The Business of love: Our contract marriage

Sitting on the black rocking chair is Dr. Ray with a report in his hands.

Ashely, on the other hand, was sweating profusely despite the air conditioning in the office. She just knew that the report in his hand was bad news considering the look on his face.

She had come to meet him today because she felt her mom was hiding something about her health from her and she needed to know the truth.

Dr.Ray's cough brought her back to reality and these were his exact words "Your mom is in her last stage of cancer and has only two months to live, requiring surgery and a bone marrow implant for a chance of survival".

At first, she couldn't believe her ears but with the reports in her hands, the only thing going through her mind was how her mom successfully hid this from her and how in the hell did she not know.

"My life seems completely off track from what I had planned and it looks like it's going to crumble right in front of me" Ashely wailed as she sat on the hospital bench just outside the doctor's consulting room, tears dropping from her eyes as she couldn't stop thinking about her conversation with Dr. Ray regarding her mom's medical report.

It's hard to believe in any savior now, considering all the trials and pains she is going through.

Losing her dad and now facing the possibility of losing her mom is too much to bear.

She had recently lost her job because her boss was being too demanding and she is determined to do everything possible to save her, but she doesn't know where to begin.

Ashely certainly do not want to bear the thoughts of selling her body to make money, but how is it possible to get such a huge amount of money for surgery in a short period?

She is angry at her life and also at her mom for not telling her about her health condition earlier.

She headed to the exit and hailed a taxi not knowing where to go because she needed to cool her mind before speaking to her mom.

"The day has just begun".

*********************************************************Across the office in a Black fitted tux that looked like a famous designer had made it for him, was the most attractive man you would ever come across.

Raw and has this aura that seemed to emanate from him. He was fair and handsome, had strong and chiseled Jawed with neatly shaved bares, the sleeve of his suit hugging his broad, sculpted shoulders. His posture was both aloof and confident.

His brown eyes looked terse, ambitious, so striking it would light up a grate. He is no other than Alan Anderson. The CEO of Anderson's company.

The ambiance of the office could wake the dead.

What is the meaning of this, " Alan said as he slammed the documents in his hands on the table.

Standing in front of his table is his fidgeting secretary who is looking everywhere but him.

"When am talking, you look the fuck at me" He groaned.

He wondered why everyone was pissing him off today, first it was his mom telling him how it was important for him to get married since he was already an established man and now this!!.

He have always wanted to work with the European groups but they seem to be a hard nut to crack and their criteria are really at their peak.

"I have to be a married man before I can collaborate with them, Who does that?" He groaned again at the thought of it.

"Leave my office and get me a cup of black coffee" Alan spoke coldly to his secretary.

"Why can't she look at me, am I that scary? Well good for her, I have always been someone who likes to command authority and keep everyone on their toes that is how I get the job done," Alan thought to himself.

The only thing on his mind now is how to get a contract wife because he has to strike a deal with the European groups.

While in the taxi, Ashely picked up her phone and called Andrea, She has been her friend since high school. Andrea answered the phone on the second ring.

"Hey girl," Andrea said to her as the call connected. Andrea had always been the life of the party, the total opposite of Ashely.

"What's good, are you home?" She asked her.

"Yeah, I'm home. It is my day off, you need me for something?" she answered Ashely.

"Yeah, I need a shoulder to cry on" Ashely answered her as she let out a sob.

"OMG baby, what's wrong!! You know what where are you? I will come to pick you" she said to her panicking.

"I am 10 minutes away from your place " she answered sobbing, she just couldn't control the tears dropping down her chin.

"Alright I will be waiting and please stop crying, So long as no one dies there is hope Ash," she said consoling to her.

"Ash" has always been a name she loved calling Ashely.

How does she tell her that her mom might die if she don't act fast? Holding her tears she said to her "alright" and hung up.

"Miss we are here" the driver's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Oh"she said wiping her tears off, paid the driver and alighted from the taxi, heading towards the driveway leading to Andrea's house.

The door pushed open before she could reach the doorbell.

"Girl, you got me worried, if you had a boyfriend I would have said you broke up and that is the reason you are crying". Andrea said as she headed to the fridge at the side of the kitchen to get her a glass of water.

