Claire's POV
" I know this is probably coming off as a shock to you" he says, seated on his chair, arms propped forward, resting on his desk.
"You think" I respond, sarcastically. Hoping I had just heard wrong.
"This is not a joke, I am being very serious." he said calmly. Too calmly.
I blankly stare at him, a hint of concern and doubt on my face as I wonder if the stress from work had finally cracked him. "Sir, I think—"
"I need a wife. Temporarily, actually." he adds, cutting me off.
Silence filled the room. I blink once. Then twice. "I'm sorry—what?" I ask, my brows raised sharply, in a mix of disbelief and mild annoyance. My eyes are narrowed half expecting him to suddenly announce that he is joking with me. Which seems highly unlikely as I know my boss to not be one to joke around.
I'm met with silence as he rose to his feet, rounded his desk, standing just inches away from my seat, his hands stuffed in his pocket.
"You're… proposing?" she asked faintly.
"A contract marriage," he clarified. "It will be for One month. No romance involved. No personal or emotional involvement. You would still be free to continue your life as it is." He remained standing, leaning on his desk, hands in his pockets, expression composed in that unnervingly calm way of his.
My fingers curled into fists. "You want me to pretend to be your wife." I asked quietly, suddenly conscious that we are at work and this wasn't a conversation I'd like the rest of the office staff to hear.
How could this be, what is going on here?. Why would he even need to have a contract wife, he's the company's director. The grandson to the chairman of the company. The only heir to the Smiths fortune. He has everything, if he was to choose a wife, he could do so without any stress.
In all my years of working with him, I have not ever noticed him with a woman. He has never been involved in any dating scandals. Being his secretary, I would have been the first to know. No requests to deliver flowers, no change in his schedule or calendar.
I'm still stuck in my head, spinning this new informations and trying to make sense of it when he interrupts..
"Yes." he answers coolly
I shook my head, confused. "But, I'm your secretary, you are my boss."
"I'm aware, which is why I trust you. You don't seem to be interested in me, I've watched you for two years," he said evenly. "You've never tried to step beyond your role, never used familiarity as leverage."
I'm still thoroughly confused, "Sir, If this is some sick joke or a test or some sort of of stress induced breakdown, I'll suggest you inform your doctor"
For a second, my mind flashed back to my conversation with my friends yesterday and how I had lied to them about being in a relationship that's looking towards marriage. I shake the thought away.
He laughs quietly, and I'm surprised. He looks really handsome when he laughs.
"I'm perfectly sane," he said with a hint of humor in his voice. "Sit down. Please."
"I'm already seated," I snapped, then pressed my lips together, mortified at my rude tone. At this point, I really don't care that he is my boss or that I'm being rude to him. I'm unable to hold off my tongue.
"I'll compensate you generously. It won't disturb your work here or your personal life. We just have to be married on paper. Give me your terms and I can also work with that" he says, a bit less guarded. He must be really serious.
My eyes flash with annoyance. "Sir, That's insulting. I don't care for the money you're offering. The is a marriage you're talking about. A big deal"
He didn't argue. Instead, he explained about his grandparents proposition , the ultimatum, the CEO seat, the deadline.
He explained that once he finally becomes CEO, the contract can be terminated and he plans to make it all happen and fixed in stone in a month.
He spoke as if outlining a business merger, not a marriage. Couldn't he just find a proper lady from this social circle to do this with. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of women that'd love to get married to the Louis Smith.
"And why me?" I asked quietly. Trying to see things calmly.
He hesitated. "Because I trust you, and you're close enough to me. No one will question it. They would easily believe we have been secretly meeting." he said.
I'm still not convinced, "Sir, I suggest you find someone else to ask, someone well within your circle. I'm unable to accept this proposal as I don't seem to have anything to gain from it. From what I see, you're profiting way more than I ever will," Speaking as calmly as I possibly can, "All I get his the media all up in my business, the company employees gossiping behind my back, I can already imagine all the names I'd be called."
I see the corner of his lips tilt up, he looks like he is refraining himself from saying something.
I observe with a careful glance. But I really don't seem to care for what he has to say.
I have made up my mind. I am not going to get involved in a contract marriage with my boss.