Lora Anne's pov
"You're here" I said as I adjusted my sitting position and switched off my phone, while he just stood there and stared at me as if observing me. This made me really uncomfortable.
"You came late. I don't like people who don't keep to time". He finally said in a cold tune which kinda maybe frightened me and I got up immediately.
"I'm sorry, I was really busy" I said looking down.
"I can see how busy you were" he said looking at me up and down. "You look nice by the way" he added before walking towards the other couch and taking a sit before he signaled me to sit also, which I did. He didn't say anything after that and just sat there staring at me in awkward silence.
"So..." I said to break the silence.
"I have a job for you" he said immediately.
"A job?" I asked sitting properly. Maybe Emily was right. He probably saw potentials in me and wants to sponsor. If this is true then I can save a lot of money to finally buy back mother's house. Again my mind was lost in space and I could finally hear him calling me back to reality.
"Are you back? I've noticed your mind wonders alot". He said staring at me intensely.
"So what type of job is this" I said after clearing my throat so we can move on with this conversation.
"Before I go into what the job is going to be about, I'm going to first and foremost tell you a story, and you also have to promise that whatever happens here will not be discussed outside this room. So can you promise". He said firmly. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who gets excited about finding out another person's secret. I was all ears now as I was probably about to hear premium gossip.
"Yes I promise" I said immediately with a gummy smile.
"So you know of the Williams family right? Yea you must have heard of us because we are quite famous in the whole country. Our family has its rules that has been followed for generations, and one of them is a marriage alliance with a powerful family to keep the family strong. So like you know, I'll be 30 soon and it is expected of me to be married and be making a family soon. I've got a fiance and everything but I don't feel that way towards her. So I don't want to marry her but she's so much in love with me and I don't blame her cause I too would have fallen in love with me. So the other day I mistakenly told my mom that I already had someone even if that's a lie but I just want Chantel to move on and my mom to stop pressuring me. So that's why I called yo.....".
"Don't tell me you want me to pretend to be your girlfriend" I said like I had him all figured out. Actually I did have him all figured out.
"Bingo!! You're quite fast that I don't have to explain so much" he said smiling.
"What kind of novel are you writing, you've probably seen too many movies and you have your mind twisted. How can I pretend to be your girlfriend"
"It's easy. You're an actress so just act in front of everyone".
"I act in front of a camera not in front of rich kids fiances and mothers" I said immediately.
"Who's a kid" he said getting up and coming closer.
"Not you big man, I was just joking" I said smiling nervously. He was pretty scary just now, was he coming to beat me up or something. He finally stood still and gave this you better not say anything stupid kinda look.
"So I'm going to get the contract so we can get this over with" he said going to a shelf in his office.
"Wait sir, I never agreed to be your fake girlfriend" I said frustrated.
"But you are going to be" he said smiling. "Besides you get to be close to me and that's a win-win for you dear stalker" he said smirking.
He's seriously not going to let this stalker thing go. "I'm sorry but I cannot do what you want me to do because I have important work to do instead of playing house with you" I said as I carried my things and got up attempting to walk out.
"I'll pay you" he said and I turned back immediately.
"How much?" I asked interested.
"Ten million" he said seriously while I choked on my saliva.
"Wait please come again? You're going to give me ten million?" I asked to be sure that I haven't heard wrong.
"Ten million and that's my final offer no negotiation" he said.
"Ok ok I'll be your pretend girlfriend. So when do I start" I said smiling while he stared at me.
"You agreed so easily. You didn't even try to play hard to get or even negotiate" he said in a surprised tune.
"What's there to negotiate about. You want a fake girlfriend and you're going to pay for a fake girlfriend and I happen to be a pro actor so what's there to negotiate about. Go get the contract quickly" I said smiling. I was already imagining the things I could afford with that much money. I'm going to get the house first before I go on a shopping spree with Emily.
"I can't believe you're so materialistic" he said shaking his head.
"It's a material world, so there's nothing wrong in being a little materialistic. If you weren't born with a silver spoon in your mouth you'd probably understand the struggles of the lower class" I said throwing him a judgy look.
"Oh! Using the rich kid doesn't understand hardship line on me I see" he said throwing me the same look I gave to him.
"Look who said he's not a kid" I said smirking.
"Well...you....don't try to turn my words against me and I'm not a kid" he said firmly like a big child while I just chuckled at how childish he looked right now.
"Well the fact still remains that you offered me a job and I'm going to do it. I don't think there's any reason for this childish bickering" I said.
"So now you call me childish" he said with an oppressive tune.
"Oh no no, I'm the childish one, Calm down hubby, you shouldn't argue with your girl, it's not what a gentleman would do" I said grabbing his arms while he pulled away immediately.
"What are you doing?" He asked flustered.
"Getting into character dear boyfriend" I said winking at him.
"Oh! So professional, but you only have to act in front of others not when we are alone" he said while adjusting his posture.
"I know I was just messing with you". I said. I don't know why, but I found it really easy to tease Anthony. I've always thought he was a rude, obnoxious, self-absorbed narcissistic person. Well he's still all of these things from what I've seen so far but not as I've imagined it. He's not all that cold but he's quite childish and cute if you ask me.
