Hope you enjoy Chapter 2; it is about to get good y'all.
Sam Evans stared up at the ceiling; he had been awake for at least the last hour, trying to figure out how he was going to skate by for another month. Looking at the clock, he scratched at his chin. It was five-thirty in the morning. He had to wake up in thirty minutes to wake up his siblings and prepare them for school.
He was nervous; today would make or break him and his siblings. Last night he realized he had a missed call and was happy to learn that someone actually wanted to hire him for a Manny position. They wanted to meet with him and discuss a possible job. He needed this.
When he first interviewed for them, he wasn't sure he was "Manny" material, but it was a full-time job, and he did take care of his siblings. He made a point to tell them he had to have a position where he could bring his siblings, and they didn't mind. Sue, the owner, promised him that he would be hired relatively quickly, and that was four years ago.
The last family Sam had worked for had sadly moved to the East Coast, and Sam wasn't able to relocate his brother and sister. He worked for them for three years, and sadly, they left four months ago, which meant he had been out of work for that long. He ended up using all of his savings to pay the bills and buy food.
He had been offered jobs in the last four months, but they were all living, and Sam couldn't do that. Well, not all of them were; one was for a woman named April Rhodes, and she didn't have any kids. Sam was not touching that one.
This wasn't where Sam thought his life would be; five years ago, at twenty-five, he was enjoying his life as a new teacher and partying with his friends. Then he got the call that a drunk driver had killed his parents in a car accident. It was hard enough losing them but having to raise his newborn twin siblings, that was what broke him.
The bank foreclosed on his parent's home since it wasn't paid off, which meant they had nowhere to live. The money they did receive from his parent's estate was used to provide for the newborns and get a place to stay.
He didn't work for the first year of their lives because he was trying to get himself together. Every job he found wanted more of him than he could give. And so being a Manny seemed like the only thing that would allow him to be flexible enough to care for them and make the money they needed. The family he worked for allowed him to bring his siblings and even let them hang out on his days off.
After a year of working for them, he actually became a live-in and stayed in their two-bedroom pool house. It's why he decided not to live in anymore. Because when they left, he was left homeless.
Sam sighed as he got up from the pullout couch. He could only afford a one-bedroom place for now; once he found a job, they would move somewhere that had more room.
Stretching out, Sam stood up and walked into the room with his siblings. "Avengers! Assemble!" He said, opening the curtains as two five years olds giggled sleepily. It was his way of waking them up. His way of getting them out of bed, and they seemed to enjoy it.
Stacey jumped out of the bed as Stevie covered his head with his blankets, asking for five more minutes.
"Come on, lil bits, and it's time to get ready so I can get you to school."
Stacey moved over to Sam and hugged him. "Morning, Sammy."
"Morning, little star. Oh no, it looks like Stevie is still asleep, and what do we do to little brothers who stay asleep?"
Stacey got a mischievous smile on her face as she ran over and jumped on him. "Wakey wakey Stevie!"
Sam laughed as he groaned, waking up.
"Okay! I'm up!" Stevie groaned.
"Okay, let's go, get breakfast, then we can get dressed and go."
The twins happily went on with their normal schedule. Since they took baths last night, it made the morning time easier. I gave them extra time to get dressed and ready.
Sam took his time getting Stacey's hair done in two French braids as they ate cereal. He knew they were running low on food and would stop by the pantry after his interview.
Thirty minutes later, they were on their way out the door when Stacey noticed an envelope hanging on the knob. Sam made his way down to his car and froze, seeing it was being hooked up to a tow truck. "The hell?"
"Ooooo, Sammy said a bad word," Stacey said.
Sam ran his hand through his hair as he walked over to the driver. "Excuse me, sir. Can I ask why you are hooking up my car?"
The man looked at him and shrugged. "You don't pay your bills. We take your car." He said, shoving a letter at Sam.
"Dammit," Sam said as he read the letter; he knew he was behind on his car. He just thought he had more time. He had leased this new one after his dad's car died on him.
