COERCED 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"