Jenny took a deep breath, setting her coffee down as she leaned forward, her expression more serious than Marie had seen in a long time. "Marie, listen to me. You're one of the most dedicated, hardworking people I know, but this… this is a huge decision. You can't just do it because you feel obligated to help the company or because Welder asked you. You need to think about what this means for you."
Marie nodded, appreciating Jenny's concern, but still feeling torn. "I know. But Welder isn't just my boss. He's someone I've spent years working closely with. I respect him, and I know he wouldn't ask this of me if he didn't believe it was necessary."
Jenny sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Marie, respect is one thing, but marriage… even a fake one… is a whole different ballgame. It's going to change your life in ways you can't even imagine. You've got to think about how this is going to affect you, not just now, but in the future. What if this whole thing backfires? What if people find out it was all a sham? And what about your personal life? Are you really okay with putting everything on hold for this?"
Marie bit her lip, knowing that Jenny was right, but still feeling the pull of her professional responsibilities. "I don't know, Jenny. I'm just… I'm so confused. I've worked so hard to get to where I am, and I don't want to see everything fall apart because of a hostile takeover. But at the same time, I don't want to lose myself in all of this."
Jenny reached across the table and took Marie's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You won't lose yourself, Marie. You're stronger than that. But you need to make sure that whatever decision you make is the right one for you, not just for Welder or the company. You have to live with the consequences, not them."
Marie nodded, squeezing Jenny's hand in return, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the confusion. "You're right. I just need to think this through, really weigh the pros and cons, and figure out what I want." Jenny smiled, a warm, supportive smile that made Marie feel a little less alone in all of this. "And whatever you decide, I'm here for you, okay? You don't have to go through this on your own."
Marie felt a surge of gratitude for her friend, knowing that no matter what happened, she had someone in her corner. "Thanks, Jenny. I don't know what I'd do without you."
The two friends finished their lunch, chatting about lighter topics to take Marie's mind off the heavy decision weighing on her. But as they parted ways and Marie headed back to the office, she couldn't stop thinking about what Jenny had said. The idea of a marriage, even a temporary one, felt so foreign, so overwhelming. Yet, at the same time, there was a part of her that was intrigued by the challenge, by the opportunity to step into a new role, even if it was only for a short time.
When she returned to the office, Marie found herself going through the motions of her workday, but her mind was elsewhere, occupied with thoughts of Welder and his proposal. Every time she looked at her calendar or organized a meeting, she couldn't help but think about how different her life might be if she agreed to his plan. Would she be able to maintain the same level of professionalism? Would her colleagues treat her differently if they knew she was married to the boss, even if it was just a facade?
As the day wore on, Marie's thoughts became more conflicted. On one hand, she felt a sense of loyalty to Welder and to the company she had helped build over the past five years. She had always prided herself on her ability to handle any challenge that came her way, and this was just another challenge, albeit a very unconventional one. On the other hand, the idea of tying herself to Welder in such an intimate, albeit artificial, way made her stomach churn. What would it mean for her identity, for her sense of self? Would she be able to separate the personal from the professional, or would the lines blur beyond recognition?
The rest of the week passed in a haze. Marie buried herself in work, trying to distract herself from the monumental decision looming over her. But no matter how hard she tried, the thought of Welder's proposal was always there, lurking in the back of her mind. By Friday, she knew she couldn't avoid it any longer. Welder had asked for her answer by the end of the week, and she couldn't keep him waiting.
On Friday afternoon, Marie found herself standing outside Welder's office, her heart pounding in her chest. She had spent the entire morning trying to psych herself up for this conversation, but now that she was here, she felt a wave of doubt wash over her. Was she making the right decision? Was she really prepared for what this would mean?Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door and waited for Welder to call her in. When she heard his voice, calm and steady as always, she opened the door and stepped inside.
Welder was seated at his desk, typing on his computer, but he looked up as she entered, his expression unreadable. "Marie," he said, his tone neutral. "Come in. Have a seat."Marie sat down in the chair opposite his desk, clutching her hands in her lap to keep them from trembling. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence in the room heavy with anticipation.
Finally, Marie broke the silence. "Welder, I've thought a lot about what you asked me. And… I've made a decision." Welder's eyes narrowed slightly, his focus entirely on her. "Go on."
Marie took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I've decided that I'm willing to go through with it. I'll marry you, but there are some conditions I need to make clear." Welder leaned back in his chair, his expression still guarded but with a hint of curiosity. "I'm listening."
Marie straightened her shoulders, feeling a surge of determination. If she was going to do this, she needed to do it on her own terms. "First, this marriage needs to have a clear time limit. I'm not comfortable with the idea of it dragging on indefinitely. We need to agree on an end date." Welder nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "That's reasonable. How long were you thinking?"
Marie hesitated, knowing that too short a time frame might not achieve the desired effect, but too long would risk entangling her further in a situation she wasn't sure she could handle. "Six months," she said finally. "That should be enough time to stabilize the company and resolve the issues you're facing." Welder considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Agreed. Six months it is. And after that, we'll proceed with a quiet divorce, as planned." Marie nodded, feeling a slight sense of relief. "Second, I need to maintain my independence. I'll still be your assistant, but I need to have my own space, my own life outside of this arrangement. I don't want to be completely absorbed into your world."
Welder's expression softened slightly, and Marie thought she saw a flicker of something like respect in his eyes. "Of course. I wouldn't expect anything less. You'll have your own apartment, your own time. This marriage will be as unobtrusive as possible in your day-to-day life." Marie felt a little more of the tension ease out of her. This was starting to feel more like a business deal, one that she could manage. "And finally," she continued, "I need to know that this won't negatively impact my career once it's over. I've worked hard to get to where I am, and I don't want this arrangement to undermine that. I need your assurance that my role at the company will be secure, regardless of what happens."
Welder's expression grew serious, and he leaned forward slightly, his tone firm. "You have my word, Marie. Your position at Batista Enterprises is secure, and your career will not be affected by this arrangement. If anything, you'll be in an even stronger position once this is all over." Marie nodded, feeling a sense of finality settle over her. "Okay. Then I'm in. Let's do this." Welder stood up, extending his hand across the desk. "Thank you, Marie. I know this isn't what you expected, but I promise you, it's the right move."