this… This... What do you even call this? Interview? Trial? Arrangement? Marriage? Deal? Whatever they called it, I loathed it! But unfortunately, my application got accepted, and I was one of the lucky five ladies to meet the man who was ‘seeking’ a wife. Seeking! He was practically inviting all women to throw themselves at him and we don't even know who he was, how old he was, or how he looked like. That was kept a mystery. But all we knew was he was stinking rich and ‘seeking’ a wife. Whatever you call this…. Was for two years. He wanted someone to provide him a child- or two and play the role of his wife for only two years. Wow, talk about a way out of marriage! The lucky lady would receive a payout of an amount, that was also a mystery. This was getting better and better by the second! I wasn’t wife material, nor was I the mothering kind. The applicants had to be between the ages of nineteen and twenty, not older and definitely not younger. Oh, and the applicants had to have black hair and grey eyes! This guy was picky as well… He also requested that the applicant should have talents, as well, and I quote! “Verbal intelligence, musical intelligence, mathematical intelligence, situational intelligence, visual intelligence, kinesthetic intelligence, social intelligence, emotional intelligence, fluid intelligence, and/or crystallized intelligence.” I needed to tick off what my intelligence; I mean, talents were. I had to google what they actually meant. But my dear old mother filled that in for me, and I had no idea how far her lies went in that section. I was a dancer; I played the guitar; I was good at writing stories, I also sketched and painted whenever I had the chance, I could cook and bake anything. I was top of my class in school and I had a great medical record. I sounded like I was perfect, but in truth…  I was far from perfect, I still hadn’t decided what I wanted to do with my life. Finally, I was at... Whatever you could call this.  Interview? Meeting? Mom chose my outfit and I have to say that I actually loved it… I wore a black jumpsuit with deep burgundy heels. My hair was curled in beachy waves and my make-up was natural. I sat in the waiting room with the four other lucky ladies. They all had black hair and grey eyes. It was kind of creepy… From afar, we all looked the same... All of us were nervous, I wanted to laugh at this situation, but I probably shouldn’t.  Mom wanted me to do this, and I promised her I would try my best. But at least I knew that I wouldn’t get the…  Role? Part? Position? What the hell do you even call this?! It confused me. All of this! The receptionist started calling us one by one, the first lady left looking confused, the second one cried. The third one stormed out and the fourth one walked away before they called her name. That left me...  The last one... “Teagan Lawson, you’re next.” The receptionist gave me a pitiful smile. “Thank you?” I answered, but it sounded more like a question, and with the half smile I gave her. She probably felt sorry for me after the show of the others had provided. I walked into the office, finding a man on a couch, looking at a file that was hiding his face.  My name was on it and I cringed inwardly as to what was in there. “Please sit down and make yourself comfortable, Miss Lawson.” he suggested in a deep rumbling voice. One that made you obey him without question. I didn’t dare to speak.  Well, not yet. He lowered the file, and an involuntary gasp escaped from me. He was…  He looked like a God or something that was near perfect. He’s face was strong and sharp in the most attractive way, like it was finely chiseled. His green eyes were sharp and shone like gems or something precious. He had dark brown hair that was styled in a neatly combed over way that was inhumanly possible to achieve. He wore a dark grey three-piece suit with a dark grey tie and a white shirt. His shoes were black, and they almost looked brand new. Everything about him was perfect. Too perfect… “So, you are the last candidate.” he stated slowly as he placed the file on the coffee table. I bit my lip and gave him a quick nod. “Let’s make this quick, I have wasted enough time with the interviews already.” He announced in an even tone. Interview… So that's what we are calling it? “Of course… Sir?” I had no idea what to call him and I wanted to facepalm myself. “Very well, Miss Lawson.” He shifted in his seat. “As you know that this marriage would be for two years. You would perform all the wifely duties and provide me with an heir within the time frame. You will accompany me to all social events, dinners and whatever the occasion might be. There are rules to follow and when you disobey me, you will be reprimanded or in some cases, the contract would be terminated and you shall not receive the payout fee.” He stopped and gave me a look to make sure I was still following him. I nodded for him to continue, and he did. “If you are with child and I should end the contract, you shall continue to stay until the child is born and not a day longer than necessary. Do you understand, Miss Lawson?” He gave me a stern look. I nodded, “yes, I understand Sir.” I replied, this was a lot to take in. “Good, now for the questions. Are you sexually active?” he asked nonchalantly, like this was a normal question. My eyes almost popped out of their sockets.  