She rolled her eyes at her as she spoke.

They got settled on the couch, and then Ashely proceeded to tell andrea about her mom's medical report and the money involved.

Andrea scooted close to her and engulfed me in a bear hug. Just what she needed.

She sobbed hard, relieving all her pains.

Drea pulled her face and looked down on her with her bright brown eyes " Ash, this is just a phase that you're going to get over real quick. What we need to do right now is to look for a way to raise the money as soon as possible."

Sitting up, she asked her how they would go about it.

"Come on Ash you have an excellent degree and every company needs someone like you in their establishment," she said to her.

She proceeded to explain "I have a few companies who might need your services so all we need to do is submit your CV and await a result"

"Drea, are you sure about this?" Ash asked her with a tinge of uncertainty.

"Girl imma need you to be positive," she said to Ashely smiling.

She returned the smile, Drea has always been a source of encouragement to her.

After applying for the jobs with Drea. She headed straight to her mom's place to speak to her.

She had moved out to live alone when she got into college and now she is beginning to regret it because had she stayed with her mom she would have noticed something was off.

She headed to the door and rang the doorbell but no one answered.

"Where could she be" she pondered. She rang it again and still no response. She clicked on the door knob and it opened.

"Mom was never this careless to leave the door open," she said to herself as she walked in, the living room was sparkling clean but no one was there.

"Mom! Mom!!" She called as she headed to the kitchen which happens to be her mom's favorite place, but she was nowhere to be found.

Her heart began to quicken, and what she had feared the most started running through her mind. She held her breath as she climbed the stairs leading to her mom's room.

Mom! Mom!! She called out as she pushed the room door open.

The bed caught her attention.

Her mom was always all about keeping the house clean but her bed was looking messy, the duvet almost reaching the ground.

She rushed out of the door and ran down the stairs her mind traveling to many places.

"Where could she be, was she rushed to the hospital" she lamented as she searched through her purse fishing out her phone to see if she had gotten a call or if she had missed out on something.

"Thud!!"

What was that

Mom! Mom!!

L

She headed to the backyard where she heard the sound, her heart racing like it would rip off.

She pushed the back door open only to find her mom trying to lift the sack of manure for her vegetables in the garden right behind the backyard.

"Phew" she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding

"Ohh dear you didn't tell me you were coming," Her mom said to her as she proceeded to hug her.

"Eww Mom that stinks" she wrinkled her nose from the smell of the manure.

"Come on let's go inside, I will clean up and we can talk," Her mom laughed at her as she headed to the door while she followed her.

She settled on the couch in the living room with the medical reports in her hand, waiting for her mom to come.

She raised her head when she heard the sound of footsteps climbing down the stairs.

"Ashely you look so quiet, is everything okay?" Her mom asked scrutinizing her.

She handed her the report and waited for her to read it.

"Did you get a job?" Her mom asked again while ripping off the envelope and reading through the papers.

"How could you hide your sickness from me, Mom, do you want to make me an orphan?" she asked as she sobbed.

Her mom reached for her hands "Ashley I didn't want to be a burden to you, you have your whole life ahead of you I can't deprive of you that".

"Mom, what is life without you in it?" She probed as she bawled.

She moved closer to her mom "Mom I can't afford to lose you and am going to do anything in my power to get you treated I promise".

Ashley...

"Mom, am not asking for your opinion" she interrupted her while wiping her tears off.

"Child, it is not as easy as you think, this is a huge amount of money " Her mom implored.

"Mom, as long as there is life there is hope, I will not give up without trying," she insisted.

Her mom came close to her and pulled her in a tight hug " You are the best gift after your dad".

"Have you eaten?" she inquired.

"No! Am not hungry" Ashely shrugged

"Ashely Greenwood!! If you want to save my life then I need you to be alive to do that," She fumed as she headed to the kitchen, and Ash followed.

Ashely opened the fridge, brought out her favorite cranberry juice, and poured some of the content into a glass cup.

"I will be heading home after this, I need to pack a few things that I will be needing I can't leave you in this house all by yourself" she informed her mom.

"Ashley I am sick am not a child you would need to take care of!!" She explained shaking her head.

