CHAPTER ONE:

Marianne's POV:

This is just unbelievable.

I'm in front of the Man who I never imagined I'd get to meet in person. He is seated in the swivel chair and is giving me the same emotionless face he always gives when he appears in magazines or on television.

"Identify yourself." I was drawn back to reality by his deep voice, and I cautiously lifted my head to face him.

Even though he is sitting, it is clear that he has everything a female could possibly desire. He was wearing a sharp Ash blue suit that highlighted the shape of his well-toned body. Oh, and let's not forget about his hairdo complementing his deep gray eyes, and the sensual cheekbone. Just look at how his broad shoulders were occupying the chair.

"Are you still there, Miss?" I snapped out of my reverie when the other man, who was standing next to him and was wearing a black, well-tailored suit, spoke.

I've been drooling on him since I entered the room three minutes ago, and I'm doing it again.

When those two pairs of grey eyes touched mine as I raised my head to look in his direction, I felt like I was about to fall. Is this the man I intended to woo? How can I be certain that the situation won't change and I won't end up being the one being seduced?

Marianne, you must not permit that to occur! I won't be seduced since I care more about my brother than I do about this handsome devil in front of me. Instead, I should seduce him and follow instructions to avoid making my brother pay.

Do you want to know why I'm taking care of my brother? The problem is that my younger brother Dwyane Jerkins, who is 19 years old, has fatal cancer and I lack the funds to treat him. My friend deceived me, or rather, I wouldn't call it misleading because it's truly helping me right now. I became so desperate that I had to ask for money.

She introduced me to her boss, Pedro Cabello, a middle-aged man who promised to lend me some money so that I could save my brother. Ever since that time, I have been obligated to repay him.

When Pedro picked up my brother from the hospital, he was still receiving treatment. He informed me that my brother won't be released until I do what he told me to do.

Why would he ask me to seduce this man? What makes him think that this cold-looking man would fall for me? I just entered his office three minutes ago and I'm already all over him but I must never get distracted, I must do this, I must do this for my brother because he's my only family left.

Pedro surprised me, who would have thought that he used all of my biographies to register me as.. was it a maid or a mistress to this man?

Wait, I heard that Xander does this thing he calls a contract girlfriend, I don't know how long I'm going to stay in this contract with him but I guess I'll find out soon.

"I'm... Marianne Jerkins" I could hear my own voice stuttering when I introduced myself.

There was silence. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of his fingers tapping the arms of his swivel chair.

Why do I feel like I'm in prison? It felt like I'm on my knees, feeling scared and waiting to receive my punishment from the other party.

"Do you know why you're here?" Just when I thought he wouldn't speak, his deep voice that kept sending some unknown chills down my spine echoed again.

I slowly looked up at him but when I saw his face, I looked down immediately. His grey eyes are something I can't stand not even for a second or I might explode inside of me.

"To sign the contract for becoming your next mistress sir" I replied immediately.

"Good" his reply came quicker than usual before I began hearing some footsteps moving closer to me. I looked up to see the other man in front of me already.

He stretched to me a document, I'm guessing it must be the contract. "Go through it for the last time and sign it immediately" he instructed me and I slowly collected it from him.

I can feel that other man's heated gaze on me as I scrolled through the contract requirements. Everything there was fine by me, it says we won't sleep on the same bed but we'll live together under the same roof, I'll get to do whatever he wants me to do, and of no account must I fall for him.

A scoff nearly escaped my lips at that part. Of no account must I fall for him? As if I was planning to fall for him, he should be sacred because I will make him fall for me instead.

"Are you okay with signing the contract now?" The man putting on a black suit and standing in front of me asked and I nodded.

He passed a pen and I sighed before placing the pen on the part of the paper where I'll sign.

I agree to all the terms and conditions.

I signed it and handed it back to him and he smiled. "That's good miss Jerkins, we'll send a car to come to pick you up first thing tomorrow so please do get ready" he informed me and I nodded.

"You're free to live now," he said next and I left the tight office without looking back. I can't believe I was in the same room with Mr. Xander Knox just now. I bet cherry would love to listen to gist like this. I thought as I exited the office and..wait was I in a building or... I guess I might be in his company or basement, whatever.

"You say what?" Shock is the only thing present on Cherry's face. Cherry Fallon and I are best friends of the same age, 23. We attended the same kindergarten and high school. We were supposed to go to the same college but we didn't because of my brother's illness so only Cherry went to a college.

"I was in the same room with Mr. Xander Knox some hours ago" I repeated and Cherry sipped out of the juice she was drinking.

We were also currently in a soft drink bar and it was on me of course because I'm the one who invited her there.

"Are you talking about the same Xander Knox that has a billion-dollar company? Oh dear" Cherry sipped from her drink again.

"Yes and I'm going to be his mistress soon" I added and watched Cherry choking on her drink. I passed her the napkin to wipe her lips and she did before giving me an unbelievable look.

"Mistress, you did that his mistress thing?" She asked and I nodded.

"But why?"

"Because I had to! If I don't then my brother will never recover, I just need to make Mr. Xander Knox fall madly in love with me so I can dump him and be with my brother" I shrugged like it is an easy thing to do.

Of course, I think it's easy, they'll be no harm with what I'm about to do to him because he has money, I'm pretty sure he can throw his heart and buy a new one that's colder than the present one in his chest.

Cherry sighed and rubbed her forehead like she was madly exhausted from all that I just told her.

"Just be careful Marianne, that's all I can say to you" she flashed me a smile before sighing again and drinking from her juice.

After chatting with Cherry for a while I went back home to pack everything I'll need. Once I was done with the packing I went to stand in front of the Jesus picture on my wall and then crossed my hands together.

"Please dear God I won't ask for much this time. I just want Mr. Xander Knox to fall for me quickly so I can get all these over with" I prayed silently before stepping away.

I put on my long thick coat and tie my scarf around my neck before leaving the house. Luckily I saw a taxi, I stopped it and directed the taxi man to where I wanted to go.

*

PF Company.

This is where that bastard Pedro works, wait he is a CEO himself but I'd still call him a bastard for forcing me to do this by threatening me with my brother's life.

I got to the reception and the female receptionist looked at me with a polite smile. "Hi Miss, how may I help you?" She also sounded polite but that's not my deal right now.

"I'm looking for Mr. Pedro," I say.