Part 3: Rented Heart
381 Words
Chapter 3: Red Flags and Rules
Amara could barely sleep. Her mind was flooded with questions, doubts, and a dangerous excitement she didn’t want to admit. By morning, she had convinced herself to call Leon and politely decline. But the moment his name flashed on her screen, her courage collapsed.
He had sent a short, commanding text:
> “Meeting at 10. Don’t be late.”
And like someone under a spell, she obeyed.
When she arrived at the downtown penthouse, Leon was already waiting, perfectly composed in a charcoal suit. Amara felt painfully underdressed, clutching her worn-out tote bag like a shield.
> “Sit,” he instructed, barely looking up from a stack of papers.
She sank into a chair, heart racing.
> “These,” he gestured to the documents, “are the rules.”
Rules? Again?
Leon tapped his pen against the table, eyes narrowing. “You are not allowed to fall in love with me. Ever.”
The words hit her again like cold water.
“I wasn’t planning on it,” she muttered.
He smirked. “Good. Because I don’t do love, Amara. This is a contract. Nothing more.”
He went on, outlining everything:
No emotional outbursts.
No secrets from him.
And absolutely no involvement with anyone else while the contract lasted.
> “You represent me now,” he said. “That includes how you dress, how you speak, and how you carry yourself in public.”
She blinked. “So I’m yours, basically?”
Leon looked her dead in the eye.
> “Only on paper.”
Amara didn’t know whether to laugh or scream. But something inside her — something stubborn — held her still.
> “We understand each other?” Leon asked.
> “We do,” she replied.
And just like that, the deal was sealed. And the first lie had already begun.
- Writer
