The moon lit up the deep ocean eyes that gazed at the city below. The man flicked his wrist as small gray ash fell like snow to the ground from the cigarette that never once touched his lips.
A small knock at the door interrupted the man's thoughts and he growled in acknowledgement as he whisked away from the city view to sit behind his large cherry oak desk. He flung the cigarette into a small ashtray on his desk as the door creaked open. A short man with glasses entered hesitantly. The man bowed immediately as his eyes came into contact with the Adonis seated behind the large executive desk.
"Mr. Night, I have the information you requested." The short man sputtered as he rushed to hand over the large envelope.
Silas Night, the CEO of Night Corp, the largest company in the world. He was desired and envied by everyone who knew him. He was the youngest CEO in all of City B at only 27 years old he had taken over the entire corporation and brought it to new heights.
Silas slowly took the envelope and opened it up as he took out a small packet. His blue eyes moved slowly with interest as he examined the contents. He had been reading for a few moments before a grim expression spread across his face.
He glared a hole through the paper in front of him. He slammed the document on his desk in anger as his raven hair moved to cover his eyes. He was silent for a moment. The man in front of the desk shivered as the air grew cold.
The short man glanced towards the door, wondering if he should make his escape as the contents of the document seemed to have upset his boss to a level he had never seen. He did not want to be there for the fallout. It was late and he just wanted to run and escape to his bed.
A low chuckle resounded through the office as Silas shook with anger.
"Of course that old man would pull something like this from beyond the grave." Silas boomed his storm filled eyes glaring out from behind his raven locks.
"What do you mean, Sir?" The scared man inquired hesitantly.
"That fool's will." Silas glowered slamming the document in front of the short man.
The terrified man quickly read the paper but stopped and glanced at his boss with worry.
"He's requiring you to have an heir in order to keep your position in the company." The short man gasped as he picked up the document to continue. "And at that, he's given you only one year to procure one! That's absurd!" He exclaimed his eyes glued to the black and white pages.
"That old nut. He's been nothing but a thorn in my side." Silas growled.
The short man flipped through the papers his eyes growing wide. He pushed up his glasses and bit his lip as he hesitantly looked towards his boss.
"Sir, there's one more requirement in the will." The scared man pointed out.
Silas snatched the documents as he scanned the page. His hand crumpled the papers as he threw them on the desk. The air grew frigid as Silas walked back towards the window overlooking the city.
A frosty laugh echoed through the still air. "A legitimate heir. This fool will be the death of me." Silas bellowed.
Silas' grandfather had built the corporation with his own two hands. He was a strong businessman and known throughout the world as ruthless and power hungry. However, he had strong moral values as a man and cherished family above all else. This was just like him to make this a requirement for those who wished to claim the family inheritance and take over the family business.
Silas cursed under his breath. If his brother had already found out about the will he may soon make his move.
The short man thought for a moment. Though he hated the idea of the boss' current girlfriend becoming his wife, he decided it was the quickest option available.
"Sir. What about your current girlfriend. She would be more than willing to marry you." The short man offered desperately trying to ease the tension growing in the air.
Somehow the air grew thicker at his suggestion. Silas' eyes softened a bit as he thought of his girlfriend. They had a strange history but as his first, he had an obligation to keep. His eyes hardened as he turned towards his assistant.
"Harrison. What I am about to disclose to you must not leave this room." Silas said with cold eyes.
Harrison nodded immediately.
"I cherish my girlfriend as you know. She was my first and will forever be the one I must hold dear. But." Silas glared at the city below. "She can not have children. She had taken a fertility test not long ago and she is infertile." Silas growled slamming his palm against the window.
Harrison grew quiet. He was shocked at the revelation and now understood why Silas was so enraged by the requirement of procuring a legitimate heir.
The air grew still as Silas cursed the situation and Harrison desperately searched through his brain to find a solution.
"Then a surrogate?" Harrison offered.
The glare that Silas gave Harrison was intended for murder. "What exactly makes you think my family would consider that legitimate?" He bellowed.
