The CEO’s Strategic Bride

Chapter 4

She listened calmly as he explained how he was now James Harrison. He informed her that the first person she met was his assistant Henry, the whole marriage thing was urgent, and James being very busy with work and other important business meetings had no choice but to let Henry search for the best lady who could fit in that character he needs. On his behalf, he did his search and this was how he came across Samantha and ended up introducing himself as James Herison all because of the circumstances surrounding the arrangement.

Getting proper explanation and clarity, made Samantha feel more relaxed. But she just couldn't believe the fact that she was going into a contract marriage with him. This was more surprising to her.

The air is now cleared, Now the main business starts as James explains every single detail she needs to know about the contract marriage. He stated the fact that no personal questions are allowed to be asked. Everything would be strictly on business.

“ Okay that's cool, “ she said, nodding her head slowly.

“ In addition to public appearances, Joint events, and other important events we need to attend together. Including other necessary ways to keep up a perfect unsuspicious appearance but no crossing personal lines”.

He said in a serious business-like tone.

They discussed the details of the contract for over an hour, their voices low but firm as they stated the terms of their unusual partnership.

“ you can go through the contract yourself and let me know if there is anything not included in our discussion that you will want a correction on written in there,” he said to her in a calm but serious tone sliding the contract across the table towards her.

Don’t forget this is strictly business, No strings attached either now or later “ and yea “Six months and we part ways he added, making a clear yet quick reminder.

“ of course yes, I remembered the discussion we had vividly, I mean I and Henry your assistant”.

Samantha said, glancing through the contract she was holding, reading through each line carefully to avoid skipping anything. She was done going through it but hesitated for seconds as she wanted to sign it, the pain she was holding scratched lightly against the paper, knowing she had no choice but to sign the contract. She glanced through it for the last time, as she signed her name on the dotted line.

She dropped the pen and took a glance at him, James reached out for the documents and slipped them into the briefcase he was holding. For a moment, their eyes met, and she could vividly see the look of satisfaction in his eyes that said the deal was sealed.

The cafe was mostly empty at this hour. An old man seated in a quiet corner sipping his drink. A couple seated close to the window sipped their fringes while engaging in a serious discussion. Outside, a lady who was seated scrolled through her phone with full concentration. James rose first, and Samantha followed, adjusting her coat and picking up her bag. Together, they walked towards the exit door.

They both stepped Outside, the air was so cool, carrying the faint scent of rain from earlier in the day. James slipped on his gloves as he walked towards the direction he parked his bike.

“Well, that's that, see you soon Mrs. Samantha,

” he said before swinging onto his bike, Samantha watched as he sped off. With a deep sigh, she pulled out her phone and ordered a ride. She stood for some minutes as she waited for the ride. When her car pulled up, she slipped inside and glanced at the café for a second then the car drove off.

Samantha got home, feeling stressed as she dived on her bed, thinking about the contract that was signed by her a while ago. Strangely the thought of how he looked just came into the picture, from when he introduced himself as the real all James Harrison got her speechless. She then called Rea and informed her about the plot twist of the whole story, she just couldn't keep the surprise to herself alone.

Rea was as shocked as Samantha was when James walked up to her table in the café, Rea couldn't believe her ears and how stunning James Harrison looked making everyone in the room stare in amazement. They had a lengthy conversation Samantha gave her detailed analysis of how the whole thing went, not excluding any part.

Samantha and Rea had been friends right from when they were kids, Grew up together in an orphanage home, and they met at the orphanage ever since, and they've been through a lot together. But Rea, who got lucky was adopted, and they haven't seen each other for years now ever since she went with her adopted parents. But they always communicate on the phone whenever any of them have something to talk about.

Going with the conclusion of the contract, Samantha was to use a week for preparation, putting things together so they could proceed with the marriage.

James now introduced her to his mom and other people who should know about his upcoming marriage. About him getting married, she was shocked but didn't show it. She listened carefully but was trying to strategies how to be sure he meant all that he said.

He explained every detail to her, she didn't make any comment on what he said, and neither did she ask any question whatsoever. This made him curious knowing very well the mother he had. To him even her one-minute silence reads meaning to it, Of course, yes there is always something behind it.

So he knew too well that she doubted the whole cooked-up story he told her, knowing fully well she wouldn't let her guard down so easily neither trusting all that he said. A week went by so fast Samantha was now done with all the arrangements she needed to make. She informed James that she was fully ready so the whole arrangement could now commeniiôooce. Immediately James got the text message from Samantha he started immediate preparation.