That Coffee Accident

Chapter 6 - The Contract

Dwayne dismissed everyone but me after the dreadful meeting. It has been over an hour after he said that I would be perfect for the 'job' and I still cannot find light about that phrase.

I was clearly not moving and barely breathing on my chair. I was sitting at the end of the long conference table while he was seated at the front center where he used to sit.

Paul went back after a few minutes. On his back, there's a woman holding a tray. She put a black mug in front of Dwayne and the other on the opposite diagonal.

"Thank you, Dina." Paul said and he closed the door.

Dwayne sipped on his coffee and rocked his swivel chair. Paul cleared his throat and smoothly handed him two black leather folder and two set of pens. He stood at his side after and looked at me.

"Why are you still there, stupid? You expect me to move there?" Dwayne said and lifted his index finger.

He motioned me to come near him. My face was paler than before. Will he punch me in the face? My legs were totally wobbly as I made my way to him.

His eyes were dangerous and pissed. He opened the black folder in front of him. I did the same.

My forehead creased as I read through the header. It was a contract? I read them.

"What the?" I said out loud in disbelief.

Dwayne looked at me. He played with his fountain pen. I was so scared but I cannot make up my mind to what I was reading.

"C-Contract for a fake relationship? W-What?"

Paul nodded. My eyes brushed to the brute man in front of me. He was looking very impatient but still gorgeously dangerous.

"Yes you read it right, Ms. Walters." He confirmed and unbuttoned the vest under his coat.

"I would like you to become my pretend girlfriend." He continued.

"Eh?" I was lost for a moment.

He wanted me to be his what?

Pretend girlfriend?

"My name was on the verge as of the moment. Rumors with my former fiancee, my relationship with my father, my company... all in a havoc because of the fake media articles. And if you're aware you've ignited them more when you decided to spill your coffee all over me at the elevator, which was by the way, very hot like liquid fire." His voice boomed.

I blinked twice and looked at Paul. He just nodded on me.

"I-I don't get it, Sir." I said respectfully. "Why would you want me to be your girlfriend?"

"In your dreams, Eleanor." he gagged. "It's just pretend to kill all the rumors that I got back with Ivana. I want the media to stop creating articles about that."

"Isn't it true? You were seen smooching at the bar, right?" I cannot help but to ask him.

"So, you're really updated about me, huh?" He smirked.

My cheeks heated by what he said. I bit my tongue to refrain from making unnecessary comments.

''My father doesn't think Ivana's good enough for me. But yes, what you've read is true. We are seeing each other again but it has to be hidden from my father. That's why you're perfect for the job..."

He tapped the tip of his fountain pen on the table. I watched his long and rough fingers around the pen and swallowed.

" I don't think your father will buy this. I am not good looking. I am not rich—"

"Exactly. You're the opposite of Ivana, that's why you're perfect. She won't get jealous of you and my father would think that my feelings were very true to get involved with someone like you." he cut me off.

I sighed and raised my eyebrow. He was indirectly saying that I wasn't pretty and good enough to be loved by someone like him but I would let it pass since he have something against me.

"I still don't get it..."

He pointed a bulleted part on the contract. My eyes read them as he tries to explain the words written. I can understand but I have to listen to make sure.

"You will gain something from this, too. If you agree, you will be promoted as a column writer for the lifestyle section. Your compensation will rise. As my pretend girl, you will stay with me at my penthouse—"

"Wait, what? No!" I spat.

"Yes, Eleanor. You will stay with me so we can make this look like it's real. We would tell the media that we're together for a quite time and that's the reason why you're working under my company for the past year."

I shrugged.

"Can I please, stay at my flat at least? I am conservative and this is just play pretend. We can still be in a fake relationship without staying in one house, Dwayne."

He stopped and raised his eyebrow.

"Dwayne? You're calling me Dwayne now?" He smirked.

"What? You want me to call you sir if we're together?"

He shrugged.

"You have a point."

I closed the contract and looked at him. If I want this to work, then I would need to tell him my conditions too.

"I would not stay in your penthouse. I would still want privacy and I bet you want that, too." I said.

He laid his back at his chair comfortably and nodded. He had this playful smirk on his face.

"Okay." he nodded and crossed that bulleted sentence on the contract. "It is amazing to see how you've changed to this bargaining woman from that stuttering woman an hour ago."

My face heated up and cleared my throat.

"And it is also amazing to see your sudden mood change, too. From the roaring CEO to this playful man in front of me, huh?" I equalled his confidence.

He did not make a comment and instead focused on his contract again. I opened mine and read the next one.

"A car?" I asked.

It was written there that he would give me a car so I won't have to take the public transportation.

"Yes. The media will surely not let you go. Besides, you're gonna be tied to my name. You will be an open target for harm. I still have a conscience left on me. I will buy you a car.”

I nodded.

“I don’t want something flashy, please. Just lend me the oldest car or smallest car you have that’s enough to bring me anywhere.”

I don't have anything against the car. That would also help me. I don't wanna be followed by media while I am riding the train or taxi. I was actually saving up for one.

I read the next one. It was included their that I can have my dream job after a year.

"Dream job? What do you mean by this?" I asked.

"I heard you want to be a writer at the Gray Publishing. You're in luck, I know the CEO. You just have to pretend for a year. After that I can put on a good word for you or even write a recommendation letter."

My heart tripled its beating. I cannot believe it. How did he know about the Gray Publishing? Did he read my essay interview when I applied here?

The Gray Publishing house is one of the best publishing house in America. It's triple sized than this company. I cannot believe it.

"It's just for one year, Ms. Walter. I just had to show my father that I can stand on my own."

It is a tempting offer. A recommendation written by the great Dwayne Taylor will surely earn a spot at the Gray Publishings.

“If I were to agree this offer, can you please make sure that it won’t reach my mother?” I said.

“Why would you think that it will reach your mother?” He asked again.

“Because just like the media said, you’re a walking scandal. My mother would not approved of this.” She said.

He nodded not even offended about what I said.

“Point taken, Walters.” He said. “Okay.”

This is just a contract. She whispered. There’s nothing wrong to be his pretend girlfriend. They will just act like lovers in public and it cannot be considered as p**********n.

If I turn this down, I can imagine what would I be like in the next months— photocopying documents that Kathy asked me to.

And do I want that?

Of course, no.

I would regret this sooner but the idea of Gray Publishings is very inviting. I found my eyes looking at Dwayne’s face.

Yes, he’s indeed good looking. He’s a total heartbreak if you’ll describe him. He’s arrogant, hot headed and a bit dull.

How could I be afraid of looking at him before?

“What? Why are you looking at me, Walters?” He curiously asked.

I tilted my head and continued observing his face.

I would totally not fall in love with him.

Oh, boy! Yeah, I am totally sure that this contract will be strictly professional. I can not fathom the idea that I will develop feelings for this guy.

“Prepare the contract,” I said.