Harrison retreated. Quickly bowing his head in apology. His mind raced for a different solution.
A dubious though crossed Harrison's mind. He hesitated and wrung his hands as he debated on whether he should tell the boss about his idea.
Silas had not moved from the window, obviously enraged. Harrison sighed. Here goes nothing.
"What about a contract?" Harrison broke the silence.
Silas whipped around and raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Harrison took a breath. "A contract marriage with the stipulation of giving birth to an heir."
Silas thought for a moment. "Who in the world would enter a contract like that?" Silas hissed as he considered the possibility.
Harrison paused. He knew that someone from the business world would never enter that kind of agreement and leave voluntarily after the contract was up. Someone would have to be desperate.
"Someone desperate." Harrison answered thoughtfully. "Someone who has nothing to lose. Someone in a dire situation." Harrison continued.
Silas grew quiet. It could work if the person was desperate enough. He just needed to find someone who fit that description. He would pay them, make it seem like a legitimate marriage and then divorce after the heir was obtained.
However, they would have to leave the child with him. Later his girlfriend would become that child's mother. "I can't think of a respectable woman who would leave their child and voluntarily give them to another woman." Silas thought out loud.
Harrison felt guilty at the answer that ran through his mind. He hesitated but then decided it was better to answer than stay silent. "How about you don't mention it in the contract. There is no way you wouldn't win in a court of law for custody. Not to mention, maybe find someone who would be unable to even dream of battling you in a court." Harrison suggested.
Silas mulled the option over. Harrison was correct. Courts would side with him on his reputation and financials alone. Not to mention there was the threat of becoming an enemy of the Night family if they didn't give him custody. He frowned. It was not exactly morally correct though.
He glanced at the will again. The anger strengthened his resolve. He could do it. He had no choice but to fight dirty when it came to the cards he was dealt.
However, the face of his girlfriend filled his mind and his eyes sunk once again. "How would she feel about this though." Silas muttered.
Harrison understood immediately what his boss was thinking. He hated the woman but his boss was tied to her. "She would understand. If she loves you, she would put up with it Sir. It won't be long and after that she will have a child as well." Harrison consoled his boss.
"However, you should tell her your plan and discontinue seeing her for the time being. If the woman we find for the contract discovers you have a girlfriend it may mean problems for you later down the line." Harrison continued thoughtfully.
Silas thought about that and then nodded. "Alright. I'll inform her once we have a candidate. Do some research and find me someone desperate."
"I'll get started on it first thing tomorrow Sir." Harrison stated.
"No, you begin searching tonight."
Harrison's eyes grew. "But-"
"Harrison do I need to remind you that we have a time limit? Not to mention, others may begin to make a move. I'm sure if I know this information others must have heard it as well. Now go."
Harrison nodded weakly as he sulked towards the door. He was dreading another sleepless night. He probably wouldn't even be paid overtime for this.
"Wait." Silas interrupted as Harrison was about to open the office door.
Harrison looked up hopefully. Did his boss change his mind, maybe he would be able to leave on time now.
"Make sure she has proper qualifications." Silas demanded thoughtfully. "If I am to have an heir, I want that child to have the proper qualifications to reflect me in a positive light. Make sure the woman is intelligent, graceful, well mannered." Silas stopped for a moment. "Also make sure she has a good appearance as well."
Harrison's face fell as his hope for a night of rest was dashed. "Yes Sir." Harrison sighed as he exited the office.
The room grew quiet again. A small flame sparked as Silas lit a cigarette, watching the small wisps of smoke float through the air.
"A contract." The man hummed as he tapped the cigarette against the small ashtray. A small smile spread across his face.
This just might work.
The man peered through the window at the city below. He just needed to find the right person.
The smile disappeared from his face. He also needed to tell her about his plan as well. He sighed and brushed a hand through his hair as he disposed of the unsmoked cigarette into the ashtray.
"Vivian please understand." He whispered to no one.