The Contract
1294 Words
Amara didn’t sleep that night.
Every time she closed her eyes, Adrian Vale’s voice returned to her.
You’ll become my wife.
She sat beside her bedroom window until sunrise, staring at the city lights fading into morning.
A marriage.
To a stranger.
A man who clearly disliked her family.
A man who was hiding something.
Yet twenty million dollars stood between her family and disaster.
At six-thirty, Amara finally made her decision.
She picked up her phone.
Amara: I’ll accept.
The reply came less than a minute later.
Adrian: My lawyer will send the final contract at nine.
No congratulations.
No surprise.
Nothing.
Amara stared at the screen.
He had expected her to say yes.
That irritated her more than it should have.
At nine exactly, a black car arrived at the Bello family home.
A woman in an elegant suit stepped out.
“Miss Bello?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Mrs. Carter. Mr. Vale’s attorney.”
She handed Amara a folder.
“Everything has been prepared.”
Amara took it.
“Does Mr. Vale always move this quickly?”
Mrs. Carter gave her a professional smile.
“When Mr. Vale makes a decision, he doesn’t delay.”
Amara opened the folder.
The contract was longer than the first version.
She carefully read every page.
One year marriage.
Separate bedrooms.
Public appearances when required.
No interference in business affairs.
No disclosure of the contract.
No termination before twelve months without financial consequences.
And one final clause:
Neither party is obligated to develop romantic feelings for the other.
Amara almost laughed.
“That’s unnecessary.”
Mrs. Carter raised an eyebrow.
“Why?”
“Because I’m not going to fall in love with him.”
“That’s probably wise.”
Amara looked up.
The lawyer’s expression remained perfectly serious.
“I didn’t mean”
“I understand.”
Amara signed.
Her hand trembled slightly.
The moment she placed the pen down, she felt as though something had changed.
Mrs. Carter collected the documents.
“Mr. Vale will meet you this afternoon.”
“For what?”
“Your engagement announcement.”
Amara’s eyes widened.
“Already?”
“The press has been informed.”
“You’re joking.”
“I don’t joke about contracts.”
By afternoon, Amara’s life had become unrecognizable.
News websites were already reporting the billionaire’s unexpected engagement.
ADRIAN VALE TO MARRY MYSTERIOUS BUSINESSMAN’S DAUGHTER
WHO IS AMARA BELLO?
BILLIONAIRE CEO’S SURPRISE ENGAGEMENT STUNS BUSINESS WORLD
Amara stared at the headlines.
“This is a nightmare.”
Her brother sat beside her.
“You can still change your mind.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I already signed.”
Daniel sighed.
“I wish I knew what Adrian was planning.”
“So do I.”
Before they could say more, a black limousine stopped outside.
Amara’s heart began beating faster.
The front door opened.
Adrian entered.
He wore a black suit with a silver watch and carried himself with his usual confidence.
His eyes immediately found Amara.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he looked at her.
“You’re ready.”
She crossed her arms.
“You’re late.”
“I arrived exactly when I planned to.”
“Of course you did.”
Something almost resembling amusement appeared in his eyes.
“Still difficult.”
“Still arrogant.”
Daniel stepped between them.
“Adrian.”
Adrian’s expression became cold again.
“Daniel.”
“We agreed this was business.”
“I know.”
“Then don’t hurt my sister.”
Adrian looked at Amara.
“I have no intention of hurting her.”
Daniel didn’t look convinced.
Neither was Amara.
Adrian extended his hand.
“We have a press conference.”
Amara stared at his hand.
Then at him.
“Do I have to hold your hand?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re engaged.”
She reluctantly placed her hand in his.
His fingers closed around hers.
Warm.
Firm.
For some reason, Amara’s heart skipped.
She immediately pulled her thoughts back.
This was a contract.
Nothing more.
The press conference was held at Vale International.
Flashing cameras greeted them as they entered.
Amara had never seen so many reporters in one place.
Adrian’s hand rested lightly against her back.
She leaned toward him.
“Don’t touch me.”
The corners of his mouth lifted.
“Smile.”
“I am smiling.”
“You look like you’re attending a funeral.”
“I might be.”
He almost laughed.
Almost.
The reporters immediately began shouting questions.
“Mr. Vale, when did you start dating?”
“Is the marriage happening because of a business partnership?”
“Who is Amara Bello?”
“Was this an arranged marriage?”
Adrian calmly faced the cameras.
“Amara and I will be getting married soon.”
A reporter raised his voice.
“Are you in love?”
The question silenced the room.
Amara looked at Adrian.
He looked at her.
For one strange moment, the noise disappeared.
Then Adrian answered.
“Love isn’t something we discuss publicly.”
The reporters erupted with questions.
Amara forced a smile.
She didn’t know why his answer bothered her.
Maybe because it sounded almost honest.
⸻
Later that evening, Adrian drove Amara to his mansion.
She stared through the window as the enormous gates opened.
“You live here?”
“Yes.”
“This place is ridiculous.”
“It’s a house.”
“It’s a palace.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
Amara looked at him.
“You have a fountain bigger than my living room.”
He said nothing.
She sighed.
“Forget it.”
The mansion was even more impressive inside.
A housekeeper greeted them at the entrance.
“Welcome home, Mr. Vale.”
Adrian nodded.
“This is Amara.”
The woman smiled warmly.
“Welcome, Mrs. Vale.”
Amara froze.
Mrs. Vale.
The title sounded strange.
Dangerous.
Permanent.
Even though the marriage wasn’t supposed to last forever.
Adrian noticed her expression.
“You’ll get used to it.”
“I don’t plan to.”
He looked at her.
“Neither did I.”
She wasn’t sure what he meant.
A housekeeper showed Amara to her room.
It was enormous.
A private balcony overlooked the gardens, and an entire wall was made of glass.
Amara slowly walked inside.
“This is my room?”
“Yes.”
She turned.
Adrian stood at the doorway.
“Your room is next to mine.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re married.”
“We’re not married yet.”
“Soon.”
Amara narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t get comfortable.”
“I’m not the one who needs to worry about getting comfortable.”
“What does that mean?”
Adrian stepped closer.
“You agreed to marry me.”
“Yes.”
“For one year.”
“Yes.”
His eyes darkened.
“Then don’t forget who you’re marrying.”
Amara held his gaze.
“I won’t.”
He turned to leave.
“Goodnight, Amara.”
She watched him disappear down the hallway.
Then she closed the door.
For the first time since signing the contract, she allowed herself to breathe.
She had entered Adrian Vale’s world.
But she still didn’t understand why he had chosen her.
And somewhere across the mansion, Adrian stood alone in his study, staring at an old photograph.
A photograph of two families standing together years ago.
He ran his finger across one face.
Amara’s father.
His expression hardened.
“This time,” he whispered, “I’ll finish what your family started.”
But Adrian had no idea that revenge would soon become the least important thing between them.
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