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4

The next morning my alarm went off. The night before I had received an email from Oliver asking me to come to his office first thing in the morning. I did not understand what the desire was. I got up with all the laziness in the world, heading to the bathroom. At least the cold water will keep me awake. I bathed for a while and then came out wrapped in a towel. I texted Zac, telling him to please let me know I'm coming to work later because he had things to do. He had two more messages, one from Trisha and one from Vanessa.

Trisha:we have bowling night today.

Vanessa:bowling night at 7:30. We will go through you :)

I just answered them something quick.

Aileen:perfect 👌🏻

I dressed in something more or less elegant. More or less loose pants, low shoes and my beige coat. I left my hair down this time. Through the window I noticed that it started to rain. It can't be, it will be hard for me to find a taxi in this rain. I looked for the umbrella that I had kept there, took my bag and went downstairs. Mom wasn't in the kitchen yet, she was still sleeping because today was her day off. I'll need her car. I wrote him a note and left it in the fridge. I took the car keys and got out quickly. Being inside I started. I didn't know very well where Oliver's company was, I just know that it was more or less far away. Maybe half an hour. Bad time to rain. I looked for the map and was guided by it, I was almost there now. I parked the car in the huge parking lot, I went out with my umbrella. At the entrance there was a security guard, I was grateful that he did not stop me.

“Sorry?”

“Yeah?”

"What floor is Oliver's office on?"

"Oliver Price?" She frowned.

"Yes, from him." I looked at her badly. I hated that they were put on that plan.

"Do you have an appointment?"

“I don't have an appointment because I don't need one.”

"You can't go without an appointment.”

I laughed unintentionally and made my way to another older person near the elevator.

“Hello excuse me. Do you know what floor Oliver Price's office is on?”

“Hello, he's on the floor, sit nine.”

"Thank you very much." I headed for the elevator and stepped inside. The receptionist gave me a look of hate and all I did was wave her bye-bye.

I don't know why the people who work in these places believe themselves more than the others. I looked up Oliver's email and wrote back.

From Aileen Warren:

I'm coming to your office but I'm a little lost.

Within seconds he replied:

From Oliver Price:

I'll tell my secretary to guide you.

The elevator doors opened, everything here was luxurious. People dressed much better, I felt underdressed at the time. Maybe that's why they looked at me very badly, like with bad eyes. I walked with my head held high, these people would not make me feel less.

“Hello!” a girl appeared in my field of vision. She was short, black hair and she smiled a lot. "Are you Aileen Warren?"

“It depends on who asks.”

“I'm Linda, Mr. Price's secretary.”

“Oh yeah. Where is he?”

“Come with me.” she took my arm and led me down a lonelier hallway.

“I was surprised that Mr. Price would see someone who doesn't have an appointment. Here it is.” We stopped in front of a huge silver door.

"Thank you, Lana.”

"Linda," she corrected me, smiling.

I smiled at her too.

I took the doorknob, passing without waiting to be invited. I closed behind me. The office was huge, the walls were white, the air conditioning felt too high. I didn't like that. Oliver was at his desk like a gentleman looking at some papers. He wore a white T-shirt, the sleeves were down to his shoulders. His hair was black and this time he was very comfortable. He looked so clean, so intimidating.

"I'm here," I let him know.

He looked up.

“Hmm, I didn't hear you knock on the door.”

"I didn't." I sat across from him. There was a glass window behind him. You watched the rain fall.

“I have the documents ready” he hands me the papers “You can sign” he gives me a pencil too. I took the papers and pretended to read them, like I was an expert at reading contracts. The truth is that I did not understand anything he was saying here, I only went to the most important clauses:

Aileen Warren will return to the university immediately when this contract is signed.

I was very emotional deep down.

"Perfect." I felt Oliver's gaze on me. I took the pen and signed the sheets.

"I'll give you a copy later." I took the contract and locked it away. "Then now we'll have to organize a dinner to propose to you."

“Just like that?”

“Of course. That's what this is all about, isn't it?”

“Let's see, Oliver, you set your rules but I'll also set mine if there's no deal.”

"What rules?" He put his hand on his chin, as if he didn't take what he said seriously.

“To begin with, while you're with me you won't be able to go out with other girls.”

Serious.

“Sorry?”

“Yes, I can't risk other people finding out and me looking like the cuckold.”

