Chapter 1 One

AURORA'S PoV

I chewed slowly at my finger nails while my legs kept bouncing of its own accord while I waited for the assistant to usher me in. I've been here for what feels like hours but actually was just a few minutes. Being here does that to you.

My eyes roamed around the hallway again and I swallowed hard. Each time I let my eyes wander and take in my environment, I make myself even smaller on my chair. The hallway was twice the size of the apartment I could barely afford the rent to, the realization of my predicament washed over me and I bit down hard on my bottom lips.

I was one of those people that never really has a plan for themselves, and just let love and their passions take them to wherever, and while I'd seen it work out for some, it led me into piles and piles of debt, is about to make me homeless, and somehow has made me a fraud, and if this goes well, I might as well have duped the richest CEO in New York.

"Miss Aurora Dobre" a tight high-pitched voice called out, and I immediately sprang to my feet.

"Yes?" My voice came out squeaky and I hated it.

"You can go in now, Mr Rodrigo is ready to see you" The sleek back haired girl, with lips as red as blood said, pointing towards a door. I immediately nodded and walked up to the door.

I grabbed the handle and took a deep breath before I knocked and walked right in. "Good day, Mr Rodrigo" I greeted without looking up from the floor, afraid to realize how small and insignificant I would seem in the room, and most importantly, I was scared to look into the eyes of the man I'm about to lie to.

"Miss Dobre" His rich baritone called out, and my stomach knotted painfully. "Are you greeting me or the floor?" He asked and I immediately rose my head.

"You, sir." I finally dared to look at him, and I was not in the least bit surprised at the Greek god that stared back at me. His hazel eyes looked daunting as they stared at me, and I guess that's why my heart wouldn't stop thumping.

"Take a seat" I dragged my feet to the chair and sat down.

Silence immediately shrouded the room, and while I did everything possible to avoid looking at him, I could feel his gaze boring into me.

"For someone that works with children and has been to quite a number of interviews, you are rather awkward."

"Well..." I started, trying to find the right words to say. "Well..." I dragged my head up, careful to avoid his gaze as I spoke, "I've been to a number of interviews but not to one this big, so.. yeah, and working with children and adults are two different things"

"Fair point" he said and I gave myself a pat on the back. "Let's get down to business then, shall we?"

I bobbed my head immediately, eager to end the meeting as quick as possible.

"Miss Dobre, I understand that you are an excellent babysitter from your profile, and I guess you believe you already know why I called you here, right?" I nodded and he tsked. "Use your words, Miss Dobre"

"Yes sir, I have a guess as to why you requested for me"

"Good, I have a job offer for you." I immediately gulped as the realization of what I was about to do set in. The richest CEO in New York was about to offer me a job, a job I had very little experience in. I swallowed hard and contemplated on backing out.

I could stay with a friend for a while, sleeping in the streets doesn't sound as bad as what would happen to me if he finds out I lied about my experience.

"The job offer comes with a pay of $50,000 per month, of course your living expenses and other necessities excluded." I felt myself freeze on the chair.

"Just to babysit your child?" I asked when I got my voice back, and he let out a laugh.

"No, not really" I raised a brow, and he placed two envelopes before me. "I want you to be my pretend wife for 2 years, babysitting is of course an important part of the job"

"What?"

"You heard me, Miss Dobre. I'm offering you a job as my pretend wife for 2 years. Terms and conditions apply of course"

"I'm sorry, Mr Rodrigo, but I'm confused. Why exactly are you offering me this?"

He pretends to think for a while before he shrugged, "I need a wife to gain custody of my child. I'm sure you have seen the news about the charge" I absolutely have not, I've been too busy trying to keep a roof over my head to care about celebrity gossips. "And your profile is something that will buy the court. Does that answer your question?"

I stiffly bobbed my head. "Good, so what is your answer?"

I took a very long and dragging breath before I met his gaze. It all sounds too good to be true. "Can I take some time to think about this?"

"No." I drew back in surprise. "There are two envelopes before you, one contains the contract, the other NDA form. You'll sign the form either ways to ensure what happens here stays here, but you have to decide now if you're going to sign both contracts or not. My time is ticking and the day for the trial is drawing closer, I do not have the time to give you to think, Miss Dobre, you are either in or out"

Lowering my gaze, I intertwined my fingers and began fiddling with them as I let myself weigh my options. Finally, I looked at him. "I accept"

For the first time since I walked in, what appeared to be a smile spread on his face and he passed me a pen. "Good choice. Read through the contract and engrave the rules into your head. You have 30 minutes to do so because we have a long day ahead of us."

Right as I was about to probe him about his statement, the door creaked open and a young boy of about 8 walked into the office with his backpack. He bore an uncanny resemblance to Mr Rodrigo, and i had no doubt he was the one his father was doing all this for.

He ran up to his father and quickly latched unto his laps, and after exchanging warm pleasantries he turned to me, and our eyes widened simultaneously and we quickly pointed at each other, while our voices echoed, "You!"