"Sammy? How are we gonna get to school?" Stacey asked as Stevie leaned against the wall.
Sam pulled out his phone. "Mike should be on his way to take Aiden to school." He said, waiting for his best friend to answer.
"Hey Sam, what's up?"
"You working today for the Connels?"
"Nope. Why?"
"I need you to come pick us up and then maybe take me to this interview."
"Sam! What happened?"
"Can you come to get us?"
"Yeah, we will be there in three minutes."
Sam hung up and leaned against the wall waiting for Mike as he pulled out the letter that was on his door. He read the letter feeling his anxiety level increase with each word. They were raising his rent, and if he didn't pay the difference plus what he owed, they were kicking him and the twins out.
Sam closed his eyes. "Lord." He said to himself. "Please, I need help. This is… this is all too much. I can't lose the twins. I need you."
A honk took him out of his thoughts, and he and the twins got into Mike's SUV. Mike could see Sam was struggling, but he didn't bring it up; he knew Sam would do that.
Sam looked over at him as they drove and dropped off the kids. "I don't know how much more I cant take, man. It seems like everything is falling apart."
"What happened, man?"
Running his hands through his hair, Sam closed his eyes. "Car got impounded, the twins and I are about to be evicted, and we barely have enough to get us through to next week."
Mike nodded. "I can loan you whatever you need. Just let me talk to Sugar."
"No. Mike, after her dad cut her off, you guys have to save as much as possible for Aiden and the baby. Let's just hope this interview goes well."
"Who is it with anyways?"
Sam sighed. "I haven't even had time to check. Let me check the website." Sue, in true sadist fashion, liked to post who was interviewing for who on the company website to put people against each other.
"Okay…" He said, searching his phone. "It's with a Mercedes Jones…"
"Wait! You're shitting me, right?"
Sam looked at Mike. "Uh, no… that's the name right here. You know her?"
"You don't? What the hell have you been doing the last ten years."
Mike laughed. "I could tell you about her, but that wouldn't do her justice. Hey Alexa, call Sugar."
"Calling Sugar."
After two rings, she picked up the phone. "Hello, my love, Aiden get off, okay?"
"Yes, beautiful. I need your help."
"Anything." Sugar purred.
"Sam has an interview and needs information on his soon-to-be employer."
"Well, I haven't been in the Hieress game for a few years, but you know, whatever I can do to help."
"Oh, she's not a heiress. It's someone you know very well. Mercedes."
"Wait, what? Is she looking for a manny? I wonder why I didn't know."
"You know her?" Sam asked, confused.
"Mercedes and I went to High School together before my dad signed her to his label. She is… let me put it this way; you will never meet a more driven, kind-hearted, down-to-earth famous person. She was one of the few people who accepted me despite who my dad was. She almost refused to let him sign her because she didn't want to ruin our friendship."
"So she's a good singer?"
"No, Sam. No good is an understatement. This woman has had nothing but sold-out shows since she was 18. A few years back, after she had her daughter, she
dedicated her life to creating artists, not being one, so she could stay home. Didn't do her much luck in keeping her husband; that rotten bastard cheated on her. Then left her alone and pregnant."
Sam sighed, sitting back and listening. "So if I am aiming to impress her, what do I do?"
"Just be yourself, Sam. She doesn't like fake and can spot it. Tell her the truth, and you will be good. We still talk and we all go out for drinks once a month. Let me put in a good word for you."
"Thanks, Sug, I owe you."
"Hey, if Mike can't get the job, then the Godfather of our kids should get it. I warn you though. Don't fall in love with her."
Sam laughed. "Please."
"Mike, enlighten him, please." Sugar said, laughing.
Mike pulled up Mercedes's photo and handed his phone to Sam.
"Okay, so she's beautiful. That doesn't mean I am gonna fall for her. Look, I need the job, so just… Sugar, whatever you can do, please let me know."
