Contract Wife-Closed

[Perplexia]

Christina sat crossed legged on the cheap motel bed scouring the internet's help wanted postings. She had just gotten into town and needed a job to start over away from her ex Jeremy. If possible she wanted a remote job, one that wouldn’t require going out into public and risk being seen. He was never the type to take no as an answer. She hadn’t known that about him until a year into their relationship.

He wanted sex. Plain and simple, he had waited a year for her to agree, and she continued to say no. Then his true colors emerged, and she found out he’d been getting his needs met elsewhere and she was just supposed to be thankful that he hadn’t forced her. The first time she left, she was found within hours. She didn’t know he had her moves tracked to ensure her faithfulness.

Her hand moved over her wrist rubbing it from where he’d last tied her up. She’d fooled him into thinking the thought was out of her head. She had an uber wait a couple houses down, and she slipped from the bathroom window on a night where he was out at a ‘business’ meeting. A small bag, her purse. She’d checked everything for a tracker and found two. She turned off the GPS on her phone.

Slipping out the bathroom window, and into and over the neighbors fence across their lawn and into the car. It took her a couple of years to accrue savings for her escape. She bought the tickets online using his card for the airport, to a destination she wasn’t going to. With her secret card she bought train tickets in the opposite direction and reserved the seedy motel.

There was a job that she could do.. “Personal Secretary needed, typing wpm 50, high school diploma, started at 45k a year. No previous experience required as they wished to train to meet the employer's needs. Submit a resume and a short essay as to why you think you would be a perfect fit for this job, including a photo.

Ruffling her short red chopped thick red hair, and wearing the only dress she had brought she took a picture against the white wall. She had tried to cover up the bruises and scars with concealer, though she may have missed one or two by accident.

Name: Christina Collier Age: 22, Address: Motel 6 1300 broad street Room 21
Experience: Interned at Rolly & Sons Investment Firm Freshmen year of college as file clerk.
Essay.

I believe that I would be a good fit as a personal secretary because I am discreet, loyal, trustworthy, and have no problem relocating or traveling and no current responsibilities that would take me away from work.

I learn fast, follow orders, and am proficient in all Microsoft programs and type 65wpm. I recently moved her and have every intention of making this my permanent home. She put in the number to her burner phone she’d picked up. Submitted the essay with her photo and took a deep breath.
There must have been twenty places she put in an application that day. She went and sat on the floor of the shower and let the hot water crush down on her. She needed a job where she could be invisible. Her hopes were that she could finally start writing and doing freelance work on the side, once she could afford a fake id. Or was able to afford to change her name

 

[OttawaGuy50s]

Barb sat at her upscale desk just outside of Alex’s office, trudging through the dozens of applicant to be his “Personal Secretary”. She hated that term. It sounded like a hooker, given the nature of the relationship, but they couldn’t really advertise for a “Contract Wife”. But the deal was that Alex had to be married to retain the CEO position, and given his father's state of health, that should really happen sooner than later. He just cracked the 40 milestone but was so wrapped up in being successful, he never had time to socialize.

She quickly screened out the applicants who didn’t meet (or didn’t even bother to read) the requirements. A common problem when you have an entry level job to fill - everyone thinks they qualify. She narrowed the potentials down to seven. Three blondes, two dark haired women and one very striking redhead, who had included a tad cheeky photo other in a low cut dress that somehow managed to contain her ample breasts.

Barb stood up and straightened her above-the-knee black pencil skirt and crisp white blouse. At 52, she could pull off that outfit like a 30 year old. She walked to the open door of Alex’s office. She tapped lightly on the door frame and Alex looked up at her.

“Yeeeeesss?” he smiled.



She smirked in return. As CEOs go, he was a decent one.

“Do you want to go through the applicants now,” she asked him, still smirking a little.

He laughed.

“Gimme 15 mins to get this HR shit out of the way,” he replied.

“Excellent,” she said. “Can I get you something in the mean time?

He glanced at his watch. 5:15PM.

“Wine?” he asked, mouthing the words and raising his eyebrows.

“Hell yeah,” Barb responded, and scooted off.

—————

Barb dropped down to the liquor store, conveniently located in the lobby of the building, and picked up a bottle one of their favourite Chardonnays - Bread and Butter, from California - chilled. In fifteen minutes exactly she was back at Alex’s door, with two wine glasses in hand that she pulled from the freezer in the break room.

