Marriage Bargain

RONALD POV

The family gathered in the mourning hall where all the guests were as we got notified that Father's lawyer had some information to relay to the family privately.

The Hoffmans sat down in the private room quietly ready to hear what father's lawyer has to say.

The lawyer cleared his throat "Mr Hoffman left a will detailing his assets, properties and share with a suspensive condition.His will is as follows: "I leave my mansion and cash to be donated to Home orphanage" The lawyer paused for a while adjust his glasses

"I also will all the Empire business and affiliate and shares to a designated legatee.The designated legatee is Ronald Hoffman" My eyes widened when I heard my name mentioned.Shock written all over my face.

"Why?"I said with a low tone at no one in particular, staring at Father's picture.

The lawyer continued "The condition attached to this will is that Mr Ronald Hoffman can only have access to this inheritance if he gets married within one month, unable to comply with this, the inheritance Should be passed to my brother, Luke Hoffman."

I was dumbfounded and didn't know what to say. Eyes were directed towards me ,the room was silent as graveyard.

I could feel the tension in the room, some of the family members stood dumbstruck and few of them nodded in support of the will , while others glared at me, making me uncomfortable.

Luke confronted me immediately and the lawyer left the room"You've got to be kidding. Why do you have to get all the shares? I worked my butt off to keep this company going for so many years , just to be used as a substitute," Luke said ,his voice brisk with a piercing edge that bordered on harshness , raking his hair with his fingers while his wife stood close to him comforting him.

"Don't tell me you would accept this?"Luke's wife spat irately ,staring at me with bulging eyes. I stared at nothing in particular as I was still in shock from the whole revelation.

"Mum I don't see anything wrong in Uncle Ronald in taking over the company," Lily said

"Shut up you brat, Don't talk while the elders are talking," Luke's wife said, shutting my nephew up.

"This is so unfair.Why does it have to be this way?I'm sure you manipulated the deceased chairman into transferring the shares to you,"An older man in the family said , his eyes blaring with fury.

"What are you insinuating?It wasn't his fault that the inheritance was given to him,"Another person said

Instead of listening to them argue, I turned on my heels and walked out.

Colin ran after me yelling. "Wait for me man. You are not thinking of leaving me behind, are you?"

"I'm sorry dude,"I apologized

"I understand, you don't need to apologize.You don't seem to be in a good condition to drive, let's switch," Colin said looking at me while he took over the will.Colin drove for a while and we got to a fancy relaxation area.

"Colin ,I thought we were going to the house what are we doing here?"I asked him getting pissed off

"I just wanted to lighten up your mood since your emotions have been everywhere,"he explains with sincerity sitting down in the corner of the bar.

" Listen, having fun is the least on my mind right now. How can I get a girl I would marry within a month? I wonder why father gave me such a ridiculous condition," I said worry evident on my face

"You don't mean it? The Almighty Ronald is finally agreeing to get a girl," Colin said laughing sarcastically

"You know how I feel about relationship things, it's just a waste of time,"I replied drinking the alcohol served for us

"Well, you can always count on me, I know my way around the ladies. You need not to worry about getting a girl," he said smirking, his eyes directed to a blond who was sitting two tables away from us.

Colin got up with his drink "I would be right back ,Bro," He said going towards the blond direction.

I breathed down heavily "I can't believe Colin ditch me for a blond," I hissed.

I drank for a while and decided to go home because it was already late.I texted Colin and notified him that I was going home but he didn't reply.

"I guess dude is already on cloud nine,"I muttered to myself smiling, getting into my car.

"I didn't realize that it was this late, everywhere is now deserted , I guess it was because of the rain that fell earlier," I said in thought.

I was still in thought when a truck speeding from a distance came at me ,I tried avoiding a collision but the truck came at me again and knocked my car over. My eyes became blurry as my the world around me faded away

****

I felt a slight headache in my temple , my eyes opening, adjusting to the environment.

"Mr Hoffman, thank goodness you are awake," A man clad in white coat said,tending to me.

"How am l here?"I asked him , adjusting and sitting up

" I am the doctor in charge of your treatment.You got into an accident yesterday and was saved by a young lady, Emily Adair. She brought you to the hospital but we took her details before she left," The doctor explained.

