CHAPTER 6- TERMS AND CONDITIONS
633 Words
Adrian stood beside the floor-to-ceiling window, the city stretched beneath him in ribbons of light and steel.
"You wanted the truth," he said without turning around. "I'll give it to you."
Aria remained near the door, the contract resting unopened on the edge of his desk.
"I'm listening."
"The merger is scheduled for next month. Every investor, every journalist, and every board member is watching me. They don't care about my private life because they're curious." He finally looked at her. "They care because uncertainty costs money."
"And a fake engagement fixes that?"
"It buys the company time."
Aria folded her arms.
"It still sounds dishonest."
"It is selective truth," Adrian replied evenly. "Not everyone deserves access to every part of my life."
She let out a quiet breath.
"I've never pretended to be someone I'm not."
"I'm not asking you to."
His answer caught her off guard.
"I don't need you to become someone else, Miss Monroe. I need you to be exactly who you already are."
Silence settled between them.
He slid a page from the contract toward her.
"There are rules."
She scanned the heading.
Terms of Agreement
"No public arguments."
"Attendance at official company events."
"Confidentiality."
She looked up.
"These don't seem unreasonable."
"They're the easy ones."
He turned another page.
"The arrangement lasts six months unless both parties agree otherwise."
"And after six months?"
"We walk away."
The words were simple.
Yet something about the way he said them made Aria wonder if he believed them himself.
She looked back at the contract.
"If I say yes..."
"You'll receive a salary, accommodation if you choose it, security when required, and complete freedom to leave once the agreement ends."
"And if I say no?"
Adrian met her gaze.
"I'll respect your decision."
She ran her fingers along the edge of the folder before looking up.
"You've answered most of my questions," she said quietly. "But not the ones that matter."
Adrian folded his hands.
"Ask."
"If I agree to this... where would I live?"
"There's a company-owned penthouse a few blocks from mine. You'll have your own space."
"So I won't actually live with you?"
"No."
She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"And what if someone from the media asks us how we met?"
"We'll have a prepared story."
Her brow furrowed.
"A prepared story?"
"We'll rehearse it until it becomes second nature."
She shook her head.
"I've never lied this much in my life."
"I know."
His answer was calm, almost gentle.
"That's exactly why I chose you."
Aria looked away, her reflection faintly visible in the office window.
"What if someone finds out?"
"They won't."
"You can't promise that."
"No," Adrian admitted. "I can't."
The honesty surprised her.
He leaned back in his chair.
"But if the truth comes out, I'll take responsibility. Not you."
She searched his face for any sign of deception.
She found none.
For the first time since she'd met him, she believed he meant it.
She closed the file gently.
"I still need one answer."
"What is it?"
"Why did you choose me... really?"
For the first time, Adrian didn't answer immediately.
His usual confidence gave way to a thoughtful silence.
Finally, he spoke.
"Because everyone else tried to impress me."
He held her gaze.
"You were the only person who wasn't afraid to disagree with me."
Before Aria could respond, a sharp knock interrupted the moment.
Nathan stepped into the office, his expression unusually serious.
"Adrian."
"What is it?"
Nathan placed a tablet on the desk.
"You need to see this."
The screen displayed a breaking news alert.
BLACKWELL HOLDINGS' MYSTERY WOMAN IDENTIFIED? PAPARAZZI CLAIM CEO MET PRIVATELY WITH AN UNKNOWN APPLICANT.
Adrian's expression hardened.
Nathan looked at Aria.
"I think someone has been following you."
- Writer
