Bargained Marriage

CHAPTER 3

Ella Samford's POV

Luxurious Life In View

My heart pounded as I struggled to make a choice. I knew what I wanted, also I knew what I wouldn't want to happen to me.

I didn't like a contract marriage scheme. My lifelong goal was to fall in love with my partner and get married with a beautiful life after marriage.

But this could be compromised if I agreed to this contract. I had begun to think about getting rich. This has taken over my thoughts now.

I remembered the 10-10-10-10-10 rule. I had been taught this rule by one of the matrons in the orphanage. She taught me this rule after I got involved in a fight.

"Listen up, Ella, before you make a decision, consider the 10-10-10-10-10 rule…" she would tell me. "This is how it works. You have to think about how you would feel about a decision you want to make in the next ten minutes, ten hours, ten days, and ten months, and ten years. If you think the decision you would make won't benefit your future, don't take that step. It's dangerous."

I still remembered this rule but I was blinded by the immediate benefits of this contract. I decided to ask more questions about this.

"How will I be paid?" I asked carefully.

Richard sighed. I didn't know why but he looked like he was feeling a bit down. He didn't have the excited look he had before coming to me.

"I understand that you probably need money right now so I will be making half payment immediately you sign this contract, the rest would be paid after you complete the task…" Richard explained.

"Okay…" I muttered.

"Yes, that's basically what I mean!" Richard told me now. "However, there are more benefits involved. I will change your wardrobe totally and also get you a car. Also, I will give you bonuses monthly according to your level of productivity."

"It's a great deal!" I sipped my water slowly. I was determined to enjoy that expensive water. "But I want to know what's involved. Do I have to give birth for you?"

Richard laughed. This laughter of his made me quite angry. I didn't know what was so funny about what I had said now.

"Nah, miss…" Richard told me. "I have zero s****l interest for you and I would want you to do the same. We ain't going to have s*x not to talk of having kids. All I need is a figurehead. You sit at home, attend events at times, and other things as my wife. That's all I require."

I was interested in this offer.

"Do you have the documents? I am interested in this deal…" I replied quickly.

Richard smiled.

"I didn't plan for this to happen but you see, let's go to my lawyer instantly, he will process the documents within minutes…" Richard told me.

"Then let's go!" I noted.

Richard stood up and I did the same. I watched him sort the bill. As he did this, I kept on looking at the multimillion dollar ring he had on. I had seen the ring in commercials and this was the first time I was seeing it in real life.

This was proof that Richard was truly rich. He was richer than Eileen and guess what, he didn't shout about it.

I knew if Eileen was the one who owned the ring, she would be flinging it over my face. I began to imagine buying expensive things as well. The contract hadn't been signed but I was already thinking about it.

I came out of the restaurant but with a new mindset. Richard led me to one of the most flashy cars in the restaurant's parking lot and pointed it as his. I entered only to discover that the car actually drove itself.

This was my first time of being in such a car.

"Hey, Rash! Drive me to Lawyer Gabby's place. His address is in my address book…" Richard talked to the artificial intelligence controlling the car. Its name was Rash.

"Yes, Richard," I heard its reply.

The car started and began to move by itself. I was very excited about this. Richard was smiling at me all the way.

The car was probably one of the fastest in the world. The speed was amazing. Soon, we got to Richard's lawyer place. I waited for Richard in the car while he went into the office to discuss with his lawyer. It took about thirty minutes before he came out. He entered the car and handed me three similar documents.

"The grey one is the original and it will be kept by the lawyer. The other two white documents are duplicates and it's meant to be kept by myself and you…" Richard replied.

I checked through the documents now or rather, I opened it and closed it back.

"I am supposed to sign here, right?" I asked him.

"Yeah!" Richard replied. He handed me a blue pen.

I signed on all three documents now. I handed it over to Richard and he also signed on all three documents. He gave me one and kept another and for the grey one, he went inside the office once more and gave it to his lawyer.

When he came back, I was outside the car waiting for me.

"Congratulations, Ella. You are now contracted to me as a lover. It's a new appointment which is worth celebrating…" Richard told me.

I smiled.

"Yeah, thank you!" I replied.

"Let's get you started!" Richard told me excitedly. "Get in the car, let's go shopping!"

I was overjoyed. I got in the car just as Richard had told me. It was an enjoyable ride to the shopping mall. Richard got me a lot of clothes at the mall. I marvelled at the amount which he had spent in getting the clothes.

From the shopping mall, we headed back to my place where I picked up important stuff. We now headed back to his mansion.

In the car, Richard asked about my parents and I told him that they were late. He was quite sorry for me and also told me that he was also an orphan. We made a perfect fit.

On getting to Richard's mansion, I finally understood why it was called a mansion. It was so huge.

"Jeez!" I muttered in surprise.

Richard led me inside his inner home while showing me different architectural designs. He showed me a painting which he had gotten for one hundred million dollars.

I was impressed by this. I began to think of pressurizing Eileen as well. I decided to invite her to the mansion as well.

Just like Richard knew what I was thinking, he spilled this information. There were no maids around when he said this.

"I hope you still remember that you are expected to cut off communication with all of your previous friends…" Richard told me.

"Why?" I asked with my heart beating louder. Did this mean I wouldn't be able to show Eileen how rich I had gotten now?

"We don't want a scandal! You have to live with abandoning your friends!" Richard told me now.

I could have fainted there.

This was more than a shocking news for me. It simply meant that all of my plans had come to naught.

I should have read that contract properly.

But you see, this was actually a tip of the iceberg.