The contract we signed in hate

Chapter 3

"The board seat and"

"You"

Darian completed

Jea smirked, went quite and hung up

Then she smiled amused

"I won't be attending the meeting"

She said, turning just enough to look at Liora

"I've got a guest"

She walked out without another word

Once the door shut, Liora's shoulders dropped

"The meeting is important"

She mumbled

"Why miss it"

"I guess I'm attending then"

____

Jea stepped out of the car and slammed the door behind her. She paused, looked ahead, then turned to face the building.

Then she walked forward, each step deliberate, until she reached the door. It slid opened automatically, and she was ushered in.

"He's on the third floor,"

the hostess by the elevator informed her.

Jea swept her hair over her shoulders.

She stepped into the elevator. Ding. Moments later, she was on the third floor.

The hallway stretched ahead to a turn, with guards lining each wall.

The man at the door bowed slightly when she reached him and opened the door for her.

She stepped into the room. It was smoke-filled. Darian stood facing the window, his tall, built frame casting a long shadow across the floor.

The room was poorly lit.

"I've been curious to see who knew so much about me."

Jea took a step closer.

"It's a pleasure meeting you in person, Darian Vale."

"You didn't say you'd keep me waiting"

"Jea Donnis"

Darian murmured

"You didn't say you'd wait either,"

she replied, a smug smile tugging at her lips

Darian turned to face her fully. Their eyes met. The entire room felt the heat sparked between them, though neither of them flinched.

It felt more like there were about to sign a declaration of war and less like a contract marriage

Then his assistant opened the door, cutting through the tension.

"Sir, the lawyers have arrived,"

he announced

Jea only turned once he left. She took a seat at the round table, set her bag on the chair beside her, palms resting on her lap

Darian remained where he stood

Both lawyers sat too, silently feeling the weight in the air

His lawyer slid the file across the table. Marrow picked it up and handed it to Jea.

She flipped to the first page, then the second, then the third which held the marriage contract.

Darian's signature was already there, stamped boldly

She picked up the black Montblanc pen lying on the table, belonging to Darian, and signed from the first page to the last. Her signature dragged longer on the final page. The pen lingered a second before she set it down

"It's done,"

his lawyer stated, handing her lawyer a copy of the signed contract, he tucked Darian's copy into his bag

Darian finally moved, his strides steady toward the door.

Jea stood, grabbed her bag, and turned to his direction

Darian stopped near the door and glanced over his shoulder.

"Tomorrow. 8 pm. Don't be late,"

he said, then kept walking

Jea turned to the glass window instead, arms folded across her chest, bag still in hand, as she watched his car pull away, then she turned to leave

But Marrow's voice stopped her halfway.

"You still have time to think about this,"

he said in a fatherly tone

"Why?"

Jea asked, startled

"What?"

"Why should I?"

she pressed

"He's dangerous,"

he warned

"So?"

"I'm only looking out for you,"

he confessed

Jea let out a dry laugh

"Really?"

she asked, in disbelief

Marrow only exhaled hard

"Your father."

"He's the reason I'm still here"

"Oh,"

Jea breathed

"Can I ask you a favor then?"

"Anything,"

he answered

She looked away and sighed. Just then, a message popped up on her phone.

_____

"This is the height of disorder."

One of the board members muttered.

The others shook their heads in disappointment.

Mira sat back, comfortably slouched in her seat, half absent-minded, like someone waiting for the show to begin.

A smug smile curved on Manson's face.

"In the midst of a crisis, she just disappears,"

another board member snapped, anger edged in his voice.

"How can she not attend an important meeting? Our stocks are tanking!"

another one raged.

"What is she thinking?"

he demanded, his voice rising.

Liora stood by the door, head slightly bowed. She couldn't think of a single way to handle this.

Manson watched the angry board members one by one.

When he felt the tension peak, he cleared his throat, straightened his jacket, and stood.

"Let's all calm down,"

he began, his voice low and husky.

"We can't keep doing this."

He cleared his throat again.

"It's clear she's backing out."

"Instead of tearing each other apart, we should move to the next viable solution."

He continued, carefully baiting them.

He paused and scanned their faces. Most of them were nodding, in agreement to what he said

"So what if she's bailing out?"

"What if she can't handle it?"

"What if she's given up?"

"We can't fall with her. There are other options."

he pressed, driving the point home.

"Why don't we wait to hear from Miss Jea?"

one suggested.

Manson frowned deeply, then forced a smile.

"The company can't wait,"

he replied, his smile widening.

The rest echoed in support.

"So what's the next move?"

they asked.

Manson's smile widened.

Then, carefully, without exposing his scheme:

"The company needs a decision maker."

"That means a new CEO."

"No one is trying to claim ownership. We just need someone to stand in and make the necessary decisions."

"Before any of those decisions can be made effectively,"

"we need a new CEO."

He finished, meeting each of their eyes.

The board erupted into confusion, members leaning in to whisper.

"That's what will work best,"

he pushed.

Slowly, one by one, they began nodding in agreement.

Manson and Mira's smiles widened.

Liora panicked. She had dialed Jea's number multiple times to warn her, but the line wouldn't go through.

She was torn between Jea's safety and the situation at hand.

"She's not the type to leave me worrying,"

she murmured.

"Didn't expect her to run away,"

Mira's voice cut in, dripping with mockery as she stared at Liora.

"Maybe some people aren't as tough as they seem."

Liora's lips parted.

"Oh!"

"She heard me?"

she mouthed silently.

"Are we good?"

Manson asked, swinging both hands briefly in the air.

They nodded in agreement.

"Let's call the vote."

The board members started scribbling on papers.

Mira turned toward the door, and noticed the slight shift in the doorknob.