Chapter 3:A DEAL SHE CAN’T REFUSE

Ivy's POV

"You must come to my office."

Griffin leaned against the edge of my cubicle and spoke in a tone that was almost too calm. I ignored my heart's unpleasant flip once more. Even though he was making it tough, I had decidedto move on from last night after everything.

"Now?" I looked at my partially completed email and inquired.

"Now." I had no choice but to follow him as he left before I could respond.

The door of his office clicked shut as I entered. With its sleek black furniture, glass walls that provided a view of the city, and a quiet that weighed heavily on me, the space was as terrifying as its owner.

Griffin motioned to the chair across from his desk and said, "Please take a seat." But he didn't sit. Rather, he put his hands in his pockets and moved to the window.

"What's this about?" With a more reserved tone than I had intended, I asked.

He pivoted, his gaze meeting mine. "I have an idea for you."

I scowled. "A... proposal?"

"Yes." He shifted to the edge of his desk, his eyes focused yet his stance relaxed. "A merger agreement is being negotiated. An important one. But, the board is worried about how I come out to the public.

"Your public persona?" I echoed, not paying attention.

With a tone of contempt, he remarked, "They think I need to appear… stable." "Married."

My eyes got big. "What is the connection between that and me?"

His eyes never left mine as he leaned forward a little. "I want to get married to you."

There was silence in the room. I briefly believed that I had misheard him.

"Pardon me?" At last, I succeeded, speaking no louder than a whisper.

In a matter-of-fact tone, he explained, "A contract marriage." "Six months." You'll pretend to be my wife in public, and we'll split up after the term. You will receive a substantial payment.

I waited for the joke while I looked at him. I shook my head when it didn't appear. "You're not serious."

"Never have I been so serious."

"This is crazy, Griffin!" I got up and paced the space. "My boss is you. This isn't even It's unethical!

"It's business," he responded calmly.

I crossed my arms and looked at him. "Why me?"

As if it were clear, he added, "Because you're discreet." "No one will detect an ulterior motive because you are not a member of this world. I also have faith in you.

I blinked. "You believe in me?"

"If I didn't, I wouldn't be asking."

I was taken aback by the earnestness in his words, but I dismissed it. "What makes you think that this will work, even if I wanted to, which I don't?"

He stood up and walked up to me, saying, "It will work because it has to." "I've never failed, and this deal is too significant to go wrong. Consider it a business contract. Not much more.

"You're incredible," I whispered as I combed through my hair.

"Consider it," he replied, his voice suddenly gentler. "Six months." An ample payment. Sufficient to resolve whatever financial issues you have been concealing.

My breath caught. He was aware.

"Are you aware of my financial difficulties?" My voice trembled as I asked.

With his eyes unwavering, he stated, "Enough to know this could help."

I felt vulnerable, as though he had revealed every secret I had attempted to conceal. Doubt also came up along with the anger. Was it truly possible for me to refuse?

I yelled, "I don't need your charity," and walked out the door.

It's not philanthropic. "This is a chance," he called after me. "Consider it, Ivy. You are aware of my location.

"What does he want you to do?" As we sat at our typical coffee shop, Sophia's voice was a mixture of incredulity and indignation.

I stirred my latte needlessly and muttered, "You heard me."

"Wed him? That's…. that's crazy! And against the law! Most likely. I'm not sure, but it feels like a crime!

"There's a contract," I whispered. "I guess that makes it lawful."

"And you're thinking about it?" Her eyes were wide as she asked.

"No! Not! I told him that was ridiculous.

"All right. Since it is. She lowered her voice and leaned forward. "But..."

I let out a groan. "Avoid using the word "but."

"But if he's offering enough to cover Nathan's tuition," she said nonetheless.

"Sophia!"

"I'm merely saying! You have been working quite hard to make ends meet. And if all of that were resolved by this... She looked at me sharply and trailed off.

I buried my face in my hands and moaned. "I am unable to. It is incorrect.

"Perhaps not," she conceded. But, there are instances when you must act in your family's and your own best interests. Despite the clutter.

Long after we left the coffee shop, I couldn't stop thinking about what she had said.

Nathan had his textbooks laid out in front of him at the kitchen table when I arrived home.

He said, "Hey," without raising his gaze. "How was your job?"

I dropped my purse on the counter and responded, "Okay."

At last, he looked up and said, "Are you okay?"

Indeed. Simply exhausted.

He scowled. "You've been quite exhausted recently. Are you certain that everything is alright?

I forced a smile as I responded, "Everything's fine, Nathan."

But, when I saw him go back to school, reality struck me like a freight train. I held the key to his future. And I was struggling to keep my composure.

I had trouble sleeping that night. I kept thinking about Griffin's statements, blending them with both Sophia's and my anxieties. I knew what I needed to accomplish by morning.

"I'll carry it out."

As I entered Griffin's office, he looked up from his desk. Something flared in his eyes, but his face was inscrutable.

He stood up and asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yes," I said in a firm tone. "But, I have certain conditions."

His lips twitched into a faint smile. "Let us listen to them."

I steeled myself and swallowed hard. "We only professionally do things. No personal engagement. And nobody learns the truth.

Without hesitation, he responded, "Agreed."

I went on to say, "And you fulfill your promise regarding the payment."

"Every penny," he reassured me, taking a step toward me. "You have my word."

We were silent for a time. The choice weighed heavily on everyone.

"All right," I responded at last. "When do we begin?"

His smile broadened, but his eyes had a predatory quality.

"Now," he continued, passing a folder to me. "Mrs. Blackwell, welcome to your new life."

I realized there was no going back after the title hit me like a slap.