Chapter 7
1011 Words
Contract Negotiations
CHASE POV
I shove my hands deeper into the pockets of my coat as I follow Mr. Chen into Ava Reynolds' office.
It's barely seven in the morning.
Outside, winter has wrapped itself around the campus like a vice. Frost clings to the sidewalks and every breath leaves a cloud of white in the air.
Yet somehow, I'm still too hot.
The irritation simmering beneath my skin burns hotter than the cold can touch.
The office is surprisingly impressive.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the city. Awards line the shelves. Framed photographs cover the walls; Ava shaking hands with sponsors, posing beside production crews, smiling on red carpets.
A career built on stories. Or selling them, I haven't decided which.
Normally, I might've respected the hustle.
Today, all I can think about is the fact that I'm here to sign away the next four months of my life.
Mr. Chen gestures toward an empty chair.
"Sit."
I drop into it.
Around the conference table sit two lawyers from my management team and a representative from the university.
The sight alone is enough to remind me how serious this has become.
Nobody hires lawyers for a harmless publicity stunt.
Out of boredom—and maybe nerves—I pull out my phone.
Me: Still alive.
Three dots appear almost instantly.
Ethan: That's disappointing.
A small smile tugs at my mouth.
Me: The meeting hasn't started.
Ethan: Don't sign anything stupid.
Me: Too late for that.
I scroll through social media while waiting.
I instantly regret it.
My feed is flooded with edits of me and Bella Moreno. The same exaggerated slow-motion eye contact. Paired with dramatic background music and ridiculous captions.
"The tension is insane."
"Enemies to lovers???"
"They're either in love or planning murder."
I snort. Definitely murder.
The office door opens. And suddenly the room smells different.
Something spicy. The scent is sharp and pungent, and there's a hint of peppery notes to it. I don't even know if it's possible, but like if peppers were a perfume.
My attention lifts automatically.
Bella steps inside. A burst of red hair catches the morning sunlight streaming through the windows.
She's accompanied by a blonde girl carrying a stack of folders.
Nora The photographer. I recognize her from the press conference. But something's odd.
There are no lawyers. No legal advisor. Nobody representing her. The realization immediately puts me on edge.
Why wouldn't she bring someone? Unless she'd already seen the contract. Unless she trusted Ava completely.
Or worse…unless they're working together. The thought settles unpleasantly in my stomach.
Bella notices me a second later. Her expression hardens instantly. Her green eyes narrow as her shoulders stiffen.
It's almost impressive how quickly the temperature in the room drops. Hostility radiates off her in waves. I find myself matching it automatically.
Neither of us speaks. She takes the seat furthest away from mine.
I don't care because the feeling is mutual.
Ava enters moments later, carrying a tablet and several folders. She flashes a bright smile. The kind that seems genuine until you realize it's probably part of her job.
"Good morning, everyone."
Nobody returns her enthusiasm.
She clears her throat.
"Let's begin."
Ava folds her hands neatly atop the table.
"I'm sure both of you have questions."
Understatement of the century.
"This project serves everyone's interests. Chase receives an opportunity to reconnect with the public. Bella gains unprecedented access to a story she's clearly passionate about."
My jaw tightens slightly. Bella's expression remains unreadable.
"You've both agreed to participate voluntarily."
Voluntarily. My eyes roam her face as I contemplate; Interesting word choice.
Ava begins outlining schedules. From filming blocks to interview sessions to public appearances and social media campaigns, the list goes on. And on. And on.
Now It feels less like a reality show and more like military deployment. She reaches the final page and drops the bomb.
"For production efficiency," Ava says smoothly, "you'll be sharing accommodations throughout filming."
Silence.
From the corner of my eye, I can see as Bella freezes. Her entire body goes rigid.
Even from across the room, I notice her hands curling into fists.
At least this is something we agree on.
But what the hell? Shared accommodations? As in...living together?
Bella speaks first.
"Excuse me?"
Ava doesn't even blink.
"You'll be staying in the production house."
Bella's eyes widen.
"Why?"
The question comes out sharp. Not that I blame her.
"The show follows your day-to-day interactions."
She gestures toward the paperwork.
"Daily filming. Weekly episodes."
"You'll still attend classes, maintain your routines, and continue your normal lives."
Then she smiles.
"But the production team needs consistent access."
Translation: constant surveillance.
The explanation seems to calm Bella slightly. Beside her, Nora leans close and whispers something into her ear.
Whatever it is makes Bella relax.
A little, though not much. Meanwhile, Mr. Chen nudges me.
"Everything's been reviewed."
I glance toward him. He slides the contract closer.
"You just need to sign."
Simple. Evidently, my entire life now fits on twenty sheets of paper. Ava looks between Bella and me.
"Any objections?"
I consider saying yes. I really do. But then I remember: Sponsors. Draft scouts. My future.
And suddenly the answer becomes easy.
"I don't have a problem with it."
Bella's head snaps toward me. The look she gives me could probably melt steel.
I ignore it.
"If Bella's comfortable moving forward," I continue, "then I think we're done here."
For a moment she simply stares. Her jaw flexes. Then she turns back toward Ava.
"I'll do it."
Those four words land heavier than I expect. The contracts are pushed forward.
I sign first.
Bella signs next.
As I pass her the pen, our fingers brush. It's barely a second, just a fleeting touch, yet Bella jerks her hand back immediately.
Like contact with me physically burns.
Something twists unpleasantly in my chest. I shouldn't care. I don't care.
But still…the reaction stings.
The contracts are collected. Ava practically glows with satisfaction.
Then she delivers one final surprise.
"The relationship launches in three days."
- Writer