I told the doctor to put a call across to the good Samaritan who saved me so that I can show my appreciation to her.

I was on call with my assistant in the afternoon when someone knocked on the door. "You can come in," I said, lifting my face to see who it was.

"Hello," a lady with long dark straight hair, sapphire eyes, rosy lips and a delicate build complimenting her smooth fair skin greeted us, while the nurse who came with her excused us.

"Emily Adair?" I called out . "I was told that you were the one who saved me?" I asked with a calm tone

"Yes," She nodded in affirmation.

"What do you want in return for saving my life?"I asked her while gesturing for her to have her sit .

"I did not save you to get a reward, I don't even know who you were.I was just passing by when the accident happened and I saved you because I can't see someone in distress and pass by , letting the person die,"she explained,

"I don't like to be indebted to anyone. Ask whatever you want and I will give it to you,"

I watched her calculating eyes as she tucked her dark long hair behind her ear.The room fell into silence.

"I want power?" She said shapely, breaking the silence,crossing her arms.My eyes flickered immediately the words left her mouth.

"Power? what kind of power?" I asked ,my voice icy but polite.

"The power that will make me untouchable and superior that nobody will be able to tread on me or treat me as they like,I want that kind of power," I replied sternly .

An idea suddenly popped into my mind 'This is an opportunity for me , I won't have to go through the stress of going for blind dates if she agrees.I hope she does,'I said in my thought

"What if I give you my name?"

"Your name?" She asked with her eyebrows raised.

'I wonder what's going on in her mind. I hope she agrees so that I can get my inheritance quickly because I can't afford to lose it,'I said in my thought

"Marry Me," I said to Emily who stood with crossed arms,her warm sapphire eyes widened in surprise.

"Sorry? Can you come again?" she asked raising her eyebrows

You said you wanted power so I'm giving you the opportunity of getting the power you desire by marrying me," I explained with a straight face

"I don't even know you," She said, taking her seat on the chair .

"Now you know me. No one is forcing you here, I'm just offering you a deal. Let's get married, you get what you desire and I get mine,then we go our separate ways," I replied hoping that she would give me a positive reply

"What do you desire?" She asked curiously, glinting her eyes.

"Don't get ahead of yourself , it's not you I desire, you aren't my type anyways,"I said smirking

"You don't have to be so full of yourself," She said rolling her eyes

"I appreciate you for offering me this opportunity but I can't get married because I want power. Moreover I don't even know you. You are a total stranger,so I can't possibly marry you," she said with raised eyebrows.

"I don't expect you to give me a positive answer now , this is my card. In case you change your mind you can give me a call," I said to her, placing my card in front of her.

" I won't change my mind but thanks anyways, I might need it or make use of it in the future," she said

I watched her strapping her bag on her shoulder ,she took the card and walked out of the door without sparing me a glance.

EMILY'S POV

I went straight to my boss's office who is also my boyfriend. I waited for him to hang up on the call when I entered his office.

"Hey babe," he said,moving close to me and about to kiss me on the lips when I avoided it.

"What's wrong?"He asked with furrowed brows.

"I am here to tender my resignation letter,"I said keeping a straight face, trying to suppress the emotions running through me .

"Why?" He asked ,his eyes bewildered at my outburst .

I shook off his hands from arms "I'm not only quitting this job , I'm quitting our relationship too"I said ignoring his question.

"You can't be serious, quitting our relationship? you must be kidding" he said, running his fingers through his thick platinum hair.

"I ain't kidding,you are nothing but a douchebag,you cheated on me with my sister, How could you?" I said with disdain raising my voice.

"Ha,is that why you are quitting your job and our relationship? don't tell me you were jealous?It was a mistake. You know you are the one I love you," He said smirking

"A mistake?you are not even remorseful about what you did,you dickhead,"I said feeling my heart break the more

I couldn't believe that I fell in love with someone this selfish,I feel so stupid.

"You know you can't break up with me, right? I know you love me and l love you too, would you allow that trivial matter to come between us?" He said

"Trivial matter?" I was surprised at his words.

"I know that I am the one you love and I love you too,so get a grip and forget what you saw," He said

"Forget what I saw? You are a big jerk,"I replied blowing hot.

