Signed Without Love

Episode 3: Signed Without Love

Jay arrived at the office early.

The building was quiet. He liked it that way. It made thinking easier. The final interviews were scheduled for the next day, and he had canceled every other meeting. No calls, no visitors. He told himself it was to prepare, but that wasn’t the truth.

He wanted to see Elle.

She had been on his mind since the last time they met. Her calm voice, the way she spoke without trying too hard, her blue eyes, and the soft smell she carried. Vanilla mixed with lilies. He hated that he noticed things like that. He hated even more that he remembered.

Jay did not believe in love. Not anymore. Love made people careless and weak. He had learned that the hard way. So whatever this was, it meant nothing. That was what he kept telling himself.

By mid-morning, he left the office. His driver stepped out to open the door, and they drove to the café. The ride was quiet.

When he got there, the warm smell of coffee and baked bread filled the air. Soft chatter floated around. Elle sat there, calm, even more beautiful than before.

He walked up to her.

“Look who’s late today,” Elle said with a small smile.

Jay raised an eyebrow. “I was early.”

They both laughed lightly. It was easy.

They ordered something different this time. Jay had a black coffee. Elle chose a cappuccino, with a small pastry.

She handed him the credit card, and he thanked her.

“I have something for you,” Jay said, placing a folder on the table.

Elle opened it and scanned the pages quietly. After a moment, she looked up. Silence lingered.

“I’m offering you a large sum of money,” he said.

Elle looked at him quietly.

He probably thinks I’m after his money. But if I don’t accept, I’ll still be stuck going on blind dates every week. If only I hadn’t mistaken him for my date, I wouldn’t be in this mess.

She didn’t respond immediately. Finally, she spoke, her voice steady.

“I don’t need your money. I’m doing this for other reasons.”

He didn’t argue. He left the offer there.

They both signed the contract without love and each took a copy.

Jay studied her for a few seconds. Her calm confidence, the soft smile, the neat way she carried herself. He shook his head slightly and looked away. He wasn’t supposed to think about this.

After they finished, they stepped outside. His driver was already waiting. He held the door open for her, but a few photographers noticed them and snapped pictures.

Jay ignored them, though the flashes stayed in his mind. Elle was confused but said nothing.

He dropped her off halfway and returned to the office, where whispers had already started. People were talking, but he didn’t respond.

Later, his mother called.

“Jay,” she said, curious. “I saw the pictures. What’s happening?”

“I’ll explain later,” he replied. “You’ll meet her soon. That’s enough for now.”

He ended the call.

He still had a meeting with new investors that he couldn’t cancel.

He was going through some files when Mark walked in.

Mark had noticed everything. Jay leaving early, the rumors, the pictures. Jay looked more affectionate than usual. Still, Mark said nothing.

After a few minutes, Daria walked in.

“The investors have arrived,” she said.

The meeting went well as always. Jay rarely lost a contract. He was very good at his job and even better at turning investments into profit. That was why companies wanted to work with him.

Life was good, Jay thought.

Work was going well, and now he wouldn’t have to go on pointless dates. But Elle was different. He couldn’t stop thinking about her.

He went home early since there was nothing left to do.

Later that evening, he called Elle. She was preparing for an interview but picked up quickly.

“Hi,” he said. “Tomorrow, we have to see my mother. You’ll need to learn a few things about me and her. Just small things.”

Elle stayed quiet. Jay didn’t press. He asked about her day.

After a few minutes, the line went quiet.

Then he heard it.

Soft breathing.

She had fallen asleep.

He stayed on the line for a moment, then hung up quietly.

Later, his phone buzzed again. It was Mark.

“Sir, what happened earlier today?” he asked.

“Nothing important. Everything’s under control. Just handle the office matters like I told you,” Jay replied.

Mark sensed there was more but didn’t push.

Jay stared at the ceiling.

He wondered why she stayed on his mind. Her confidence, voice, smile. All of it held his attention, but he told himself it was nothing.

He turned off the lights, left his phone on the table, and sat back on the couch.

The city lights glimmered through the window, indifferent to his thoughts.

Elle had changed something inside him, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

And more was yet to come.