Paige spent the rest of the day working at the bistro, and by the time she picked Joshua up from her neighbor and got home she was too tired to bother logging into Rose Brides, although she spent all day thinking about the stranger she chatted to earlier that day.

“Mommy,” a little voice broke through her thoughts, and she smiled at the little replica of herself curling up next to her.

“Hey sweetheart, did you have fun today?” she asked tucking a finger under his chin.

“We played games,” he said and yawned, “I also want games like that.”

Paige smiled and kissed the top of Joshua’s head, “I will make a plan to get you one, maybe for your birthday,” she said, even though she knew that at the current state of affairs, she’d be lucky if she could buy him a cake.

Joshua turned onto his side, and fell asleep again, and Paige was left staring at the ceiling. Sleep was going to avoid her tonight, simply because of the fact that she had no idea how she was ever going to make her son’s dreams come true.

She was about to go to the kitchen to make some coffee when her phone pinged with a message alert and when she read the text she was a little unnerved.

I hope you don’t mind me contacting you directly, but I would like to propose something to you. Adam.

How the hell did he know her contact number? She wondered slightly panicky and replied.

How did you get my number? She texted back, and bit her lip.

Can I rather call you to discuss the proposal?

Before she could respond, her phone vibrated and she quickly answered.

“How dare you call me when I have not agreed to anything?” she whispered annoyed.

“Miss Carr, I’m Adam Muller, from Stanton and Son in Dallas, I’m calling you in connection with your online profile on Rose Brides,” he said casually.

“I, yes, um, I didn’t really…” she started but was soon cut short.

“I’ll get straight to the point, the request is somewhat unorthodox, but my boss would settle for no less,” he started, and continued to tell her about the proposal, explaining in detail that his boss needed someone to play the part of a wife for a few months, and then after that she would be free to live on her own, with all expenses paid until she eventually decided to marry someone else.

Paige was dumbstruck and quite confused by the request, she stared at her phone for a brief moment and then said, “I think you may have the wrong candidate, you see Mr. Muller, I have a child and I doubt your boss would be keen on me filing the shoes of being his wife.”

“On the contrary Miss Carr, you are exactly the candidate he insisted on, you see, you are whole package, and for the purpose of the deal, it’s nothing short of perfect,” Mr. Muller stated almost excitedly, “and believe me, if Mr. Stanton promises to see that you are well taken care off once the deal is concluded, there is no doubt that you and your child would have more than enough. What’s even better, your son will also be schooled at a private institution here in Dallas, and that alone will open many doors of opportunity.”

For a moment Paige had no idea what to say, this was all just too surreal, what man in his right mind would make such an offer, it sounded like something out of a movie. She glanced over to where Joshua was asleep on the bed they shared in the shoddy one bedroom apartment. What if this was in fact, her ticket out of here, she wondered quietly.

“Miss Carr, I know it’s sudden and under normal circumstances, a decision like this would require much thought, but Mr. Stanton would like to have our answer urgently,” the man on the other end said derailing her train of thought, “If you accept the offer, I will arrange for someone to collect you at your home in two days, and take you straight to the airport.”

“T-two days?” she asked nervously.

“Yes, and based on your social security number, I am also able to ensure that we will settle all your outstanding obligations once you have signed the contract, so you will be able to start on a clean slate, so do you accept?”

“Well, I do…” she started wanting to ask for more information, like how they knew what her physical address was, or how they got her contact number in the first place. She was certain there was a privacy disclaimer she opted in for when she joined on the website.

“Marvelous, I will start the necessary arrangements,” he said answering part of her question.

“Excuse me, but how did you get my contact number?” she asked curiously.

“Your number was registered under your profile,” he said sounding a bit confused.

She could have kicked herself, she had this awful habit to spot read things, and miss critical details such as ticking the box to hide her personal details.

“Very well, but how do I know you’re not one of those traffickers who lure unsuspecting women with an attractive offer only to sell them off as sex slaves?” she asked almost defensively. There was simply no way she was willing to risk her son’s life on some silly business just for the sake of false promises.

“My apologies Miss. Carr, I can assure you this is nothing dubious, and no harm will come to your or your child, it’s a good and honest business deal, all you would have to do is play the part of a dedicated wife in the public eye,” the man paused and then continued, “If you’d like I am more than happy for you to arrange to have someone of your choice, perhaps a close family member or a friend escort you?” the man suggested.

Although he sounded honest and legit in a peculiar way, she was still in two minds about this offer and although she often trusted her gut feel; it was currently as confused as a fish in a dishwasher.

“I tell you what Mr…”

“Adam,” he stated.

“Mr. Muller,” she stated tautly, “I will arrange for my own transport to the airport, and if, in any way I feel threatened or uneasy, I will simply not get on that flight.”

There was a brief silence, and then Adam agreed, “Of course Miss Carr. Now,” he continued, “you will be welcomed by our pilot, Jonas Bridges, who will take you and your son to our branded company jet, once boarded, my assistant will give you the contract to sign, there will be enough time during the flight to go through this contract, and any questions you may have, my assistant will be more than happy to answer. And once the contract is signed, we will release the funds of your first installment, part to cover your bills, and part for spending.”

“Agreed,” she said still feeling uneasy, but with the fact that they will be getting on a branded company jet had to mean something, after all, she highly doubted a criminal organization will go through such extremes as to brand their mode of transport for illegal trafficking.