Chapter 2
1025 Words
FLASHBACKS 6 YEARS AGO…
Nina's eyes widened in horror as the man's words hung in the air like a guillotine's blade. She stepped back, her mind reeling, trying to process the impossible condition. "So you mean I will die if he doesn't fall in love with me after six years?" she asked, her voice trembling.
The man nodded, his expression unreadable. "I'm doing you a big favor, Nina."
Nina shook her head, her ponytail swishing behind her. "No, this is not a favor! This is a curse! A big one, and it's going to end in disaster. Why must I meet him tonight, and why change my identity? He needs me by his side, not as an impostor!"
The man's smile was enigmatic. "You'll be by his side, Nina. And he'll never let you go."
Nina's voice cracked. "He will never let me go because he will think I am his ex girlfriend, But what if he fires me as his secretary because I wasn't around him today? What if he hates me after tonight?"
The man chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "That's not possible, Nina. After tonight, you'll be stuck to him forever. All you have to do is make him fall in love with you while you're with him."
Nina stood still, her heart racing like a wild animal. But then, something inside her snapped. She didn't think about the outcome or the risks. She just knew she had to try.
"Okay, I'm ready," she said, her voice firm.
The man's smile grew wider, and without a word, a sign appeared on Nina's wrist, and with that Nina found herself standing at the back of Raymond's luxurious car, her heart pounding in her chest. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead.
She was no longer Nina, Raymond's loyal secretary. She was now Sophia, Raymond's ex girlfriend, she knew it was only for that night.
And she had six years to make him fall in love with her, or die trying. Nina suddenly peeped through the car window, Raymond opened the car door for her and she stepped in slowly.
“So you haven't left Sophia..” Raymond said, his voice shaking
Nina nodded and murmured to herself “So Mr Raymond didnt recognize me” she said to herself silently.
“I thought you left just like how everyone did.. well you shouldn't be here wasting your time with a loser like me, my secretary left, few of my workers left and here you are waiting for me in the dark” he said, his face filled with sadness.
Nina smiled warmly and held Raymond's hand, her eyes filled with compassion. "I'm always with you, Raymond. You'll get through this," she said, her voice gentle as she placed a reassuring hand on his shoulders.
But Raymond, in a drunken haze, gazed at Nina with a mix of confusion and longing. He thought she was his ex-girlfriend, Sophia, the one he still had feelings for. His eyes locked onto hers, and he leaned in, his lips crashing onto hers in a passionate kiss.
Nina, taken aback, hesitated for a moment before surrendering to the kiss. The night blurred together in a whirlwind of emotions, their lips never parting as they gave in to their desires.
As the sun began to rise, casting a golden glow over the city, Nina carefully extricated herself from Raymond's embrace. She glanced at her watch - it was already past 6 am. She knew she had to leave, but her heart ached at the thought of abandoning Raymond in his vulnerable state, she slipped out of the car quietly, leaving Raymond to his dreams.
Hours later, Raymond woke up with a start, his head pounding and his mouth dry, he looked around in the car searching for Sophia “Or was I too drunk?” He asked himself. He groggily reached for his phone to check the time - it was already past 8 am. He rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the haze.
Just then, a sudden knock on the car window made him jump. He whined down to see Nina standing outside, a bright smile on her face.
Raymond's heart skipped a beat as he hesitated, unsure if he wanted to face her. But something about her warm smile put him at ease, and he reluctantly opened the door.
"How are you doing Mr Raymond?," Nina asked, her voice cheerful. "How are you feeling today?"
Raymond rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the hangover. "I've been better," he admitted, his voice gruff.
Nina smiled and handed him a cup of coffee. "I brought you this, I thought you might need this."
As Raymond took the cup, their fingers touched, sending a spark of electricity through his body. He looked up at Nina, his eyes locking onto hers.
“Mr Raymond…” she said her voice low and firm,rubbing her fingers, she wanted to say something but she didn't even know how to put it to him, she feared that he might ignore her but then she decided to speak up.
Raymond gazed at her..
“Marry me Mr Raymond and I am going to give you everything I own” she said, her voice shaking
Raymond glared at her for a while unsure of how to respond to what she said, but then he spoke up “You are just a mere secretary, how dare you say such a thing to your boss?
Nina smiled and handed him a bag, Raymond opened it and saw lots of money which could help him at that critical moment.
“Marry me, Mr Raymond, and you wouldn't have to worry about nothing” she said, her voice filled with reassurance.
Raymond who was still in shock because of the money he saw was unsure of what to do but then he thought about it, anything for the company.
“Alright deal, this is just a contract marriage, when I am back on my feet I am going to pay you everything back and divorce you" he said nonchalantly
Nina nodded agreeing to his terms
- Writer
