CHAPTER 3
1405 Words
For some reason the city grew colder the minute she left her house.
Coco zipped her already worn-out suitcase and stared at the apartment one last time- the ceiling, the door that was screaming for dear life the cracked wallpaper, and the couch her mother spent most nights sleeping on instead of in the room with her. Everything here was fragile, safe and familiar in the smallest way.
Her mother stood up adjusting the oxygen facemask. She looked pale but still smiling.
“Did you pack enough food?”
Coco smiled softly, “Mommy, I’m not a child anymore you know”
You’ll always be one to me honey”. Her mum’s voice trembled. She let out a deep cough that seems harsh given her reaction.
“Are you sure about this job? What kind of nursing job hires you and asks you to resume in their personal house hold in less than 24 hours?”
“honestly no”. she admitted.
“ but it is currently the only job that will cover your treatment. I’ll make sure to come by every week and we’ll talk on phone everyday. I promise”.
“ I trust you. But don’t lose yourself baby. I have not heard good things about that company. Money is not worth that.”
Coco smiled faintly, kissed her forehead and slipped put the door.
Just as she stepped out of the building she caught a glimpse of herself on the glass of the coffee shop near by. She saw a girl trying hard to be like she is worthy to belong in the billionaire’s mansion. The blouse that she had worn was gotten from the thrift store close by, although the lady at the shop told her that it was a higher grade of thrift and no one could guess that it was thrifted. Her shoe was a little scuffed at the heel but she held her chin high.
Fake it till you make it I guess, she told herself.
The car that Mateo sent to pick her up pulled up- a sleek black sedan that looked like the price alone could purchase the building that she was living in and spare some change. The driver who was silent and suited, opened the door almost the precision of a robot.
During the ride to the Crest’s mansion, no words were exchanged, only the low hum of the city waking up around them.
As the car glided through the city, Coco watched the huge skyscrapers blur past. Each one which represented as a memorial to people who never had to choose between bills and food.
The car finally stopped and Coco caught her breath to what was before her.
The Crest Residence wasn’t just a mansion; it was an estate that rose out of glass and shadow. The door silently opened, almost automatically as if recognizing her presence.
The drive way curved through a line of carved out trees towards a mansion that overlooked the river.
She wasn’t sure if she was supposed to move or not so for a moment, Coco just sat there in the car.
The driver came again to open the car for her to step out and she was greeted by a woman in a fitted black dress. She looks like she would be in her mid forties, graceful and yet still wore and unreadable expression on her face.
“miss Benett, my name is Helen, I am the house manager of the Crest’s Residence” she said. “Master Crest is expecting you”.
As they made way to the mansion, she was welcomed by the faint smell of cedar and something colder- perhaps order.
The floors were made of marbles, there were silver fixtures, walls lined with abstract paintings, everything glistened, but somehow it felt empty, like a people weren’t allowed to touch anything, like a museum.
“your room would be at the East wing of the mansion”. Helen said as she led her up the staircase so polished that she could see her reflection in every step.
The room was nothing less to breathtaking, with large windows and pale curtains. The bed looks like no one has ever slept in it, heading to the desk, she caught a whift of the lilies placed on them, a note beside it written in one of the most beautiful handwriting she had ever seen, well she hadn’t seen much because she works with a bunch of doctors.
Wear something formal and be ready for dinner by seven.
--M.C.
No welcome, no greeting, no glad you could make it, just instructions. Coco exhaled sharply.
It was 6:45pm and Coco stood before the mirror, trying to zip the only dress the saw that could pass as formal. A simple orange dress that wrapped her curves so elegantly. She looked at herself and saw the nerves in her posture and quickly straightened.
Mateo was already seated when she entered the dining room. He sat at the end of the long dining table with his sleeves already rolled up, his watch shining in the dim light. A bottle of wine stood there at the centre of the table unopened.
“miss Benett”. He said. The vibration of his voice filled the room. “sit.” His tone polite but stern.
Coco her raced again and she quickly obeyed.
Soon after, the food came and they both sat there eating quietly. For a moment, neither spoke. The silence pressed in until she couldn’t bear it anymore.
“so…what exactly is my job description Mr. Crest?”
He lifted his gaze, cool and assessing, and for a moment he didn’t say anything, and he finally spoke.
“you would handle my medical routine, all my dietary restrictions and well being in general. And also will accompany me to public events. You must have the ability to adapt and be discrete.”
“ what do you mean public events?”
He casually continued eating his meal. “You are going to play the role of my fiancée to the public”.
His words hit her like a static
“ excuse me what?”
His head rose up again, his eyes meeting hers. He didn’t blink.
“you’ll be compensated handsomely and your expenses would be covered. The contract is six months”
Coco’s throat went dry. Still processing what sentences he was making right now she said
“you think you can just buy someone into pretending that they love you?”
“I never asked you for your love.” His voice lowered and was measured. “I am asking for you to obey everything I say. There is a difference.”
“and what if I refuse?”
Mateo’s eyes never changed but his eyes darkened.
“then your employment would be terminated. But I know you would never find another offer that clears your mother’s medical bills and domestic bills within a month.”
Something in her chest snapped. “how do yo…”
“I know everything about the people I hire.”
The silence that followed was deafening.
He rose up slowly. “you don’t have to trust me miss benett. Just understand this-no one comes into my world without a price.”
Mateo started walking away from the dining table to retire to his room, Coco stared straight ahead. Her gut was screaming at her to get up and leave. How can someone hire a nurse with the hidden intention to be his fiancée? But the image of her mother’s weak smile flashed in her mind.
“I’ll sign”. She whispered “I’ll sign your contract”.
Mateo’s footsteps paused. A faint smirk appeared on his face. “good”. Then continued to walk away.
After dinner, she retired to her room to find an envelope on her bed. Inside it was a printed contract with her name boldly written on it. The instructions were clear; six months, absolutely discreet with a compensation that made her eye sting.
But a clause from the bottom of the contract stood out to her.
Clause 10: contract termination by each party will result in forfeiture of the above compensation and an NDA enforcement with immediate effect.
She let out a deep sigh and signed the contract, her hands trembling.
What the hell am I getting myself into?
- Writer