"So we are going to have an agreement for this. I already prepared a contract, you can go through it and sign immediately". He said while handing me the document he had fetched from the shelf. I took it and read through its contents. Some of the conditions surprised me though. This charade was going to last for a year, I was going to receive half the payment immediately and the other half after the contract expires, I'll get to enjoy the benefits of being his girlfriend for the period of the contract meaning anything he'd usually do for his real girlfriend would be done for me, I'm not permitted to be in any other relationship until the contract expires, I'll have to stick to the background story he's already prepared for how our relationship started and how it will end, he and he alone can make serious decisions concerning our arranged relationship, I was not allowed to suggest the termination of the contract but he had the sole right to terminate it whenever he felt like, I must be available whenever he needs me, I should never let the public have knowledge of this contract, and if I break any rules regarding the contract I'll have to pay three times the amount I was being offered.
"Hey, this thing only favours you".
"I'm paying so it should be to my advantage, is it not".
"And why a year. Isn't it too long".
"It's just right and it's just enough time for others to buy our story".
"And what's our background story?"
"Oh yeah about that. I already investigated and I found out we were at the same event two years ago.."
"Which event was that and why wasn't I aware of it. if there was such an event I probably would know about it because you have been quite a catch for a very long time" I said questioningly.
"Can you let me finish".
"Sorry. Continue your highness" I teased.
"Just shut up and listen. So to answer your question, it was an award show I had attended two years ago but I didn't stay long and you had gotten a job at that same event as a seat filler. Does this piece of information ring a bell now?"
"Oh yeah, I think I remember now. I actually got to meet alot of celebrities in that event and one of them helped me get a role as a stunt double later on. I actually...."
"Those are unrelevant information that I do not want to know about" he said cutting me off. "So like I was saying, we happened to meet by chance in that event and we clicked but seperated as I had to leave early. Later on, I looked for you and we got to know each other and later got together five months ago. We decided to keep our relationship a secret and you refused all the resources I offered you because you are such an innocent soul. Later, we get caught by paparazzi and we have no choice but to reveal our relationship to the public" he said smiling confidently at what he had said.
"Emm, this plot is too cliche, who's gonna believe it".
"The more cliche it is, the more believable, besides people like this kind of plots, and it even makes you look like a saint who has a rich boyfriend but refuses to take advantage of it just like those innocent female lead in dramas these days".
"Yea, dramas which are unrealistic. Why would I have such a rich boyfriend and want nothing. This story line makes us look like liars".
"We are liars. With or without this background story, we are going to be lying anyway. Besides, this plot makes people love you more, and that's good for me too". he said. What he said actually made sense, but this background nonsense wasn't all I had problems with.
"And I also have to be available whenever you need me. What if I'm busy?"
"Then you make time" he said unbothered.
"What if I'm sick?"
"You'll still have to make time and I'll get my doctor to examine you so that's not an issue".
"And the issue of paying three times the amount, that's just extortion" I said scoffing.
"Then do everything that's in the contract and they will be no issues. Besides, why can't you see the good part of the contract. You'll get to enjoy alot of privileges. Besides, you're an actress and this will definitely boost your career so I don't understand why you're still complaining" he said frustrated while my eyes gleamed in realization.
"Yea that's true. This is going to make me really famous. Why didn't I think of this before". I said as I reached for a pen and signed it immediately and handed it back to him.
"So materialistic" he said as he took it from me.
"Thanks sugar daddy" I said smirking.
"Don't call me that, it makes my skin crawl''.
"Ok papi" I said grinning while he shot death glare at me.
"Since we've gotten that out of the way, I'm going to inform Richmond so you'd be signed into Wayne entertainment immediately".
"Wait! Seriously. Oh My God" I squealed loudly.
"Like I said you're going to enjoy all the benefits of being my girlfriend" he said with his nose in the air.
"Oh lucky me" I said sarcastically.
"But you're going to move from Mr Dran's house and to your own apartment".
"Wait, how do you know I live with Uncle Dran?" I asked surprised.
"Because I investigated you to know whether you are a spy or something".
"Oh wow, real smooth. So did you finally get to know that I'm a ninja who lurks in the city at night to save the weak" I said teasingly.
"What big imagination you have" he said smiling subconsciously. "I'll get my driver to send you back".
"No need I came with a friend and she'll send me back".
"I'm guessing it's Emily" he said proudly.
" Oh so proud of yourself now right. You probably know when I see my period right" I teased.
"And why would I know that. How can you even say that so easily, aren't you embarrassed" he said panicking.
"Jeez, chill man I was just messing with you. But I have to go now. Emily has been waiting". I said as I attempted to walk out.
"Wait" he said and I turned back to face him. He walked towards me and stretched his hands.
"What" I said at once.
"Your phone" he said gesturing that I give it to him.
"Why"
"Your number dummy, so I can call you''.
"Oh! So your investigation didn't get you my number" I said teasingly.
"Cut it out already" he said while I handed him the phone and he dialed his number and asked I dialed mine in his mobile which I did then he handed it back to me.
"Thanks sugar daddy" I said grinning while he just signalled for me to leave.
"I'll call you when I need you" he said as I walked out.
I can't believe what had just happened. I got to the parking lot and called Emily but it wasn't reachable. I got to the spot she was parked but she was already asleep in the car. I tapped on the glass until she woke up and opened the car for me to get in. I suggested I drove since she was tired. She asked for my phone as hers was already dead. She wanted to make a reservation so we could go eat.
"So how did it go" she asked. I remember Anthony had asked me not to tell anyone but I can't possibly keep it a secret from Emily right. If I suddenly get publicly announced as Anthony's girlfriend, she's going to be suspicious. But I can't tell her now.
"Let's eat first and I'll tell you later. I'm really tired". I said to avoid the discussion.
"Ok whatever". She said as she started scrolling through my phone before she suddenly screamed which shocked me almost half to death.
"What? Why did you scream?" I asked after almost having a panic attack.
"5 million just got deposited into your account" she said shocked.