"Exactly Mom you're sick and that's why you need me and that's it," She said with a tone of finality.

"I can't with you" she notified, raising her two hands.

*********************************************************

Man!! What's the way?" Sean inquired

Sean is Alan's best buddy and they have come a long way.

"I don't know, these women are all gold diggers they might want something more if I offer a contract marriage," Alan said rubbing his hands on his forehead, he was already having a headache from the whole thing.

"You never can tell, they are good ones out there" Sean probed.

"How do we find them, it's not like there is a tag on their forehead that shows they are good" He complained.

Buzz!! Buzz!!

"Hello, ohh shit I forgot I will be there in 10 minutes," Sean said as he hung up.

"Going somewhere?" Alan asked, raising his face to Sean's level.

"Yeah, I am to meet up with an interior designer for Shelly's studio. I forgot" he said as he dragged himself off the chair.

" Boy!! You are whipped, I hope this doesn't end with tears I don't have a shoulder you can cry on" Alan said in a mocking tone.

"Chill bro and get a woman, love is sweet" Sean advised while heading toward the door.

"Love is sweet" Alan mimicked, rocking his chair towards the direction of the large window behind him.

He stood up and headed to the window pondering on how to get a contract wife because there was no way he would be having a real marriage.

Knock! knock!! The sound from the door interrupted his line of thought.

He pressed the green button at the right side of the table which signifies "Come in".

His secretary walked in facing down

"Is there something fascinating about those shoes of yours?" He asked, losing his patience as he sat down.

"No..no sir..r" she stuttered.

"I have arranged a meeting with the director of Malcolm's group and company and it's scheduled tomorrow by 10:30 a.m Sir" she explained.

"If nothing else, you can leave and go learn how to be bold enough to face me if you love this job" Alan replied coldly.

"She gets on my nerves all the time, remind me why I employed her?" He huffed.

BUZZ! BUZZ!!

"Who could that be early this morning?" Ashely said, stretching her hands. It was almost looking like she was having a hangover.

She was never an early riser. BUZZ! BUZZ!!

She extended her hand to the side stool, picked up her phone, and answered it without bothering to look at the caller.

"GET YOUR LAZY ASS OUT OF THAT BED IF YOU WANT TO SAVE YOUR MOM" Drea yelled at her over the phone.

She could feel her ears crying from the sound of Andrea's voice.

"Girl, don't you think it's too early to banter with me?" She yawned.

"It's 8 a.m. Ash and I assure you, you have a long day today," she said with a tone of certainty, while Ashely pulled up her phone to check the time.

She didn't realize that it was 8 a.m. already because she had pulled the blinds down to prevent the early morning sun from penetrating through the windows.

"Ash, are you there?" She inquired

"Yes...."

She interrupted her" Good, check your email. You have an interview with Malcolm's group and company scheduled for 9 a.m. and you need to dress smart and be on time.

"Oh my goodness Drea, how come you didn't inform me beforehand..what do I do?" Ashely said panicking.

"If you had considered checking your emails or tried to wake up early you wouldn't be in this situation" she stated.

I...

She interrupted her again " Now is not the time to argue, you need to get in the shower quickly and get ready, I will be at your place in 30 minutes to take you there, you better don't waste my time"

"You're a lifesaver Drea, I love you" Ashely said hurrying to the bathroom to shower and get dressed.

She opened her wardrobe, with no idea of what to wear because she wasn't expecting a quick response from one of the companies.

After much consideration she finally settled for a black tailored blazer with a pair of black dress pants and a silky brown blouse accentuated with a classic pair of pumps and simple pair of stud earrings and a comfortable bag to contain her files.

She did a little makeup and tied her hair in a messy bun.

She then stood in front of the side mirror to check how she looked.

"Perfect" she murmured.

Whoever created her took extra time to do so.

"Ashley, hurry up Andrea is here" Her mom's voice interrupted her rail of thought.

"Coming" She yelled as she picked up her bag and headed downstairs.

"Mom I have an interview by 9. a.m I will see you when I get back, please take care of yourself" Ashely spoke hurriedly while heading out of the front door.