“You’re too good to me,” Alex said.

Barb closed the door, poured the wine, and sat in the wing-backed chair opposite his desk. He was already looking at the applicants files.

“Fiery red-head,” he said, with widening eyes.

“Yes,” Barb commented, taking a sip of Chardonnay. “I thought the two dark haired girls…”

“What’s her name?” Alex interrupted, flipping papers.

“Christine I think. No, Christina,” Barb corrected. "Christina Collier."

“Very striking,” Alex said.

He picked up the other files and glanced through them, but he kept going back to the redhead.

 

[Perplexia]

Chistina spent most of the day filling out applications online. Typically with the amount of applications that people received she wouldn’t hear back for about a month. That meant she was going to have to be very careful with the money she had left.

The hotel didn’t offer any mini fridges, or places to store food. It meant she had to eat less and stick to value menus. It wouldn’t be that much of an issue. Especially since she wasn’t using much energy until she had a job.

She really did a shit job of cutting her hair off. But as its one thing she swore she’d never do. It may not enter her ex’s mind that she would. Red hair tend to stand out, and right now she couldn’t waste funds on buying a box dye which would only last a few weeks.

It was five o’clock already, and she decided to try her luck with a kids menu. Tomorrow morning she would start again with her job hunt.. After she ate she counted the cash she had left. She still had some left in her account. But that was in case she needed to run again.

Her last option would be to go work as a topless waitress, until she could get a better option. Though that was at the very bottom of options, right next to becoming an escort. She’d do what she had to , to survive. But no matter what she would not return to her ex.

 

[OttawaGuy50s]

“She looks pretty young,” Alex said. “Call her in.”

“Sure,” Barb replied. “Do you want me to….”

“No,” he interrupted. “I’ll meet with her.”

“Um….” Barb uttered.

“What?” he asked.

“You want to meet with a 20 something girl, for the first time, and tell her you want her to be your wife?” Barb said, slowly. “You just got some ‘HR shit outta the way’ ”

Alex. Nodded in agreement. “Okay, you talk to her,” he said. “If she’s not too young and foolish, bring her in to meet me.”

“Okie doke,” she replied. “Tomorrow good?”

“Yeah, end of day, say 5:00,” he replied.

Barb got up to leave. “And these other women?” she asked.

“Hold on to them for now but let’s do her first, so to speak,” he said. “And sit down, we still have wine,” he added, smiling.

Barb smiled, at both the ‘do her’ comment and the wine thing.

———

Barb went home and fed the cat, warmed up some leftovers from last night’s dinner, and flipped on the TV. She’d known Alex for 8 years and had never really thought of his personal life before. But when the ultimatum came from his mother about this whole marriage thing a few months ago, she realized that he never really shared anything about his personal life. She assumed he dated but never really thought about it one way or another. They were ‘friends’ for lack of a better word - more than colleagues but not best buddies.

———-

Alex got home around 7:00. He already had his suit coat off by the time he opened the door to his 27th floor condo. He hung it up in his closet and took off the rest of his clothes, hanging the matching pants up neatly with the jacket. He walked naked to the expansive bathroom, tossing is worn clothes in the hamper along the way. He turned on the shower and walked out the bar area in his kitchen. He poured a glass of CabSauv, LAB, from Portugal, a surprisingly good wine for an unbelievable low price.

Back in the bathroom, he placed his wine on the counter outside the 6x6 glassed in shower and stepped in. He let the almost too hot water pour over his body, slowly soaping up all over. His hands moved between his legs and felt an arousal he had not felt in a while. He caressed himself slowly and grew somewhat hard, but went no further. He dried off, wrapped the towel around his waist and walked back to the living room with his wine.

————

Barb dialled Christina’s number at 9:00 the next morning.

“Hello?” the girl answered.

Barb thought she sounded very hesitant to even answer the phone.

“Hi,” Barb said, cheerily. “Is this Christina Collier?” she asked.

“Who’s calling please?” the girl asked.

“Oh I’m sorry,” Barb apologized. “It’s Barbara Gordon from Montana Sports. I believe you sent us an application for a position here?”

“Oh yes!” Christina replied, surprised. “I didn’t think you’d be calling so quickly.”

