Contract Marriage

Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

Today was the one day that I could not afford to be late for work so I hurriedly dashed out of my apartment, clutching on to my laptop bag, a bunch of folders, and everything else that I thought I needed for this all important day--oh and yes, coffee, my tumbler filled with what would help me though the day (or this morning at least).

As I made my way among the waves of people, I struggled to keep a grip on everything I was holding. I tried to remind myself to keep a cool head. I reminded myself that these people were just like me, trying to get to work, on time. Finally, I could see my office building. I looked up as I started to walk towards it when--thud--I felt an impact as my body hit "something" and it didn't take long for me to realize that it was actually a "someone."

"Oh my gosh. I am so sorry." I apologized and then I saw my tumbler, which was half-filled, now almost empty. "Oh crap. I am so sorry. But I'm really in a hurry. Please just give me a call, and I'll pay for dry cleaning or whatever." I scrambled for a calling card from my purse and handed it to the stranger then I hurriedly walked towards my building.

"Man, I really hope that one's not running late for work like I am." I started to feel guilty but continued to make my way into the office.

"Mia, thank goodness you're here! We were starting to worry if you were going to make it to the meeting. Everyone's in the conference room." Stacy, our receptionist pointed to the direction of the conference room.

"Thanks, Stacy." I said as I quickly made my way to the conference room.

Everyone was looking at me when I opened the door. Ugh. I hated that feeling.

"Finally. What took you so long?" Carrie, my colleague, asked, a bit irritated.

"Well--" I started to say but before I could finish, Carrie spoke again.

"Zip it. Just go set up, everyone's here and we're just waiting for the CEO of H&C Holdings."

What CEO would be late for any meeting? I thought as I shook my head and proceeded to set up my presentation for today's meeting.

As I was just about ready to start the presentation when someone announced that Mr. Hastings, H&C's CEO had finally arrived.

About time. I thought to myself.

A tall, handsome man entered the room. He didn't look much older than I was and he definitely wasn't how I imagined a CEO of an international, multi-billion dollar company would look like.

"My apologies." He spoke as I prepared to flash the presentation on the screen.

"Someone--" I looked up from what I was doing and our eyes met.

"...bumped into me this morning." He said as if pertaining to me. His eyes almost searing through me.

I shook the thought off. Silly me, why should I think he was referring to me? Focus, Mia. I resumed preparing for the day's all important presentation while everyone else scrambled to make sure Mr. Hastings was comfortable.

Just a few more minutes of frantic preparation and I was ready to begin the presentation.

You can do this, Mia. You rehearsed this over a hundred times. Just think: this merger depends on how you pull this off. Crap. That's not going to help. I pushed my thoughts aside and started.

As I started one of the most important presentations of my life, I could feel someone's eyes on me and as I scanned the room, I saw him--Mr. Hastings was staring intently at me. At the time, I didn't know if I was going to freak out or feel totally flattered that the Mr. Hastings was paying this much attention to me.

Why is he staring at me? It's distracting. I thought but I continued on.

Finally, I was nearing the end of my presentation.

"...with that, thank you, and good morning. If you have any questions or concerns about the project, please don't hesitate to ask me." I said and I started to pack the things I had brought with me to the conference room. From my peripheral vision, I saw Mr. Hastings call Carrie aside. It was just for a short while and he left the room right after.

Carrie started walking towards me.

Oh no. What could it be? I wondered anxiously.

"Mia." She called.

"Y-yeah?" I hoped my anxiousness didn't show too much in my tone.

She approached me and continued to speak.

"Mr. Hastings, he..." she sounded tentative. "...he asked if you could meet with you over dinner tonight."

"WHAT?!"