Signed to be his

Annika trudged down the familiar path to her workplace. She hadn't slept for days, and it was evident. Her eyes were red, her glares were harsh, and she still had a bottle in her purse that she shouldn't be holding onto.

People instinctively moved out of her way, avoiding her touch as she stumbled past them. A man's harsh words cut through the air, calling her a drunken slut.

As she approached the Noa Arms Industry, a news report flashed on a digital display, accusing the CEO of irresponsible behavior.

" We received an anonymous message earlier that the newly appointed CEO of the Noa Arms industry, Mr. Malakai Jones___the number one leading weapon and Firearms industry in the country is an irresponsible, spoilt young man "

A video of him telling a waiter to return his dish, then he starts eating his friend's meal ___ which he just refused

"What does that imply, People? He's a child who doesn't know what he wants." the newswoman said.

Another video of him coming out of an expensive vehicle and not opening the door for his date at an exclusive gala.

" What preposterous behavior for a said gentleman"

Another video appeared of him parking his car in a handicapped spot hurriedly going to a supermarket. Then he came back to meet a ticket, he crumbled it up and threw it away.

" He even loiters, well I think you have it people.... Will the future of Noa Arms and the other company it supports crumble at the hands of this young man?"

Then the advertisements appeared and the digital display shut down.

Typical Malakai.

'What does his dad want from me? I'm on temporary leave; could he just let me be!!' she thought to herself.

She arrived in the industry.

Annika hurried to clean herself up in the bathroom, desperate to hide her grief and pain from her boss.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she saw a ghost of her former self, hollowed out by loss and sorrow. A coworker hurried over to her to offer condolences .

"Oh my gosh Annika you look so devastated,I'm so sorry for your loss. How are you doing?"

Annika remained silent.. ' Grace, you've never even spoken to me ,tried to get me fired, and competed with me ever since I got hired,' she thought to herself.

In a meeting with the retired CEO, Annika sat down feeling as if she was not even present.

The whole world passing by her, she started to float out of her own body.

" Miss Wilson?" Mr Jones uttered, trying to snap her back into reality.

"Sir?"

" Annika,I heard about your recent tragedy ,I'm sorry for your loss"

"Thank you sir , but I'm curious on why you called me here"

"Pardon me for interrupting your temporary leave Annika...I called you here to offer you a contract" he said, sliding the paper and a high quality fountain pen to her.

The ones she used to give to other fellow CEOs as a gift from him.

She took a look at it ,her eyebrows narrowed in confusion. " An engagement contract?"

" That's right...I want you to become Malakai's Fiancee for the next six months in return for full funding for your bakery and full payment for sister's medical school debts"

" How do you know about all this sir? And ....why me?"

" I ran a background check on you Annika....you lost all your savings for six years that you wanted to use to fulfill your dreams...your mom's dream but it all went into flames____"

She remained quiet,her heart thudding unable to slow it down.

" You are a loyal, intelligent and a beautiful young woman, my son's taste in fact , you have been nothing but good to me and that is why I'm giving you this offer"

" Can I spend some time somewhere else if things get too hectic?"

A curve appeared in the corner of his small, slightly wrinkled lips.

"Of course"

Despite the promise of financial security and freedom, Annika hesitated, unwilling to sacrifice her integrity for a fake engagement.

But a thought of her mom brushed through her mind.

This is the only way to make her proud and I can't bear to live in that house,she's everywhere there.

" I'll do it"

A very bold grin appeared on Mr Jones' face .

" But you should know that this is dangerous and circumstances might change"

She raised an eyebrow but was too weak to make another statement, she let out a sigh.

" What do you mean by that sir"

" It's nothing, I doubt it'll happen....let's hope it doesn't miss Wilson"

She sighed heavily and signed the contract. Stood up immediately to leave the room.

" Thank you sir"

She spent the whole day sunbathing fully clothed in the company's yard, trying to melt away all her pain. But the time came for her to begin her new journey

As she went into her new living quarters at the mansion which was a landelijk style.

She came across a beautiful, slender woman in a maids uniform.

" Hello,I'm Annika Wilson"

" Hi ,are you here for an appointment"

" No I'm moving in , Mr Jones said there's a room for me ?"

She pulled out her pocket notebook scanning thoroughly, with a gasp.

"Ahh yes Miss Wilson let me guide you to your room...here's your key and you have everything you need there... your luggage wasn't necessary".

" Oh well it's too late"

She directed her to the room.

Annika felt out of place and lost. A clumsy mishap led her to stumble upon a shocking sight in an occupied room, leaving her stunned and uncertain of what to do next.

Feeling exposed and vulnerable, Annika's world spun out of control as she grappled with the unexpected turn her life just took.

She grabbed her luggage, struggling to take it up to the room a maid just directed her too.

Her eyes still cloudy and blurry she tripped falling on her knees opening the door to a room which apparently wasn't properly closed.

Dessicated in embarrassment she lifted her eyes slowly to see a muscular tattooed back of a man half naked on a woman revealing her bust.

The muscular figure looked back at her closely.

She knew it was a familiar face, one she had definitely seen before. Straining her eyes to see the man.

No. freaking. way!! That tattooed back, she would recognize it anywhere