Chapter 1 THE REPLACEMENT WIFE

"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 me, to pretend your wife? Why?"

"Yes, you know my wife is ... missing. For the pretending thing, you don't have to know the reason. I'll give any amount to you once you sign the contract of our agreement."He finally stood up and walked in my direction as seeing my hesitation.

"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 act 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."

I bit my lower lip. A moment of silence then I nodded, "O-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, "W-We should have an agreement first."

His brows rose up, then he nodded, "I understand, so, what's the conditions?"

"You should give me half of the payment first, t-that is my first condition." I retorted. He nodded as 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 like a couple in front of your family and in front of your children."

"I understand. Anything else?"

"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."

***

Paula's POV

I am Paula Edwards, a twenty-year-old girl who lives with my grandmother who is not really my grandmother. She just took me in and raised me after seeing me in front of a church back when I was still an infant.

I didn't get the chance to know who my real parents are, I don't know what they look like or why they decided to leave me there. I'm no longer interested in finding them anyway.

The current situation was that my beloved grandma was urgent for a surgery. She's my only family, I need the money.

I didn't really remember how I stepped out Mr. Farusco's office.

That night where I met him was a mistake, but it's hard to say if I should be lucky or grateful to meet him. In any case, this man was the only one who could save my grandmother when I was at my wit's end.

It was my only option. A fair deal.

*A week ago*

"What?! He already has a new girlfriend?! How dare him do that to you?! So, the real reason why he broke up with you was because he already found someone else?! That holly jerk!!" My bestie Cindy kept on yelling when I finally told her about what I saw that morning.

It was Sunday afternoon and I just called her to meet me at the coffee shop just so I could have someone to tell what I'm feeling.

"Cindy... am I really replaceable? Am I a bad person? Why is this happening to me? Why do people keep on running away from me? My parents, then my boyfriend. I begged him, but he only said that HE WAS HAPPY WITH ME."I know it makes me look weak and impotent, but I can't stop the tears from sliding down my cheeks.

"It's not your fault, okay? If someone left you, that dose not mean that you don't deserve them. That means that you deserve someone way better than them. That fucking Jake doesn't deserve someone like you."

I lowered my head. "I don't even know what to feel anymore."

"Do you want to have some cheer-ups? I know a place." Cindy suddenly said.

I looked at her with furrowed brows. "H-Huh?"

"Trust me, Paula. I'm sure you'll be able to forget about that asshole."

"But Cindy-

"Let's go!"