A Wife for the Billionaire
Chapter 115: SOFIA

Chapter 115: SOFIA

With the contract deets folded firmly in my arms, I followed Vera to the conference room.

It wasn’t far from Richard’s office, just a few paces. Inside, as I took a seat, Vera mumbled something like "will be right back" and left.

Alone, I braced myself and read,

*CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT AND PERSONAL ASSISTANT CONTRACT*

This Agreement ("Non-Disclosure-Agreement") is entered into on Friday, 23th October ("Effective Immediately") by and between:

*RICHARD WELLINGTON* ("Employer")

*SOFIA BLAKE* ("Employee")

*ARTICLE 1: PURPOSE AND SCOPE*

1.1 The Employer hereby engages the Employee as a personal assistant to provide intuitive readings and advisory services.

1.2 The Employee shall utilize her skills to assess and provide insights on prospective brides already selected.

*ARTICLE 2: CONFIDENTIALITY*

2.1 The Employee acknowledges that in the course of her employment, she may gain access to confidential information.

2.2 The Employee agrees to maintain confidentiality and not disclose any information related to:

- The Employer’s personal life

- The prospective brides

- Business dealings

- Family matters

*ARTICLE 3: OBLIGATIONS*

3.1 The Employee shall:

- Provide intuitive readings and advisory services as requested

- Maintain accurate records of assessments

- Keep confidential all information obtained

3.2 The Employer shall:

- Provide access to prospective brides

- Compensate the Employee as agreed upon

- Ensure the Employee’s safety and well-being

*ARTICLE 4: COMPENSATION*

4.1 The Employer shall pay the Employee a monthly salary of $10,000.

4.2 Additional benefits include:

- Housing accommodations

- Transportation

- Access to exclusive events

*ARTICLE 5: TERM AND TERMINATION*

5.1 This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and continue for a period of 6 months/1 year.

5.2 Either party may terminate this Agreement with 30 days’ written notice.

*ARTICLE 6: NON-DISCLOSURE*

6.1 The Employee agrees not to disclose her involvement in the Employer’s personal affairs.

6.2 The Employee shall not use her position to gain advantage or profit.

*ARTICLE 7: GOVERNING LAW*

7.1 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with New City law.

*ARTICLE 8: ENTIRE AGREEMENT*

8.1 This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties.

*SIGNATURES*

By signing below, the parties acknowledge they have read, understand, and agree to the terms of this Agreement.

*RICHARD WELLINGTON*

Signature: ___________R.W__________

Date: _23th October__

*SOFIA BLAKE*

Signature: ____________________

Date: ___________________________

I read it again and again. But when it got to the signatory part, I just freeze.

I couldn’t bring myself to sign the damn thing. It was supposed to be easy, seeing there was no trap or ensnarement contained within the deets. And yet, I couldn’t sign it.

Sometime, perhaps amid my second read, Vera brought in a tray of fries, ketchup, a tall glass of milkshake and an apple. It wasn’t really the ’best’ in terms of comfort, but it would do. Except I haven’t touched it yet.

I dropped the slips and pushed it farther from me, after reading it for what must have been the fifth time. I was hungry and reviewing the contract on an empty stomach won’t do anybody any good.

Pulling the tray towards me, I resolved to eat. Dipping a fry in the ketchup I chewed.

"Wow" the word of surprise slipped before I could stop myself. While it’s true I haven’t had the luxury of eating a lot of fries from different restaurants. This one was by far the best I’ve ever tasted. It was crunchy while also being soft and almost milky.

Not concerned that someone or a group of persons must be watching me from the CCTV mounted on the four corners of the room, I munched on with no care in the world. The fries were that good. A dip of it in ketchup was like a taste of heaven. So divine.

Within minutes the two plates of fries were empty. The milkshake, I had sipped to half and the apple remained untouched. I wiped my hands with the provided napkins and dabbed my lips in case of a smear.

I twirled in the seat as I munched the apple. Somehow it kinda tasted better than most of the apples I’ve had. It was slightly chilled, not enough to harm the teeth, just enough to make the juice cold.

My eyes darted to the documents from time to time, but I didn’t allow myself to think about it until I finished the apple. Pushing the tray of now trash away, I sipped on the milkshake as I read the words of the contract again.

