Little lie

Chapter4

Is it okay for bosses to get snacks for their staff because they are on a drive with them? So far, he hasn’t been to any meetings. I don’t want to ask why. I stuff the last piece of my doughnut put in my mouth.

“Thank you,” I say, and he simply nods while driving.

“Where are we going now?” I asked him, and he looked like he was on the verge of groaning.

“Just keep quiet and let us go on a drive.”

“Would you mind putting in a good word for me in my resume?”

“Have I fired you yet?” I didn’t bother replying again.

“I wanted to propose something to you.”

I turn to face him and his jaw clenches. He runs his hands through his hair.

“F*ck, I can't believe I’m asking you this.”

My curiosity is on edge. What would he want to ask me? He stops in front of a boutique.

“Come on,” he said, stepping out of the car and walking ahead of me. Is that what he wanted to ask? If we could go shopping for some of his clothes?

I groaned and stepped out with him, rubbing my hands against the frail material of my dress. I wipe the tiny spots of sugar on my face and follow him, hoping the straps of my sandals don’t cut in the process.

We walk in, and he’s already helping me select a dress. He knows that I don’t have that much money. I went to stand in a corner. I cross my fingers as he picks one of the pretty red dresses in the aisle. He does. He ends up paying for them without checking if they were my size. He grabs my hands and leads me out of the boutique again. I sit in the car and fold my hands against my chest.

“My mom wants me to get a wife,” he says unexpectedly.

My eyes widen, and I look out of the window. I want to laugh but I can't. His mom still controls him? He still maintains his composure, so it's not as fun as it sounds in my ears.

“So? Haven’t you introduced her to Miss Jennie? I asked him, and it was his turn to look out the window.

“She doesn’t like her,” he says in a whisper. I can't tell the sound in his voice. Is it one of anger or disappointment? Or happiness.

“I’m still trying to understand why you are telling me,” I said, getting bored with the whole thing. The only thing I need at this point is sleep if that will heal my aching back. If my mom had been here, she would have made me a pot of soup that would have made me fall asleep immediately. Well, she isn’t here and the sound of Mr. Gray talking might just be put to sleep anytime. I lay my head on the expensive leather seat.

“I want to fire you from your job,” he says, running his hands through his hair one more time.

Is this how he looks while talking to his staff? He looks out of place for the first time in my life.

I smiled at him. Just put in a good word for me. I would definitely get another job.

I’m not lying this time. I have a few impending contracts. I could go back and accept those tiny contracts. Big things always start with something small, right?

Arion clears his throat. “You know what?” he says and reaches for the back seat. He hands me a pile of paper.

The paper feels heavy in my hands as I flip through the paper, not understanding one word.

“What is this?” I asked him.

“It’s a contract,” he says, stating the obvious. He faces me and continues talking. Stated in the contract is everything you need to know about our marriage contract.

All sense of sleep is cleared from my eyes. Contract marriage? Who would be doing something like that with him?

“A contract marriage?” I exclaimed. He should have known better.

“Have you gone through your payment and allowances?”

I clicked my tongue. Not everything is based on money. I think I would rather continue my job as your secretary.

He smirks at me in that dangerous but playful way. “Your salary at the office wouldn’t do all the things you need the money for, Little Sinner.”

“God,” I groaned. “Stop calling me Little Sinner.”

In accordance with all the sins you’ve committed, the name is the most suitable thing for you. And you would have gotten sacked either way.”

“I would get another job,” I said, blinking away the tears that his first statement had caused. The way he’s talking to me makes me know that he definitely knows something.

He hands me another bag that I realize is full of food. The way he has been feeding me makes me feel small and under his control. What would happen if I agreed to this marriage contract? What if his mom doesn’t like me? Would I risk everything I have for him? Would I…

“Don’t bother to think so much,” his voice says, taking me out of my thoughts. I have your flight booked for you. So I’ll be driving you to the airport. I’ll meet you in the city later on.

I want to complain about the fact that he booked a flight for me without asking if I was okay with that. Controlling man.

I clicked my tongue, relaxing on the seat once again, unconsciously dipping my hands in the goody bag he handed me. He blesses me with one glance and smirks before he starts driving.

The drive to the airport is silent. We both keep silent, thinking about everything. I try to reflect on everything that has happened so far. The contact in my lap is even heavier.

“You have all the time to think, Little Sinner,” he says just before I step out. I didn’t turn back.