TERMS AND TEMPTATIONS
665 Words
CHAPTER 5: TERMS AND TEMPTATIONS
The bell above the boutique door jingled softly as Samantha swept the front display table, carefully refolding a stack of new scarves. Morning sunlight spilled across the wooden floor, bathing the boutique in soft warmth. The scent of lemon cleaner lingered faintly in the air.
Behind the counter, Aunt Carrie was sorting invoices, a pencil behind her ear and her glasses low on her nose. She looked up from the receipts and gave Samantha a quick smile.
“You’ve been folding that same scarf for the past five minutes, love,” Aunt Carrie said gently.
Sam blinked and let out a breath. “Just... thinking.”
Aunt Carrie raised a brow. “About yesterday’s mystery customer, perhaps?”
Sam shot her a look. “You sound just like Kade.”
“Well,” Aunt Carrie chuckled, “he’s not wrong. Men like that don’t walk in here often. Sharp suit, sharp jaw, sharp everything.”
“Kade already teased me enough last night,” Samantha mumbled, walking over to rearrange a row of belts. “He said he probably moonlights as a spy.”
Aunt Carrie laughed. “He probably just works in finance.”
“Still,” Samantha added, quieter now, “there was something different about him.”
Aunt Carrie gave her a curious look but said nothing more.
The boutique fell into its usual rhythm — quiet, peaceful, familiar. Samantha settled in behind the counter again, checking the appointment book for any custom fittings. Aunt Carrie returned to sorting through fabric swatches, humming a soft hum.
The bell above the boutique door jingled softly. Samantha looked up from the scarf display just as a tall, broad-shouldered man in a dark suit stepped inside.
He didn’t browse. Didn’t greet. Just walked straight up to her with quiet purpose.
“Ms. Hart?” he asked.
She nodded, uncertain.
“Mr. Multimon would like to have a word. Outside.”
Aunt Carrie looked up sharply from the counter, but Samantha gave her a quick, nervous glance and stepped out.
Parked neatly by the curb was the same black car she remembered — the one with tinted windows and a silent driver.
And leaning against the car was him.
Alex Multimon.
He didn’t move when she approached. Just turned his head slightly, eyes shielded by dark sunglasses.
“I’ll keep this brief,” he said.
Samantha stood straighter, unsure what to expect.
“You’re exactly what I need,” he continued. “Traditional. Composed. Quiet.”
She blinked. “I’m sorry?”
“I’ve made arrangements. You’ll be contacted shortly with the details. I expect your cooperation.”
He said it as if she had already agreed.
“I’m not sure I understand—”
“I’m not asking you to,” he cut in smoothly. “You just have to follow instruction. It’s all been thought through.”
Her brows furrowed. “Thought through for what?”
Alex took off his sunglasses then, eyes sharp and unreadable.
“For something long-term.”
Samantha froze.
Before she could speak again, he stepped into the car and shut the door.
The window rolled down halfway. His voice came calmly, firmly:
“Be ready tomorrow.”
The car pulled away, leaving Samantha standing on the pavement, her heart racing and her mind spinning.
Long-term?
What had she put herself into ?
Samantha thought the morning couldn’t get any stranger. But when a sleek envelope arrived at the boutique with her name written in bold lettering, everything changed.
Inside weren’t just instructions.
They were terms of a business marriage proposal between her and Alex. Deep down she wondered why her why didn't he choose someone worth his level , someone he was acquainted to but rather her whom he was certainly clueless and didn't know a thing expect for the name . These terms that she was yet to open and review were surely tempting and one of them would change her life forever.
- Writer
