Chapter 3: Terms And Tensions
1295 Words
Ella’s POV
The following morning, I was woken up by Adrian's message.
“Meet me, we sign today,” it was more like a command.
I quickly had my bath and got dressed up, and a few minutes later, I was in a car I sat in the back of the car, and my fingers shook, and the contract deadline kept repeating in my head.
Adrian’s message still lay on my phone:
“Meet me. We signed today.”
My stomach ran, and I didn’t even know why I said yes, maybe because of money or maybe the way he touched me that night…But I immediately removed the thought from my heart.
The car stopped in front of his company building, and I walked inside confidently, even though my heart kept racing.
When the elevator opened on the private floor, I saw him waiting. Adrian stood near the long table with his hands in his pockets, and his face was hard.
He did not smile at all, and he didn’t even blink; he just looked at me like he was studying a problem.
“Sit,” he said commandingly, and I quickly had my seat, and then he pushed the contract toward me. “Read it.”
I opened it, and my hands instantly became weak, and the words on the contract made my head ring.
“No romantic expectations, no intimacy except for public image, and no interfering with each other’s personal lives.”
A one-year marriage, ending gently.
I bit my lip. “This is… strict.”
“It has to be,” he said. “I don’t want complications.”
“Why me?” I whispered before I could stop myself.
He looked away for a second, and just one second, but I could see his soft look under his dangerous look.
“It doesn’t matter,” he replied quickly, and I stared at him. “It matters to me.”
He sighed. “You were at the gala, you were… convenient.”
Ouch. I nodded slowly, even though it hurt.
“And the money?” I asked calmly.
“I doubled it,” he said, and his eyes finally locked into mine. “To make sure you feel secure.”
My heart rang. “Why do you care if I feel secure?”
“I don’t,” he said too fast.
And I instantly swallowed. “You do.”
And then there was decorum between us for a few seconds before he eventually cleared his throat. “Sign, Ella.”
I looked at the pen, and I looked at him, and then my voice shook. “What if things get… dangerous?”
His jaw tightened. “They won’t.”
“But you paused before you answered.”
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, like he was holding something back.
“Ella… I won’t let anything happen to you.”
A warm flutter hit my chest, and I hated that it did.
“I thought we were supposed to be cold with each other,” I whispered.
He stared straight into my eyes. “I can protect someone without loving them.”
My breath caught, and I didn't know why that hurt, and after a long moment, I sighed.
Adrian signed too; it was too fast and neat.
“It’s done,” he said quietly.
I looked at him, and he looked at me back, and then something shifted in the air and
Before I could speak, the door burst open.
A woman strode in. She was tall, she had sharp eyes, and she was beautiful, it was dangerous-kind-of-beautiful.
“Adrian,” she snapped. “Is it true?”
He stiffened. “Lila, not now.”
She turned her eyes on me, and they were sharp and curious.
“So you are the girl.”
My chest tightened. “I… yes?”
She let out a short, cold laugh. “You have no idea what you are stepping into.”
Adrian moved in front of me slightly. “Lila.”
She raised a brow. “Fine, pretend everything is under control, but she should know, trouble is already looking for you.”
My heartbeat spiked. “What trouble?”
She smirked. “You will see.”
Adrian’s jaw flexed. “Get out, Lila.”
She gave me one last glance, it was almost a pity, and walked out.
And then my hands went cold, and Adrian didn’t say anything; he just stood there, breathing slowly, like he was thinking too fast.
“Adrian…” I whispered. “Is something wrong?”
But he didn’t answer, and that scared me more than anything.
____
Two days later, I dragged my suitcase into Adrian’s penthouse, and the moment I walked in, I saw him standing near the kitchen island, and his arms were folded.
“You are late,” he said.
“I had work,” I mumbled.
He nodded stiffly. “Your room is upstairs, second door.”
“My room,” I repeated softly. “Separate rooms.”
“That’s the rule,” he said without any emotion.
We walked upstairs, and we were both mute, and when we reached my room, he stopped beside me. “If anyone asks, we sleep together.”
I choked on air. “What?”
“Public image,” he said, “We have to look convincing.”
“Convincing like… like a real couple?”
“Yes.”
My cheeks heat. “So you will act nice outside…”
“And cold inside,” he finished.
“Wow,” I muttered. “Perfect.”
He turned sharply. “Ella, this isn’t a game.”
“Who said I am playing?” I shot back at him, and we stared at each other. We didn't speak, and we were told to close.
He looked away first. “Don’t go out alone at night.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“That’s not a reason.”
He hesitated. “There are people who watch me, and now they will watch you.”
My heart dropped. “Adrian….”
He stepped back. “Just be careful.”
I was about to ask more when a soft knock came from the stairs. It was Lila.
She stood there, her arms crossed, and her eyes were on me.
“So,” she said slowly. “The new wife is moving in.”
I forced a smile. “Yes.”
She tilted her head. “You really don’t know anything, do you?”
“Know what?” I asked.
She learned slightly. “Adrian’s past doesn’t stay quiet for long.”
Adrian growled, “Lila. Enough.”
She shrugged and left again, but that same warning sat heavy in the air.
Night came fast, and I went downstairs to get water, and that was when I heard it, Adrian’s voice in the study, it was harsh, angry, and low, and I froze at the doorway.
“You betrayed me,” he said into the phone. “Don’t deny it.”
My heart raced.
A man’s voice replied, it was strong and mocking, “You think this is only business? You are already losing, Adrian, and now you've dragged a woman into it.”
My blood chilled. What woman?
Me? I held my breath and listened.
Adrian’s voice dropped; it was dangerous and quiet. “If you touch her….”
Then the call cut…
He stood still and was silent, and his shoulders tensed, and then I stepped back quietly… but my heel hit the floor too hard.
Tap.
He turned immediately, and his cold eyes were locked with mine.
“Ella,” he said slowly. “How much did you hear?”
My heart stopped
- Writer