"Okay, but also, Mike, bring Sam here and let him borrow that blue button-down I love. It will look good on him, and she will love it too."
"No, I couldn't," Sam said, starting to protest.
"Yes, you can; come on, I can drill you more on the way." Mike said, driving to his place.
Sam sat outside of Mercedes's office nervously; he took everything Mike and Sugar told him to heart and just decided to be himself. Sam stood as a woman named Jane opened the door and walked over to him.
"Mercedes will see you now." She said, moving towards him. "I can take your paperwork."
Sam nodded, handing the papers to her as he turned and walked into the office. Smoothing his hands down the blue shirt and slacks, Mike lent him.
Looking around the office, he was surprised at how comfortable it felt. Soft grey and purple tones were inviting and calming, making him feel right at home.
His eyes moved to the solid wooden desk and up to the woman who sat behind it. His heart stopped in its chest as he stared at her. The photos did not do her any justice; she was beautiful, and the smile on her face lit up the entire room. She wore a form-fitting red suit jacket with a silk cami that clung to her ample breast.
He swallowed as his eyes traveled up to her full heart-shaped lips, then to her beautiful doe eyes. Mike tried to warn him, but he didn't hear him. He should have.
Mercedes cleared her throat and smiled. "Welcome, Mr. Evans. Please have a seat."
Sam snapped out of his thoughts as he took a seat. "You can call me Sam."
Mercedes nodded. "Okay, Sam." She said, putting her glasses on and looking at his resume.
Sam took a breath. "I am a hard worker, and I am dedicated. You can look at my resume and see that I can cook and clean; I tutor and will be an asset to your family."
"Everything looks good. You seem to be a very good candidate. However, the position has changed."
Sam raised an eyebrow. "Changed?"
Mercedes sighed as she removed her glasses. "Yes."
He saw her hesitate before she began speaking again.
"The new position is a live-in one."
Sam shook his head. "I can't do live in. I have my siblings. That should be detailed in my resume."
"I understand that, but this new position will pay more."
Sam laughed. "You think you can buy me?"
Mercedes shrugged. "Let me finish telling you the perks, and you can tell me."
Sam folded his arms across his chest as he nodded for her to continue.
"If you do this, you will have a sign-on bonus of $150,000."
"I'm sorry; what did you say?" Sam said, sitting up straight.
"I said $150,000 sign-on bonus. You will also have your room and bathroom, and so will your siblings. I can also get them into Wellington Prep since my daughter goes there. I see they are in first grade too?"
"They are…you can really get them in?"
Mercedes nodded. "I practically built the library and Audiutorium, so they will do what I ask." Mercedes continued. "You will also have your own car to go where you need. As well as a weekly stipend of $5000."
"All that for living with you and watching your daughter?"
Mercedes exhaled. "No. All that for being my husband."
"What?!" Sam said, standing. "What the hell did you just say?"
"I said all that for being my husband and $500,000 once the contract is fulfilled."
"This is a joke, right? You got cameras in here?"
"I assure you, Mr. E- Sam, this is not a joke. I need a husband, and you are the best candidate."
"I'm sorry, why do you, of all people, need a husband?"
Mercedes stood, moving to the edge of the desk, motioning for him to have a seat.
Sam regretted the fact that he didn't just leave because seeing her sitting on that desk, in her pencil skirt, just made him want her. Made him crave her.
"I um." Mercedes exhaled. "So I was married, and my ex, he hurt me, and we divorced. Everything was fine. We were fine; we were happy, Faith and me. Faith is my daughter. And Preston, my ex, wasn't in her life. Well, now that he is married, he doesn't get spousal support anymore, and he wants money, so he wants Faith. And I work a lot. Though I do take care of her, I love my daughter; I love her with everything in me. I love her enough to marry a man I don't know, so I can protect her from the man I do know."
Sam sighed. "I." What could he say? He couldn't do this, could he? "So you want to marry me? So that you can keep your daughter?"
