Chapter 7 MEETING MR. FARUSCO

Paula's POV

My heart started beating so fast I walked inside that office. A manly yet appealing scent wafted through my nose as soon as I got to step inside. It was as if I was in a whole new world.

The office was huge, it has an enormous crystal chandelier hanging on the ceiling, the walls were painted grey and the pieces of furniture were all made of steel and glass. There was a huge couch located on the right side of the office and a mini-library on the left side.

There was a black table at the center with lots of papers above it and a man standing, facing the ceiling to floor window behind his seat where I could clearly see the view outside. Just the frame of his body already tells me that he was young and bulky. He has a great and fit body shape and perfect butt that anyone would want to spank.

I shook my head. What the hell are you thinking, Paula? You're here to plead to the president to let you borrow some money, not for you to admire his beautiful butt. "G-Good Morning, M-Mr. Farusco. I'm Paula Edwards, Mr. George told me that you wanted to see me."

"Please take your seat." He said without looking at me.

Why do it feels like I already heard that baritone voice before?

"Well, thank you..." I said as I sat down on the couch, facing his direction.

I don't even know why but I suddenly felt nervous. Really really nervous as if I was going to be beaten to death. I kept on glancing at him, waiting for him to finally show his face.

Slowly, he tilted his body towards me. My eyes automatically widened when I was finally able to see his whole face. I stood up with my mouth opened as I pointed at him. "Y-You?!"

"Paula." He said as he smiled at me.

"W-Wait, you are the-you're the-

"Yes, I'm Voltaire Farusco. The owner of Gosling University and the man you met at the bar."

I shook my head with my brows furrowed. "It can't be..."

"Please, let us be seated Miss Edwards."

I still couldn't process what I just knew. I sat down without taking my eyes off him. Damn, how can I even asked him to lend me some money when he's the man that I never wanted to see again!

"I know you're surprised to see me again. But there is something that I would like to tell you."

I looked at him. "Something to tell me?"

"Yes." He said as he sat down across my seat.

"It's actually a favor, and it could give you something that you need. It's going to be a win-win, Miss Edwards."

"I am sorry Sir, but I don't understand what you're trying to say."

He heaved a deep sigh before speaking. It was as if he was thinking about something before blurting it out.

"I need you to pretend as my wife," my eyes widened upon hearing those words from him. He was serious, not even a tinge of sarcasm can be seen on his face.

"W-What?" I asked again, making sure if heard it right.

He leaned on the swivel chair and crossed his arms while staring at me, "I'm willing to pay you any amount, you name it."

I gulped as my mouth went agape, "P-Pay m-me?"

"Yes, you can tell me any amount that you want to receive from me and I'll give it to you once you sign the contract of our agreement."

He finally stood up and walked in my direction. "Based on the information that I got, you are a college student at Gosling University which is one of the schools that I own. And also, I heard that you are currently living with your grandmother who is now confined in the hospital."

I wrinkled my brows. How can he know such personal things about me?

"Miss Edwards, I know how badly you need this money. If I were you, I will do everything for my beloved grandmother and-

"All I need to do is to pretend as your missing wife, am I right?" I looked straight at him.

"Well, yes. You need to act like her, look exactly like her, take care of the kids, make them all believe that you are her until I finally find my wife."

"How long will I be pretending?" I asked again, my voice was shaking. The man gazed at me with his deep ocean blue eyes that could melt someone if he tries to stare at them. He suppressed a sigh before he spoke, "Until I finally find my wife."

"What if you don't find her?" I nonchalantly asked.

The man then furrowed his thick black brows, his eyes were sharp, "I will find her, no matter what it takes. I will be able to find her."

I bit my lower lip as I nodded, "Okay."

"Are you saying that you're already agreeing to pretend as my wife?" he was almost smiling, though it didn't reach his eyes. I gulped again while my hands were trembling, slowly, I opened my mouth as I looked at him, "We should have an agreement first."

His brows rose up, then he nodded, "I understand, so, do you have any conditions?"

"You should give me half of the payment first, t-that is my first condition." I retorted. He nodded as an approval and so I continue speaking, "No kissing between us, no touching, no mingling with my personal real life, and no-

"No sex." He suddenly said which made me look at him.

"D-Definitely no sex." I repeated.

"So, those things are your only conditions?" he asked me again.

I thought for a while then I looked at him, "And one more thing, no one in my friends or anyone who knows me should know about our agreement. We're only going to act as a couple in front of your family and in front of your children."

"I understand. Anything else?"

"No. Nothing." I shook my head. I heard him let out a sigh of relief, "Then, shall we meet tomorrow to sign the agreement?"

"Okay."

He nodded, "Let's meet here at my office, I will also transfer the money in your bank account as soon as you sign the contract."

"Okay." That's the only word that escaped my mouth. The man lay his right hand in front of me, asking for a handshake. I looked at him, then to his hand, and grabbed it. "Thank you, Miss Edwards."

"Don't thank me too early, I haven't signed the contract yet," I replied.

"I see. So, see you tomorrow?"

"S-See you tomorrow."