Chapter 4: Stand-in job

 DAISY JOYCE

 I found myself kneeling on the cold, hard floor in front of him, the weight of my emotions overwhelming me as tears freely cascaded down my cheeks. "Sir," I began, my voice shaky and filled with desperation. 

 "I'm completely alone in this world. I've been an orphan since I was just nine years old. I have no one—no family, no friends—nobody who cares for me. Please, I can be of assistance to you. 

 I just want to make it clear that I'm not seeking a romantic relationship; the age difference is far too great," I explained earnestly, hoping my sincerity would reach him.

 However, my heartfelt plea seemed to only provoke his frustration. He leaned back slightly, running a hand through his hair as he narrowed his eyes at me. 

 "Hey, lady, you're really testing my patience right now," he retorted sharply, his tone laced with impatience. 

 Without waiting for my response, he gestured dismissively to his bodyguards, signaling for them to escort me out of his presence. My heart sank further as they moved towards me, the hope I had clung to beginning to fade into the shadows of despair.

 DAMOND CHRIS

 This girl was really getting on my nerves. The audacity of her to casually mention "eye" when she knew damn well I was blind—was she mocking me? I could feel the irritation boiling beneath the surface, an urge to lash out and demand my bodyguard drive her away. But then, her voice cracked, breaking through my anger, and I could sense the weight of her sorrow evident even in her tone. Though I couldn't see her, the sound of her quiet sobs pierced through my frustration and tugged at something deep inside me.

 With a sigh, I signaled for my bodyguard to leave, inviting Daisy to step closer. "What's your name?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm and collected.

 "Daisy," she replied, her voice trembling.

 "Daisy," I repeated, letting the name roll off my tongue as I contemplated my next words. "I have a proposal for you." I paused, gauging her reaction before continuing. "You'll need to play the role of my wife in front of my family."

 I could hear her intake of breath, a mix of confusion and surprise. "You'll be living at my place until I find the right partner," I explained, laying out the terms carefully. "You'll be just a stand-in—nothing more. For this, I'll pay you one hundred thousand dollars a month. The commitment lasts for six months."

 I felt her momentary silence, and I pressed on, eager to secure her agreement. "At the end of the contract, you'll walk away with a payout of one hundred million dollars."

 A brief pause filled the air, and I could almost feel her mind racing. "And here's something else," I added, ensuring she understood the value of what I was offering, "this car—it's worth five million dollars. It's yours to keep."

 I could sense her shock and curiosity mingling. "Think it over," I urged, my voice steady. "When I return, I'll bring the contract for you to sign. Consider the money I'm offering; it's far beyond what you might expect for such a temporary role. I have a feeling you'll find it hard to say no."

 With that, I turned to leave, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and confidence as I walked away.

 DAISY JOYCE

 Initially, fury surged through me at his condescending tone. How could anyone be so callous? But as the moments passed, that anger quickly morphed into a strange sense of empowerment. This was all about business, after all, and deeper down, I knew I had to set aside my irritation for the sake of opportunity.

 I wasn't about to do this stand-in job for free; I had bills and dreams just like anyone else. The staggering salary he offered, coupled with the jaw-dropping payout at the end of the six-month contract, left my mind reeling. A hundred thousand dollars each month, plus the black card worth five million, acted as a siren song that I found hard to ignore.

 While my initial indignation simmered, I felt the weight of reality settling in. This was a chance—one that came with significant risks but unimaginable rewards. There was no way I could afford to walk away from such an offer. When he returned, I would agree to the terms and sign the contract.

 Oh my God, I'm about to become a businesswoman! The thought filled me with exhilaration. Once the contract concludes, I could take a well-deserved break before pursuing another lucrative stand-in role, allowing me to gather enough capital to start building a successful business venture of my own. But first things first—don't get ahead of yourself, Daisy. Focus on completing this assignment with the utmost professionalism.

 I reassured myself silently, proud yet wary: Don't worry, Father, Mother, Luna, and Kelvin; I'll find a way to be just fine from now on.