"I've been trying to call, but I can't reach him. I sent some potatoes, and I wanted him to pick them up."
"Granny, I don't think you should call him anymore. Don't worry about the potatoes, I'll pick them up myself."
"What? Why?
The frightened sound of her voice only made me feel like punching myself in the face.
"Gramps, did they come?" I quickly changed the topic.
She sighed heavily. "No, they haven't. Thank God."
"I'll send the money soon."
"Peanut, that's too much already. You can't do more than that. You have a successful career, but what's the point if you give it all away?"
"Only Gramps should say that. You're my biggest supporter, aren't you? I promise everything is gonna be okay, I promise."
"Catherine..."
"Don't worry, Granny. Just relax, I have everything under control. Y-You should go check on Gramps."
"That old man can't do anything without me."
"He'll throw a fit if you call him old again."
"Don't tell him I said that."
I chuckled slightly.
"It's nice to hear that sound. I miss it, and I don't get to hear it often. Is the city life treating you alright? Eating plenty? I'll have some vegetables sent. You've got to stay off junk food."
Tears slid down my face. "Send them all. Not too much, you need it as much as I do."
"Sweetie, as long as this farm stands, it exists to feed my grandbaby. The old man's words, not mine, but it's still as much as mine."
I used the back of my hand to dry my tears.
"Now I know you wanna go back to bed early. Good night, peanut, love you."
"Love you, ma." My voice broke as I pressed the red button.
I tried my best to quiet my sobs so that Tori wouldn't hear. I spent minutes crying my eyes out until there was nothing left to spill, a hard sensation throbbing in my throat.
"That's enough, Catherine," I said to myself, peering at my reflection, hazel eyes stared at me. My red hair was messy from running my hand through it all day.
The only choice I had was to deal with the devil.
~☆~
"Ms. Lane." His voice vibrated through the speaker.
"Mr. King."
"Have you thought about my offer?"
It wasn't an easy decision to make, and the days leading up to this moment were unnerving. But I have made up my mind, if I'm gonna do this, then I'm gonna do it right.
"When can we meet?"
There was silence, and I could tell he was checking his Rolex.
"Tonight. It's a date."
I froze.
"Wear something nice."
Before I could say anything, the line went dead.
I didn't even ask the location.
Thinking nothing of it, I thought about getting ready early. It's not like I had anything else to do. It was almost evening, and thankfully, Tori had gone to work.
"Face it with courage," I chanted to myself.
Whenever I felt like I was at the edge, I always told myself those four words. It has been my greatest push ever since.
In the blink of an eye, the hours passed. I fixed my light makeup and combed out my wavy red hair to fall over my shoulders.
I wore a deep blue dress that hugged my figure, falling below my knees. I paired it with nude stilettos and a silver purse.
This was certainly an improvement, given the wreck I have been in for days. A few minutes passed, and I just paced my living room, pondering whether I should call him or not. It was already past seven.
My phone made a soft ding, and I looked at the screen.
Devil Boss: Check outside your window.
I grew confused walking to it and pulled the curtains aside. There was a black Rolls-Royce in my neighbourhood, and the driver stood outside waiting. I recognized him instantly. It was Julian, Mr. King's chauffeur.
How did he know my house location? First my number and now this?
My phone chimed.
Devil Boss: Twenty minutes.
~☆~
The drive to the place, which I still didn't know of, was a comfy one, probably because I was familiar with Julian.
But I was nervous to the bone. I tried my hardest not to nibble on my nails and ruin my lipstick.
Just when I thought I'd die from tension, the car pulled up at a five-star restaurant.
Julian opened the door for me, and I smiled warmly.
"Thank you."
"Welcome, as always, Ms. Lane." He tipped his hat.
I strolled through the tall doors. Soft lighting spilled from the chandeliers and wall lamps, and there was a gentle background music playing.
The sumptuous space was empty, as if it had been rented for the night. Figures. Mr. King's privacy was everything to him.
I recalled a time we were back from a business trip, and he wanted a quick breakfast; he bought the entire place that day just so he wouldn't have to deal with people.
"Welcome, Ms. Lane." The hostess greeted me with a friendly smile and helped with my coat.
"Mr. King is waiting on the top floor."
I nodded, trekking to the floating steps. The upper section was completely on a different level. The floor-to-ceiling windows showed the bright view of Midnight.
The name sticks because the city never sleeps at night, as well as the black skyscrapers that cover every part.
I peeled my eyes away, searching for Mr. King. I found him at the far end, on call, one hand in his pocket.
He paced, completely engrossed in whatever held his attention, then he saw me, keeping those stone-cold eyes on me.
He ended the call and walked to me, and with every footstep, my heart slammed tightly.
When he halted, he towered over me with his massive body, intimidating me further.
"Ms. Lane."
"Mr. King." I kept my chin up without wavering.
His eyes flickered to the table nearby, and I released a breath.
"Shall we?"
He led me to it and pulled out my chair, and dropped my purse and portfolio on the table.
I adjusted my glasses and cleared my throat, checking the menu. I did my best not to stare at the price before I got caught up in a spiral.
"Order anything you like. Dinner first before we get down to business."
"You knew my address and you had my number."
"I know everything about my employees."
Right. I should have thought about that.
The waitress came and took our orders. When she left, I continued.
"You could marry any woman if you wanted to. You're not above that. Yet you propose a contract marriage. You said we work, but I don't think that is enough reason for that."
"I'm trying to avoid the responsibility of a marriage and everything else that comes with it."
Spoken like a true businessman.
"Unfortunately, I can't go any further. Due to family reasons, a wife is needed."
"A wife is needed," I mouthed his words.
"You have worked with me for three years, Ms. Lane. You're a perfect candidate."
You mean someone who can tolerate you.
"It'd have been so much easier if you had married. But..." I forced a smile. "Not Ares King."
He narrowed his eyes.
"I understand your need for a contract. It's better than commitment."
My head flashed to Daniel. After everything we've been through, all of it was for nothing.
"Commitment gets you nowhere. This is a mutual agreement where we both get what we want. You get your wife, and I get my money."
"Agreed."
The waitress was back with our order, and the rest of the dinner was spent in silence. I did my best to stay composed and just focus on eating, but my appetite wasn't a big one.
So I set my food aside and got down to business. "I looked over the contract, and I have questions."