Ash hopped into the front seat of Drea's car

"Hey Ash, you look good" Drea praised her.

"You don't look bad either Drea, thank you for coming to get me" she replied sincerely.

"It's fine Ash. Here I got you coffee. It will help calm your nerves" she said handing over a paper bag to her.

"Cappuccino!!" Ashely squealed inhaling the smell of Cinnamon and cream while gulping down the coffee.

They got to Malcolm's group and company at 8: 47 a.m.

Ashely was nervous and uncertain about being employed when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder " Ash, I have faith in you and I know you can do this, you got this" Drea encouraged her.

She bid goodbye to Drea as she headed to the security point.

Malcolm's group and company is one of the top companies in New York City and not everyone can walk into it freely.

After confirming her identity at the security desk, she was directed to the receptionist's desk.

"Good morning Ma'am"

"Good morning Miss, how can I help you?" The receptionist's replied, smiling.

"My name is Ashley, I am here for an interview by 9 a.m. and I need directions," She replied.

"Oh, you are here for the interview, take the elevator to the 10th floor. By your right, you would see your fellow interviewees. Goodluck" she explained

"Thank you very much," Ashely said and headed in the direction the receptionist's had described.

Ding!! the elevator opened to the 10th floor

She was greeted with a couple of interviewees and almost lost her confidence, but she was determined that she wasn't going to give up.

She sat down on the free seat just beside a blonde woman who looked like she is in her early 20s.

"Good morning, are you here for the interview?" Ashely asked but she was greeted with silence.

"Miss Ashley Greenwood" A lady in tailored pants and a white blouse holding a file called out.

"I'm here" Ashely answered while standing up.

"You will be interviewed now, follow me", she said

She followed quickly behind her while she led her to an office which she assumed was the conference room.

Ashely met two men dressed in black suits and a woman and she greeted them.

"Miss Greenwood, have your seat," The lady said to her while pointing to a seat in front of her.

She nodded while getting seated.

"We have your CV with us and we have gone through it and you ticked all the boxes, so we are going to ask you a few questions and that will be all, " one of the men in the black suit said to her.

*********************************************************

"That will be all for now, we will send you an email if you get the job so please keep in touch," The lady said to her while ushering her out.

"Thank you" She uttered

She left the conference room with all hopes that she would be employed.

When she was heading to the elevator she collided with something.

"Have you got no eyes?!!!" A deep and rough voice bellowed.

Ashely tried maintaining her stamina as she raised her head coming to face with a rigid body in a tailored navy blue suit paired with black shoes shining magnificently so that she could see the reflection of her face on them.

"How can someone's body be so firm that you could mistake it for a wall?" She wondered.

"Gosh is he a rock?" She thought again.

"You are the one with no eyes because I was watching my paths," she said defensively in a tiny voice while rubbing her head due to the pain she felt from the collision because she was completely compelled by the aura emitting from this being.

Her hair had loosened from the collision.

She raised her head to his height facing an awesome creature, She would say beautiful, jaws very sculpted like a chisel, and the bears calling her fingers to comb through it, those brown eyes enticing yet holding a dangerous stare, she couldn't seem to differentiate those eye with the color of almond or a sprinkle of coffee, something in between the two.

"How can someone be beautiful yet arrogant, beautiful nonsense" she thought.

"Who is beautiful nonsense?" the rough voice roared again.

She placed her hands on her mouth quickly when she realized that she had thought out aloud.

"If you're done checking me out, you can close your mouth and stop drooling," The man said in a dangerously calm voice.

She brought her hands to her mouth only to clean the droll to realize that she wasn't drooling.

I....

"Mr. Anderson you are here, it's nice meeting you again. The boss is waiting" A chubby man said interrupting her.

"Yes sure, lead the way" the beautiful creature replied in a raspy voice.

He looked at her with those brown eyes holding a lot, almost looking like he wasn't done with her yet before walking away followed by a lady who looked like a bucket of cold water was poured on her, who Ashely supposed was his secretary and a scaring looking man

"He must be very scary," she thought.

This sent shivers traveling down her spine.

Alan followed Mr Dumpson, the chubby man who had interrupted him, and the pretty lady he had bumped into in the hallway.

