Billionaire Contract Girlfriend

Chapter 5

One Way Out

Sophia’s POV

I wasn’t expecting to be confronted with this kind of situation. It was confusing to see two men arguing over me all of a sudden. None of them wanted to back off as well.

“I don’t believe she will be in a relationship with you. That is like having a companion in misery,” Grayson turned to me to ask if to confirm what Damien had just said.

“What do you mean by that?” Damien asked angrily.

“If I were a woman, I wouldn’t date my fellow waiter. I believe Sophia isn’t that dumb. Even if she is in a relationship with you, I will end up snatching her…” Grayson said confidently.

“That’s enough!” I exclaimed. “I am no gold digger. You should leave now.”

“This will be the last time I will ask you, Sophia. I want you to think about the offer. I am a man of my words and trust me, I shall not approach you over the issue again if you refuse,” Grayson said firmly. I took a deep breath and looked into his eyes.

“Thank you for the offer but I’ll pass,” I replied calmly. Grayson picked up his briefcase and left without a word. I was relieved as he left but at the same time, I felt I might have just missed out on a great opportunity. In two days time, I would become homeless unless a miracle happened. Tell me, what was the probability that a miracle would happen?

“Don’t mind the scum,” Damien was telling me but I barely listened. I was so out of it for the rest of the day. Worry was getting to me. If I had a chance, I would borrow from another place to pay the loan shark who was threatening to take our house, the only thing my family owned. It would be disastrous if this happened.

I walked home, believing a taxi would be a waste of money. I had to save up every last cent.

I met two faces, the usual. Celine was busy knitting while my younger sister, Jemima, had been crying for hours. I met her with swollen eyes from tears. I raised her up instantly.

“Did someone die?” I asked quickly but I had made the conclusion in my mind already. “Who died? Is it dad?”

“That might have been better,” Jemima replied.

I took a deep breath. The worst didn’t happen.

“There is nothing that could have been worse than something bad happening to our dad. I’m sure you know that much,” I corrected her but right away, she started crying once more.

“I have been expelled from school,” she broke the cold news to me. I shook the moment I heard this. I knew the cause even before Jemima continued. “There has been a great default on the school fees and it was finally decided that I get expelled today. My life has officially ended today.”

“Don’t say that…” I muttered, tears filling my eyes. “I’m sorry, I failed you. I should have come up with the school fees somehow…”

“You work in the restaurant five days a week. You work two other jobs on the weekends. You barely spend on yourself. You have done enough, sister,” Jemima told me. “I guess I should get a job too. I wanted to go to college badly but it appears that it isn’t going to work.”

Jemima wiped off her tears and put on a fake smile to reassure me. I couldn’t watch the dreams of my sister fall apart like this.

“I will find a way by all means!” I told her firmly.

“There is nothing you can do, sister,” Jemima told me. “I know we don’t even have enough for the repayment plan this month. I will just get a job like you and…”

“Jemima!” I called.

“Yes,” she replied carefully.

“Do you want to go to college or get a job?” I asked her.

“I want to go to college,” she replied in tears.

“Then you will go!” I reassured you. “I shall make it work no matter what. Believe me when I say so.”

Jemima nodded. I hugged her for a few minutes before leaving her room. The moment I stepped out, I knew I had to make the big decision. My world was falling apart right now and I had to do something before it was too late. I checked the time, it was twenty minutes after six in the evening. I rushed outside with my decision made. I flagged down the first taxi I saw and went to the STYLE office building where I met Grayson earlier. However, it was closed. I had forgotten that their working hours ended by five o’ clock.

I started by laughing hysterically before I found a public bench around the place. I sat down and as my thoughts took over, I began to shed tears. I was usually a strong person and I rarely cried no matter how hard it was. However, tonight hit differently. I had never felt this vulnerable before.

A young kid passed by with his mother. He pointed towards me and asked his mother, “Why is she crying?”

I took that as a call to wrap it up. Crying in public spaces might be a public offence, who knows? I wiped my tears and cleared my throat. I had to be strong. As I stood up, I watched Grayson walk towards me. He stood before me, leaving me stunned.

“What are you doing here?” I asked in shock.

“I should be the one asking you, Sophia. This is my office environment, can’t say the same about you,” Grayson replied. I stared at him, not knowing what to say. He watched too and when he got no reply, he muttered, “I will leave now.”

“Please…” I finally said, getting his attention at once. I took a deep breath before continuing. “You gave me an offer to be your contract girlfriend. I will take that offer.”

Grayson folded his arms and looked into my eyes. I stared back, I didn’t flinch.