The Contract
1183 Words
Chapter One: “The Contract”
The lunch rush at Farewell Café was always the busiest part of Emma June's day. Plates clattered, coffee machines hissed, and customers called for refills almost as soon as they sat down. Emma moved quickly between the tables with a smile, balancing two trays of food while jotting down some order.
She was exhausted, but no one could notice.
Her shift had started at five that morning, and she still had another six hours to go. Every extra hour meant a little more money for her family.
As she placed a hot cup of coffee in front of a young customer, a phone vibration from her pocket (She glanced at the screen during a brief pause).
“Mom’s Calling” she said,
Emma immediately stepped into the hallway beside the kitchen.
"Hi, Mom."
"Emma," her mother said softly. "I'm sorry to bother you while you're working."
"It's fine mom u never do."
"I... I received another bill from the hospital today."
(Emma closed her eyes for a second and took a very long breath with tears clouding her eyes)
"How much?"
(A long silence was taken)
"Two hundred thousand naira."
(The tears finally crawled down her cheeks)
She had been saving for months, but between rent, groceries, and her younger brother Mark's school fees, there was almost nothing left.
"I'll figure something out," she said.
"You don't have to carry everything alone."
"I know."
But deep down, Emma knew she had to.
After ending the call, she took a deep breath, wiped away the tears, and walked back into the café wearing the same cheerful smile as before.
No customer needed to know her world was falling apart.
***
Across the city, Adrian Cole stood at the floor to ceiling window of the top floor of Cole's Corporation.
The skyline stretched endlessly before him, but he never noticed it.
His lawyer had just delivered news that clouded everything.
"There has to be another option," Adrian said.
"I'm afraid there isn't," the lawyer replied.
He slid a document across the polished desk.
"It was your grandmother's final wish."
Adrian looked down at the will before him.
To inherit full ownership of Cole's Corporation, Adrian Cole must be legally married within twenty days of the reading of this will. Failure to do so, the will transfer control of the company to the board of directors until the condition is fulfilled.
Adrian laughed bitterly.
"So my grandmother is controlling my life even after her death?"
"She believed marriage would help you find balance," said the lawyer.
"I don't need balance."
"You need a wife."
(Argument between the lawyer and Adrian became heated.
Adrian rubbed his forehead.
"I don't have time to fall in love."
"No one said you had to."
The lawyer paused.
"You just need to get married."
(LATER THAT EVENING**)
Adrian stopped at Farewell Café to escape the endless meetings waiting for him.
He chose a quiet table by the window.
Within minutes, the young Emma approached.
"Good evening," she said warmly.
"What can I get for you?"
Adrian looked up.
For the first time that day, someone smiled at him without expecting anything in return.
"I'll have a black coffee."
"And something to eat?"
He hesitated.
"I haven't decided."
Emma smiled.
"Then I'll give you a few minutes."
As she walked away, Adrian noticed how she greeted every customer with genuine kindnessans with a bright smile all over her face.
Even when one customer complained about a delayed order, she apologized politely instead of arguing.
She looked tired.
“I'm very tired," she said to herself.
Yet she never stopped smiling.
(AN HOUR LATER***)
An hour later, disaster struck.
A little boy accidentally knocked over a glass of apple juice.
The drink spilled across Adrian's exquisite suit.
"I'm so sorry!" Emma exclaimed, rushing over with napkins.
The little boy burst into tears.
"It was an accident," Adrian said calmly.
Emma blinked in shock.
“Most wealthy customers would have demanded compensation," Emma said to herself.
Instead, Adrian knelt beside the child.
"It's okay."
The boy sniffled.
"Really?"
"Really."
Emma watched in surprise.
Maybe rich people weren't all the same.
***
When Adrian finished his meal, he noticed a small notebook sticking out of Emma's apron pocket.
"Are you a student?" he asked.
She smiled.
"No."
"A writer?"
She laughed.
"I wish."
"So what's the notebook for?"
She hesitated before answering.
"My bakery."
He looked confused.
"I write down recipes."
"You own a bakery?"
"Not yet."
Her smile faded slightly.
"It's just a dream."
Before Adrian could say anything, another customer called her attention.
“Excuse me” ,she said politely as she hurried away.
But her words stayed with him.
“It's just a dream”.
***
That night, Emma returned to the tiny apartment she shared with her mother and younger brother.
Daniel looked up from his homework.
"How was work?"
"Busy."
He noticed her expression.
"The hospital called again?"
She nodded.
Daniel looked guilty.
"I'm sorry."
Emma gently ruffled his hair.
"You've done nothing wrong."
"We'll be okay."
She wasn't sure if she believed her own words.
Later, after everyone had gone to bed, Emma opened the notebook she carries everywhere.
Inside were sketches of cakes, menus, bakery logos, and recipes she had collected over the years.
Across the first page she had written one sentence.
“Emma's Bakery”...Coming Soon.
"One day," she whispered.
---
The following afternoon, Adrian found himself back at Farewell Café.
Emma looked surprised.
"You're back."
"The coffee was good."he said.
She smiled.
"I'll bring another cup."
As she returned with the coffee, Adrian asked quietly,
"What would it cost?"
She frowned.
"For what?"
"To make your dream come true."
Emma laughed, assuming he was joking.
"I don't even know."
"A million dollars?"
She nearly dropped the coffee pot.
"That's... a lot of money."
"What if someone offered it to you?"
Emma studied him carefully.
"There would have to be a catch."
Adrian gave a faint smile.
"There is."
Before he could explain, his phone rang.
His lawyer.
"Mr. Cole," the lawyer said urgently, "the board has moved the emergency meeting to tomorrow."
"I'll be there."
"And have you found someone?"
Adrian looked at Emma as she served another customer.
Not because he knew her.
Nor did he feel any love towards her.
But because she was honest, hardworking, and in desperate need of an opportunity.
An impossible idea entered his mind.
When Emma returned, Adrian stood.
"I have a business proposal."
She folded her arms.
"I'm listening."
"It will sound crazy","It probably will."
"I need a wife." He said with a look of hope in his eyes.
Emma stared at him."...What?"
He took a slow breath.
"I'm completely serious."
Emma blinked twice before laughing and a tear
rolling down her cheek.
"I'm sorry"....
She wiped a tear from her eye.
"That was actually funny."
Adrian didn't laugh.
Her smile slowly disappeared.
"You... weren't joking?"
He shook his head.
Silence filled the café.
Neither of them realized that this unexpected conversation was about to change their lives forever.
- Writer