"Then you won't be able to date other guys either."

“I won't do it. You will look very bad too. Imagine: tycoon Oliver Price cheated on by his fiancée. It would be a shame for you.”

He kept thinking.

“Yes, I will have to add those clauses to the contract.”

“There's no need. Are you not capable of fulfilling something without a contract involved? Promise it.”

I look myself.

“What?”

“That's how it is. I will trust your promises.”

Oliver was half taken aback for a moment.

“I promise.”

“Perfect. In addition to that you have to go out from time to time where I want, not just where you want.”

"Aileen..."

"Come on, promise.”

“Alright. As long as it's not during working hours, it's perfect. Are you sure you read the contract correctly?”

“Yes, why?” I lied.

“I don't believe you.” He opened the folder “Clause number sixteen: Aileen Warren, that's yo” he looked at me “she will have to move into Oliver Price's house that's me immediately once the agreement is signed.”

“What?!”

"As you hear it. My fiancée has to be with me, right?”

"It's supposed to be after they were married."

"Sorry, it's written here.”

"Then you'll have to go this afternoon to ask my mother for my hand before you ask me in front of everyone."

“It is necessary?”

“Sure. You will arrive with pink roses for my mother and me and you will tell her how beautiful and happy I make you so that she is convinced. I don't want to deal with her questions, am I clear?”

“It will be easy.”

“If you say so.”

"There's another important thing you didn't read, right?"

“Which?”

"That you can't keep working in that place. You can't embarrass me in any way.”

“What?! How am I supposed to keep up? Why would it embarrass you?”

"Once I introduce you as my fiancée, the press won't stop looking for you, and I imagine they won't take a good look at the fact that Oliver Price's soon-to-be wife is working in a fast-food restaurant. At least for this year, Aileen. We have to do things right, we have to convince my father and we will get what we want.”

I thought about it a bit. Maybe he was right.

“Don't worry about the money, I'll give you a monthly allowance while...”

“No way, Oliver, I've earned the money.”

"Aileen, tell me when you made money in that place and I'll give it to you."

“I already said no, Oliver.”

Deep sigh.

"Then I'll get you a job near here so you'll be earning, okay?"

"Hmm, I'd have to look up my resume to…"

“Forget that. What degree are you studying?”

“Psychology.”

"Okay, you can do your practice here and you'll win for it."

"That's quite another thing, you see?"

“Alright. You start tomorrow. Oliver stood up and took the bag from him. Now we'll go find the engagement ring."

“Already?”

“Sure.”

I stood up too, heading for the exit.

"Come with me." Oliver opened the doors and we walked down that corridor until we reached the main ones. He wrapped his hand around my waist, drawing me closer to him and catching the eyes of all the workers in the place. I can't believe he's doing this. Oliver's touch always caused a kind of shock of electricity. Somehow, and even though I hate him, I liked his touch on my waist. We entered the elevator and when the doors closed he still did not remove his hand.

"Why are you still with your hand there?"

“The elevators have cameras and the security guy is a bit of a gossip.”

“Do not take advantage.”

He chuckled.

"You wish, Aileen, you wish."

The doors opened. I was glad to see that girl's face when she saw Oliver and me together leaving the company. The boy at the door hurried to bring his car to the entrance, to avoid us getting wet. Oliver opened the passenger door for me. He ushers me in quickly. Oliver climbed into the driver's seat, pulling away.

"How do you like the rings?"

"How do you think I like them?" I looked at him. "Surprise me, Oliver Price."

“I'm seriously.”

"Who will take care of dinner?"

“I'll tell Marcia to make a reservation at the best restaurant, you also have to give me the list of your guests to attend.” He handed me her cell phone. Did he trust me so much that she gave me his cell phone? “Write to Marcia and give her the e-mails of your guests.”

For Marcia:

I want a reservation for the best restaurant in the city, tell them I'm celebrating something very important and to fix everything. May there be flowers and many colors. I like background music, also good food, not boring, Marcia, real food. I'll send you the guest list. I'll send you the rest later.

And I sent him all the emails from my friends and mom. Actually there weren't many. Oliver parked in a very luxurious place. We went out, he took my hand and we went in like that. I felt so weird, but we had to pretend otherwise this wouldn't work. And it suited me for it to work.

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