Chapter 3 AN ABSURD PROPOSAL

Autumn decided it was time to make use of her certificate to get a better job, maybe like an office job or something similar to that just so she can make good money and take care of her daily needs. Although she tried that several years ago and it didn't work out, she thought she should try again; hopefully she would be lucky enough to get a good job this time.

She went around looking for job using her certificate this time but things seemed to be the same way. Autumn was about giving up when she received a mail from a prestigious company asking her to come for an interview. She had submitted her CV at that company and had almost lost hope because they hadn't gotten back to her but now they had and were granting her an interview. She shared the good news with Ruby and after having a few glasses of wine, they went to bed.

The next day, Autumn left the house as early as possible as she didn't want to miss the opportunity. She met other applicants for the job there and sat with them while waiting for her turn to be called in. She heard that the Head Manager, the second in command to the CEO, who happened to be the CEO's son, was in charge of holding the interview.

She said a little prayer, hoping to find favor in the eyes of the interviewer. Few minutes later, the Head manager's secretary came out of then office.

"Miss Autumn White?" the secretary called out.

"Yes?" Autumn answered, looking up from her CV.

"It's your turn; come in please," the secretary said with a smile in her face.

"Thank you," Autumn said, a nervous smile appearing on her face.

Autumn got up from her seat and walked towards the door. She took a deep breath in and a deep breath out before opening the door and walking in.

"Good morning si... YOU," she began as she walked into the Head Manager's office.

"You? What are you doing here?" the Head Manager who happened to be none other than Jaxon asked.

"I'm obviously here to get a job since you made me lose my last one," Autumn said with so much hatred in her voice.

"Well, that happened because you were a clumsy worker," Jaxon said.

"I WAS BUMPED INTO... How many times do I have to explain that to you?" Autumn yelled before reducing her voice a bit.

There was a brief moment of silence before Jaxon spoke again.

"You're here for a job but what if I told you I have something better to offer?" he said.

"Which is?" Autumn asked; her curiosity piqued.

"Have a seat first," Jaxon said.

"I'll rather stand," Autumn answered.

"Just sit, please," Jaxon said.

Autumn looked at him before turning her attention to the seat and after contemplating for a while; she took a deep breath and sat on the chair.

"I'm seated now; what's your offer?" Autumn asked.

"My parents have been pestering me to get married for a while now and I have no intention of doing that. But the problem now is my father is threatening to keep me from having the company because of my "promiscuous ways" as he would say but I see it as freedom. Anyways, I eventually came up with a plan and this plan involves hiring a lady to act as my wife for the six months, one year at most and after a year, we file for a divorce and go our separate ways after I pay her a whooping sum of $100,000. Now this is where you come in," Jaxon said.

"And how does all this concern me? I'm confused," Autumn asked, showing her confusion.

"I want you to act as my pretend wife for the next one year or less," Jaxon answered, dropping the bomb.

Autumn's blood boiled on hearing what Jaxon had asked of her. She couldn't believe that after making her lose her job, he still had the guts to ask her to pretend to be his wife.

"You have much guts; after causing me to lose my job, you had the guts to ask me this. What on earth makes you think I'll say yes to your request?" Autumn said.

"I'm sure you're so desperate to find a new job. it's either you accept my proposal or I hinder you from getting a job anywhere in New York just like I got you fired at your old job," Jaxon said, a smirk on his face.

"You won't dare," autumn said, surprised but doubting if Jaxon was capable of doing such or not.

"Try me. I'll make sure you don't get a job anywhere in New York. I'm wealthy and I have connections so anything's possible for me," Jaxon said proudly.

Autumn got up from her seat, with a pissed look on her face.

"I came here for a job but it's obvious you won't give me the job so instead of wasting my precious time here listening to this stupid talk, I'll take my leave," She said, before walking out of the office and out of the building.

She returned home really upset and narrated what happened to Ruby, hoping that she'd support her but Ruby's statement shocked her.

"This man has the ability and the connections to make you job-miserable in New York. He is Jaxon Wellington, heir to a large business conglomerate. His father is the CEO of Wellington Group. So believe me when I say he can ruin you life with the snap of a finger. Just do what he wants and get paid a huge sum. Then your life will be set forever and you no longer have to get a job to take care of your needs," Ruby said.

"WHAT? You expect me to marry a stranger and the very man who made me lose my job?" Autumn ask to be sure she got what Ruby was trying to say.

"Yes," Ruby confirmed.