“Well, Alex saw your application and asked me to call you almost immediately. Would you be able to come in and meet with me at 5:00 today?” Barb asked.

‘Holy fuck,” Christina thought to herself. “Yeah. I mean, yes, I can do that.”

“Perfect.” Barb replied. “I will meet with you for a bit to explain the situation, and then maybe introduce you to Alex. Sound good?”

“Sure thing… sounds great,” Christina replied.

Barb gave her the address and told her to have reception call her when she arrived.

 

[Perplexia]

When Christina woke, her stomach rumbled. She really couldn’t afford to lose any more weight. She got up and took a shower and got dressed in her pajama shorts and tanktop. Picking up a sleeve of crackers she munched on them slowly. Hoping the slower she ate, the more filled she would become.

Her burner rang, at first she was afraid it would be her ex. But then she remembered it was her burner phone. He didn’t have the number and her regular phone was turned off. So she swallowed the crackers in her mouth.

Hello?” She answered

“Hi,” Barb said, cheerily. “Is this Christina Collier?”

“Yes it is, Who am I speaking to?”

“Oh I’m sorry,” Barb apologized. “It’s Barbara Gordon from Montana Sports. I believe you sent us an application for a position here?”

“Oh yes!” she replied. “I’m surprised you're calling back so quickly.”

“Well, Alex saw your application and asked me to call you almost immediately. Would you be able to come in and meet with me at 5:00 today?” Barb asked.

“Yeah. I mean, yes, I can do that.” she stated getting more excited by the minute.

“Perfect.” Barb replied. “I will meet with you for a bit to explain the situation, and then maybe introduce you to Alex. Sound good?”

“That sounds great, thank you so much,” she replied.

Barb gave her the address and told her to have reception call her when she arrived.

When she hung up the phone she was ecstatic, excited , and nervous. She had to nail this interview. She had to show she was not some flighty dimwit, like a lot of girls her age.
She assumed by explaining the situation, she was referring to the schematics of the job. The Alex Barb referenced must be the person at the company whose secretary she would be.

“Okay” she said out loud to the empty room. “What am i going to wear?” She couldn’t wear the dress she wore in the picture. She needed to dress moderately and professionally. But she couldn’t look like she was trying too hard.

Putting on her jeans a baseball cap, sunglasses and a top she went to the nearest thrift store and found a used inexpensive outfit and yellow heels. A white blazer with a yellow blouse and white pants. The blouse only revealed a very small amount of her cleavage. With the size of her breasts it was hard to wear much that didn’t reveal something. When she got back to the motel, she worked on getting her hair to be less of a rat's nest and more professional.

Christina arrived 15min early and asked the receptionist to call Barb. When she appeared she introduced herself and followed her to begin the interview.

 

[OttawaGuy50s]

Barb spotted her immediately, even though there were half a dozen young women in the lobby. Christina’s stunning red hair was an eye-catcher. And her white suit and yellow blouse looked fabulous on her, and expensive.

“Hello there! I am Barb,” Barb said, offering her hand as Christina stood.

“Hi,” Christina said confidently, smiling. “Christina.”

“What a pleasure to meet you,” Barb replied. “Come on up and we’ll chat. Can I get you something? Coffee, tea? We have some lovely baked goods in the break room.”

“I’m good, thanks for asking,” Christina replied.

Barb had been framing this conversation in her head last night, and again this morning. How to weave the fact that Alex was looking for a wife and not a personal secretary was the challenge. And this young thing, or anyone for that matter, might think the worst - that this is some sort of indecent proposal. Barb led Christina as they walked down the hallway to a small conference room across from Barb’s desk.

“Please have a seat,” Barb motioned to Christina.

Christina sat in the very comfy office chair across the table from Barb.

“So,” Barb started. “I am Alex’s assistant.”

She tried to read Christina’s reaction to that statement, seeing if there was a “what the heck am I gonna be then?” In her eyes. It wasn’t there - yet.

 

[Perplexia]

"Nice to meet you, i'm very excited about this opportunity. Christina crossed her legs and placed her hands on her legs. "I want you to know that i'm dependable and a quick learner. I'm ready to answer any of your questions.

"That's good," Barb said, wondering where to go next. "So, as I said, I have been working for Alex for 8 years now.... as his assistant. He's the acting CEO at present as his father's health is on a downturn."