He could clearly remember the smell of vanilla, jasmine, mandarin, and Cinnamon which reminded him of a floral oriental scent, with a very soothing and calm ambiance emitting from the pretty lady.

He was completely stricken by the sight in front of him a while ago

Those blue eyes were a mixture of the ocean and the clouds, her long wavy brown hair he would say beige color cascading just above her waist.

Her tiny pink luscious lips drew him to have a taste of it. Her shape is almost like that of an hourglass.

Everything about that pretty lady is screaming intriguing and is something he needs to avoid but he can't get himself to ignore her.

"Rex" Alan called out to the scary-looking man

"Sir,"He answered, unsure of what Alan wanted to say.

"That lady I bumped into in the hallway, I want a file that contains everything about her immediately after I am done with this meeting" He commanded Rex.

"Okay sir" Rex nodded while leaving the premises.

Mr. Dumpson led him to Malcolm's office.

"My long lost friend, it's good to see you," Malcolm said with an empty laugh.

Alan scoffed at the thought of him trying to be funny.

"I can't say the same," He said, while he unbuttoned his suit and got seated on the executive chair in front of Malcolm's table.

He had a brief conversation with Malcom regarding the project they were working on.

"I guess that would be all and I need you to go through this document," Alan said, pushing the document towards Malcolm.

"I saw a lady in the hallway, who is she?" Alan asked, pretending not to show interest.

"I have no idea, Alan, this company is huge and a lot of women work here, why are you asking?" Malcom replied, squinting his eyes at him.

"No reason" He replied standing up to take his leave.

"Someone is showing interest in someone," Malcom said in a mocking tone.

"Don't get your hopes high," Alan replied as he left the office.

"What other schedules do I have today?" Alan asked his secretary as they stepped out of Malcolm's company.

"Nothing Much sir, you just have some documents you need to sign" She wavered

"Okay to the office then" Alan replied, dragging his feet slowly to the parking space while scanning around to see if he could get a glimpse of the lady he met in the hallway.

The drive to the office was a very silent one as he was having the thought of making the stranger lady his contracted wife.

"We are here Sir '' The chauffeur said, cutting off his thoughts.

Alan stepped into his office followed immediately by Rex.

While sitting on his chair, he asked " Did you find anything?"

"Yes sir I found a couple of things" Rex replied, passing a brown file to him.

Flipping through the pages of the file, his eyes scanning through the contents, he paused as something caught his attention.

"It seems I have found something to hold you down, Ashely Greenwood," Alan echoed in a sinister tone.

"You did a great job Rex, that will be all for now " He complimented his bodyguard.

After reviewing and signing some documents, Alan called Sean.

"Bro what's good," Sean said immediately after the call went through.

"All good, I think I found a contract wife," Alan replied.

"How?" Sean asked

"I met her today and I know she is the one, you need to see this lady" Alan explained.

"You are kidding me right?" Sean voiced out looking surprised.

"I wouldn't have told you about it if I didn't mean it" Alan expressed.

"How do you intend on offering a contract marriage proposal to a lady you just met and do you think she will accept it?" He inquired.

"It's simple," He said, pouring himself a glass of wine from the wine bar across his office.

"How?" Sean asked.

"I sent Rex to find out about her, she happens to need a huge amount of money for her Mom's medical treatment, so I am going to offer her my assistance, and in turn, she will get married to me on a contract basis. Her mom gets treated and I get my contract with the European groups, it's just a business deal." He said in a tone of finality.

"Do you think this will work out?" Sean asks with uncertainty.

"If I don't try I will never know, I don't have much time" Alan replied.

"Good luck, I'm rooting for you," Sean chuckled.

*********************************************************

Alan stepped out of his company after the day's work, he got into his car as the chauffeur drove him to his house.

After a while, the car stopped and his driver alighted to check the problem.

"What's wrong?" He asked when the driver got back in.

"I'm sorry sir I mistakenly splashed water on a lady and she seems to be causing a scene," The driver replied in a wavering voice.

"Let me handle it," Alan said while getting down from the car.

"YOU!!" He half screamed when he saw the lady's face

"The universe is really up to something," He thought.

L