chapter2
1085 Words
Liana stood frozen outside Dr. Adrian Bennett’s office, her heartbeat loud in her ears. Students filtered through the university hallway behind her chatting, laughing, living their normal.
Meanwhile, she was about to walk into an office and agree to marry her literature professor for ₦200 million.
She glanced down at the freshly printed contract in her bag. Her palms were wet, her mouth dry.
What the hell are you doing, Liana?
She could still walk away. Pretend this never happened. But if she did… what then? Drop out? Watch her future slip between her fingers because of one scholarship decision?
No.
She straightened her shoulders and knocked.
The door opened almost instantly. Adrian stood there in a navy-blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up, eyes sharp and unreadable.
“You’re late,” he said.
“I was thinking,” she replied, stepping inside.
He closed the door behind her. The quiet click echoed louder than it should have.
His office was sleek and unnervingly cold like the man himself. Dark wood shelves. Black furniture. No warmth. Just him.
And the contract that could change everything.
“Have a seat,” Adrian said.
She sat slowly, eyes resting on the cream envelope resting neatly in front of her. Her name was written on it in sharp, elegant handwriting.
He sat across from her, elbows on the desk, hands folded.
“I assume you’ve thought about it,” he said.
“More than I should have.”
“Do you still want your conditions added?”
Liana nodded. “School comes first. I attend full-time, no interruptions.”
“Approved.”
“I want my own bedroom, wherever we live.”
“Fine.”
“My mom can’t know the truth. She thinks it’s real.”
“She’ll never know otherwise.”
“I can walk away at any point. No penalty. If you change the rules, I’m out.”
Adrian’s jaw tensed. Then he nodded. “Fair.”
Liana reached out slowly, her fingers brushing the contract. She opened it carefully, heart pounding louder with every line she read.
Two-year marriage.
No romantic obligations.
₦100 million upfront.
₦100 million after divorce.
Confidentiality binding.
Full public appearance compliance required.
Her hand hovered above the signature line.
But she couldn’t move.
Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Cold feet already?”
She gave a humorless laugh. “This isn’t just cold feet.”
“You came here. You knew what this was.”
“Knowing and doing are two different things,” she whispered.
He leaned forward, voice soft but cutting. “I’m not going to beg, Liana. If you don’t want this, walk away.”
“I’m just… scared,” she admitted, surprising even herself.
He didn’t respond right away. When he did, his voice was calm.
“So am I.”
She looked up at him sharply.
There was something raw in his eyes for just a second, something vulnerable and tired. And then it vanished, tucked neatly behind that mask of coldness he wore like armor.
He pulled a silver pen from his inner jacket pocket and placed it on the table between them.
“No pressure,” he said. “But you have thirty seconds before I retract the offer.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”
“I don’t kid.”
Liana stared down at the contract.
Her future... her family... her dignity...
Two years. No feelings. No strings.
Just survival.
She took a deep breath, picked up the pen, and hesitated again.
Her fingers trembled.
What am I doing?
Then she remembered the unpaid tuition. Her mother’s medical bills. The hopelessness of yesterday.
She signed.
Adrian exhaled as she handed the paper back to him.
His lips curled faintly. “Congratulations, Mrs. Bennett.”
“Don’t call me that yet,” she muttered, rubbing her hands together.
He stood. “The wedding is next weekend.”
She blinked. “I’m sorry—what?”
“I’ve already spoken to my father’s assistant. The sooner we’re married, the sooner the media eats it up, and the sooner he hands over the inheritance without question.”
“You want to get married in seven days?”
“Yes. I’ll handle everything. You just show up.”
Liana stood, fire in her veins. “I don’t want a damn circus. No press. No camera crews. No headlines. If I’m doing this, it’s going to be quiet. Private. Simple.”
Adrian folded his arms across his chest, the muscle in his jaw ticking. “Simple doesn’t work for my family.”
“Well, I’m not part of your family. Yet.”
There was a pause. A long, tight silence.
Finally, he said, “Compromise. No media at the ceremony. But we release official photos. Something polished. Something elegant.”
She gave him a tight nod. “Fine.”
He picked up the contract and slipped it into his briefcase.
“I’ll have a driver pick you up tomorrow for ring shopping,” he said. “Don’t be late.”
“I’ll try not to trip over my new life.”
He paused, giving her a look she couldn’t quite read.
Back at the apartment, Liana collapsed onto the couch immediately she got in.
Selena looked up from her laptop, eyes narrowing. “You look like you just signed your soul away.”
Liana didn’t say a word. She just pulled the signed contract from her bag and dropped it onto the coffee table.
Selena’s eyes went wide. “Holy hell. You actually did it.”
Liana nodded. “I’m getting married next weekend.”
Selena dropped her laptop. “Next weekend?! To a man you barely know?”
Liana let out a forced laugh. “He’s cold, bossy, and annoying but he’s offering a future I can’t afford to walk away from.”
Selena blinked. “Girl, we need tequila.”
Later that night, Liana sat on her bed, with her phone clutched in both hands.
Her mother’s contact stared back at her. She hesitated.
Then she pressed call.
“Baby?” Her mother’s warm voice came through after ringing twice. “Everything okay?”
Liana closed her eyes, steeling herself.
“Mom… I’m getting married.”
There was a beat of silence.
“What?”
“To whom?”
“His name is Dr. Adrian Bennet.”
“Is that not your professor?”
“Yes, mom and… it’s next weekend.”
The gasp that followed was louder than she had expected.
- Writer
