Chapter 2: The Agreement
487 Words
The next morning, Aunt Clara picked me up early. I barely slept the night before, my mind a hurricane of doubt and determination.
We drove in silence through the bustling streets of Evermist City, leaving behind the crumbling buildings of our neighborhood and entering a world of glimmering glass towers and sleek black cars. I felt out of place in my faded jeans and worn-out sneakers.
Finally, we pulled up to an imposing skyscraper — The Holt Corporation.
"Are you ready?" Aunt Clara asked, squeezing my hand.
No.
But I nodded anyway. For Eli.
Inside, a sharply dressed woman greeted us. "Miss Aria, right? Follow me."
I clutched the strap of my old backpack tighter as she led us into a private conference room. Minutes later, a man walked in — tall, broad-shouldered, exuding cold authority. His charcoal suit was tailored to perfection, and his icy blue eyes seemed to see right through me.
Damian Holt.
The man whose child I would carry.
He didn't smile. He didn’t even offer a handshake.
"Sit," he said curtly.
I obeyed, feeling like I was being interviewed for a job far beyond my reach.
"My lawyer has prepared the agreement," he began without preamble. "You'll be compensated one hundred thousand dollars upon confirmed pregnancy. Half upfront, half after delivery."
I swallowed hard.
"You will live at my estate until the child is born. Medical expenses are covered. You will receive an additional bonus if the child is healthy at birth."
I nodded, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"No relationships during the contract period. No revealing the child’s paternity. No termination of pregnancy without my consent. Understood?"
His voice was like ice — sharp, merciless.
I stiffened. "Understood."
Damian glanced at Aunt Clara. "Leave us."
She hesitated, then stood, giving me a reassuring squeeze before stepping out.
Now it was just me and him. Alone.
His gaze pinned me to the chair.
"Are you a virgin?" he asked bluntly.
Heat rushed to my face, but I lifted my chin. "Yes."
He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers.
"No emotional attachments. This is strictly business," he said.
Strictly business. I repeated the words silently, like a shield.
A soft knock interrupted us. Damian’s lawyer entered, placing a thick document on the table. I skimmed it — terms, obligations, penalties. Every word screamed how serious this was.
I picked up the pen with trembling fingers.
One signature. That’s all it would take to save Eli.
I scrawled my name across the line:
Aria Lennox.
Damian took the papers and signed without hesitation. For him, this was just another transaction.
"You move into my estate tomorrow," he said. "Be ready."
I nodded, feeling like I had just sold a piece of my soul.
As I left the towering building, the city’s cold wind slapped my cheeks. I pulled my jacket tighter and whispered under my breath:
"This is for you, Eli."
- Writer
