"Let me go straight to the point, Miss Paige. You applied for the post of a secretary to the managing director. I'm sorry but this job isn't just assigned to anyone. And looking at your qualifications, you aren't suitable for this job . You can take your leave now." Mr. George, a board member said with an air of finality.
Maxwell watched as Ariana's face squeezed into a contorted frown as she walked slowly to George who wasn't even looking at her until she hits his desk making him gain her attention.
"If you knew that I wasn't suitable for the post. Why then did you offer me an interview huh??" Ariana said, her eyes sparkling with different emotions.
"Calm down miss" Lucas said , his hands on his chest , rubbing it.
"I have responsibilities, please don't do this, let me go for a lesser post then." Ariana said, her voice cracking.
Maxwell raised an eyebrow as he watched. What does she mean by responsibilities?
"I'm really sorry miss, but there's nothing we can do. We have a high number of applicants who already applied for the post and we need to interview all of them, so you can take your leave now."Lucas said
"No, you don't understand". Ariana couldn't hold back her tears any longer as she let it out.
"My mom is in the hospital, she needs to be transferred. Her bills are really expensive. I need a good job , so I can pay her bills." Ariana added, her voice cracking as she cried falling to her knees, her hands clasped.
Maxwell shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he listened to Ariana's pleadings. He felt uncomfortable as he watched her crying her eyes out.
"I'm sorry but there's nothing we can do, use the d..."
"Send her to my office now" Maxwell voice boomed in Lucas's ear pod, cutting him off.
Lucas signalled to one of Maxwell's body guards who nodded.
"Come with us miss" One of them said to a confused Ariana.
"Where are you taking me too" Ariana asked sniffling.
"The boss wants to see you" The guard whispered to her. She nodded akwardly as they left.
Maxwell went to sit behind his desk as he glanced at the door. He planned on offering her the job of being his wife and in turn he pays her .
Just then , the guards arrived with Ariana who couldn't close her mouth as she starred in awe at the luxurious office.
As she stepped into the office, she was immediately strucked by the soaring ceiling. The office is bathed in warm, natural light that highlights the rich texture and materials matching the interior decor of the office.
A tap from one of the guards threw her out of her thoughts as they gestured to her to sit in front of Maxwell's desk.
She went to sit avoiding any eye contact with Maxwell. The guards bowed and left .
There was a short silence as Ariana nibbled on her nails . Maxwell just starred at her, watching her intently. He could still see the traces of tears on her face.
She soon got the courage to speak as she looked up meeting his gaze , she gulped down nothing.
"Sir, I was told you wanted to see me." Ariana said slowly, avoiding his eyes.
"Since your qualifications isn't suitable for the job you applied for. I am willing to offer you a better job." Maxwell said after a moment of silence because he was looking for a way to present the topic.
Ariana's face brightened up as she smiled , eager to hear what Maxwell had to say.
"What is the job sir" Ariana asked.
A short silence reigned as Maxwell observed her reaction.
"Be my wife" Maxwell muttered and Ariana's eyes widened.
What sort of joke was this??
Maxwell smirked obviously enjoying her shocked expression.
"I want to clear the rumors about me being a gay. I need to get married to prove to everyone that I am not a gay. Your work is to pretend to be my wife, though we would get married legally and in return, I pay you, name your price " Maxwell said , his hands on his tie starring at Ariana in such a way that made her uncomfortable.
Ariana starred at him in awe. What kind of job was this? Won't this make her look cheap if she accepts? She wasn't going to just accept this right? But this would be an opportunity to pay her mom's bills ? But still, she shouldn't be doing this?
All this were running through Ariana's mind as she stood up, clenching her fist as she glared at Maxwell who just maintained a calm expression.
"I don't think I can do this, oh! you think I'm like those girls who will gladly throw themselves at you because of your money. Well sorry to burst your bubble but I'm not one of those girls" Ariana said almost screaming as she began to walk out of his office.
Maxwell frowned deeply. Any girl would have foolishly accepted this immediately . What's wrong with this little missy standing in front of him??
At that moment ,her phone chimed as she halted in her tracks. She checked the text right there in Maxwell's office and her eyes widened.
The text was actually from the hospital informing her that her mom's health was speedingly deteriorating and she would need to be transferred immediately else she might die.
She was thorn in between two choices. It was either she leaves this office now and her mom dies or she accept the job offer and take proper care of her mom without having to work all day.
Slowly and steadily , she turned back to Maxwell who was just starring blankly at her. She walked back to her seat , placing her hands on his desk .
"Well I would like to reconsider your offer. Like how much are we talking about." Ariana asked in a surprisingly calm voice but she was almost bursting inside .
Maxwell smirked pushing the contract paper to her. "You just have to agree to the following terms, then you sign it. Name your price." Maxwell muttered as Ariana took the paper .
"According to the contract, We are to respect each others privacy. We are to also live in the same house. Is that really necessary??" Ariana asked and continued without giving Maxwell a chance to answer.
Maxwell just starred at her as she just kept on ranting. She was a talkative .
"It also states here that when the rumors about you dies, we are going our separate ways." Ariana said.
"Once it is cleared, your work is done but we will divorce secretly." Maxwell said.
"We are living in the same house, my room should be far from yours." Ariana said slowly without looking up from the paper.
"Ok, I've gone through it. I need a pen to sign it" . Ariana asked with raised eyebrows.
"Wow!" Maxwell screamed in his head.
"You came for a job interview without a pen? Who does that??" Maxwell said surprisingly.
"That's okay, Mr. Grumpy" . Ariana muttered bringing out her pen making Maxwell frown hard.
"Grumpy!!, dont call me that ." Maxwell snapped .
"Why , I'm not wrong at all" Ariana said smiling to herself.
"Let me make one thing clear to you, I despise your gender so much, so you are to stay out of my personal life . You don't have any right to know anything about me. We are to act as lovers when we are together outside but inside, keep your distance. " Maxwell said coldly and Ariana shrank in her seat.
"I wont come to you for anything so you dont have to worry , Mr. Grumpy" . She said as she childishly chewed on her pen oblivious of the glare thrown at her.
"Can I get my pay now if you dont mind? " Ariana asked as she stood up .
"You would meet my secretary, Lucas for that . We would be going for a dinner date today. I'm going to ask you to fake marry me. But before that, you need to visit a mall." Maxwell said and Ariana nodded.
"But first, the money" Ariana muttered and left to look for Lucas.
*
The wind blew as Clarissa's hair obeyed it. She was holding on to a little boy, her son actually . Dylan, a five year old kid. He was very cute , he had dimples on both side of his cheeks.
She slid in her key in the keyhole , it unlocked as she entered her apartment shutting the door .
She threw herself on her bed as she reminced on the interview.
Clarissa had been searching for a job ever since she got fired from a club house. Her son was her only responsibility, she needed to cater for him.
She found out about the job interview from Maxwell's companies and just decided to go for it.
Her qualifications were impressive and she applied for the job of an accounting manager but was instead given the job of the secretary to the General Managing Director, whose identity is unknown. She sighed out. Well it isnt a bad job. She thought as she raked her hands through her hair.
She smiled when she remembered Ariana and her craziness. She texted her as she stood up.
"Mom, I want more Ramen" Dylan came into the room holding an empty bowl with stains of ramen on his mouth and shirt.
"Oh! baby, What does momma always tell you about staining your clothes when you are eating??"Clarissa asked .
"Mom, it was so delicious .You are the best cook and the best mom ever " Dylan said cutely.
"And you are the best kid ever, baby. Ok come let me make more ramen for you and then you go and shower" Clarissa said as she carried him, tickling him and his chuckles filled the room.