My Billionaire Boss Offers A Contract Marriage

Early in the morning, I woke up, feeling that I had never really fallen asleep. I was sitting quietly at the edge of my father's bed in the ICU listening to the continuous sound of the monitor. It's like every beep that comes out there, reminding me that she's still here but her time is running out. I held her hand even when it was cold and weak, as if I were the only one. "Pa..." I called softly, but he didn't answer. I know he can't answer anymore, but even so, I can't stop doing that—calling him. It's like when I call him, for just a moment, he'll feel like I'm still here. The nurse came to the door with a folder. I don't have to ask you what it is because I know it well. bill again. It's a lot bigger than it was yesterday. "Miss Reyes, partial payment today is required. "Otherwise, the treatment options might be limited," he said before leaving me again. Standing in the middle of the room, I stood looking at my dad who was no longer moving properly. All the sounds around me seemed to dim because of the clear weight on my chest. I don't know how many times I've asked myself where to get money, but I always answered myself the same way that I could do nothing. I exited the ICU and sat down on the hallway bench while I was still holding the folder. I opened it even though I knew the flesh. Numbers, bills, and words that don't seem to care whether people will survive. I held on to my head and was stuck in a tight grip, trying to stop the weariness and fear that were running over my chest. "How about that..."I whispered softly. I can't think of anything other than how I can catch it, because if I don't act, there's nothing left of my dad. It was only a matter of time when my phone rang. Unknown number. I doubted for a while before I answered. "Hello?" i answered softly. On the other hand, a formal voice spoke and introduced himself directly. "Miss Celestine Reyes, report tomorrow at the Montecarlos Mansion. You're officially hired. It's A live-in maid position and confidential arrangement but with high compensation." I was stunned by what I heard, but the word "high compensation" did not immediately make a reply because it seemed that something had changed in the air around me. I just listened as he gave the details and said that I had to report within twenty-four hours if I was interested, before he put the call down. I kept looking at my phone even after the call was over. I don't know what kind of work this is, whether it's true or what the cost is, but I only have one thing clear at the moment—I need some money, and I don't have time to wait another way. Even though I was afraid of what I was hearing about the man I was going to work with, I was more afraid of what I could do while Dad was lying there. I looked at the icu glass from which my dad still lay. Even if he doesn't talk, he's the reason why I have to do this. I took a deep breath before I said softly to myself, "Sorry, Pa..."I took a deep breath and looked at my little bag by the bed. All I could carry was a few clothes, a little belongings, and myself. The next day, I was standing in front of a huge gate that I had never imagined I would reach. I don't know how many inhalers I took before I entered the gate. As I walked in, I felt as if every step of my life was getting smaller, as if I didn't fit in with this place. The environment was clean, the atmosphere was quiet, and the distance from the world I grew up in. As soon as the large door of the mansion was opened, a woman who appeared to be fifty years old came to meet me. Her hair is styled and obviously has been working here for a long time because of the way she carries herself. He measured me briefly from head to foot before nodding. "You're Celestine Reyes?" he asked. When I answered yes, he ordered me to obey. "Follow me," he said just before turning his back. I obeyed, even though I didn't know where to take me. The more we walked in the mansion, the more I felt how out of place I was. The space is so big, the quiet, and the feeling that even the shadow of me doesn't fit here. With her every step, I feel that I can better understand how different this world is from my world. When we got to the living area, he stopped abruptly. I was also stopped and immediately glanced at the direction of his gaze. A man was sitting on the sofa reading some documents in front of him. I've never seen her face properly, but I know who she is. Was he Lucian Kael Montecarlos? "Sir, the new maid has arrived," the woman said politely. Lucian did not immediately respond. He continued reading the document in his hand as if nothing had been heard. Seconds passed before he closed the folder and slowly raised his eyes to me. I don't know why, but that's where I feel more nervous. "What is your name?" he asked. "Celestine Reyes." "Age?" "Twenty-three." He nodded before looking at me again. I don't understand what he's really looking at. It was as if he was looking for something wrong in me that I myself did not know. "Do you have experience as a housewife?" "Yes. I helped a family in Antipolo for two years before their business closed." Ilang segundo ang lumipas bago siya tuluyang tumayo mula sa kinauupuan niya. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba sa kaba, pero ngayon ko lang napansin kung gaano siya katangkad. Hindi rin nakatulong na seryoso lang ang mukha niya habang papalapit nang ilang hakbang. “Marami nang nagtrabaho rito bago ka,” sabi niya. Kalma lang ang boses niya, pero nakakatakot pa rin.“At karamihan sa kanila ay hindi tumagal.” Pililit kong nilunok ang kaba sa lalamunan ko. “Gagawin ko po nang maayos ang trabaho ko, sir.” Sandaling natahimik si Lucian habang nakatingin lang sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pakiramdam ko parang sinusubukan niya akong basahin. Para bang gusto niyang malaman kung nagsasabi ba ako ng totoo o isa lang ako sa mga taong madaling sumuko kapag nahirapan. Napakagat ako sa labi ako. Gusto kong magtanong kung hanggang kailan ako tatagal dito, kung paano ko gagawin ng tama ang lahat, pero alam ko ring wala akong karapatang magtanong ng kahit ano. Kaya tumango na lang ako. “Opo.” Tumalikod siya at nagsimulang maglakad palayo. Akala ko tapos na ang usapan namin nang muli siyang huminto at bahagyang lumingon sa akin. “Isa lang ang ayokong bagay.” Napatayo ako nang tuwid. “Ang mga taong hindi marunong sumunod sa utos.” Pagkatapos sabihin iyon, nagpatuloy na siya sa paglalakad na para bang wala lang siyang sinabi. Samantalang ako, naiwan na nakatayo sa gitna ng sala habang mas mabilis na tumitibok ang puso ko. Hindi pa man ako nagsisimulang magtrabaho, pakiramdam ko nasubukan na agad ako ng lalaking iyon. At sa unang pagkakataon mula nang tanggapin ko ang trabahong ito, naisip ko kung tama ba talaga ang desisyon kong pumasok sa mansyon na ito.