My contract marriage to a Mafia boss

Anna’s POV For the third time that morning since I started driving, I checked my reflection in my side view mirror. My shirt was ironed and cleaned, even though the fabric was cheap, I looked respectable. I had spent the previous night looking for respectable wear for my meeting. I eventually decided on just going with my favorite dress for interviews, a pink corporate shirt and black skirt. That was the best clothes I had. The fabric wasn’t exactly high fashion, but it looked respectable and it could do the job. Because of the immense amount of fees that I had to cover as a single mother, I am always in need of money. My rent was almost due and paying for Sophie’s daycare was taking the bulk of the money I was earning. I also had no intention of going into more debt in order to pay off my rent. The sound of heavy raindrops hitting my windshield disturbed my thought process. My car windscreen wipers worked over time as they swiped left and right in order to keep my view clean. I was currently driving a small blue Honda, a car that I had received years ago as a surprise gift from Sophie’s father. The car was probably my favorite possession, I really had no idea what I would do if I didn’t have it. Usually I would have commented about how much I hated the rain but my mind was so occupied with landing this job and nothing else. “Wow, that’s a big building.” I muttered under my breath as I parked my car in front of the building that I assumed was the venue for my interview. I scavenged through my purse and brought up my phone in order to make sure that this was really the right address. “Seems like it.” I muttered while double checking the address. The rain was no longer pouring as hard as it was when I first started driving. It was still drizzling though, heavy enough that I knew I would be completely soaked before I could reach the canopy of the tall building. Squinting my eyes and summoning my courage, I opened the door and ran out. I did not want to be completely wet during an interview so I sprinted as hard as I could. Even though I moved fast, I was still reasonable soaked by the time I got into the building, The ground floor of the building was a huge empty hall that had only had a receptionist stationed at the end. I glanced around the hall trying to look for any other person who was here for the interview, but other than the female receptionist, I could not see any other person. “What kind of interview is this?” I wondered. “Are you Anna Hart?” The receptionist asked, stunning me and bringing me out of my thoughts. “Wow she’s tall.” I thought as I took a second glance at the large empty hall trying to find a giveaway that there was an audition going on here. “Mr. Damien Blackwood is expecting you.” the receptionist said, “Please come with me.” “Blackwood?” I thought, “Where have I heard that name before?” After confirming that I was indeed Anna Hart, the receptionist directed me towards the location for the interview. After walking down the hallway, I walked into the small dimly lit room that was supposed to be my interview venue. There was a leather chair facing a heavy oak table. I looked around the room trying to find cameras but still could not find anything. I was beginning to get more intrigued by what was happening. I had been sitting on the chair for what was probably 2 minutes before I heard the door creak open behind me. I turned around and came face to face with what was probably the most handsome man I had ever met before. The first thing I noticed about the man was how tall he was and his striking blue eyes that seemed to pierce through the soul. He was tall, sharp-jawed and dressed in a designer suit that probably cost more than my entire rent for a whole year. “Ms Hart?” The man asked, he had a rough voice with a commanding edge that showed he was used to ordering people around. I could immediately tell that he was someone who was used to leading. “Yes,” I answered. “Do you know who I am?” The man asked with a smirk, My mind raced as I tried to recall his last name, Blackwood. The name was familiar, too familiar. Where have I seen that name before? I shook my head, “To be honest with you, I have no idea who you are.” I admitted. “I’m here for an interview right?” “Not exactly Ms. Hart.” The man said as he walked up to the table and took a seat. “My name is Damien Blackwood and I specifically requested you.” My heart skipped, the name again snapped me out of my thoughts. Was it something I’d seen online? Was he a real estate mogul? An investment mogul? “Why?” I asked with shock in my voice. “Because I have an offer for you.” Damien replied. “I’m not sure I understand what you are talking about.” I sputtered, “I was called here for a job interview.” “It is an interview though.” Damien answered with a smile on his face, “I’ve done my homework on you Ms. Hart. You are talented, ambitious and smart. You are perfect for what I need.” I stiffened, “What do you mean by that?” I asked as my mind raced while trying to make sense of this situation. “I have a job that I really need someone with ambition for, I have looked through your file and I know that you would be the best person for the job.” “What?” I stuttered out, “I don’t understand. What are you talking about?” Damien smiled, “I’ve only got a question for you, Ms. Hart. Do you want to change your life?” “Not unless I know exactly what the job is.” I answered, shaking my head, “I need to know the offer before I can give you a reply.” “Good.” Damien nodded, “You see Anna, I am in a unique situation where I need your help, and it’s a job that pays very, very well.” I sat up on my seat. No matter how suspicious all of this was, I still needed money and I was willing to do pretty much anything as long as it was legal. “What job is it?” I asked, “A job that should be pretty easy for an actress like you,” he paused and looked me in my eyes before continuing, “I don’t understand what you are trying to say but all I can tell you is NO.” I answered as I stood up from the chair. I had entertained this conversation enough and I did not want to spend more time in this room with a man as scary as Damien. My instincts were practically screaming at me to run away from him and I was someone who trusts my instincts.I turned around and took a step to walk out of the room. “Ms. Hart. You know that life does not hand out second chances and this would be a chance for not just you but your little Sophie.” Damien said. I felt the temperature in the room drop the moment he said that. I had no idea what he meant by that but I did not want any harm to come to my daughter. I froze and turned back around, “How did you know about..?” “Sophie,” Damien said, completing my sentence for me. “I make it my business to know everything about anyone I hope to do business with.” Damien said with what I was beginning to realize was either a smirk or a sadistic grin. “What do you want from me?” I asked with a rising heartbeat and a quivering voice. “Your acting skills for one, your loyalty for another. Don’t worry about yours or your daughter's safety. You would be fairly compensated also.” Damien answered as he stood up from his chair. “Who do you want me to act as?” I asked fearing for the worst. “My wife.” Damien said with an outstretched hand. “Think of all of this as an elevation in your life.” Damien continued. “You can elevate the life of yourself and your daughter and even clear your debts.” I stared at his outstretched hands while thinking about what he said. With bated breaths and a racing heart, I took his hands. “Good. Now that you are onboard. We can talk more.” Damien said to me with a smile on his face. “Who are you?” I asked the sole question that had been on my mind now since I met this mysterious and powerful man. “I am Damien Count.” The man replied, “I am not asking you about your name and you know that. Are you some casting director in need of a wife or an actor? Why would you even need a fake wife in the first place? You are obviously handsome and rich enough to be able to get a woman to marry you.” I asked, There were multiple things about this entire situation that still did not make sense to me. “Well I can trust none of those women.” Damien replied, “And you can trust me?” I asked with a shocked expression on my face. ‘Not exactly, but I understand the way you act and the way you think. You would not betray me.” Damien replied. My mind raced as I tried to figure out how exactly he was able to get information on me and what sort of information he actually had. “You still have not answered my question though.” I said trying to shift the conversation away from becoming too weird. “I am Damien Count. The most powerful drug lord in all of North America. And I n eed you to be my wife.” Damien said with an evil glint in his eyes.