A Girlfriend For Hire

Chapter 1

“What do you mean by that, grandpa?” Rio asked, staring at his grandfather incredulously, his heart racing at the thought of reality downed on him.

“I meant what I said. If you don't prove it to me and dispel this rumor, I'm cutting you off!” his grandfather paused before going on. "And you know what that means."

With those words, Marcus Darius strolled casually out of the office leaving Rio astonished and his assistant David, confused.

Rio stared at the article displayed on his computer screen and sighed, his cold eyes glaring daggers at the headlines.

"Why do they always take things to the extreme?” he asked no one in particular, his jaw clenched as he shut his computer with a laid hit.

“For one, you have an unbeatable streak when it comes to breaking hearts. I think that explains a lot,” David replied jokingly as he resumed flipping through the fragrance magazine.

“It’s not my fault they find me irresistible and besides, I didn’t force her into spending the night with me; it was consensual,” he lamented.

“No one said anything about coercion,” David stated, his eyes not leaving the pages of the magazine.

Rio frowned as he sorted the files on his desk, “They didn’t say it, but they insinuated it.”

“You’ve been a playboy since we were fourteen – always charming your way into different beds. You really need to work on that habit of yours,” he finally looked up from the magazine and with concern in his intense, moss green eyes said, “At this rate, you might actually never get married.”

Rio stared at him with a horrified expression on his face, “Don’t ever look at me in that manner,” he shuddered.

“In what manner?” David asked, confusion written all over his face.

“Just don’t look at me intensely. You’re already scary enough without trying,” Rio breathed out, leaving David even more confused.

He was about to question Rio’s words but Rio beat him to it, “Also, I could get married in the next two hours if I wanted to. There are billions of ladies who’d want to be addressed as Mrs. Darius, and you know it,” Rio boasted.

David shook his head and continued reading his magazine, “You don’t get it, do you?” he sighed before adding, “Also, you’re exaggerating the number of ladies who are interested in you,” he stated honestly, earning a frown from Rio.

“Not today David,” he groaned.

“Millions may be after your money, but the ones truly after your heart probably don’t number up to fifty and I don’t think that’s something to boast about,” he shrugged and faced his magazine.

Rio glared at him as he put the files in the file tray, “I’m done for the day.”

“Chanel never fails to disappoint. I mean, look at this…” David was saying but stopped when he heard Rio’s words. He turned to him, “You’re leaving?”

Rio didn’t reply, and instead picked up his briefcase before throwing his jacket of his shoulder, “You have an interview to conduct. You need to pick a secretary to replace your old secretary,” David stated before adding, “Who you fired unjustly.”

“Unjustly?!” Rio boomed, “That girl was a pest. I mean, a lot of women have found it difficult to deal with me leaving them, but she was crazy. I should never have gotten involved with her,” he shuddered.

“I recall saying those exact words,” David taunted.

“Either ways, I don’t have time for interviews. Dismiss them,” he ordered as he made his way towards the door.

“All of them?”

“Yes. All of them. I have… plans,” he smirked.

David suspiciously squinted his eyes at him, “Plans, eh? What plans, if I may ask?” he queried.

“You don’t have to know. Just dismiss them and let’s go. It’s not like there’s anything for you to do in the office,” and with that, he made his way out of the office.

“He’s so impossible!” David lamented. He gingerly placed the magazine on the table before leaving the office.

“Mr. Rio!” David and Rio turned in the direction of the shrill voice to see a lady heading towards them with glaring difficulty.

“Well, this is embarrassing,” David commented as he and Rio watched the well-endowed woman struggle to run through the parking lot in her tight fitted dress.

“We should go,” Rio suggested.

“We’re in sync for once. I think we should thank her for making the impossible possible,” David snickered as he and Rio made their way towards their car.

The lady suddenly blocked their path, “Mr. Rio,” she panted, “I’m Ivy, and I’m here for the interview and need to make a report.”

“We have somewhere to be right now,” David stated not interested in witnessing Rio flirting.

“It will only take a minute,” she pleaded, batting her lashes.

“Did something get in your eyes?” Rio inquired.

“This is so embarrassing to watch,” David muttered under his breath before leaving, “I’ll be in the car.”

“Excuse me, I need to be somewhere,” Rio stated and made to leave.

“Wait! Please, just listen to me. I need to report today for my internship, it's very important,” she pleaded.

“I don’t have time for all this, I've got something important to take care of!” he snapped before bypassing her.

She turned to him, “I can help you with it, just listen to me!” she blurted out, making him turn to her with a curious look.

The nervous look in her eyes. The seductive smile on her lips. The occasional biting of her lips. The way she looked away in embarrassment when their eyes met. The posture she held to accentuate her curves.

He smirked at her amateurish attempt to get his attention, although he couldn’t deny he found it quite enticing. His smile turned predatory, “Be careful what you wish for, Miss.”

She took a few steps back as she laughed histrionically, “What do you mean, sir?”

“You’ll be taking care of my important business,” he replied as he walked towards her, stopping a few meters away from her.

“What kind of business, sir?” she inquired unsurely.

“Be my girlfriend,” He proposed with a smirk.