"Yes. We only have to…we only have to stay married for a year. It needs to be considered a real marriage. I will try to keep you out of the public eye; I will for sure keep the kids out of it, just like I do Faith. I will treat them as they should be treated, and I will do the same for you."
"Why just a year?" Sam questioned.
"The hearing is in three weeks and then another in a few months. By month six, we should be out of the clear, but I know my ex; will try and find a hole in our story. I want to make sure everything is okay."
Sam ran his hand through his hair. "This is ridiculous, it's ridiculous, right? I mean, why would I even consider this?"
"Because I am asking you too. Because I was hoping you could agree to this. I have spoken to Sue and your former employees, and before you came in here, I received a call from an old friend of mine. Sugar Motta-Chang."
"I found out today that you knew her. Please don't use that against me."
"I wouldn't do that. But she said you were amazing. That you are a great God Father to Aiden and you were trustworthy. So I know you will do a good job with my daughter."
Sam tapped his hand on the chair. "This is a lot…can I …"
"Think about it. Of course. I can give you the day." She said, walking over to her bag and bending over.
Sam bit his bottom lip as he watched her, damn her ass in that skirt had him almost saying fuck it let's get married.
Mercedes stood and handed him the contract. "You can look this over and make changes if you feel the need to."
Sam took it, reading through it briefly but stopping as he read about the honeymoon. "We have to have sex?" It came out louder than he intended.
"This has to be a real marriage, which means it has to be consummated. I will need you to get tested, but as you see on the next page, I got tested recently. Not that I need to. I haven't had sex in five years."
Sam stared at her. "Fi-five years?"
Mercedes nodded. "My husband came to me a year after Faith was born, and we tried to make it work. So yeah, but after I left him for good, I have just been working and taking care of Faith. Why, what has it been? A day for you?"
Sam shook his head. "Funny, it's been two years, okay, but if we are talking about good sex, then… it's been longer…and wait, how did we get on sex again?"
"Look, Sam, the truth is I need you, so I will do whatever you need to make this work. I just need it to work." She said sincerely.
Sam sighed. "So you will let me date?"
Mercedes laughed. "No. I will not. You can't sleep around or date around."
"So I have to be celibate?"
"I don't foresee wanting sex after that first night, but I wouldn't be opposed to discussing it. But that is if you want to accept this."
Sam was about to answer when his phone rang. "Can you give me a minute?"
Mercedes nodded, moving away from him as Sam answered the phone. "Hello?"
"Hello, Mr. Evans, this is Janet Wise from Portage Path Elementary; we are calling because Stevie and Stacie were on the playground when Stacie fell off the monkey bars and hurt her arm. The ambulance has just arrived and is taking the twins to the hospital."
"Oh, my God! What hospital?"
"Children's Hospital."
"I'm on my way." Sam hung up and dialed Mike. After it went to voice mail, he groaned.
"Sam? Sam, what's wrong?"
"Mike isn't answering, I have to get to the hospital, but Mike is not answering; he was my ride. And I just."
Mercedes grabbed her purse and keys and stood, taking Sam's hand. "Come on. I got you."
"What?"
"I will take you, I don't have to pick Faith up for a few hours, and I can see if my Aunt Roz can get her if we are there for a while, but I know if it were Faith, I would appreciate the help so let's go."
Sam stared at her for a moment, then nodded. He appreciated the fact that she would take him even though she barely knew him and that she seemed genuinely concerned with his family and what was happening. Even when he wasn't sure he could help her. "Thank you."
She nodded, leading him out of the office. "Jane, I need you to cancel my meetings; there is an emergency. Can you call Roz and have her call me? Wait until 12. She is getting a Mani/Pedi right now."
"Right away, Mercedes. What do you want me to tell Sebastian? He called reminding you that you two had lunch set up for today?"
"I will text him once things slow down. If you need me, call my cell." With that, she moved to the elevator, hand still in Sam's as they made their way to the hospital.