Chapter 4 All the fun

Taken aback by his unexpected proposal, Lisa questioned softly. "What?"

Arthur cleared his throat. Where did that idea come from? He only wanted her to act as his fiancée for a day. Besides, Rita was clear with her warnings. He wouldn't want such a beautiful woman to lose her job.

He couldn't fathom why she was in such a job anyway. He could see why it was a strict rule that could jeopardize both their reputations.

"My sister gave me this wonderful idea. You act as my fiancée, and you get paid. What do you say?"

How arrogant, Lisa thought angrily. His preposition was just as she suspected. Her work as a contract hire must end in a day, never as a fiancee or anything too complicated.

Feigning an excuse that his handsome face was the only thing that stopped her from saying anything snarky and betraying her professional conduct, she replied. "I only accept contracts that last no more than a day."

However, she took a deep breath, remembering how much money he paid for a thirty minute meeting. He must be loaded! She figured. From her calculations, accepting this job could keep her out of this humiliating business for three months or more.

Lisa continued. "How many days are we talking about?"

Instead of replying, Arthur began to lean closer to her.

Lisa tensed, her eyes wide as his lips brushed past her cheeks, his breath soft against her ears. Her heart began to race without her approval.

"A month," he growled softly.

Lisa drew back, her hands flying to her mouth to hide her blush. "I can't," she replied firmly.

This would stretch the boundaries of her professional conduct because he was handsome, young, and...

...also her type.

Arthur sat back, clicking his tongue in irritation. He was clearly unhappy with her response. Quietly, he reached for his phone. "I'll let him know then," he declared, prompting Lisa to challenge him.

"Who?"

Arthur's lips curled wickedly. "Jeremy Stone."

Lisa swallowed the huge lump in her throat. She could lose her job! "Why should I do this?" she demanded shakily. "Convince me right now why I should act as your fiancée for a month. It will cost me a lot."

Pausing to consider her question, Arthur searched for the right words to persuade her.

"Because it's just to show my parents that I am capable of handling myself. We just have to deceive them for a month. Is that too hard for you to do?" He reasoned, his eyes locking with hers in silent plea.

Arthur knew his parents were smart and had their resources. They'll just have to be convincing enough, and a one-day date won't do.

"Don't you think you are asking too much of me?"

"What do you want in return?"

Lisa hesitated, considering her response carefully. "I should think about it carefully. Once we sign this contract, there is no going back,"

"I am game."

"Good." Lisa said, sliding the documents of her terms and conditions across the table to him, scoffing as he caught them effortlessly. He was a tad bit too eager, and it unsettled her. Well, she needed the money, and that was it. She watched carefully as he flipped through the pages of the contract.

The more Arthur read through the contract, the more his brow furrowed. "We are entering into some law-binding shit here. A lot of zeros...And what do you mean by this? You can't expect me to pay this much and not get my reward."

Lisa shrugged off his concern. Although she never thought to use this, It was her last measure to save herself from a backlash should this go wrong. "You requested for me. You must follow my rules. My rules include you not having sex with me or ruining my reputation."

Deep down, Lisa felt dizzy. How could she keep to this rule when a man as hot as Andrew was seated across from her?

"And other things too. So I suggest you sign the damn papers and let me prepare myself. I'll need real details about your life too, if I am to do my job well," she added, her tone leaving little room for argument.

Arthur nodded as if he understood. His mind conjured up other means to achieve his goal. He smirked as an idea popped into his mind.

Wicked, but effective.

*****

Arthur intensely gazed at her, allowing her to take the lead for now. If he succeeds in having her, she will be broken and accept his demands, he concluded. Now, he wanted to know her real name. "My real name isn't Andrew. It's Arthur Brook."

If Lisa was shocked, she hid it well because she felt doomed. If she was correct, he was the heir to a multi-dollar company. She had heard a lot of bad news about him-controlling, possessive, and dominant. Of course, this was risky, but at the same time...

"What's your real name?" He suddenly asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.

Ignoring his question, Lisa shakily handed him a pen, urging him to sign the contract. With a resigned nod, Arthur complied, scribbling his signature onto the document.

With the contract signed, a charged silence hung between them, an obvious desire in their eyes as they stared at each other.

"Do you want to stop by my suite for dinner?" Arthur blurted out.

Lisa frowned at the sudden question. It was too late to go home anyway. Yet her mind screamed at her to get a grip on herself. Her only comfort was the fact that Sebastian was somewhere watching her for safety. "Yes."

"Why did I even ask such a silly question?" Arthur muttered to himself as he gulped down the last of his drink. "Are you sure?"

That was when Lisa realized how silly she was, even after knowing his identity and what he could do to her alone. Embarrassment filled her as she stood abruptly. "I have to leave."

Arthur was confused by her sudden departure.