Change of Mind

"What happened?" I asked worriedly.

"She's not eating that much lately saying she has no appetite. She's also just staying indoors and not her usual energetic self." Chace replied.

"Is she sick?" I asked again.

"We had the family doctor check up on her and there's no apparent health problem. He said it might just be stress. But if this continues, her health will decline significantly. Doctor said to talk to her and encourage her to verbalize what's bothering her.." he stalled for a few seconds.

".. it's quite obvious it's because of how I dealt with things during our lunch.. And I take full responsibility for that." he said ruefully.

Well, at least he knows how to own up to things. I thought he's just a complete jerk. I said to myself.

"So, I guess there's no other way but to give in to what Nan wants. Let's get married." he said.

Noticing that I'm in my own world, Chace called my attention.

"Samantha, are you listening?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" I replied with hazy eyes.

" I said, let's get married." he repeated.

He said it with so much conviction that if I wasn't there the first time, and heard how he refused to marry me, I would've blushed and melted right then and there.

"What?" I replied in confusion with my mouth half open.

"I know you don't want this either but I can't bear seeing Nan suffer like that. So, let's get married and make rules we can agree on to help us be comfortable in living together during the course of our marriage." he continued.

That's the longest sentence he ever said to me eversince I started working for him. I continued blinking in confusion. "Focus here, Sam!" I scolded myself. What the hell is he talking about? Make rules? During the course of our marriage?!

"At the end of it, I shall compensate you with 500 million dollars." he added.

I'm trying to process everything he said just now. My head was swimming in confusion until it all started to click.

Oh. He only wants to marry me in paper. That's it. No more, no less. Am I really that repulsive?! I understand the desperation to try to help Nan get better. Of course, that's what I want as well. But just the way he puts things is completely insulting to me.

First of all, to decide things for me without asking what I think about it?! Secondly, making rules on how I should act?! And last but not the least, to think that I can be bought?!?

The fucking nerve of this guy!!

Seeing that I still remain motionless, he took the opportunity to explain his "brilliant plan".

"We'll be married and live together for two years.The wedding will only be attended by our family and closest friends to keep it low profile." he explained to me.

"Low profile? So you want to keep it a secret?" I managed to say in a strained voice.

"Well, now that you put it like that, it sounds absurd. I want to keep the wedding simple because I'm thinking of Nan's health. And I've never really paid attention to what people think of me so I don't feel the need to let everyone know." he explained nonchalantly.

" Not unless, you want a big wedding? We can do it either way. And I never said anything about keeping it a secret. You can tell everyone - including that boy who's flirting with you awhile ago." he continued. Setting his gaze on the documents in front of him and picking up a file to look at it.

Keep calm, Sam. Don't let anger get the best of you. You'll only end up saying and doing things that might get you in trouble. Don't make rash decisions.

But despite all the warnings I gave to myself, I opened my mouth and started speaking again.

"Fine by me. But why wait to give me the money until the contract ends?" I quipped.

It seems like I caught him off guard because Chace darted his gaze from the file he was holding to me.

" You think everything and everyone has a price right? So why hold back now? Deposit the money to my account now and I'll sign the contract." I said in an overconfident annoyed tone.

Chace was quick to recover from whatever emotion it was he slightly showed. "Give me your account details." he said with a smirk.

He made a phone call and seemed slightly irritated at the person he was talking to when I heard him say, "Do it now!"

After a few minutes, my phone lighted up with a notification. I've never seen my account hold such an amount with that much zeros in my whole 23 years of existence.

"You and your big mouth Samantha Jane Curtis! Look what you've gotten yourself into! There's no turning back now! " I reprimanded myself.

Honestly, I will do it without the money involved. But I got blinded by anger. In a desperation to try to get back to Chace, I resorted with the money option. But who am I kidding? Obviously, he wouldn't make an offer he can't give. And he clearly has the upper hand on everything. I'm usually not this reckless but he stirs my emotions.

"So...?" Chace said breaking my reverie.

" I'll write the contract and the conditions we'll agree on." I pouted looking at the floor.

"Sit here then. We'll discuss it together." he said to me motioning me to sit on his chair as he stood up.

I did as he said and started typing on his laptop. He closed the gap between us- leaning forward, his right hand rested on the edge of the table while I can feel his left arm slightly touching my right arm.

I can feel heat emanating from the contact.

"Concentrate!" I scolded myself.

I'm trying but I can also smell his perfume. A fresh, musky, citrusy scent with a slight hint of floral notes. Very elegant and sensual. His scent perfectly embodies masculine charisma. I'm finding it so hard to focus.

After a moment that seemed like an eternity, we're finally done. The contract isn't really that long. Besides the things that we previously discussed, we just added a few things like: no physical contact except for occasions when family members are around- we pretend sweet. And that we should live our lives at home like we how we usually do. Not unless there's a concern or issue that we need to discuss, then we should mind our own business. And further changes can be made as long as both parties agree to it.

I printed two copies, we signed both of them and kept one each for ourselves.

"Is there anything else?" I asked.

"That would be it - for now." he responded.

"Ok then. " I said while standing up from his chair.

"Oh there's one more, thing." Chace said stopping me from my tracks.

"I'll drive by your place so we can go see Nan together. See you on Sunday." he continued.

"Got it!" I replied as I continued walking towards the door.

I sat back on my desk feeling fully drained from what just transpired.

" What did I do?" I asked myself in disbelief.