He raised his brows in question, waiting for my answer. I blushed and chewed on my lips, “that’s kind of private.” I answered sternly. Which I didn’t intend at all. This was awkward to say, as I had no experience with a guy, except kissing. He chuckled, “if you are going to be my wife, little lady, then it is important that you haven’t been with anyone before.” He said in a friendly tone that scared me, because the look in his eyes meant certain death. It was my turn to chuckle, “that is if I wanted to be your wife.” I smiled as I stared him down. “Then why are you here?” he asked, leaning forward in his seat. He looked intrigued. “Honestly, I don’t know.” I answered with a shrug. He chuckled again, “have you or haven’t you been with anyone?” he asked slightly different this time. “No, I have not, and I don’t see why that is truly important. But thank you for your time, Mr…?” I paused, frowning at him. “Jace McClain,” he said in an affirmative tone. H.O.L. Y s**t! He was the f*****g billionaire that owned McClain Corp, one of the biggest company in the USA. He owned a chain of hotels, casinos, and restaurants. My jaw almost hit the carpet. But I straightened myself just in time. “Thank you for your time, Mr McClain. I hope you’ll find your… Wife.” I smiled and got up. Proud of myself for acting like what he just said didn't faze me at all. “We are not done here, Miss Lawson.” he demanded as he got up. He was tall, like six foot, five or something inches. I was just five feet, five inches, and compared to him, I was as tall as a f*****g garden gnome. I blinked up at him as he towered over me; it rendered me speechless. He was intimidating and sexy as hell as he stared down at me while his jaw was working, trying to contain his temper. “I have seen three women who walked out within the first ten seconds of explaining the contract. One who didn’t even bother to show up. You have been the only one to last this long. You want to leave because I asked about your s****l history?” He inquired, there was a hint of a smile on his lips. “That is personal, Mr McClain.” I said with a scold, not backing down. “To be my wife and bear my child is not personal enough for you?” He mused. Fuck… He was kind of right. But he continued before I could say a word, “I will be letting you into my private life, into my home, and give you everything you need for two years with a payout of two million. But one simple question like that would make you flee?” he leaned down and raised a brow. I chewed the inside of my cheek, trying to hide my shock. Two million… That was...  Wow! That was a s**t ton of money. I cleared my throat, “fine.” I shrugged, “I’m only doing this for the money. But, I’m doing you a favour, just remember that I have my own rules.” I said as I poked him in the chest. He caught my wrist and smiled… Full on smiling, revealing two perfect dimples on each side, “Of course, little lady.” He looked amused as he held my gaze. His thumb running circles on the inside of my wrist. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.” he added with a grin. I felt my face heat by the intensity of his stare and the touch of his skin on mine. Snapping out of my stupor, “good!” I said as I stepped back out of his grasp. He dropped my wrist and walked towards his desk. “The contract will be ready for you to sign tomorrow evening at dinner.” he said as he sat down. “Dinner?” I raised my brows in question. “Yes, Miss Lawson. Dinner, I’ll pick you up at six.” He smiled, looking smug for catching me off guard. “Okay,” I shrugged, “is there anything else you need or can I leave?” I pointed to the door behind me. He c****d his head and gave me a bemusing grin, “I’ll see you tomorrow evening, little lady.” he waved his hand toward the door with a nod. I took that as my cue and left. As soon as the door was closed behind me, I shook my head and laughed. The receptionist looked at me with anticipation, and my laughter went up a notch. “He’s really something,” I said as I rolled my eyes and her eyes almost popped out. “No one has walked out of those doors laughing,” she said it almost like she was in disbelief. I shrugged, “there’s a first for everything, I guess.” I said with a wave as I left. This day was not what I expected when I got up this morning...