A Deal

“Huh? I don't understand.” She said, confused.

“Blakeley, I want to offer you a deal.”

“How did you know my name? Did that lady tell… “

“Your name is Blakeley Hunter, you are twenty-one years old with no achievements, you live in the local areas of Los Angeles, and all your life you lived from hand to mouth, you have a best friend named Malia and an ex-fiance named Dylan. He broke up with you and you found them together having sex, you got heartbroken and you ran into my car.” Alex explained cutting her off and her eyes widened in shock. 

“Wh… what?” She asked surprised.

“I know a lot more about you than you can imagine and I know you would be interested in the deal I am about to offer you.” He replied and she stared at him for a while, curious about the deal and to understand what was going on, she nodded in response urging him to continue.

“Your father does one or two shops to earn a living and your mother is a preschool teacher in a local school and you don't have a job.”

“Can you just go straight to the offer please?” Blakeley asked not being comfortable with how he knows and talks about her family.

“Okay. I need you to marry me for a few months or as long as I want and I get what I need, after I am done, we will get a divorce and you will get your normal life back.” He said and she frowned.

“And how does that benefit me?” 

“I will pay you monthly and give your parents the best life you have always wanted for them.” 

“Just like that?”

“Yeah.” He replied and Blakeley chuckled. It all seems weird and too good to be true, why would you want to marry a stranger who ran into your car and offered to help her in return?

“I bet your parents are looking forward to living in the mansion of Los Angeles since you will be getting married to Dylan in two weeks. I wonder how they will feel when you break the news to them.” Alex said as he stared at her, she seemed lost in thoughts.

“Will you give my parents the best life?” She asked.

“If you get married to me.” 

“How much will you pay me a month?” She asked.

“Name your Price?” Alex asked back.

“Three… three million?” She stuttered hoping he would agree.

“I think five million dollars will be better, what do you think?” He asked and Blakeley’s palms became sweaty and her heart started to beat in excitement.

‘Five million dollars monthly?! That is huge!’ She thought and scratched her head. The desperation and thirst for wealth kicked in and she looked up at Alex.

“But I won't  know why I am getting married to you?” She asked and Alex nodded in response. 

“But I am a stranger to you.”

“I don't think so, I just summarised your life to you.” He replied and she sighed. After a few seconds of silence, she made her decision.

“Yes, I will marry you.” She said and Alex nodded in response. 

“You made the right choice.” He said and walked to a table, he picked up a file and walked to her. He handed it to her and gave her a pen. 

“What is this?” She asked as she opened it.

“A written down agreement of our discussion, sign the vacant space with your name.” He said and she did immediately. She saw his signature there already and she looked at him.

“You already signed it, how did you know I would agree to it?”

“Desperation and thirst for a better life. It is written all over you.” He replied and took the file from her, Blakeley felt hurt by what he said but she shrugged it off. She really would do anything to get a better life for herself and her family. 

A man walked in dressed in a suit, Alex handed him the file and he bowed before walking out. 

“Let's talk about the rules.” Alex said as he stood in front of her.

“Rules?” 

“Yeah. Getting married to me, there are some things you have to know and do. Firstly, no one can know about this agreement between us, immediately I get what I want. We will get a divorce no matter the situation at that moment and lastly, no feelings attached.” He explained and Blakeley rolled her eyes.

“Well the last one is easy, who will have feelings for a jerk?” She mumbled but Alex heard.

“Oh, one more thing.” He said and she gave him a questioning look. He didn't say anything, all he did was stare at her.

“What?” Blakeley asked as she was getting tired of the silence.

“Nothing, you will figure it out as time goes on.” He replied and she sighed.

“Keep resting, see you later.” He said and walked out of the room. Blakeley breathed out and ran her hands through her hair.

“I hope I just made the right decision.” She muttered and closed her eyes.

********

THE NEXT DAY

Blakeley sighed as she watched Alex who was sitting opposite her on the plane, he seemed focused on his phone and she wondered what he was doing. 

As she stared at him, she noticed how good-looking he was. Handsome? Next to Alex, that seemed like an understatement, he looked like a small god, he looked so perfect. His nose, lips, hair, they all seemed perfect. She noticed his eyes this morning and she could say they were ocean eyes. They looked so beautiful.

He suddenly looked up at her and she froze, she was right. He had ocean eyes. He gave her a questioning look and she looked away from him immediately. 

She suddenly recalled something and she turned to still see him staring at her.

“Hmm… wh… when can I contact my parents? They would be worried about me.” She said,

“When we get to New York City.” He replied and she nodded in response. Earlier this morning, before they got on the plane, Alex informed her he lived in New York City and that is where they will be staying.

“Or maybe not.” He suddenly said,

“Huh?”

“How about you stay dead or missing for a while?”