Chapter 5 The Contract

Damien got to his father's house but had to wait because he was upstairs definitely with a woman. His phone beeped. A message entered his phone. He smirked when he saw the texter, Vivian. He clicked on it with excitement but it all disappeared when he read the content of the message which was:

"Hello boss, I left the office already for something urgent, my mother needs my help so I've gone to help her. I don't know if I will be back to the office or not; I mean today." He squeezed his face curiously. He became anxious; he needed to know what was wrong, but now wasn't the time to leave. He has to see his father. He stood up himself this time around to go meet him, but just then, he stepped down with his stepmother, Tabitha.

"Father!"

"Ahh...my son is around. Don't mind me, I was busy with something upstairs. Let's get down to business, I can see that you are in a hurry." His father said as he came to sit down. Damien looked away from his stepmother not wanting trouble.

"So, my son, the reason why I called you is to let you know of your upcoming marriage between the Fu's daughter, Linda, and you."

"Father, you cannot tell me who to marry. I'm not interested in this union." He blurted out.

"You have to, son. We need this marriage."

"Father, I don't want to tell you this but at this point, I think I should. I have a fiancee."

"What? I don't believe that a bit."

"Then wait and see." He concluded as he stood up leaving his father's presence.

As Vivian said in the message, she did not end up returning to the office. Damien got worried to the extent that he had to call his former secretary to check up on Vivian and her family. That was when he found out the whole truth, he found out about the state of her family and the recent vamooze of the loan of a thing. He thought for a long about this before concluding.

Vivian did not plan to miss work the following day. She woke up on time, preparing for work. Everything happening to her and her family of current is taking a great toll on her. Between these few days, she has depreciated to an extent due to stress and worry. This time around, she met her boss in the office. She sat down on her desk, thinking she could escape him, but unfortunately for her, she met her eyes on him already. She had no choice but to go into his office to greet him. Stepping in, she had her head bowed and her hands at her back. She was taken aback by hai response.

"Sit, Vivian." Vivian looked directly into his eyes in disbelief.

"I said sit." Without further Ado, she sat.

"I have some things to discuss with you." On hearing this, Vivian was already shivering with fear. Does he want to sack her? Her heart trembled, she could not even say anything.

"I saw all that happened in your house online and I don't like it. I learned that's your mother's source of income for now. So for this, I'm offering you a contract."

"A contract?"

"Yes, a contract. Let's get married."

"What! Married? Who? The both of us?" She asked in disbelief.

"It isn't a real marriage. Rather, it's a contract marriage. We are both going to benefit from this." He convinced. Vivian's brain reeled.

"What is the benefit we are both going to enjoy from it?"

"This marriage will save me from the pressure of my father. And for you, more money." Vivian thought for a while.

"I have a condition to make.*

"Spill it out."

"You'd buy my mum's restaurant..." She said with doubt in her heart.

"That will be no problem."

"Really? She asked unbelievably.

"Of course, are you agreeing to this?"

Vivian took a long while to reply. She was almost giving in but then, she remembered her boyfriend. Even if she were to agree to this, her boyfriend has to know first.

"Ermm...boss, I will get back to you on it."

"No problem. Don't let it be long." He said as he dismissed her, but on second thought, he called her back.

"Get ready, we are going to meet a client in the next few minutes."

"Okay, boss."

They set off to the so-called place to meet the clients. Vivian, in the car with her boss, felt so awkward. They both were at the back clinging to each side. She looked away out of the window while Damien busied himself with his phone. They got to the restaurant and went in together. Immediately Vivian stepped in, the first person her eyes met was her boyfriend, Steve, and her best friend, Sarah. Her head banged, and she felt dizzy for a second. Damien moved closer peering into her eyes.

"Vivian? What's wrong?" He wasn't even sure if she was listening to him. He traced her eyes to where she was looking and saw his rival, Steve. He gritted his teeth in annoyance. Without warning, Vivain strolled to the two of them kissing passionately with Damien at her heels.

"Steve? Sarah?" Vivian asked trying not to believe her eyes.

"Vivian? What are you doing here? I mean...oh, you are cheating on me with your boss?" He asked trying to divert the blame to her. Vivian was not ready to answer him. She faced Sarah.

"Sarah, what's happening here?"

"What does it look like bitch? You know what, I'm tired of pretending. I just hate your gut. Steve is my boyfriend now so get the fuck!" At this point, tears flowed down Vivian's face as she stumbled back but was guarded by Damien. Steve stood up and faced Damien.

"Damien? Do you realize that Vivian is my girlfriend? I won't accept that you hold her like this."

"Wipe your mouth, Steve. Her name does not suit your mouth you cheat." Damien says angrily as he helps the weak Vivian to the car. Vivian couldn't feel herself entering the car. She was so helpless. Why is her life like this? What has she ever done to deserve this? Her heart began to throb. Heartbreak!