The Billion Dollar Contract

Chapter Four

Mia

Both Adam and James were staring at me, as if I was their meal of the day. They didn’t bother to look away even though they could see the look of discomfort on my face because they probably thought I was trying to think of what to say.

Truth be told, I had no answer to Adam’s question.

For the past five years, I had been married to my job. There was no men in my life. There wasn’t even a little interest in men ever since I started working. All I could think of on a daily basis was to go to work, get things done and sleep early at night. How could I get to know someone, let alone be in a serious relationship with anyone?

I was all alone and lonely, yet I grew to love it.

Other than my sister and my best friend bothering my weekends, there was only one man who couldn’t stop pestering over me at night which was my own boss. My employer. My salary payer. You name it, he had all of the titles.

So, how could I think of another answer to his question when they were nothing but facts?

I could never admit it out loud. The fact that I was a lonely woman without a single man in my life—I was even worse than a regular cat lady. I couldn’t even get a cat to care, he’d be miserable for having me as an owner.

“I have acquaintances,” I responded, trying to sound confident but it only sounded like a whisper.

“Cut your ties with them. You can’t be seen having a romantic relationship with someone else.” He replied, firmly.

“That’s affecting my personal life.”

“With all due respect, Ms. Madden, I don’t think you have any relationship worth fussing over at the moment. With what I’m going to offer you, it’s not something you want to refuse.”

I raised an eyebrow, “What are you offering?”

“Money. You name the amount and it’ll be transferred to your account accordingly until the contract is over.”

That was it, everyone. This was the real Adam Auclair. The one who knew how to handle businesses, the one who had knowledge about economics and accountings more than anyone else you know and the one who could get anything he wanted because nobody had the courage to stop him. This was the man many feared.

It was simple. Adam had a lot of money, that could easily support up to five generations. Yet, he was still the man who kept track of his mother’s spendings. Maybe, that was how the rich got richer.

“Are you seriously going to write everything down?” I asked, looking at James as he waited for my next response after Adam’s statement.

“That’s my job. This is a contract to benefit both of you,” he replied.

“Right. I feel like whatever it is, I don’t really have a say in this.” I leaned back on my seat as I continued to look at Adam, who seemed to find all of this amusing. “Really? Is it that funny?”

He shook his head, his lips slightly curved up into a smirk. “No. It’s just that you seem to know me very well, Ms. Madden.”

“Well, I’ve been at your beck and call for the past five years. It’d be weird not to know you.”

“Which is why you’re perfect for this.”

“And there you go trapping me again.”

“Name your price.”

That was it. I knew I could use this opportunity to get an insane amount of money but at the same time, was it worth the chaos? Was it worth lying to other people? Was it worth getting involved with Adam in something so scandalous?

“I’m more concerned about things at work. What if people at the office finds out? I’m at risk of losing my job,” I spoke.

This wasn’t just about money. This wasn’t just about settling my student loan. I had it all figured out with my monthly salary—it wasn’t necessary to get myself involved with something else. However, it was an easy way out of debt and the corporate world. I deserved a well break after working hard for the past five years. Maybe, just maybe, I was able to open my café.

The one I had always talked about with Sam.

We were eager to leave the nine to five working hours and started our own business, even though we needed extra capital for it. We knew we could make it happen one day. What if this was my one and only shot at making that happen?

“I know a lot of people. I can easily get you another job if things don’t go as planned,” he replied.

Adam always knew what to say, as if he had planned everything out thoroughly from A to Z while I was overthinking and worrying. He seemed relaxed and at ease.

“That would be too much—“

“I insist. Your help would mean a lot more.” He cut me off, leaving me to stare at my own hands; out of any excuses. I didn’t know what else to say.

"I think I just need some time to think. Can I at least sleep on it?"

It was a big decision to make. Maybe for others, they would jump in excitement and be thrilled of having to pretend to be Adam's fiancée but not me. I was more than thrilled to remain as his employee, whether in the eyes of the public or his mother—I wasn't the least excited to lie about it. I knew if things got out of hand, it was bound to affect me worse than it could affect him.

I guess I deserved to think about it. At least for tonight.

"Would it be possible to get an answer tomorrow?" He asked.

"Is it urgent?"

For once, I felt as if we were talking about something work related. It could be as normal as discussing any problems at the company but now, we were talking about our personal lives. To be exact, Adam's personal life. He wanted my help and this was more than just being his beck and call.

"Sleep on it, Ms. Madden."

Adam and James began to stand up as they walked to the front door, making me trail behind them like a lost puppy but minus the sulking. As James headed to the elevator, Adam stopped for a while before turning to look at me. He was looking at my face, probably wondering why I looked as if a person had just ran over my dog but it wasn't all that—I was thinking a bit too much about what could happen.

"I'll think about it." I said, assuring him.

He nodded, staring at me for a few seconds.

Then, he was off to follow James. I was left alone to 'sleep on it' for tonight, knowing if I told Sam, she was going to freak out. I knew I couldn't go to her for an advice because she was more likely going to make me say yes.