$10,000 was a lot of money for a monthly salary. It was way too much. And on top of it, I had exclusive rights to private events and other allowances, it was all too much, too good to be true, but it didn’t quite feel like enough.

If I was going to be tolerating Richard Wellington on a daily basis and 15 cutthroat ladies who would do anything to be selected, then I will be needing more than what he was offering. So much more in fact.

These ladies might even kill me if it means being selected and they will see me as an obstacle. An obstacle that needs to be removed. Most of them, if not all are my arch enemies and might never have worked for a day in their lives. Even if they actually have and do work, then I’m certain it was easy. The groundwork must already be paved for them, and nonetheless with gold.

It wasn’t fair that there are people like them. People who work only as a leisure, not to survive or anything, but to maintain an image. And there are those like me who have to struggle for everything and most times till our very last second on this plane.

I don’t even know if Richard is any different. What if all these accomplishments he is associated with were merely feats championed by others whereas he takes the glory. The guy had been rich even before his parents met, even before they married and conceived him and someone with that kind of wealth, he’s prone to be spoiled and it’s worse when he knows that even if he doesn’t work for a day he’ll never lack anything.

I suppose I will find out if it was all a front. A fake ass image if I take this job. But to do that, I’ll be needing to secure a lot than what he was offering.

I will be needing his trust. All of it, he can’t leave me in the dark about anything. Then his protection, because in becoming his Personal Assistant, I will no longer be invisible. Everyone who knew him, which was roughly around 99 million people and perhaps more, will know me as well. And I will always be under their scrutiny. My every move will be monitored and accessed.

His haters will know me as well. I will become a target to them as well, and knowing Richard there must be a whole lot of people that he pissed off.

And after it all, the selection process and finding him a wife, I will also be needing an incentive. Something rewarding enough to make it all worthwhile, my own brand.

Yes, it sounds way too much of a request, but really it wasn’t a request. Those were the extra benefits I hoped to add to the contract. It was either he agrees to add them, sign on it or I will walk.

A glance at the LED time reader on the wall, I was reminded that time wasn’t really an accomplice. Digging out my phone from my purse, I saw that Charlie had called me more than fifteen times and there were more than ten messages and voicemails.

I was about to call him when he called again.

"Hello" I said, picking up.

"Gosh Sofia, you had me worried sick. Where are you? Why weren’t you answering your phone? Is it me, did I do or say something wrong?" He queried, his voice heavy with concern.

If I was not sitting, I think I would have sagged to the floor at the overwhelming care in his tone.

"It’s not you and I’m fine" I forced myself to say, even as I felt myself close to tears.

I don’t really understand why a monster like me would find herself in the care of such good men. Men that many deserving ladies out there pray for. And what’s worse is that I don’t want them. I can’t offer them what they want. I’m a heartbreaker, through and through. A player. I can’t be sweet, kind and loving like they need.

I just wasn’t.

"If it’s not me then why were you not answering my calls, an SMS telling me that you are alright would have been better rather than having me worried sick" he said.

I was close to tears for his concern and at the same time, I was pissed. Why should I tell him where I am and what does my well being even matter to him? I think I’ve made it abundantly clear that I wasn’t interested. I couldn’t give him what he wanted and I wasn’t going to go through this again.

"I’m at a park admiring nature without need for any form of distraction, so my phone was on silent inside my purse. I just saw your calls now and don’t worry I will be heading back soon"

I ended the call before he could say anything else. I had more pressing issues, and even if I didn’t want to take Richard’s offer before, Charlie’s fussing had more than convinced me.

We weren’t even married yet and he’s calling and asking of my whereabouts like he fucking owns me. He is concerned and that’s all right, but it felt like he was trying to control me and my life. And that’s a red flag most women don’t take into consideration before marriage.

Along the line, his kindness and concern will become more. Something malevolent and he won’t even know until it’s too late. Until it’s brought to his notice that he has become a control freak.

Grabbing the slips I rose for Richard’s office. I was going to try and remain resolute in my additional offers but if he disagrees, gladly I will sign the damn thing rather than sign a goddamn marriage certificate or documents.