"Yes, let it go, moreover she offered me what you couldn't. So let's put this behind us," He said, closing the remaining distance between us and was about to kiss me again when I landed a slap on his cheeks.

"You slapped me!" Ethan exclaimed with a bloodshot eye, his palm on the spot I slapped

I walked to the door and stopped on my track

"I won't accept this break up,I am sure you will come back to me and I will make sure you are unable to get a job anywhere until you come back to me,"he threatened with a smirk plastered on his face.

"You will regret ever betraying me,douche bag,"I said walking out of his office without looking back .

****

I sat in my favorite corner in the cafe shop down the street. I sipped my coffee and surfed the net for job vacancies but was unable to apply, a thought occurred to me. I put a call across to a friend of mine from another company.

"Hey girlfriend," I cooed wearing a tiny smile

" What's up babe? it's been a while" my friend said

" I'm good, I need your help girl," I said

"You only call when you need help,uh? well I forgive you . What is it you need me for?" She said

" I'm sorry babe, I promise to make it up to you," I apologized

" I'm in dire need of a job. I have tried job hunting on the net but it hasn't been successful. Are there vacancies in the company you work for?" I asked

" Did you quit your job? Are you in any trouble?" She asked concern laced her voice

"It's a long story my friend, I will tell you about it when next we see," I replied with a deep sigh.

"Send me your credentials so that I can help you to apply directly in my company," She said

"Thank you dear, I already sent it," I said with gratitude.

" You are welcome .What are friends for? I gat you.I will get back to you in an hour" she chuckled

" Okay I will wait for your feedback,"I replied feeling a hint of hope.

I ordered another cup of coffee waiting patiently for the feedback from my friend. I also tried applying in some other companies for the next one hour but it wasn't futile.

Exactly an hour later, her call came through, I adjusted on my seat well and I received the message.

"I applied for the job vacancy for you, your credentials were okay, you have good working experience and your portfolio was good but you were declined because a statement has been written about you being late to work,lazy towards work and having a nonchalant attitude towards work,"She stated with a surprised tone.

My jaw dropped on hearing all the accusations slammed against me .

"What is going on? Who is bent on destroying all you worked for?" She asked

"I will get back to you my friend, thanks alot" I said, hanging up the phone.

"Ethan is such a jerk," I said to myself with gritty teeth.

I dropped the coffee bill on the table as I dashed out of the coffee shop angrily. Not knowing what else to do I walked down the street deep in thought "I can't afford to be jobless for a day talkless of a month, I need to act fast,"I said in my thought, biting my bottom lips.

My mind drifted to the conversation I had the previous day "This is the only option I have left and I am going to make good use of it," I mused with determination.

I took out my phone and card given to me the previous day from my bag and dialed the number on the card. The line rang twice before it was picked. "Hello," Ronald's deep voice sounded from the other side of the phone.

"Let's meet, we need to talk," I said, hanging up the phone .

RONALD'S POV

I sat in front of my computer, typing away at the screen when my phone rang,without glancing at the phone screen I picked the call.

"Hello,"I said hoarsely, my eyes still on my computer screen

"Let's meet.We need to talk," A feminine voice said across the phone.

I paused looking at the strange number that called then my mind drifted to the previous day.

"Aghh, it slipped my mind,I almost forgot I had a deadline. I guess I can't get used to this," I sighed, realization dawned on me .

I swiftly put on my suit that had been laying on the couch.

I picked my phone to send a text to her "Let's meet at Daily Grind"

Daily grind is a coffee shop that sells the best brewed coffee in the area,just a few blocks from my office. I quickly reserved a private room for the meeting.

I checked my golden wristwatch at intervals waiting for Emily,after some time she arrived at Daily grind looking stressed.

"I'm so sorry for being late,got into traffic," she apologized, removing some strands of hair from her sweaty face.

"Here,"I said, giving her my handkerchief so that she would use it to dry the sweat on her face .

"Thanks," She muttered looking at me weirdly while we both took our seats in the reserved room.

"I was surprised when you told me that you want us to meet. what made you change your mind," I asked , lifting the coffee cup to my lips.

"Well, I reconsidered it.And I think this will be a good opportunity for me to spread my wings," She replied crossing her legs.

