PAID TO BE MRS BLACK

Tania sat in front of her desk, her eyes staring blankly at the computer monitor. The piling work seemed to be a heavy burden on her shoulders. However, that was not what really bothered her mind. The shadow of the bills piling up at home, the increasingly expensive daily necessities, and her family's condition that needed medical costs, all weighed on her mind.

The door to the room opened suddenly, and the sound of firm footsteps filled the room. Tania was jolted from her reverie and immediately looked up. In the doorway, stood a figure she knew so well—Arman, her boss who was also the CEO of the company where she worked. His handsome face looked serious, and his eyes stared at Tania with an unusual intensity.

"Tania," Arman called in a deep baritone voice. "Follow me to my office. There's something we need to talk about."

Tania felt her heart pounding. Every time Arman spoke in such a serious tone, there was usually something important or—often—something unpleasant. She nodded slowly and got up from her chair, following Arman to his office located at the end of the corridor.

As they entered Arman's spacious and luxurious office, he closed the door slowly, as if to make sure no one heard their conversation. Tania stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, not knowing what to say. Arman walked to his desk and sat down in his black leather chair, then looked at Tania with an unreadable gaze.

"There's something I want to offer you, Tania," Arman finally said, his voice low and heavy.

Tania felt her heart beat faster. An offer? Her thoughts spun, trying to guess what her boss was going to say. However, she was completely unprepared for what she was about to hear.

"I want you to bear my child," Arman said calmly, without a hint of hesitation in his voice.

Tania was stunned. The words were like lightning striking in broad daylight. She stared at Arman with wide eyes, as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.

"What... What do you mean, Mr. Arman?" she asked in a trembling voice, trying to make sure she had heard correctly.

"I want you to be the mother of my child, Tania," Arman repeated, his voice calm but firm. "But we will not get married. This is purely a professional agreement. I will pay you a very large amount of money to bear my child."

Tania felt her body tremble. What Arman said felt so absurd, but from the look in his eyes, she knew that Arman was serious. Her thoughts were in disarray, trying to make sense of this very strange situation.

"Why… why me, Sir?" Tania finally managed to get the words out, though with difficulty. "Why not someone else?"