Chapter 3 – Terms and Temptations
559 Words
The suite was quiet again.
Aira sat on the edge of the massive bed, the contract lying beside her like a loaded weapon. She stared at the ceiling for a long time, wondering how one reckless night had turned into the most life-altering decision of her existence.
Six months.
She’d be Mrs. Elian Navarro—for six whole months. Pretending. Acting. Playing the part of the dutiful wife to a man who didn’t even know how to smile.
Her phone buzzed.
Mia: Girl, where the hell are you?! You disappeared from the party like Cinderella but without the glass slipper!
Aira winced. She couldn’t even begin to explain.
Instead, she texted back: Long story. Will call later.
Before she could overthink it, the door clicked open.
A tall woman entered—poised, professional, and clearly not surprised to see her wrapped in hotel sheets.
“Miss Monteverde,” she greeted, holding out a shopping bag. “I’m Renna, Mr. Navarro’s personal assistant. He asked me to bring you some clothes.”
“Right. Of course,” Aira said awkwardly. “Thanks.”
Renna gave her a once-over, not rudely, but like she was calculating everything about her. “You’ll find all sizes inside. He also arranged for a stylist if you accept the agreement.”
“If?”
“He prefers certainty,” Renna said with a small smile. “You either sign... or you walk.”
Aira swallowed. “He always makes decisions this fast?”
Renna’s gaze softened a little. “He doesn’t trust easily. But he’s fair—cold, but fair.”
“Comforting,” Aira muttered.
Once Renna left, Aira pulled out the clothes. Classy, modest, designer. Definitely not her style—but maybe... it would be, soon.
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Two hours later, she stood in front of the mirror.
She looked like a different person. Still her—but polished, refined. Like someone who belonged next to a CEO.
Maybe that was the point.
When Elian returned, his eyes scanned her—expression unreadable.
“You clean up well,” he said.
“Is that a compliment?” she asked.
“A statement.”
She crossed her arms. “I have conditions too.”
That made him pause.
“I want to keep working,” she said. “I won’t just sit at home like some trophy wife.”
Elian nodded. “Fine. As long as it doesn’t interfere with appearances.”
“I also want a say in how this... relationship appears. If I’m putting on a show, I want to be part of the script.”
His lips twitched—almost a smile. “Noted.”
“And lastly—no real intimacy.”
His jaw tightened for just a second before he nodded. “Agreed. This isn’t about that.”
She held out the pen. “Then let’s do this.”
He took the contract, signed it with one stroke, then handed her the pen.
Aira hesitated.
Once she signed, there was no turning back.
But this wasn’t just a contract.
It was a lifeline.
A risk.
A spark of something she didn’t dare name.
She signed.
And just like that, Aira Monteverde became Mrs. Elian Navarro—not out of love, but out of survival.
But something in her gut whispered that love... might not stay out of it for long.
- Writer
