CHAPTER 3

"We found the body in his car."

"He doesn't even have a car." She glared at them.

"Then why was he driving it?" The officer glared back.

"I don't know. This is news to me," She sighed, feeling underwhelmed. Her father didn't own a car, so where had he seen one? "Are you sure about this? I'm sure there's a mistake somewhere."

"You teaching us how to do our jobs, huh?" The officer scolded.

She turned away from him. She could tell these officers were pissed about something. She looked around the station. A man stepped out of one of the cells, yelling curses at the officer who held his arm and dragged off to who knows where. The man met her eyes. He was a short man with a bald head. His clothes were tattered and he looked like a drug addict. When he turned to her, his mouth opened, exposing dark teeth as he smiled at her. The smile was so creepy, it sent chills down her spine. Were these the kind of people her father was meant to stay with?

"Can I see him?"

The officer blinked. "See who?"

"My dad."

"No can do. You want to see him, bring a lawyer."

She opened her mouth to refute when the two officers turned and walked off, sparing her not a moment to talk. Alexis groaned, flipping her middle finger to the back of the officers. Where the hell was she going to get a lawyer? Especially one who could get her father out without any issues? She didn't even have the money for her next house rent.

"Damn it."

Feeling deflated, she turned and walked out of the station.

"Sammy, please!" Matt pleaded, blocking the girl's attempt to maneuver him. "He's willing to pay."

"I run a cafe, you idiot. Not a whore club." Sam reached out to grab a glass, threatening him with it if she didn't step aside.

Matt gulped, slightly moving so she would pass. She moved to the window display. He coughed lightly as he scratched his head, watching her. "Fine, do you have someone to recommend then?"

Sam narrowed her eyes, resting her hands on her hips.

"It's only going to be for a while. No sexual intimacy, just acting." Matt added.

Sam scoffed. "What's wrong in telling his mother he is not ready for marriage?" She rolled her eyes, setting the window down. "Men these days."

"Well, you see…" Matt trailed off.

Sam rose a brow, suddenly catching up. The only friend who would do something like this was the one who always came to the cafe with him. The one who had- "Gotten into that scandal?" she voiced out. "That friend of yours? Haven Gray?"

Matt's nervous smile was the answer she needed.

She gapped, nearly tipping the vase behind her in surprise. "That really handsome friend of yours?" She repeated.

Matt met her eyes. "You don't have to put it that way."

Sam had heard about the scandal between Catherine Hales and THE Haven Gray. Their news had circulated around the internet like wide-fire. She was surprised to find out that these two who rocked the world with their relationship suddenly called it off. Haven had claimed they decided to go their mutual ways due to some complicated reasons, but Sam knew that wasn't the case. Well, she was one of the few who knew what really happened, thanks to her amazing investigative skills. Catherine had cheated. And on someone like Haven. Sam didn't even want to believe when she first heard of it.

Well, she always knew that woman was up to no good.

"Look, I'd really want to play housewife, but I won't," She explained, sending an apologetic smile to her friend. "Find someone else."

Matt groaned in defeat. "That idiot's going to kill me."

Just as he was thinking up his next option, the cafe door opened and a familiar face walked in, almost sluggishly. Matt immediately recognised her as the girl who had taken their order earlier this afternoon. Her strawberry blonde hair was hard not to remember. Her head was down, her movement slow. When she got to the counter, she raised her head and smiled at Sam.

"I don't think I can do the night shift," Her voice sounded like a whisper. Matt couldn't help but wonder. She was looking lively hours ago. What happened to her?

"Why not?" Sam inquired. "Something wrong?"

The girl, Alexis, if he could remember correctly, shook her head. "I don't feel so good."

"Oh, in that case, go home and get some rest. I'll call you," Sam said, reaching over to pat her shoulder. Alexis gave a curt nod and turned. When she was out of the cafe, Matt turned to Sam.

"How about her?"

"What is this? An auction?" Sam glared at him.

"Please, it won't hurt to ask."

