CHAPTER 5

Lisa's POV

When our eyes connect, a knot of fear forms in my throat, and I hurriedly turn away as shame and humiliation seep through me.

I find it unbelievable that my employer and I are meeting at a club, and I have no idea why he is so angry with me for being there.

Finally, I gulp the lump down and nod my head in his direction.

The music has already begun, so I search my eyes to see whether Juliet is still where I left her. She is not present.

She was there when I left her because I needed to use the bathroom. She is raving about some things I haven't been paying attention to, so we haven't discussed the reason I am here.

My thoughts were far away.

Thinking. Debating. Wondering. Also, hoping.

Lisa, what are you doing here, I asked. He takes me once again and starts speaking softly while gritting his teeth.

I wish I could speak, but I lack the voice.

How do I let him know I'm here to discuss his offer with my friend? Or maybe I'm here to drown my sorrows in alcohol and have a fantastic time dancing all night?

My heart starts to rush once again as I stutter, "I...I..am..here with my friend," dodging his frigid gaze.

The question "A friend?" He demands incredulously. "A guy?"

I furrow my brow and gaze up at him because of the tone in which he inquires about the gender of the companion I am with.

He sounds possessive, why?

I give a loud "No" headshake. I address Juliet as "my friend" and gesture in the direction of our previous seating arrangement.

Thankfully, she is sitting down again.

He gently turns to face Juliet, who is swaying to the music and sipping as she waits for me to arrive so that we may dance together.

He lets out a long sigh of relaxation and then turns to face me, showing a moment of relief in his face.

He murmurs, "Good night," as though he's sick of seeing my face or is perhaps just sick of being here.

Why is he still here? Damien isn't the kind to frequent bars and celebrations. Is he here for a professional appointment?

He goes by me before I can understand what he means by "good night."

I mutter "Wait" before I can control my utterance. "Wait, sir," I say again.

He stops in his tracks and does not go around. I again droop my head when he finally turns to face me directly.

"I apologize for my prior actions. I did not.

He interrupts me with "Lisa." As I turn to look at him, it becomes clear to me that we are at a club, which is not the ideal setting for this kind of discourse. Saying "See you tomorrow."

He spins back with it and vanishes in a matter of minutes.

Just now, did he say, "See you tomorrow"? Does it imply that I am still employed? Why is he being so kind and peaceful with me? He forgave me, right?

I sprint straight to Juliet's seat as an unconscious grin touches my lips.

I suddenly realize that I still haven't found a solution to my issue.

Still confined to a bed at home is my grandma. I still have to figure out how to acquire the money for her operation.

The only issue I have is that I don't lose my job. My grandmother's operation is the most crucial of the others I have. Then, others may proceed.

When I approach, she looks up and says, "Hey." I said, "What took you so long?"

I flop onto the couch next to her and say, "Nothing." She reaches out to me with a glass cup of wine. I grab it and inhale it all whole.

I exhale a sigh.

I interrupt her before she can finish her tirade with "Juliet". She moves her body in a slow-motion dance while staring at me. I had to share something with you.

She refills the cup as I bend forward to spill it, but I am not picking it up or drinking it. I just lean back while I wait for her to inquire about it.

She is being silent.

I yell "Juliet" over the music, unsure whether she heard me. She looks at me once more. "I have something I want to tell you."

With a nod. The question "What is it?"

I exhale and turn away, running my fingers through my hair and biting my bottom lip as I consider where to start.

I'm startled out of my daze by her touch. "What happened?" you ask.

I start, feigning apprehension, "I asked my boss to help me with the money for my grandmother's surgery just like you suggested."

"Really?" Her delight showed on her face. "Did he concur?"

I firmly reply, "Yes, he did," while clenching my teeth to add. "However, on one condition."

She tilts her head in my direction and has a confused expression on her face. Whoa! "What's the catch?"

I reply while rolling my eyes. "He wants to marry me," I said.

She stops talking as her shocked eyes widen.

I was just as astonished when he informed me, but my disbelief increased when he said it was just for a year.

A year?

