Chapter 7 AN EPISODE

NOAH'S POV

I knew this was a bad idea the moment I laid my eyes on him the next morning after we met.

He looked very… so… harmless.

How does one survive living in LA looking like a bunny?

And then he started asking questions and making small remarks that grated on my nerves.

We're just signing for a hundred grand, not a million dollars. Why is this taking time?

My gaze is drawn to his lips as he nibbles it nervously.

“No romantic obligation.” He says aloud.

“Correct.” I hope I can distract him from the physical relations part of the clause.

“No sexual obligation.”

No such luck I guess.

He doesn't talk about the fact that a shared residence between us is mandatory nor does he mention that for the duration of the year all the expenses are to be borne by me. He either cares or doesn't care about money.

My guess is that he does care about money seeing as he's here today.

That's alright. Money has once again proven it can solve all problems.

Well at least most things.

If only it could help me.

And what is with him and spacing off?

Is what we're doing here so boring?

“One more clause,” he says.

Oh for Pete's sake it's a fake marriage! We're not signing the declaration of independence.

“This contract has already been vetted by-”

“I don't care.” He cuts me short.

Oh would you look at that.

A broke bakery owner shunning a billionaire is not something you see everyday.

-Consent may be withdrawn at any time. No explanations required-

What does he mean by this?!

We're expected to show “affection”. How were we going to do that if the other started backing out and having cold feet?

“If we’re pretending,” he continues, “we do it on equal ground.”

All of a sudden, it comes. My vision tunnels as my breath hicks. “Get out.”

He can't see me like this.

“Mr Noah are you ok-”

“Get out!” I all but scream at him. No one can see me this way.

Davis barrels his way into my office and the last thing I see at the corner of my eye is him pulling Shawn out of the office.

Oh thank God for that man.

I wait until I hear the click from outsiders before sighing in relief.

My entire body laid limply on the chair with my head lolling to the side.

I look pathetic.

Minutes pass or maybe hours before I'm able to move my fingers.

I practice clenching and unclenching my hands for the nth time before moving my shoulders.

One by one I stretch and manually move my limbs reminding myself of how to use them.

I tear away my tie in frustration waiting for my legs to wake up.

Of course this would happen today of all days.

“Noah? Are you alright?”

Davis knocks, his voice sounding concerned.

“I'm fine.”

I wish I believed this.

I wasn't fine.

This was finally my year.

The year my father fully handed over his chairman's position to me. After proving myself as CEO for years I was finally on track to making my father proud.

The great Adam West. Founder and current Chairman of West industries. He grew the great West corporation and industries from nothing to the conglomerate capable of affecting the nation.

That man, my father is the greatest man I know.

After all these years of battling my illness and proving to not be a disappointment, he finally gave the grunt of approval for me to succeed him.

At the board of directors meeting at the end of the year, he was supposed to step down formally and finally and now, I'm not even sure I can continue holding on to my CEO position much less ascending to be chairman.

Oh fuck this.

I take my coat, wallet and phone as I leave the office.

“Noah! Are you fine-”

“Make sure he signs the contract before he leaves.” I cut Davis short. “The revisions he has written can be added but with the legal supervision of my lawyer then make sure it's notarized. I'll sign it tomorrow.”

And with that, I leave the building using my private entrance. The front entrance was teeming with reporters and camera crew.

A call to my phone has me sneaking a look as I pull out of the building in my car.

“What do you want?” I make sure my tone doesn't hide the displeasure I feel right now.

“Oh come on Noah what's with the tone?”

“What do you want?” I reply curtly.

“Why would you assume so?” She actually had the guts to sound offended and hurt.

“Surely you would have made a profit selling my photos to the paparazzi so I assume it's not money you want. So what do you want, Sophia?”

“I am worried about you okay! Why would you even suggest I would do such to you I love you!”

“Oh spare me your lies Sophia! When the exposé came out, Hernandez publications and press was the first corporation to publish it on mainstream media. And last I checked, your name is Sophia HERNANDEZ, you lying backstabber!”

I spell it out to her before hanging up.

And to think I was actually considering entering a relationship with her.

Another call came into my phone to my annoyance.

The number that flashed made me pause.

“Hello father.”

“Come home this instant.” The line disconnected with a beep. No greetings, well wishing just commands.

I see where I got it from.

Pulling into the West mansion, I'm since again reminded about the reason I moved out in the first place.

From the stone archways to the gargoyle statues, this place lacked any soul in it.

I square up and knock three times before entering after I hear a faint sound of approval.

“Good day fathe-”

“What is this I hear about you marrying a man Noah West?!”