Chapter 3 Game or Real Deal

"One minute ago you were just asking me to be your servant, now you're asking me to sign this letter for who knows what purpose?" Eve almost laughed, she held back her laughter and thought this was all funny. But Nolan's indifferent expression did not convey the slightest hint of joking. Eve, who was about to laugh at this ridiculous irony, suddenly fell silent.

Nolan got up and walked to the corner of the room, taking out a pack of cigarettes. He lit a match and then exhaled nicotine smoke into the air through his mouth.

"I don't want to guess the path of your pathetic life, but it's all plainly displayed on your face."

Eve's face turned red from holding back her emotions. She was never embarrassed by the situation of her mother who used to be a stripper. The view of people who think that strippers are the same as prostitutes-both are dirty jobs, is wrong and Eve doesn't care. She also didn't care if Nolan saw it that way too. Stripping is an artistic profession, in other people's eyes it might seem embarrassing, but Eve knows her mother works for her life.

"You can still insult me ​​when you need help from others?"

"What do I need to praise you for, Eve? From the start, you weren't attractive at all. It was perfect."

"Then just look for someone else, why ask me for help in a job that looks like it has to be perfect? Moreover, marrying you was not my choice at all."

"Are you sure?"

The big man beside Eve blocked her as she turned around. Nolan's tone suddenly turned cold. The man stepped closer, the thick aroma of nicotine wafting through the air. Eve turned to face the man who was now standing in front of her.

"As much as I need you, you are the one who needs me more." Nolan snapped his fingers again, the man next to him nodded and took out a long piece of paper from the bag. He handed it to Nolan and Nolan held up the paper in front of Eve's widening face.

A bank check.

An American dollar check. Eve had never seen a check like that exist in the real world, Eve even thought that checks only existed in romance novels that she often read in the library. But now paper bearing the American bank logo with premium paperweight was displayed before her eyes.

With this check, Eve could see hopes and dreams come true instantly. She could imagine her father getting out of prison without being hurt again and more importantly, Eve could free herself from the invisible restraints of her stepmother's family. The image became clearer when Eve realized that it was the only reason why she had worked so hard to this day.

"I think you need this much more. I heard, that one year ago your father was tortured in prison. I know it's not important, but I like remembering other people's suffering. Especially your suffering."

The corner of Nolan's lips twitched slightly. That wicked smile pierced Eve's self-esteem many times. She really needed the money. And far from pride, there was her most important father. After receiving cruel treatment from people in the prison cell, her father was always tortured and suffered serious injuries. Eve cannot bear to see her father's suffering and intends to raise money to free him. But where does the money come from if the restaurant waiter's salary isn't enough to pay the rent?

The anger that rolled with resignation made Eve involuntarily well up with tears. She couldn't dismiss Nolan's words because he was Nolan. A man who has long held a grudge because Eve's mother had a relationship with Nolan's father. Even if it was true, it wasn't her mother who was having an affair, but Nolan's father. With all the power she has, Eve mother's is just a stripper, how can she refuse that man's wishes?

But Nolan will not understand that a trivial order issued by a rich person seems to be a lifetime of suffering for a poor person like Eve.

"What should I do?" Eve finally asked. She chose to suppress her grudge and think logically. She could plan another revenge later after this. Eve thought that this opportunity was the main door to revenge tactics.

Nolan straightened his body handed the check to the man beside Eve and said casually. "Just get married, wait for my father to come home from Switzerland then I'll get the will."

"A will?"

Nolan looked at Eve sharply, not intending to explain, but Eve persisted in asking for an answer.

"If you want me to work, at least let me get to the heart of the matter. You don't want me to mess up, do you?"

This time Nolan smiled slightly. He nodded slightly. "Good self-awareness. I'll explain it later. Now we have to go home."

The two men packed things up deftly while Nolan walked to the door.

"Go home?"

Nolan held the doorknob and turned his head. "Time to get to work, stupid."

Right after that, the two men who had finished cleaning up immediately led Eve out of the room. Ignoring Eve who was exclaiming in panic because she had to finish her shift.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Eve frowned, slightly looking at Nolan who was sitting in the chair in front of her. The Roll Royce sedan in which they had been riding twenty minutes ago had pulled over to a salon to do Eve's make-up and was driving through the busy traffic on Broadway. Eve sat a little uncomfortable in a dress made of white brocade which was slightly revealing at her stomach and waist. This mini dress was one of a thousand dresses that the fashion shop owner Nolan had chosen for her.

"You are incredibly beautiful, Eve," Nolan said the compliment with a cold look as if it almost sounded like a threat. Instead of being happy with those words, Eve narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms.

"What do you want to say, Mr. Wellington?"

Nolan was silent for a moment, then looked away at the view outside the window. "Nothing."

Eve snorted. This outfit made her a little uncomfortable. For Eve, who never puts on make-up unless it's an important event, or wears beautiful dresses like this-the one Eve spied on could cost almost ten thousand dollars! What crazy person could easily spend ten thousand dollars in one go as if it were just ten cents?

But Nolan's wealth is not something Eve needs to think about. She was much more worried about what it would be like at Nolan's house. The impression was too vague, especially because it had been almost ten years since Eve remembered the stories of her downfall in high school, information about Nolan's life had also been forgotten a bit.

"Mr. Wellington," Eve called to the man who immediately turned to her.

"How long do you think this work will be needed?" Eve asked.

Nolan let out a small sigh and then put his feet on his back in a relaxed manner. "No idea. Why?"

"Is it that complicated just for a will? Aren't you the fashion designer of the very famous brand NW? Why can't you get the will easily?"

Nolan looked at Eve as if what she said was a joke. "What do you poor people think? Do you think we rich people just sit and drink wine leisurely?"

Instantly Eve was silent. She felt she had said the wrong thing because Nolan was now leaning in front of Eve. Stare at her straight and sharp.

"Listen. Even though I'm a hundred times richer than the American president, the Wellington family's sacred will is something I have to risk beyond all my efforts so far. So never take this work lightly."

These words pierced Eve's doubts, who still half felt ridiculous about this work problem. But when she glanced at Nolan's sharp eyes, the blue as deep as the sea reflected by the light outside the window, Eve realized that maybe this wasn't a game after all.