Sam paused momentarily, as if thinking about it. Then she sighed. "Fine, I'll ask."

Matt breathed out in relief, tackling her into a hug. "Thank you."

She laughed, her expression suddenly stern. "Just know this, if anything happens to her. There will another scandal."

Matt dismissed her threat, waving her off and looking ten times brighter than he did when he first walked in. "Call me to know what she says, alright."

He headed out with a wave.

Sam shook her head, muttering an 'idiot' under her breath. Wiping her hands on her apron, she made her way towards her phone, hoping Alexis had gotten home already. After dialing down her number, she waited, tracing the flowery patterns on the wall as the phone rang.

On its fifth ring, Alexis finally picked up.

"No." Alexis replied firmly.

"Alexis, come on. I know you need the money," Sam said. "And with what you just told me, you need all the money you can get."

Alexis resisted the urge to hang up because she knew Sam was right. But she was no fool. Even though she lacked the experience of the real world, she had enough common sense to spot a shady situation when she saw one. The predicament that Sam's friend was suddenly in smelled like trouble and she didn't want to be a part of it.

"I value you as a friend and a boss, Sam," Alexis began, looking up from her contact list. She was looking for who to call when Sam had called. "But I can't involve myself with a desperate guy who wouldn't just tell his mother the plain truth."

"It seems to be a complicated thing." Sam sighed. "And I own this guy, well, I own Matt."

"Then why don't you do it instead?" Alexis ran a hand through her hair. "I don't even know the guy."

"I'm sure you do. He's a regular," Sam said.

"Doesn't change anything."

"He'll pay you triple then." Alexis' ear perked up. She could almost hear Sam grin in a silent 'gotcha.' "In fact, any amount you want."

"You're lying."

"I'm not. This guy is an hotshot."

Alexis remained silent. After a few minutes, she exhaled rather loudly and groaned. "Fine. I'll do it."

Sam sounded relieved. "I knew you'd agree. I'll send you his details."

"Fine, whatever." Alexis hung up. Immediately, her phone rang. It was a message from Sam. "That was fast."

Sam told her that a guy named Matt would call her tomorrow morning and take her to go meet Haven Gray, her 'fake husband.'

Haven Gray? Why did his name sound familiar?

"Might as well start getting prepared." she said, going into her wardrobe.

Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.

"The plans for the construction have begun smoothly. We've estimated a budget and we are ready to move. All we need is your signature now sir."

Haven looked up from his phone to see nervous eyes staring at him anticipatingly. Johnson, the one who had given the construction review, stared at Haven, visibly worried for his response. Haven blinked. He had almost forgotten he was in a meeting. He coughed lightly, straightening up in his seat. "When do the constructions starts?"

"A week from now, sir," Johnson replied with a big smile.

One of the workers seated beside him, pointed to the desk. Haven shifted uncomfortably, staring down at the paperwork in front of him. For some reason, he couldn't concentrate well today. He sighed. It was all Matt's fault, telling him he had found someone and had planned a meet up today. Every few seconds, he would glance down at his phone wondering if it was time yet. What was taking Matt so long?

"Mr. Gray?"

His head snapped up. "Can we reschedule this meeting?" he said. The others in the meeting talked amongst themselves, but they agreed nonetheless. After the meeting, he made his way back to his office and found Matt waiting for him by the front door. He held up a hand in greeting. "How was the meeting?"

Haven reached for the door handle, pressing it down. "Boring," Haven said as he walked in. Sighing, he plopped down on his chair and dug out his phone. "Isn't it time yet?" He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Why the rush? You look like an excited teen," Matt commented from across the room, where he had taken a seat. In his hand was a small note he had dug out from his pocket. He flipped a page. "She said she'd be ready in an hour or so."

"Where are we meeting her?"

"At a cafe."

To be honest, Haven had been quite surprised when Matt told him the girl he found was the waitress who had attended to them yesterday. He didn't remember much about her other than the fact that she had left the cafe without giving them their orders. He frowned, staring down at his phone again.

It read a few minutes after three.

"Call her."