•Maxine•

Drained is an understatement to describe how I felt at that moment. After my encounter with the handsome jerk, I was forced to go back to the cafeteria and reorder the drinks. By the time I had finally delivered all the drinks, my class was already 40 minutes in. It felt really embarrassing when the lecture was paused just as I walked into the class. 

I sat through the class, barely able to focus on what was being taught. Thoughts about a certain man kept invading my head. My heart wouldn't stop racing as the anxiety of what the future of my academics may hold filled my mind. Immediately, the class was over, I hightailed out of the class and headed straight for my dorm room. It was a fifteen-minute walk.

People sent me a few stares and glances which I chose to ignore. I did my best to avoid people as I navigated the large dormitory. A sigh of relief escaped my lips once I shut the door to my dorm room behind me. 

 I collapsed onto the soft bed and pulled out my phone. I had one missed call from Imogen and a message from my boyfriend Diego. I'd been in a relationship with him since my second year. He had finally worked up the nerve to ask me out at a trade fest after weeks of sending subtle signs of my interest. He was an art major and also in his final year. I opened the message and sigh.

Diego: Hi beautiful. Sorry I didn't call you this morning. I'll be really busy tonight so hopefully we can talk tomorrow. 

I bit my lip as I typed a reply.

Me: It's fine. I miss hearing your voice though. Take care of yourself<3

I scrolled through my phone, ignoring the deadline message in my inbox. Reading the message now would only lead to another emotional breakdown. A knock on my door startled me.

“Hey, Maxine. Got an iron?”

I looked around for my iron before remembering I didn't have it. “It's not with me right now. Ask one of the other girls.” 

I heard her huff from behind the door before walking away. Perks of living in a dormitory with 50 other girls. I got up from my bed, looking for something comfy to change into. As I took off my trousers, a small paper fell out of the pocket. I paused before picking it up. A phone number had been scribbled on it along with a name. Seth Rowan. Memories of what happened after the incident flooded my brain.

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I bit the inside of my cheek as I walked to the location of my last delivery. The sourness of my mood was yet to dissipate. I pulled out my phone to call Imogen.

“Excuse me.” Someone called from behind me. I turned to see the man who had offered to pay for my spilled drinks.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“My name is Levi Pierce; I am the assistant of Mr. Seth Rowan.” He said with a smile.

My breath hitched. “Wait. Are you talking about the man who spilled my drinks?” I asked, dreading the answer.

The man smiled, giving the answer I dreaded most. Something uncomfortable filled my chest. I'd heard stories about the two billionaire brothers who owned one of the most successful companies in Canada. The Rowan brothers. Though I'd never done any research on any of them, I was aware of some of their achievements. 

“So you're telling me that man was Seth Rowan?” I asked dumbly, while knowing the answer.

“Yes.” A small chuckle escaped the man's lips. 

“Fuck my life.” I mumble under my breath though I think Levi heard me as he let out another chuckle.

 “I'm guessing your boss wants to sue me or something, yeah?” I tried not to wince.

“No.” He shook his head and walked closer to me. He ushered me towards a bench. He turned to me once we both sat down.

 “Actually, Seth doesn't know I am talking to you right now. He's currently at a meeting.” He kept his voice low as if whispering a secret.

“Crafty, are we?” I smiled.

He smiled back before a replacing it with a serious look.

“Actually, my reason for talking to you is because I have a proposition.” He paused. I gave a nod, waiting for him to continue. 

“I'd like to propose a marriage contract between you and Seth.”

I reeled back in shock as those words left his mouth He noticed my shortness of words as he continued.

“If you agree to this, you can ask for any form of compensation from Seth and it will be granted. I promise you that.” He looked at me with all seriousness. Okay. He was actually serious about this.

“I'm sorry. Clearly you're meeting the wrong person.” I stood up about to start walking away.

“Wait.” Levi grabbed my hand forcing me to stop.

 “You need to think about it very well. This contract isn't a real marriage. It's just for a small duration of time and then you can break the marriage and act like it never happened.”

 I stared at him still bewildered that he was still adamant on me agreeing to this. He let out a sigh when I chose to stare dumbfounded at him. I watched him pick a small piece of paper off the floor. He pulled out a pen from his pocket and scribbled something on it. 

“Please at least think about it. You don't have to do it if you don't want to. But if you do change your mind, call this number for more details.” He handed me the small crumpled paper.

“I hope we get to meet again.” He sent me a smile before jogging off.

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I let out a shaky breath, different thoughts racing through my head. Thoughts about my grandmother, my studies, the deadline. Whatever I decide could either break me or help me.