Emily sat on the chair facing the lawyer and Lyon, everything had happened so fast, she had agreed to the devil's demands, she didn't think twice, she didn't even call her best friend Danielle to tell her of the news.
She had agreed without thinking, he had offered her a juicy amount of money, and she hadn't resisted the urge to decline.
Now, a year of her life, a year of her freedom belonged to this man she now faced, a man she knew nothing about, his face still as hard as the first time she ever saw him.
"Ms Emily, you're aware you mustn't let anyone know your business with Mr Rashford", the lawyer said, breaking her out of her thoughts.
I understand.
"You mustn't tell a single soul about the contract, not even your family if you have one".
"I'm aware of that", she said, pressing her fingers against her palms tight, trying really not to have a panic attack.
"And you understand you have certain obligations to Mr Rashford from today".
Her eyes flung wide open, "what do you mean certain obligations", she asked.
She had gone ahead to sign the paperwork without checking and double-checking.
"You might want to check the documents again Ms Emily". She looked at Rashford's face, his eyes unflinching.
"You would have to give up your last name for a year". The words sounded like bullets were trying to pierce through her body.
That was the only precious thing she had left of her family, and now she had to give it up, because she had gotten a fast route to get the money she needed.
"Alright, that will be all for now Mr and Mrs Rashford",
And she almost burst out laughing, the name sounded strange to her, and it sounded more strange as it was associated with her.
She came here for a job of secretary, and she ended up being her boss wife in a span of 8 hours on her resumption day.
What a story!
Her phone chimed, and she almost jumped for joy in front of her husband as she saw the alert of the first payment on her phone.
She would give all of it to the people threatening her, at least she'd be free of their threats for some time.
She didn't have to bother about getting an apartment for now, she'd be living with her boss for a year, and her heart shook at the thought.
She'd be his wife and his secretary!
Left with her in his office, Lyon stared at her long and hard and wondered why she was quick to sign the contract.
It had been easier than he thought.
The girl looked alarmed when he told her of his plans, as though she didn't believe what was going on around her, but the moment she composed herself and was able to digest the information, she agreed to marrying him.
His friend was right, she needed the money horribly, although she didn't strike him to be the desperate type. He thought he had been dreaming the moment she said yes, and he quickly called up his lawyer to draft out the necessary documents before she changed her mind.
He noticed her hand shook visibly, but other than that she seemed completely calm and collected. Her deep brown eyes seemed wild and far away, hoping to grasp something he couldn't place his hand on.
She was a pretty young woman, no doubt about that, there was a purity and gentleness to her, and at the same time a fragility that truly scared him. Her flaming locks of brunette cascading down her shoulders, her lips held up in a pout like a stubborn child's, she was a sight to behold.
But he didn't care about her looks, for now, he was more interested in getting his deals signed with the Mushon's.
There was a moment of awkwardness as both of them stared at each other for what seemed to be longer than a minute, gazing upon themselves as though they were alien to one another.
Clearing his throat to ease off some of the tension.
"Do you have any friends?" He asked her
"Yes, Danielle".
Danielle would be thrilled, shocked, angry, sad, happy, if she ever heard her story, but she had signed an oath of confidentiality, and no one was going to find out about her contract marriage.
"Good, you would cut them off for this period". He saw the pain in her eyes as his spoke, and for a moment, he felt pity for her.
"You would pack your bags and I'll send a driver to come pick you from your house, pick all the necessary things you need, and leave anything irrelevant as you wouldn't be needing them in my house".
"Put on a nice-looking dress tonight, you would be meeting my mother".
Emily's mouth opened, wanting to say something, she had no nice gown of her own…all she had was these silly stockings and many pairs of worn out jeans, but not a dress. And Lyon, as if sensing what was going on in her head, continued.
"Never mind, you'll go out with my sister before dinner, and get you something you could wear".
His sister?
Not only would she be meeting his mother, she would also be meeting his sister. Too many events has happened already in a day and she was already exhausted. Her head throbbing angrily as she listened to her now husband.
He spoke with so much authority, and he spoke to her as though she was an helpless child.
And she had so little to say to him, as a matter of fact, she had nothing to say to him, except do as he says.
He owned her now, she was his wife but she had no say in their marriage, given the circumstances.
Whatever he said was final, but she knew herself.
She knew she would pull through as she has always does. Although it may not be soon.
She believed in herself, cause she had no one else to believe in.
But she had just sold her soul to the Devil.