Aiden

Call me a jerk, but I was having a good time. Blood rushed to my loins as she looked helpless, like a deer caught in a headlight. I handed her a box of Kleenex as she began talking about what had happened to her, despite the fact that I had not asked. I didn't intervene. I simply held her hand as she told me about her trauma.
She exhaled deeply to regain her composure. With all of the crying, her nose was red, and her eyes were puffy. She looked cute. I couldn't keep a smile from appearing on my face.

"Mr Reiner, thank you very much. I'm at a loss for what to say."

"Well, for starters, you can call me Aiden," I said. "You realise your ordeal isn't done yet? Whoever tried to frame you, and I believe you were, must be a very powerful person."

She nodded.

"So, tell me what your plan is?"

She looked puzzled.

" Plan? I never thought of a plan. My mind has been so preoccupied, I could barely think of anything let alone a plan!" She paused.

"Someone wants to get rid of me for whatever reason, but I can't imagine who could be so evil. I have never harmed anyone. I swear I'm not guilty. You've got to trust me, "Her old fighting spirit had returned, she said a little forcefully.


"I believe you but what will the jury say? You need a good lawyer to fight your case. Mind you, my dear, that thing is first grade cocaine," I stressed.


"BUT I didn't touch it!" she exclaimed, a little more forcefully and optimistically.


"Oh? I assume you haven't read the newspaper yet." I stood up and returned to my desk to pick up the newspaper. I took a few steps back and handed it to her. She gave me a curious look before starting to read the newspaper. Her face went from pale to green. She appeared ill, as if she was about to pass out.



"NO! It's unthinkable!" She sobbed loudly this time and glanced about madly. "They made a blunder. It's got to be a blunder!"



Then it dawned on her why the bail amount was increased to half a million-dollar from the previous two amounts of two hundred and fifty thousand. Now she knew why. They found her fingerprints on the packet. But how could it be when she had not even touched it?


"Do you believe in me?" I inquired.

She looked at me as if I'd sprouted tentacles on my head and extra arms out of nowhere.

"Do you trust me, Sydney?" I asked her firmly.

"I'm not sure. So, what exactly do you want me to say? "She replied honestly.

"Ok, listen carefully. I have a business proposal for you." I finally said.

"Business proposal? I don't know anything about business. What can I do for you? What kind of business are you talking about? I don't even have the means to pay my bail let alone to have the money to invest in any business plan?" A torrent of questions rushed out of her.

"Shh... shh... relax and take a deep breath," I softly shushed her. She relaxed and gave me a hopeful expression.



"I don't need your money in this business plan. I want you," I stated matter of fact.

Her mouth was wide as she glanced at me, but no sound came out. Her terror was replaced by rage, and she closed and then opened her eyes.

"Please I am in no mood for jokes."

"I am very serious," I replied, keeping my eyes on her. "When I talk business, I don't joke about it. To me every business is an investment be it small or large."

"What do you want me to do?" She asked cautiously.

Her beautiful hair was limp as I leant back and examined her. Despite the fact that her face was devoid of makeup and appeared pale and terrified, she was captivating me like a moth to a flame.

"I'd like to ask you to marry me for a year. You will be paid a monthly stipend and have access to all of Mrs Reiner's benefits." I stated unequivocally.



Her green eyes opened, and she leapt to her feet.



"I... I can't accept it. I can't...we can't get married."



I folded my legs and smirked.



"Why not? I've been told I am quite a catch."


She gave me that threatening look. She was fighting hard to maintain her demeanour. I told Sydney to take a seat. She paused for a bit before slumping down dejectedly.



"Listen very carefully. You need help to get out these charges, and I am the only one who can help you. Now, I am not that benevolent to help someone with no hidden agenda. Become my wife for a year, then walk out as a free woman. There would be other perks as well. At the end of the contract, you will receive 10 million dollars in a divorce settlement. You can do whatever you wish. You won't have to struggle again.... ever."
I explained.

"NO!" She continued to shake her head while speaking loudly.



"No? You're not going to marry me because you don't agree with the terms?" I inquired.



"No! I mean, this sounds insane! So...so unbelievable! "She exclaimed, irritably. Suddenly, she locked her gaze on mine. "Please wait a moment! Are you the one who fixed me up with... this drug thing? "She inquired, accusingly.



"What makes you think I'd want to set you up?" I inquired; my gaze fixed on her; her opaline green eyes returned my gaze. It was too obtrusive. It took a lot of willpower not to kiss her. "You work for the Reiner Group. Why would I set you up and risk the reputation of my company?"



Dejectedly, she averted her gaze "You are correct. Please accept my apologies; I simply misjudged you."



"It's alright, and it's perfectly normal to have this kind of marriage of convenience. I am sure I am not the first person to propose such a business plan," I told her trying to reassure her. "It's legitimate."

"I'm aware that it does happen, but it never happens to a regular person like me. It happens to celebrities such as...the Kardashians or...Amy Irvin. You can easily find a woman who is more perfect for your requirements. Why did you pick me? "She inquired; her tone more irritated than before.



"Perhaps I prefer the mundane." I grinned.



"That is not my answer."



Why her, I thought as I stood up and paced around the sofa. I didn't know why. I simply knew I had to get her, and this seemed like an excellent way to go about it. But I had to persuade her.

"You are not a drug user or a smoker. You don't even drink, or at least you're not a big drinker "I remarked this while gazing at her half-empty glass that I had handed her earlier.

"You are in trouble now. You need help. You don't have a family. You are single with no baggage. Let's just say I am hiring you for a year to be my personal assistant. Will that make you feel better? You are to work for me. Just treat me as your employer. Well, I am already your employer, but consider this a more intimate arrangement. In exchange, you are to be my companion for all the functions. Be a perfect hostess when I am the host. Most importantly this arrangement is for my grandpa."


Her look shifted from soft to interested.



"Your grandpa?"


"Yes, he is the only person I cherish. He....he is quite old and might not live long. I want to fulfil his wish of seeing me married. Hence, this arrangement." I stopped pacing and returned to my seat.



"What if I say no?" She inquired, her nasty expression still on her face.



"Then you owe me half a million dollars and face a minimum of ten years in prison. You'll be on your own if you walk out this door. Your job with the Reiner firm will come to an end. You'll have to appear in court and hire a lawyer. I'm not sure any lawyer would take your case if you didn't have any money. Of course, the court will assign a lawyer for you. I seriously doubt they'd be able to defend you effectively. If you lose, we're talking about at least fifteen years in prison. I can help you get out of this bind. All you have to do is accept the offer." With a sparkling smile, I explained.



She turned white. "You are serious about this." She mumbled.

"You are already aware of this. I think I'm a decent boss. There will be no issues."


She said, "As if I had a choice."

I burst out laughing. "Does that mean it's a yes?"

"Not now; I need some time to consider it." She remarked this as she drank her entire drink in one gulp.

"I understand, it's a very important decision. I'll leave it to you to think it over. I'll be in the other room. You have an hour starting now." I did not wait for her to answer but got up and walk to another door and disappeared behind it.
My heart was singing, she was trapped. She was all mine now, to do whatever I wished.