Contract signed
1305 Words
Grayson glared at her. “Do you know them?”
“Yes. I will talk to them,” she said. She clutched the paper and hurried downstairs.
She tried to speak, but one of the men slapped her. Pain spread across her face.
“Where is my money?” the leader shouted.
The place went silent. Everyone stared at her.
She begged again, but they pushed her to the ground.
Grayson watched from the glass window. His face grew hard. He came down.
“How much does she owe?” he asked and punched one of the men who tried to hit her again.
The man shouted the amount. Grayson called his secretary. Cash was pushed into his hands. He threw it across the floor. “Take it and leave.”
Grayson’s voice cuts like a blade. “For the trouble you caused here, you will answer to the police.”
Arianna looked at him in shock. Tears filled her eyes, and her skin broke out in goosebumps. She never thought Grayson would defend her.
Grayson snapped his fingers. “Everyone, back to work.”The office tension broke. People scattered, whispering as they went. Only Arianna stayed, her hand trembling over the pen.
“My office. Now,” Grayson ordered, his voice sharp.
She quickly ran to the office, held on to her dress with a fist, and signed the contract.
Grayson leaned back in his chair, calm this time around. He tapped the paper once, then gave it to his lawyer. “Filed.” His tone was smooth, firm, and final.
He opened a drawer and set a thick envelope of money on the desk. “Half now,” he said. “The rest when the work is done.” She held onto it tightly, scared it might get snatched.
Grayson pinned his eyes on her. “Remember, this agreement benefits us both. He tucked away the folder marked “SUCCESSION BOARD REVIEW.” You obey, and your father lives.”
Arianna’s throat was dry, but she nodded. She couldn’t afford to argue. She held on tight to the money and quickly rushed to the hospital.
At the hospital, her breath caught halfway as she handed the money to the doctor. The receipt stamp echoed like a hammer. Paid.
Samantha hugged her tight. “You did it,” she whispered, her eyes teary.
The surgeon appeared to them in the visitors’ waiting room. “We’re starting the surgery immediately. It will take a long time. You must wait.”
Her father was wheeled on the stretcher. His eyes were a bit open, his face pale. Arianna reached for his hand. “I’m here, Dad,” she said. “I will wait.” She hugged Samantha and left for her night shift at work.
She tried to focus at work, but fatigue weighed heavily on her. Just as she was about to close, laughter spilled in from the door—Lucio’s men.
“Well, look at you,” one mocked. “All dressed up. Did you sell yourself to the young billionaire? Is that how you cleared your debt so fast?”
They laughed, sharp and cruel.
Arianna gripped the tray tighter, and anger stirred up in her. Then, without a word, she walked over, gave a sweet, poisonous smile, and splashed a glass of wine over their suits.
She placed an empty glass on the counter, raised her chin, and said to them, “Next time, before speaking my name, make sure to wash your mouths.”
The men’s faces became stupid, but with so many eyes watching, they swallowed it down and stormed out. Humiliated.
Arianna’s heart still pounded, but she didn’t look back.
When she returned to the hospital, the surgery was over. Her father was in the ICU, pale but breathing. Machines beeped steadily beside him. Relief made her knees weak.
Her phone vibrated with dozens of missed calls. The screen flashed: Grayson.
She answered quickly.
“Why haven’t you been answering my calls?” His voice was sharp, filled with irritation.
“I was working,” Arianna said. “My phone was on silent. I just saw”
“You don’t keep me waiting,” Grayson cut in. “Ever. Keep that phone close. Always.”
Her exhaustion snapped into anger. “This is an agreement. You don’t own me. Don’t order me like I’m your servant. Learn some manners.”
Silence. Then his voice dropped, low and cold. “Shut up and come.”
A message with a location followed.
Arianna sighed. She couldn’t refuse. Not now.
At his office, Grayson stood by the window, watching the city lights. His expression was stone.
“You don’t waste my time again,” he said without turning.
“I told you.”
“Enough.” He snapped his fingers.
A trusted worker entered, carrying a large white box. He set it on the desk and left silently.
Grayson slid it across.
Arianna lifted the lid. Her mouth fell open. Inside was a wedding gown.
“What is this?” Her voice was tight.
“Proof,” Grayson said. “We married with no photos. People will talk. Photos silent talk.”
“This wasn’t part of the agreement!” Arianna snapped.
“I pay. You obey.” His voice was iron.
Her cheeks burned. Still, she carried the dress into the changing room.
When she stepped out, the room went still. The gown hugged her waist, lace glittering in the light. For a brief moment, Grayson’s eyes softened before pride forced him to look away.
The photographer adjusted his camera. “Closer. Hold her waist. Good. Now smile. Look at each other. Perfect. Now kiss!”
Their lips hovered close. Arianna’s breath caught. Grayson’s hand tightened at her waist. But they pulled back before the kiss.
The photographer groaned. “Fine. Enough. We’ll edit.”
When it ended, Grayson handed her a thick file. “Study this. My life. My history. What I like. Memorize it.”
He tapped the folder. “If my parents or the board suspect this marriage is fake, I lose everything. And you lose too.”
Arianna swallowed and slipped the file into her bag.
Days blurred by. She memorized the script, even if it wasn’t true. He learned her story too, asking late into the night, as if they were students cramming for an exam.
Finally, Grayson decided. “It’s time. You move in today.”
Her heart raced. His mansion loomed like a castle, tall, cold, with guards at every corner.
“This is your home now,” Grayson said.
But Jordan Hawthorne noticed his stepbrother, Grayson, had married suddenly, without whispers or warning. Suspicious, Jordan started digging into Arianna’s past.
But Grayson was ahead. Records had been wiped clean. Her history now reads like that of a wealthy, respectable girl. Untouchable.
Jordan narrowed his eyes. He didn’t believe it. Not for a second.
The next week, the board gathered. The oak table gleamed under soft lights. Executives murmured about Grayson’s surprise announcement.
At the head, Grayson stood tall, Arianna at his side. His hand rested lightly on her back. His voice was steady, commanding.
“Allow me to introduce my wife, Arianna Hawthorne.”
Murmurs spread. Some smiled politely. Others whispered in disbelief.
Jordan leaned back, eyes sharp as blades. Slowly, he clapped, the sound echoing.
“Well, well,” he said with a curl of his lips. “Brother, you do surprise us. Married in such haste? Tell me.” His gaze pierced Arianna. “Which university abroad did you both attend together?”
The room went silent. Every eye turned to her.
Arianna’s breath caught. She hadn’t memorized that part yet. Her mind went blank.
Grayson’s jaw tightened.
Jordan smirked. “Go on, Mrs. Hawthorne. I’m sure you remember.”
- Writer