I adjusted my tie and brought out some documents out of my briefcase "Based on what we discussed,I have drafted some rules for this contract marriage in case you change your mind or I find someone else"

"Rules?" she asked with raised eyebrows and took the documents I passed to her.

"Party A and Party B must:portray as a loving couple for the 6 months they will be together. They must work hand in hand to achieve each other's plans.This agreement is strictly among us,a third party shouldn't know of our bargain and after achieving whatever they desire through this marriage,both can divorce and go separate ways after 6 months ." She read the words ,her eyes scanning the documents before placing them back on the table.

"Do you have any problem with the rules?. You are free to add yours," I stated icily, couldn't wait to get this done with.

I know I sounded hasty,I can't just wait to get the inheritance and go back to my normal life.

"I have my conditions, Party A and B should not interfere in each other's businesses when not in the public. There should be no form of sexual intimacy," she noted while I knuckle

"That shouldn't be funny," she said, rolling her eyes.

I let out a laugh "Ah, sexual intimacy my foot," I snickered.

Clearing her throat "Moving on,The privacy of each party should be acknowledged and respected. That's all I have to say about the rules," she said crossing her arms over her chest.Her phone kept ringing all through the bargain but she just left it go into voicemail.

"You can go ahead and pick your call,it must be very important," I said, guessing that it was an important call since the caller wouldn't stop bombarding the phone with calls.

" It's no important call" she replied with a narrowed eyes

" Okay,I will include your contribution to the contract,so do we have a deal?" I said standing up from my seat and stretching my hands to her .

"Deal." she replied with a tiny smile on her lips, placing her tender hands on my palm.

"Shall we?" I said walking out of the private room,hand in hand with Emily.

We walked out of the coffee hand in hand ignoring the stares and whispers from onlookers.

I offered Emily a ride but was turned down. "We will have to do this often so get used to it.We need to make people believe we are dating," She let out a stored breath while I explained.

'I think she is nervous about this whole thing' I said in my thoughts.

"You don't need to worry babe, I got you covered," She smiled, hooking her arms with my arms.

"Babe? That's new," I said, reciprocating the smile, knowing that she already switched to acting as a lovely couple .

We walked to the place I packed my car, opened the passenger door for her in a gentlemanly way. I entered the car and drove off.

"You can drop me here," she said looking out of the window.

"Is this where you live?" I asked, facing her while my hands were on the wheel and matching the brake to a stop

"No,I just want to walk on the street as an ordinary person for the last time,"she said, biting her rosy lips and strapping her bag on shoulder before getting out of the car.

'She is nervous,' I said in my mind observing her.

"We will be going on a date tomorrow.Text me your house address so I can pick you up" I said,smirking.A part of me is glad that this is going well as planned.

"I will" she said waving her hands in approval.I stared at her as she walked out of sight.

****

"Good morning sir," Leila said, making her way into the office.

"Morning," I replied, looking up from my laptop.

"I just got an update concerning the current project we are working on.These are the project files," She said, placing the documents with another stack of documents on the table.

Leila has always been keeping tabs on ongoing projects.Her diligence, Capabilities and smartness made me assign her for projects that I don't have time to attend to.And that's more reason I made her my Personal Assistant.

" You can go,"I said, flipping through the pages of the documents.

"Okay Boss" she nodded opening the door

" Hold on, I need you to get a dinner dress, shoes and bags from the best boutique and send it to this address," I emphasized strongly on the best boutique and gave her the address .

" And lastly, book a reservation for me in one of the best restaurants.I trust you will recommend a good one,"I started giving her a trusting glance.

"Noted Boss, I will work on it right away. Is there any other thing I can help with?" She asked courteously , taking notes on her tab .

" None for now .You can leave," I replied, eyes on the screen.

Fatigue sipped in as I began to finish up the documents I was working on. I got up to prepare for the dinner date after I sent my driver to pick Emily up.

I got to the restaurant a few minutes after seven waiting for Emily's arrival.

The restaurant was lit with a warm,soft ,dim light but a little dark,the table was decorated with a brown table cover and flowers to adorn it. I sat waiting for my date

After a while, I saw someone walking into the restaurant, directly to where I sat,my eyes widened in stunned surprise at who was in front of me. A person from my past who I don't want to meet