The Contract

Leina woke up from her sleep, feeling more exhausted. She slowly got up and scanned the room she was sleeping in, pulling the thick blanket beside her. She covered herself and tried to deflect the cold air inside the room. The bed seemed small for her yet it's one of the most comfortablr bed she ever slept on. Her brows furrowed when she saw glimpse of the room.

"Pink. Huh."

She was about to get up when a small arm wrapped around her legs. She turned beside her and saw the little girl's sleeping face.

Leina sighed.

She was about to leave the other day when Rory chased after her and wouldn't stop crying. Even when she bribed the kid of sweets and money, Rory insisted on her staying and to not leave again. Leina eventually felt sorry for the little girl, how heartbreaking it must be for Rory to look for a mother whom she never met in her life.

So Leina, who doesn't have a job anymore, decided to stay a little more hour. They played until exhaustion caught up with her and they ended up asleep on Rory's princess bed.

She glanced at Rory sleeping soundly beside her. The kid does really look like a porcelain doll. The kid seems sweet and joyful. Rory radiates sunshine. She wonders what kind of mother does Rory have, to leave behind such a charming sweet angel. Rory's biological mother couldn't possibly be dead, basing on the reaction of the help earlier, the mother probably went to a place really far.

But it's none of her business anyway. She was only there for the night.

A knock stops her from her thoughts. She glanced at the slightly opened door and saw a silhouette of a man.

Ezekiel Hayes.

"Let's talk." He said in a low voice. More like commanded. Leina shivered when she felt the cold coming from his voice. It was just two words yet it was colder than the coldest of ice.

Leina, feeling intimidated and bothered by the man's hostility towards her, decided to just follow along. Hoping that she can already go back to her apartment to start her job hunting.

She followed the man out of the room through the long and wide hallway to a huge double door room down the hall. It was design like those she saw on movies. The family is really rich.

Ezekiel Hayes, sat in front of her. The leather chair seemed so comfortable. That man gazed at her with intensity that she felt awkwardness surrounding the whole room.

"Why did you kidnap my daughter?"

Stunned, Leina's slip slightly parted as she stared at the man in disbelief. She was quiet for a minute, couldn't find the right words to say.

"Oh my God! How rude can you be?!" Leina feeling her anger increasing bit by bit. "You're the biggest jerk that I met. And I can't with you. I brought your child safe and sound and you accused me? Shame on you."

Leina turned her heels to leave but as soon as she held the cold doorknob, Ezekiel Hayes started to infuriate her more.

"Then a reward perhaps?" His words echoed in the not so tiny study. Leina heard a flipping of some paper and a scribbling noise. Slowly she turned to face the man yet again but this time, Ezekiel Hayes was grinning at her with his hand extended and holding a piece of paper. She slowly walked towards him as his grin became wider with her every step. "You want it don't you?"

"You think so?" Leina whispered sweetly as she smiled at him. When she got a hold of the paper, she took a small glance at it and ripped it in tiny pieces and scattered it on the table.

She saw the side of his lips curled and she raised an eyebrow at him.

"You're the one who was fired before right?" He suddenly asked, now she can see amusement behind his cold facade.

Now, looking back. Leina couldn't feel shame or even a slight remorse for what she accidentally did to the man before. By what she had witnessed, she felt proud and just with what happened. The man actually deserved the hot coffee.

"So?" Leina fought back with the same intensity as his stares.

"How would you like a job?"

She scoffed, "Seriously?"

Ezekiel Hayes shrugged his shoulders and rested his back on the expensive chair that Leina know costs fortune.

"Why not?" His voice almost teasing, "You wouldn't have to look for another underpaying job out there. Besides, I can offer you triple amount than your last salary."

"You can what?!"

Leina's jaw dropped by what she heard. Triple? If she can have that much money then she can definitely send more money for her brother's treatment. Her mother could finally be at ease and doesn't have to worry about the hospital expenses and she can finally start a savings account.

With that amount of money every month, Leina wouldn't have to apply for more than one job.

"I'm listening. . . " She whispered as she sat down at the chair in front of Ezekiel.

She saw how her smirked at her but Leina decided to just ignore it. She's much more interested in the money anyway.

"Basically all you have to do is keep an eye on my daughter." Ezekiel Hayes explained. "You bathe her, feed her, play with her, send her to school, pick her up and be there for her all the time."

"So basically I'm going to pretend to be her Mother."

"Yes. Basically."

Leina fell silent. She couldn't weight the gravity of her decision. She felt like she will do a crime if she accepts his offer and if she won't then her brother and mother's life will fall in grave danger. But either way, she couldn't bring herself to deceive a little girl. It's just not right.

Ezekiel cleared his throat and that got her attention. She lifted her head and looked at the man in front of her. But she was taken aback when she saw his pair of eyes staring straight back at her.

Leina quickly shifted her gaze and unconsciously straightened her shirt.

"There will be another deal, as part of this contract." Ezekiel Hayes opened a drawer and then slid something across the table. Leina's eyes widened when she saw a diamond ring. "You also have to pretend to be my wife."

"W-what?!"

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