Married To The Ruthless CEO

Emergency

Chapter 5

Aria Bennett was deeply engrossed in her project, her mind consumed by every tiny detail and every important decision. She barely noticed the soft buzzing of her phone until it became insistent. Frowning, she picked it up.

“Sister?” she answered, her voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

“Mina, the house owner wants to throw our things out!” her sister’s panicked voice came through the line, trembling with urgency.

Aria’s heart skipped a beat. “Wait… what? But he agreed that we could pay by month-end! Sister, what’s going on?”

“You have to come now,” her sister pleaded. “He refuses to listen. I’ve tried everything.”

Aria exhaled sharply, feeling the sudden pull of responsibility tug at her. Her thoughts immediately raced back to the project waiting at the office. “Listen, Mina, I have an important project I have to attend to. If I don’t get this done, I’m going to lose my job.”

Her sister’s voice cracked with desperation. “Sister, he’s not listening! You have to come over now! Please, Aria!”

The urgency in her sister’s tone left Aria with no choice. She grabbed her bag, pushed back from the desk, and left the project unfinished, promising herself she would return as soon as possible. Her heart pounded in her chest as she thought of the mess that could await her at home. She couldn’t let their belongings be thrown out. Not after everything they had been through.

Aria rushed through the streets of New York, weaving between cars and pedestrians, her mind spinning with worry. Every second felt longer than the last. She hoped the house owner wouldn’t be too harsh, that her sister could hold him off until she arrived.

By the time she reached the apartment, her chest was tight, and her legs ached from the sprint. The sight of her sister standing at the door, wide-eyed and anxious, made her quicken her pace.

“Aria!” her sister exclaimed. “Thank God you’re here! He’s—he’s about to throw everything out!”

Aria took a deep breath, steadying herself. She knew she had to remain calm, speak clearly, and try to reason with the man. “Okay, Mina, we’ll handle this. Just let me talk to him.”

Her mind raced as she negotiated inside, convincing, pleading, and reasoning with the house owner. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as she worked to protect their things. Finally, after what felt like hours but was only minutes, the situation was somewhat under control. Her belongings were safe — for now.

Exhausted, she decided to rest for a while, hoping to grab some sleep before heading back to work. She reminded herself she had to make up for the lost time and unfinished project at Cole’s Jewelry Designer Company.

The next morning, barely catching her breath, she arrived at the office and was immediately approached by the director. His smirk made her stomach twist.

“Mis Bennett, you are needed at Mr. Adrian’s office,” he said, the sharpness in his tone unmistakable.

Aria froze for a moment, taking in his expression. There was something in the way he looked at her — a mix of amusement and disdain. The smirk on his face didn’t go unnoticed.

She couldn’t help but think, It’s obvious he hates me. But why? Aria wondered, her mind racing as she processed the sudden summons. Why her? What could she have done?

Her hands trembled slightly as she walked toward the executive floor, clutching her bag tightly. She knew she was about to face Adrian Cole again, and the tension that gripped her chest

She took a deep breath, reminding herself that she had handled worse. She could survive whatever was waiting for her now.

Miss Collins, he called out sharply what happened to the project given to you to handle yesterday? he asked

Adrian adjusted his glasses, his dark eyes sharp and unyielding. “You made me lose millions, Miss Collins. How do you intend to pay back for the loss?” he asked again firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Aria’s heart sank. She felt it thudding painfully in her chest. “Sir… please, I’m very sorry. I promise I’ll do anything you ask of me. I… I really don’t have any money, and I can’t lose my job. This is my only hope,” she pleaded, her voice trembling slightly.

He studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, after a pause, he spoke slowly, carefully. “Okay… fine. I will let it slide. But I never do anything for free.”

Aria swallowed hard. Her stomach twisted nervously.

“It’s either you pay me two hundred million dollars… or you sign a marriage contract with me for two years,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “You give me a child. If it’s a boy, I will give you a billion dollars. If it’s a girl, I will give you a billion as well. Twins? Two billion dollars.”

Aria’s eyes widened in disbelief. Her hands trembled slightly, but her voice rang out strong. “Sir… I am a human. I have dignity. I can’t be bought with money. You can’t buy love.”

A faint smirk touched Adrian’s lips, and his tone turned sharp. “And who needs your love?” he asked coldly.

Her expression changed, a mix of shock and disbelief. “What?” she asked, her voice rising slightly.

“Yes,” he said casually, as if it were the most ordinary thing. “I forgot to tell you… at the end of two years, you leave. No strings attached.”

Aria felt her chest tighten. She wanted to run, to scream, to refuse in every possible way. But the weight of her reality pressed down on her.

“With all due respect, sir,” she said, her voice steadier now despite the fear, “I refuse.”

Adrian’s dark eyes studied her intently. The room was quiet, the tension thick. Aria could feel it pressing down on her, suffocating yet impossible to ignore. She met his gaze, unwavering despite the shiver running down her spine.

“You refuse?” he repeated, his voice low and measured, as if testing her.

“Yes, sir,” she said firmly. “I will not sell myself. I have dignity, and I will not be treated as a commodity.”

Adrian leaned back in his chair slightly, the faintest smile ghosting across his face. It was a dangerous smile, one that suggested amusement but also control. “Interesting,” he murmured. “Very interesting, Miss Bennett.”

Aria could feel her heartbeat speeding. Every nerve in her body was alert. This was Adrian Cole — ruthless, sharp, and unyielding. And now, he had just offered her the impossible.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself. “Sir… I can work harder. I can prove myself. I don’t need money. I don’t need contracts. I just need my job.”

His gaze didn’t waver. “I like your spirit,” he said slowly, almost thoughtfully. “But the choice… is still yours. Think carefully, Miss Bennett.”

Aria swallowed hard, the weight of the moment settling over her.

Here's my contact info call me when you make up your mind miss Bennett.