Four

KAREN'S POV

I sat crouched over my desk as I read the contract Mr Ashley had given me. He didn't wait to get my response on the marriage proposal before handing me the contract terms.

“Sign it when you are ready,” he had said.

One good deed and help rendered to my friend Aria, has literally turned my life upside down. As I read through the contract, my body shook. Simple, yet difficult terms. I was to move into his house and pose as his girlfriend for three months after which, we would get married and get a divorce after six months. I would receive monthly allowance as his girlfriend and the allowance was a huge sum. It was way higher than what I earned at work and with that money, I could afford a decent life for myself. I was also required to steer clear of his path and obey his every order.

“It's only for six months,” I consoled myself. I weighed a lot of possibilities, thought far and wide and finally settled to accept the proposal which to me was a better option than the others. I was still looking at the papers when Laura walked in. If it were before, I would be very excited to see her and a conversation would begin. But not anymore. She leaned on my desk, as she used to do and called out,

“Hello best friend!”

“Don't you dare say that word, you betrayal!”

“Oh my! Forgive me, you naive Karen. You were so daft not to realise that Liam never wanted you in the beginning!”

“How dare you! You knew he was my boyfriend but you went ahead to sleep with him!” I shouted.

“Consider it a pay back for always being in the lime light and making me recline to the shadows!”

“Shadows? What do you mean?”

“Don't play dumb, Karen. You are always ahead in everything! You always steal my show and I'm never noticed. You are nothing but a cheat! You disgust me!”

“Laura? What?” I searched for words but I couldn't find any. So, Laura has been jealous of me all these while?

“Miss Karen, Mrs lane sent for you,” one of the workers announced to me. Anything was fine as long as it took me away from Laura because I was speechless!

The following day, I found my way to the president's office with the contract proposal in my hands. I had only one request. I peeked out of the window on the CEO's floor and saw a familiar car drive in. The car belonged to Liam. When we were dating, he never visited me at work nor picked me up from work. Now that he was dating Laura, he was paying her a visit. Did he really never love me from the start as Laura said? I could imagine her running out to hug and kiss him. My heart wrenched at the thought and I shook my head as if to shake it off. I had another problem already and I didn't want to think about Liam and his new lover. I met Aria, whose new office was now on the CEO's floor since she was his secretary.

“Thanks for yesterday. I'll treat you to lunch today. You saved my ass,” she expressed her gratitude and I forced a smile and nodded. Her eyes fell on the file in my hands and she asked,

“Where are you going to with that?”

“The CEO's office.”

“You can hand it to me, it's my job.”

“Sorry Aria. It's confidential and I have to deliver it personally,” I said and walked off to avoid further questions from her. I didn't miss the look of discontentment and discomfort on her face as I walked off. She was probably not happy to have anyone but her get closer to the CEO. She wanted him all to herself.

“I've accepted the proposal, sir,” I said, selecting my choice of words carefully. Without raising his head from the laptop, he patted a space on his table, indicating that I drop the file.

“But sir, I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“Can this relationship be a secret? Can my identity be hidden please? If you insist, you can reveal it after we get married, please.”

“Okay.”

That was too fast. I didn't expect him to agree to my request very easily. I signed the contract and placed it on the table.

“A copy is for you. The driver will pick you up this evening,” he said and returned to his work, a silent indication for me to leave. It was stated in the contract that I was to move into his house to make everyone believe I was his new girlfriend and soon to be his wife.

“Meanwhile, you will have to stop working here. I can't have my employee as a girlfriend.”

I know I was going to get paid for sitting down and doing nothing but this job was my little way of keeping my sanity and running away from the realities of my miserable life.

“Please sir, give me till the end of the month. No one will find out that we have anything together, I promise. You also agreed to keep my identity a secret too.”

He said nothing so I took his silence as an approval.

I was about stepping out of the elevator when I saw Liam approach from the other side and head towards the elevator. I hid in a corner and waited for him to leave before I emerged from my hiding place. He was the last person I wanted to set my eyes on.

Mr Ashley's driver was punctual that evening. I packed my few belongings and followed him. I cast one last glance at my little, yet comfortable house and sighed deeply. This was all my mother left me and it was on the verge of being taken by the mortgage company since I was yet to pay some debt. But with Mr Ashley's monthly allowance, I was sure to pay off the debt in no time.

Click! Click!! Cameras clicked as I entered the car.

“Huh? Are they taking my pictures? I asked in shock.

“Yes…”

“But I…”

“Your face is going to be blurred, Miss,” the driver finally said what I wanted to hear.

“Mr Ashley arranged for these press men so he can release the news to the press but don't worry, your identity will not be revealed.”

Mr Ashley's house was the biggest house I've ever seen. Entering the house, I found myself in a room of outstanding beauty that I could only stare in amazement. The floor was made of the finest ivory marble ringing to the sound of my heels as moved forward in dazed wonder. The elderly house keeper showed me to my room.

“Miss, Mr Ashley stays in the west wing and he detests anyone going there without permission.” I nodded, the rule was clear to me and I knew I had no reason to break it.

I went to the office the following day and the news was everywhere, even people on the streets were talking about Mr Ashley's new girlfriend. It came as a huge relief to learn that my face was blurred as the driver had said earlier.

I returned to work and made sure to avoid Mr Ashley and Laura. I knew she wanted so much to approach me and rub more salt to my injury. I knew she wanted to humiliate me and tell me how she was much better than me hence Liam chose her. I had a lot on my mind already so I tried my best to put Laura, Liam and the betrayal behind me.

I Iived in Mr Ashley's house but we seldom met. I kept to my side of the house and avoided his private space. I only saw him when I looked out of my window or when I see him come into the house after the day's activities. One good thing was that the media bought the story that the woman from that night was his girlfriend.

I had spent two weeks in that house before I fell sick. I was sure it was the after effect of the work load Mrs lane had heaped on me. I went to the hospital for a proper checkup and to get the right medication.

“Congratulations Ma'am. You are four weeks pregnant!” the doctor's words kept ringing in my head. Ashley is the only man I've been with and he had taken my virginity that night. I was sure I had taken contraceptives, or did I forget to? Gosh! I couldn't even think straight. Should I keep the baby, tell him or just abort the baby? I battled with myself for days before I decided to keep the baby. I was going to give him the best whether the father accepts him or not. After I signed the contract weeks ago, I hadn't stepped foot in Mr Ashley's office. But today, I had to go there to let him know I was carrying his child. I was about knocking when I heard a shout from inside.

“When were you going to tell me, dad? You've been here as the CEO for three whole weeks and you kept it from me? What the heck! How could you, Dad?”

“Stop shouting in my office,” Mr Ashley responded.

I recognised both voices. One was Liam and the other was Mr Ashley. Did Liam call Mr Ashley dad? Wait a minute. Mr Ashley was Liam's father and I am pregnant for my ex's dad?