THE RULES
853 Words
Three days passed too quickly.
By Saturday morning, Maya had stopped asking herself whether she was making a mistake.
She already knew the answer.
She was.
The problem was that mistakes were sometimes easier to make when the alternative was losing everything.
A black car waited outside her mother's house.
Maya stepped onto the pavement carrying a small suitcase.
Her mother stood in the doorway, watching.
"You don't have to do this," she said.
Maya looked at her.
"I know."
"Then don't."
Maya's fingers tightened around the suitcase handle.
"If I don't, the bank takes the bookstore."
Her mother lowered her eyes.
Neither of them needed to say anything else.
Maya walked over and hugged her.
"I'll be back."
Her mother held her for a moment longer than usual.
"Just be careful."
Maya pulled away.
"I will."
She turned toward the car.
Then stopped.
"One year."
Her mother nodded.
"One year."
The Moretti estate stood behind tall iron gates on the outskirts of the city.
Maya stared through the window as the gates opened.
The property was beautiful.
And intimidating.
Stone walls surrounded enormous gardens. Security cameras were hidden beneath the roofline. Men in dark suits stood at different points around the grounds, watching every vehicle that entered.
Maya's stomach tightened.
This wasn't a home.
It was a fortress.
The car stopped beneath a covered entrance.
A woman in her fifties opened the door.
"Miss Bennett?"
"Yes."
"I'm Clara. Mr. Moretti's housekeeper."
Clara smiled warmly.
"Come inside."
Maya stepped out.
Her heels clicked against the marble floor.
The entrance hall seemed endless.
Paintings covered the walls. A massive staircase curved toward the upper floors. Everything was expensive, but nothing felt welcoming.
Then she heard footsteps.
She turned.
Adrian stood at the top of the staircase.
Dark suit.
White shirt.
No tie.
He looked down at her for several seconds.
"You came."
Maya raised an eyebrow.
"You sound surprised."
"I wasn't sure you would."
"I signed a contract."
"People change their minds."
"Not when their family's future depends on it."
His gaze lingered on her face.
Then he descended the stairs.
When he reached her, he held out his hand.
Maya stared at it.
"For what?"
"Your suitcase."
"I can carry it."
"I know."
She reluctantly handed it over.
He took it without another word.
Somehow, the small gesture unsettled her more than his intimidating reputation.
The wedding ceremony was simple.
No reporters.
No huge celebration.
Only a few family members, trusted employees, and a lawyer.
Maya stood beside Adrian beneath a white floral arch.
Her wedding dress was elegant and modest.
She kept looking at the ring on her finger.
It felt strange.
Too real.
When it was Adrian's turn to speak his vows, his voice remained steady.
When Maya spoke hers, she almost stumbled over the words.
The priest smiled gently.
"You may exchange rings."
Adrian took her hand.
His fingers were warm.
He slipped the ring onto hers.
Maya looked up.
For one brief second, their eyes met.
Then he released her hand.
No lingering touch.
No romantic smile.
Exactly as the contract promised.
After the ceremony, Adrian took her to his study.
A copy of the marriage agreement lay on the desk.
"The rules," he said.
Maya folded her arms.
"I'm listening."
"First, everything about this marriage stays private."
"Fine."
"Second, you don't interfere with my business."
"I have no interest in your business."
"Good."
"Third?"
His eyes sharpened.
"You never leave the estate without security."
Maya frowned.
"I'm not a prisoner."
"No."
He paused.
"You're my wife."
"That sounds worse."
A faint smile appeared.
"You're learning quickly."
She pointed at the contract.
"What happens if I break that rule?"
"Nothing."
She looked surprised.
"Nothing?"
"I'll come find you."
"And?"
"I'll bring you home."
Maya studied him.
"You make everything sound like a threat."
"That's because you keep assuming I'm threatening you."
"Are you?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he opened another drawer and placed a phone on the desk.
"That's a private number. If you're ever in trouble, call it."
Maya looked at the phone.
"Your number?"
"Direct line."
She picked it up.
"Why give me this if we're supposed to keep our distance?"
His expression changed slightly.
"Because distance doesn't mean I won't protect you."
For once, Maya had no reply.
That evening, she stood on the balcony of her new room.
The city lights stretched beyond the estate.
She heard the door behind her.
Adrian.
He stopped a few feet away.
"You should sleep."
"I'm not tired."
"You have a long day tomorrow."
She turned.
"What happens tomorrow?"
"Breakfast with my family."
Maya sighed.
"I've already survived marrying you. How bad can breakfast be?"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"That depends on my cousin."
"Why?"
"Because he doesn't believe this marriage is real."
Maya's stomach tightened.
"And what does he intend to do?"
Adrian looked toward the dark garden.
"Find out."
A cold feeling settled in her chest.
For the first time, Maya understood something important.
The contract might have been between her and Adrian.
But their marriage belonged to an entire family.
And not everyone wanted her there.
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