"oh I'm so sorry to hear that, I hope that his health returns soon if possible. I can understand the difficulty of trying to maintain a successful business when someone so close to you is ill." Christina responded.
"it would be my duty to ensure that he has all his business needs met."

"Well, it doesn't look very good, sadly," Barb continued, hoping this would open Christina's eyes without her having to be being too... direct. "A stipulation of Alex taking over for his father is that he has to be married."

Christina still not grasping what she means by him needing to get married and her being the option. "oh I'm sorry to hear his outlook isn't good." she heard what she said about the stipulation. "I've heard of families requiring things of that nature. " she responded

"Crap," Barb said to herself. "Alex is currently seeking a wife," she said out loud.

"oh, you mean that's the position I'm applying for, not a personal secretary? she asked lightly

Barb winced, indiscernibly, she hoped. She nodded slightly. She was never thrilled with this idea to begin with, but given the timeline, and how she cared for Alex and his future, she agreed to do all she could.

"I see, she said softly. She didn't say anything for a couple minutes. This might just be the perfect situation. Depending on some guidelines she'd have to have placed in writing. From what she understood about contract marriages they were business arrangements. No sex, no romance, just performing the act in public and for families. It would get her out of the hotel, tucked way, and fed.

"I would be interested in learning more about it." she said

 

[OttawaGuy50s]

Barb was biting her tongue as she watched Christina process the idea. She wanted to add more but didn’t want to interrupt the young girl’s thoughts. When Christina didn’t get up and storm out, and actually asked to learn more, Barb let out an audible sigh.

“Oh!” Barb said, hoping she hid her surprise well enough.

“Well, rest assured this is not an ‘indecent proposal’, situaiton” Barb explained, smiling, but wondering if she would get that reference, at her age. “If he wanted that he’d just…. well, never mind. This is a business proposition, and there are no expectations of intimacy or anything like that. Call it a ‘Domestic Partnership’ position, if you will.”

“Now, Alex is 42, and you’re 22, not unheard of in this day and age, but it might be a hard sell,” Barb added, lookinf at Christina for more of a flinch.

“Any questions?, Barb asked. “He is in his office if you’d like to meet him now.”

 

[Perplexia]

Christina pondered for a moment. "No I'd like to meet him".

She followed Barb to his door where she popped her head in and asked him if he had time. Showing her into the office. Barb then left the room closing the door behind her.

Her first impression was that he was athletic, and was quite handsome. It was curious to her that he hadn't found someone to have a real marriage with.

She entered the well decorated office and her eyes met his. "hello" she said softly sitting down in the chair across from him. "I'm Christina Collier, Nice to meet you. Barb explained the situation, and I'd like to hear more of it from you. For example, is there a salary? is my own room guaranteed, is there a no intimacy clause unless both parties agree, and how soon were you wanting to do this if you agree I'm the right candidate?"

She crossed her legs and waited patiently for him to answer her questions.

 

[OttawaGuy50s]

Alex peered at the young and over-confident girl opposite him - not smiling.

“So, Miss Collier,” he began, sternly. “The salary is $45K, as was indicated in the job posting. As for your own room, no one said you’d be moving in with me and I am certain that Miss Gordon made no such promise. A ‘No intimacy clause’ will not be ‘a thing’ because if there is intimacy, either wth you or whoever does get the position, there certainly won’t be time to get ‘both parties’ agreement in the heat of a spontaneous moment, which is how I prefer intimacy to occur.”

“Now,” he continued, “Would you like to know what the job actually entails, versus what your - or the - benefits would be?”

He started at her, waiting, still not smiling.

 

[Perplexia]

"I see" she lowered her eyes an the smile faded from her face, as he talked to her like a naughty school girl.

"My apologies for the miss understanding sir, I apparently made the wrong assumption that you needed this to look like a real marriage. So please, advise me of what benefits would be entail in such a role if you chose me."
Christine was finding herself torn between being upset that she wasn't going to have a place to live in this, and happy that she wouldn't have to live with this ass of a man. At least the salary was the same. Though if she had to have lived with him she may ask for more as mental compensation.

 

[OttawaGuy50s]

" 'Sir' is good," he said. "That's a plus."

