THE MASKED LOVE

CHERRY'S POV.

My phone vibrated for the fourth time in ten minutes. The heat in the cafe was so hot that picking up any call was an additional heat. I pressed it to my ear.

"I'm fine, Sharon," I whispered, my eyes scanning around still searching for customers.

Cherry, did you eat?"

I winced. My sister has started again.

"No. But I will."

Another lie. There wasn't any money for me to take lunch. I was trying to get some money for dinner at least for my younger sister.

I hung up immediately before she could push again.

"Miss Newton?"

The voice cut through the noise like a sharp blade. I looked up so fast.

There he was.

Rowland Jones.

He didn't need an introduction. Everyone in Manchester knew him, the popular and wealthy CEO. The internet, radio, and television stations always talk about him. I only see him online but have never seen him facially.

"You're very hardworking," I said, calmly. I don't like being dependent on anybody.

He let out a smile so contagious.

"That's a good quality. We'll need that."

We?

What is he up to? I thought.

He quickly pulled a thick brown envelope from his suit and placed it right directly in front of me.

I stared at it. My heart is racing.

"I need a wife," he said, his voice low and calm.

I took a deep breath. "What?"

"A wife," he repeated. "Not a real wife but fake. For one year."

A laugh rose in my throat. I tried to compose myself not to smile, but it came out on its own.

"Are you joking or what?"

Rowland adjusted himself on his seat, his eyes locked on mine.

"I don't joke about business, Miss Newton. I'm serious."

My stomach twisted. "But why me?"

He answered immediately.

"You have a clean record. No public drama, baggage, and the most important of all is that you're desperate."

My countenance changed immediately.

What an insult!

The way he said it even made it worse.

"I'm sorry---"

"You have a sister to take care of. You're an orphan. In fact, you dress way, and you're exactly what I need."

God!, helly had finished me.

"And what exactly do you get out of this?" I asked, too inquisitive.

"I'm finalizing a contract with a concert, active European firm. ?They thought work with anybody single, who can't commit. I need a stable image to get this contract and want you to give it to me.

I shook my head.

"This is quite ridiculous. But you can just date someone. Anyone?"

"Date? Well, I don't date because I don't believe it," he said bluntly.

My heart sank.

"And after the year."

"You walk away. One million dollars would be sent to your account. No strings attached."

"One million. My heart quickly cut almost diversely.

"For you to know that am here for business, I will pay you now. "Fifty thousand dollars. The rest will come when the contract ends.

My throat tightened.

"Please, no romance." he continued. "This is strictly business. We only display in public. In private, we stay out of each other,'s way."

A lot has been happening to me. I've been going through a lot. Every day felt like survival. My design job pays me peanuts and a lot of bills on my neck.

And now this offer is here.

"And if I say no? I asked, staring at him.

Rowland hesitated then took a deep breath.

"Then I find someone else. Remember you're not the only one. But I think it'll work best for both and that's not what you want."

There was a brief silence between us.

One million is a whole lot. I needed it.

But I have to give my boundaries.

"I have conditions," I said quietly.

"I'm all ears. Name them."

"I want my room. I want to have access to my sister, any time any day, no questions. And for no reason, would you raise your hands on me."

He nodded once. "Agreed."

I heaved a deep sigh and stared at the envelope again, my hands shaking as I reached for it.

He stood up, adjusted his suit, and was about to leave.

"A car will pick you up first thing tomorrow morning," he said. "We'll sign the paperwork, and announce the engagement tomorrow night. Please dress well but not reveal."

I also stood up, though I never wanted to at that time.

Rowland was already leaving but paused and turned.

"You'll be safe with me, Cherry. No matter what you've been through."

I was surprised.

"How do you know that I was going through a lot?"

"Because I see it in your eyes. It's written all over you."

He turned again and left.

I sank back into my seat with the envelope trying to figure out what I'd gotten myself in.

Should I go for this, or should I tell him by tomorrow morning that I am not interested? I thought and thought.

I quickly closed from work and went home. My younger sister was surprised to see me back so early, unlike me, but she didn't know what I was battling with, and I didn't want to tell her anything about it.

I was still lost in thought when a know interrupted me.

My sister went to check and it was the landlord. He demanded to see me before he leaves.

I reluctantly went to the door.

"You said you were going to pay my money yesterday, but I didn't hear from you. You're pushing me to the wall and I bet you to throw you and your sister out," he said, his voice very loud and hitting the door.

"Throw me and my sister out?" those words echoed in my mind.

"Cherry, or what do you call yourself? When am I getting my money?" he asked, almost pushing me.

I felt shivers down my spine.

"You'll get your money in three days." I quickly said.

"In three days, I'll be here, and if you don't do the needful, I'll throw you out?" he snapped and left.

The landlord added salt to my injury.

A lot of things to attend to financially but no money to attend to them.

"Should I go ahead with this offer at least to save me and my sister from being thrown out the street?" I pondered.