365 Days With the Billionaire

Double Contract

The news about Alexander Lopez search for a new secretary was only made known to few people that belonged to the high class society. Arya was only lucky to know about it through Tristan.

"You're finally awake?" Layla asked Arya who just opened her eyes.

"A...are we in the hospital?" Arya stuttered.

"Yes. Where would I have taken you to after you fainted?" Layla rolled her eyes.

"I can't believe I added to our expenses again, I'm really sorry" she said with an apologetic look on her face.

"You should have thought about that before fainting. Anyway, I need to settle the bill so we can go home, I will be back" Layla said and left.

"Are you upset? I'm sorry" Arya said again after they got home.

"I'm not upset. Just make sure you rest properly" Layla instructed.

Arya was about hugging her with a smile on her face when she suddenly remembered why she fainted.

"Sis, did I get a notification from Tristan before fainting? It was a dream right?" Arya asked her sister.

"It wasn't a dream but there's no need to be too excited. How can you expect your first job to pay $2 million? That's too greedy" Layla sighed.

"What do you mean? Tristan said he needs a secretary and will pay her that amount so what's greedy about it?" Arya asked.

"A job with such a high paying salary would have a candidate for it already so going for the interview will just be a waste of time. Besides, Tristan said you have to do something else besides being his secretary and who knows what that is? Anyway, just take your mind off it so that you won't be disappointed" Layla advised.

"What are you talking about? You've always been optimistic about everything so why is it different now?" Arya asked.

"Because I don't want you to get your hopes up only for it to be shattered. The bitter truth is that people from wealthy family have it easier compared to us. Who will hire a fresh graduate without a good background and pay that amount monthly? You know it's not possible" Layla said.

"Yes, I know. But you said it yourself that we've been lucky since Mom and Dad died and I'm going to depend on that luck this time too. No matter what happens, I will make sure I get that job so you can get your surgery as soon as possible" Arya declared.

She turned on her laptop and decided to read the message Tristan sent one more time while Layla only stared at her, unable to say a word.

"The interview is taking place tomorrow and only ten slots are available. Tristan managed to secure a spot for me so I'm going to put in my best and make sure his effort does not go to waste" Arya concluded and started preparing for the interview that night.

Throughout the night, Arya didn't close her eyes for a second. She was determined to get the job and turn their situation around. The interview was to start by 8 am and at exactly 6 am, Arya stopped preparing for the interview and started dressing up.

"You should at least eat something before leaving. Having an interview on an empty stomach is not good" Layla said when she was about leaving.

"It's just an interview with ten applicants so it won't take long. I will be back before you know it" Arya said and left.

As soon as Alex got to work that morning, he called the agency that was to provide the applicants.

"Good morning sir" the CEO greeted.

"I've not gotten a feedback about what I asked you to do" Alex said.

"I sent the details about the interview to your email but I guess you didn't see it. I was about to call you this morning too. The applicants will arrive by 7:30 am and the interview can start by 8 am or whenever you're ready. We selected ten ladies for you to pick from" the man said.

"Based on what criteria did you select them?" Alex asked.

"You didn't mention a specific criteria but we made sure they are pretty, smart and decent" the man said.

"That's okay then" Alex said and ended the call.

Before 7:30 am, the applicants had already arrived because it was Lopez Group after all. Every one of them was dressed smartly and they really seemed like great women. They were all given a number and Arya was number seven.

"I even got the lucky number seven, this is a good start already" Arya smiled to herself.

At exactly 8 am, the first interviewee was called in and there was tension among the remaining interviewees.

Within five minutes, the first person came out and the look on her face showed that she wasn't accepted. The second person went in and the same thing was repeated until it got to Arya's turn.

"Oh my God, I'm so nervous. Why does he keep rejecting everyone?" Arya mumbled as she made her way to his office.

"Good morning sir!" she greeted politely and remained standing until she was asked to do so.

"Have you done it before?" Alex asked after about two minutes of silence.

"Sir? D...done what before?" Arya stuttered looking genuinely confused.

"Tell her!" Alex said to his right hand man, Joel that was standing next to him and closed his eyes.

"He's asking if you've had s*x before and if you have, with how many people?" Joel said.

"What? I... thought w..we were here to talk about a vacancy, did I get it wrong?" Arya stuttered again.

"There is a condition attached to being his secretary and this is it. If you answer the question, we can decide if we will move to the next stage or not" Joel said.

"Okay... I've not done it before" Arya said and Alex finally opened his eyes.

"You don't need to lie just to look good. I'm going to confirm it so it's best that you say the truth" Alex said coldly.

"Why do I have to lie to you? It's not like you are going to be my husband or something. Just because most people have done it doesn't mean everyone else has done it." Arya scoffed.

"So you are saying the truth? You really have not done it before?" Alex huffed.

"Yes, I've not done it before. I really don't know why you are asking me this question but can we move on to the next question?" Arya asked impatiently.

"The second part of the job is a contract marriage. You have to sign a contract marriage with me" Alex explained.

"A contract marriage? What does that mean? It doesn't mean I have to get married to you right?" Arya asked.

"Of course it does! Didn't I say contract marriage? The contract is going to last for exactly 365 days after which we are going to get a divorce. You just need to get pregnant and give birth during that period and that's all. You can continue working as my secretary after the contract ends" he explained.

"Why would I agree to do something like that? No matter how rich you are, you can't just ask me to have my first s*x with you and give you a child, and after giving birth, I won't even be able to see my child again. I can't do it" Arya said and stood up.

"I'll give you $3 million monthly" Alex said.

"$3....3 million dollars? No, I still won't do it" she said firmly and started walking towards the door.

"$5 million dollars" Alex said.

"Where is the contract? Done! When do I start working?" Arya asked after signing the papers.

Alex and Joel couldn't respond because they both stared at her in disbelief.

"Was this the same woman that was about to walk out few seconds ago?" Alex thought to himself.

"And don't think you can go back on your word just because it's $2 million that is written in the contract I signed. It's $5 million and I won't accept less than that, I can accept more though" she shrugged.

"Wow! I can't believe this" Alex said as he brought out another contract.

"This is your employment contract and your job starts immediately. Once you're done signing, we are going to the court to get our marriage certificate" Alex concluded and walked out.

Arya quickly signed the contract and followed after him in case he changes his mind. Within two hours, they already had their marriage certificate and were back at the company. Just like Alex said, Arya started her duties as his secretary on the same day and she was to move in with Alex within a month after she gets pregnant.

"I still can't believe this? Am I dreaming right now? I probably am because there's no way I got married to a stranger" Arya said to herself on her way home that evening.

She sat under a tree that was in the street before her street to think for a while.

"I was supposed to just sign the employment contract and enjoy my job as his secretary but I can't believe I ended up signing two contracts, and a marriage contract at that? What was I thinking?" she mumbled to herself.

"Layla definitely won't agree with this but what can I do? I will just need to keep it from her until I'm pregnant. The pay is great and since I met the criteria, I can't lose this opportunity. It's just 365 days and it's going to come to an end eventually. One year is not as long as it seems.

I'm going to treat these 365 days as a really long dream that will come to an end very soon. Since I've never even been in a relationship before, I can have my first experience with this. It's a billionaire anyway so it's not bad and I have nothing to lose. I'm just going to watch how things unfold" she concluded and finally continued her journey home.

To be continued....

© Tricia