"It does need to look like a real marriage but I am not hiring a prostitute. You don't need to be fucking me or playing with my dick but you do need to be at my beck and call. If I need you by my side for an event or occasion, you will be there. You will howver need to ease yourself into my life over the next couple months - if we have that lone. Let my parents see you, my family, colleagues etc... The marriage has to appear real, although it is not - but we might ned documentation, for the lawyers of course. You may have to play it up a little, hold my hand and kiss me in their presence, but you won't be bent over my desk, any time soon anyhow."

 

[Perplexia]

'or ever' she thought in response to being bent over his desk. "I see" she said lightly. "very well, consider my interest still there. Was there any questions you had for me? Or should I go ahead and see myself out?"
Her smile was altogether gone from her face as she just stared blankly at him. With any luck there would be very little need to have her by his side if he did choose her. He was the employer so there was a right to be a little to the point, but was it truly necessary to add the anytime soon part to fucking her over his desk. Especially after the condescending way in which he greeted her, not a hi , hello, just a bad dog down type attitude."

Perhaps if she had been more tolerant her ex wouldn't have hit her. She yelled at herself internally for even considering that.

She waited patently until the 'headmaster' either asked her questions, or dismissed her.

 

[OttawaGuy50s]

"I get the feeling you find me a little condescending at the moment, but give you came here looking for a job and started making demands put me on the defensive. That's just how I am. If I want something I take it, given that it's available. That said, you seem to have shrunk a little since you came in. My instincts are generally very good. Has someone, a man - or boy, given your age, treated you badly in the past? I have no intention of doing that, I assure you."

 

[Perplexia]

Christine looked at him blankly. "you did hear where i said 'I would like to hear from you about it, for example: " those were questions not demands, I may be young, but I am not presumptuous that I'm the only applicant, or that you have already made your mind up about offering me the position. As for my personal life, its irrelevant at this point until it becomes so, much like being bent over a desk." She didn't raise her tone, she just stared at him blankly.

 

[OttawaGuy50s]

"Christina, I need a wife, or at least an image of one. I may be a dominant man but I don't want to push any buttons that cause you any harm, at all. This all may seem cold but believe me when I tell you I actually give a shit about the people in my life. Even those that are just past perfect strangers. You, or whoever may get this 'jo', will be treated respectfully."

 

[Perplexia]

Mr..Alex, (she hadn't gotten his last name) I'm uniquely qualified in the skills of smiling and polite conversation, in the event you determine that you would like me to play this role, i will play it to the best of my ability. In such a time as you do become my employer, i will be happy to provide you answers to any questions that may impact my job performance or that i would feel is a threat to my successfully pulling off your requirements." She smiled politely.

 

[OttawaGuy50s]

Alex couldn't quite determine if she was for real, or putting on a false front.

"Deal," he said. "it's yours if you want it. Come to my place for dinner tonight and we can discuss the details of your 'emergence' as my girlfriend/fiancé or what have you."

Alex waited for a response, not sure if she was hemming and hawing... or pretending she was thinking it over, but really needed the job. His instincts again, were towards the latter.

 

[Perplexia]

She smiled and extended her hand which may have reveled a slight bruise on her wrist. Shaking his hand lightly. "What time would you like me there?" she asked
Once he gave her the time she said, "very well, I'll see you then, and thank you for your trust in me."
On her way out of the office she asked Barb for the address. She declined the cab fare, and headed out. She took the bus back to her motel, and changed into a pair of jeans and long sleeve shirt, after adding a bit more concealer to her wrists, and any other part may have shown in the shirt she chose. She retouched her makeup, and put in the request for an Uber, arriving at the address that was provided 15 minutes early. She advised the security desk who she was there to see, and they made a call up before sending her to the elevator.

Since this wasn't going to be a job that would allow her the ability to use as a reference on an apartment lease, she would just have to stay at the motel. It was cheap enough, even less so then an apartment in a good side of town. The elevator dinged, and she knocked on his door.

 

[OttawaGuy50s]

"Look at you, being early," Alex said, opening the door. "My father always said, if you are not ten minutes early, you're late. Good on you young lady."

