Chapter Four: A Detailed Contract
1027 Words
Nate sat at his office desk, He found himself replaying last night’s conversation with Sasha, each word lingering longer than he expected. Her sharp words still echoed in his mind like an annoying alarm that refused to be silenced. He had expected resistance, but not that much fire. She had completely dismissed him, laughed in his face, and insulted him with a venom he hadn’t tasted in years. And yet, all he could think about was how perfect she was for the plan, of course.
“She’ll come around,” he muttered under his breath, rising from his desk and moving to his seat. “She has to.”
The door opened, and Ethan walked in with two coffees, placing one on the desk before sliding into the chair opposite Nate. He took one look at his boss and smirked. “Rough night?”
“You have no idea,” Nate said, rubbing his temple.
“Let me guess. Sasha didn’t throw herself into your arms and pledge eternal fake love?”
Nate shot him a look. “She laughed, mocked me, like everything I said was a damn joke. Like I was just there for her entertainment. And her words? Brutal.”
Ethan leaned back, clearly enjoying this more than he should. “So, you picked the one woman in the city who would rather stab you with a butter knife than marry you?”
“She’s perfect for the role because of that,” Nate said firmly. “No feelings, no complications. Just a contract.”
Ethan sipped his coffee. “Except she hates your guts and won’t sign the contract.”
Nate leaned forward. “Which is why you’re going to help me change that. We both know she needs help with her mom. The hospital bills are stacking up, and her hours at the diner won’t cut it. She’s proud, but pride doesn’t pay medical expenses.”
Ethan sighed. “So what’s the plan now? You want me to donate anonymously? Create some sob story?”
“No,” Nate said quickly. “Nothing shady. I don’t want to manipulate her. I want her to make a choice. I’ll present the offer again, with full transparency. No tricks. Just the facts.”
“And what if she still refuses?”
Nate stood and walked over to the window. The city lights flickered beneath the morning sun. “Then she refuses. And I marry someone else I can’t stand. But I’m hoping she’s smarter than that.”
Ethan watched him for a moment. “You’re not worried about using her life as leverage?”
“I’m not using her,” Nate said firmly. “I’m offering a solution. She gets financial security, her mother gets the care she needs, and I get to keep my company out of Anthony’s hands. It’s a win-win.”
After a pause, Ethan nodded. “Alright. But if she punches you, don’t come crying to me.”
Nate chuckled dryly. “Deal.”
Meanwhile, at the diner...
Sasha flipped through her mother’s latest medical report with trembling hands. Her stomach turned with every unreadable word and confusing diagnosis. All she knew for certain was that the hospital had called again. Another payment due. Another reminder that life wasn’t waiting for her to catch up.
“Hey, Sasha,” the manager called. “There’s someone asking to see you.”
She blinked. “Who?”
“Said you’d know. He’s at table seven.”
She sighed, thinking it was another grumpy customer complaining about cold toast. But when she walked to the table and saw the man sitting there in a sharp gray suit with that same smug face, her blood boiled.
Nathaniel Blackwood.
Again.
She folded her arms. “Seriously? What are you, a stalker now?”
Nate stood. “Relax. I’m here to talk. No manipulations, no games. Just a conversation.”
“You had your shot last night. I laughed in your face. Wasn’t that clear enough?”
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a plain envelope. “This isn’t a bribe. It’s a detailed contract. And a breakdown of your mom’s projected hospital costs. I did my research.”
Her face hardened. “You keep bringing up my mom like she’s a bargaining chip.”
“She’s not. She’s your motivation,” Nate said gently. “Look, I get it. You hate me. You think I’m arrogant, entitled, maybe I am. But I’m also desperate.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Oh, so now you’re playing the ‘poor little rich boy’ card?”
Nate sighed. “I don’t want sympathy. I want a solution. My father is dying. He’s giving me a month to find a wife or he hands over my company to my backstabbing cousin. I have no interest in falling in love or building a family. But I can’t lose everything I’ve built.”
Sasha crossed her arms. “And you think marrying someone you can’t stand is the answer?”
“Yes,” he said simply. “Because you won’t fall for me. I won’t fall for you. It’ll be clean. Professional. You get paid, your mom gets better, and in a few months we go our separate ways.”
She studied him for a long moment. He looked sincere, tired, even. And while every instinct screamed to throw the contract back in his face, another part of her, a quieter, more desperate part began to consider the reality she was in.
She needed help.
But could she really fake a marriage with a man who got under her skin with just one glance?
“Don’t answer now,” Nate said, placing the envelope on the table. “Read it. Think it through. If you never call me again, I’ll respect that.”
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left the diner.
Sasha stared at the envelope, torn between fury and curiosity. She grabbed it reluctantly and tucked it under her arm. Maybe she’d burn it later. Maybe she’d read it. Either way, she couldn’t ignore it.
Not when her mother’s life was on the line.
- Writer