The question "Marry him?" She questioned me once again as if to be sure I wasn't fabricating a story about my rich employer, who she had only ever seen on television. Juliet has a major infatuation with my employer, but I've kept a secret from her about my own history with him.

If I told her, she wouldn't even believe me. She constantly makes fun of the males in my life, labels me as being too serious, and sometimes even jokes that I could pass away a virgin.

"Yes. I scowl as I convey my disapproval of the entire situation. "He said he wants me to marry him for just a year and the idea sounds ridiculous," I say.

She takes a moment to seem serious before asking. "What do you stand to gain from this marriage?"

I sigh carelessly. In addition to the other costs like shopping, allowances, and the rest, he agreed to give me $50000.

"Did he explain to you why he wants a one-year marriage?" She interrupts me and has a serious expression on her face.

I again shrug. "No. Most likely business.

"Really?" I nod.

The question "Are you in?" She smiles slyly and asks.

My scowl becomes worse. "Are you a moron? The concept is absurd. I can't get married to him for a year.

The question is, "You can't marry him for just a year, or you can't marry him?" She cuts me off, which causes me to realize what I just said.

I responded in the same way to my employer when he proposed to me in his office.

She turns around and says, "Wait," coming straight at me. "You can't marry, don't want to marry him, or won't marry him?"

Even the main idea she is trying to get across eludes me. I make hand motions in the air. The phrase "all of the above."

She started laughing, which caused me to raise an eyebrow in perplexity.

Is this humorous?

She pulls out her phone and holds it out for me to grab after she has calmed down.

"Show me his phone number. He and I may be married for a year, two years, or perhaps just one day.

"You're not serious, are you?" I look at her from above with skepticism. Juliet can be fun, and sometimes I'm not even sure whether she's being serious or not.

I am serious, repeat after me. "I'm not kidding. I really am serious. What the f--- are you going through? Don't you realize that this is a chance of a lifetime? It comes from a guy you are quite familiar with. What specifically prevents you from accepting the offer like a frog given that he is your employer and that you have known him for more than a year?

I find it unbelievable that she wants me to accept the offer.

What did I anticipate?

"Lisa, don't be a fool. You are not acting on your own behalf. You have always come across to me as a selfless person. Your grandmother's survival is why you are taking this action. Isn't this preferable than ending up as that pig's slut? She glares at me fiercely and then turns to take her refilled glass cup, saying, "Don't be stupid.

I flinch.

I blink once more as I attempt to take it all in.

Should I submit?

"I'm going to stop talking about this now. I won't even suggest that you accept the offer. The least I can do is take his phone number, contact him, and let him know I'm interested in getting married to him. Even if I had to have sex with him every night, I don't care.

She gasps gently as I tell her that "he said there will be no strings attached."

"No sexual activity for a year?" I nod as she opens her lips in amazement.

How wasteful! How am I supposed to live under his roof without thinking about his taking me, making out with me, and kissing me? She falters, her face sporting a dreamy expression.

Juliet had always wanted to meet my boss, but she hadn't had a chance, so I suppose the attraction is starting to wane. She doesn't come to see me at work since it's not permitted.

Except for my boss' international business contacts, no one is allowed to enter the office without valid identification.

She yells "Take it" as she awakens from her fantasy and strikes my legs, causing agony that causes me to groan.

"What in the name of hell was that for?" I back away, fearing that she may strike me again. She already seems inebriated.

She laughs and shows me her pearly white teeth. Accept the offer. You are virgin nevertheless.

Once again, I roll my eyes.

But you know, this is really a lost chance. If only he had wanted us to have sex and hurt one other, I would have been the perfect candidate for the position. What it will be like for him to eat, I can't even begin to fathom.

I yell out "Juliet" to get her to stop speaking in such a crude manner, and she laughs and gets to her feet while yanking her hair back.

We should dance. Let's continue dancing. She pulls me up firmly and says, "Let's dance for the opportunity and the possibility of a brighter future.

She takes me to the dance floor as I'm trying to maintain my balance.

She yells with delight as she moves her body on mine. "Lisa is going to be a billionaire's wife."