Alex led her in through the living room and gave her a quick tour after her saying it was a nice place. The kitchen, the large climate controlled wine room off the kitchen, the office (which was larger than her motel room), his bedroom with the massive walk-in shower in its en suite and the second bedroom. Once complete, the returned to the kitchen. Alex poured a glass of Chardonnay for himself and offered her one. She opted for water.

"Have a seat at the island if you wish, while I prep dinner," he said. "Do you like beef tenderloin?" he asked, as he pulled the luscious length of read meat out of the fridge.

 

[Perplexia]

Her eyes took in his lavish apartment. It was too bad that didn't want her to move in, she could have been quite comfortable, even if it was just in the closet. Of course she didn't say that to him. Instead she smiled and told him that he had a beautiful place.

"I was taught something similar" she replied to his statement about being ten minutes early.

When he asked about the tenderloin, she honestly couldn't remember the last time she had one. It had been prior to her ex, even when he was dating her he'd only taken her out for a couple of meals, and those were Italian. "As long as you don't become offended if I ask for ketchup" she said with a soft laugh.

She took a seat at the Island watching him cook in the kitchen. "Is there anything I can help with?" she questioned feeling odd sitting there doing nothing. She'd never had that luxury to just sit and have someone make dinner for her before. Her ex had made her drop out of college so she could 'take care' of him. Which she realized now was so that he could control her.

"I did have a question, I'll have to look for an apartment and they'll want to verify salary. I understand these circumstances are less than ordinary, so if there's not a way, that's fine, I can just stay at the motel."

 

[OttawaGuy50s]

Alex split the multi-coloured heirloom carrots lengthwise and spread them around the perimeter of the baking dish. He did the same with fingerling potatoes, tossing them in with the carrots. He drizzled olive oil over the dish and seasoned it with salt, pepper and thyme. He added four cloves of garlic and put them into the preheated oven for 30 minutes while the meat came to room temperature.

"Motel?" he asked, "As in 'Motel 6'?"

She nodded.

"We will have to fix that," he stated.

 

[Perplexia]

"i appreciate it, but its fine" she said lightly. "its really not that bad of a place they let you rent by the week." she smiled watching him work. "is there anything i can help with? I'm a wizard at salads or desserts."
She felt out of sorts just sitting there.

"We should probably get our back story down, where did we meet? For my occupation, we can just say I'm a writer. That's what I'll be doing in my spare time. I'm hoping to make a career out of it. My favorite color is purple, my favorite flowers are Orchids and Roses, my favorite type of music depends on my mood. I prefer Tchaikovsky over pop, and I like Jazz, classic rock, and country. I don't know how to waltz, but I do know how to tango, though not very well. I wouldn't say that I'm a sports fan, although watching hockey, baseball or football live I'll do and enjoy myself. I don't do golf, I fail to see how chasing a little ball around makes it a sport." she let out a laugh. "I prefer dogs to cats, and animals to most people."

She thought for a moment. "To answer your question from earlier in a round about way, I left the last placed I lived because it wasn't safe to be there. I suppose some people would call me a victim of domestic violence, but I don't like that version, I would rather say I'm a survivor. When we get married, I say that with the reserve thought if this works for what you need.. I plan on keeping your last name."

 

[OttawaGuy50s]

"That was like drinking from a fire hose," Alex stated, referring to her multiple statements. "But I think I got everything."

"It's not 'fine' though, Christina," he said. "The motel thing."

"Once you get inside this circle, and want to be portrayed as a writer, people will be asking what you have published, where you live, etc... You will need a proper address. Short of moving in here, you will need an apartment. Yes, you could be an aspiring writer, but still..."

"We can work on the backstory later," he added.

He took a sip of his wine and watched for a reaction from Chrstina. Nothing imediate. He opened the oven door and fork-tested the veggies. Satisfied, he turned the stove top element on high, for the beef.

 

[Perplexia]

"I could always get a po box. One wouldn't want her adoring fans stalking her" she laughed. "an aspiring writer is certainly better then a college drop out. The truth is short of knowing manners, I'm not going to have much in common with the elite crowd. I didn't go to an ivy league, though I probably could have if I didn't want to take out student loans that would keep me in debt forever. I'm not a wine coinsurer, and i don't come from a legacy heritage that stretches back as far as quill hit the paper. At least not that i know of."

She took a drink from her water. "you said something earlier today that I had a question of, you said you were a Dominant male. What does that mean?"