CONTRACT WITH THE ALPHA CEO

CHAPTER 2

THE RULES

Charlotte didn't sleep much that night.

The contract sat on her desk.

She had read it so many times that she could practically remember every clause.

Six months.

Three hundred thousand.

Public appearances.

Living arrangements.

Confidentiality.

And one particularly important rule:

Neither party could develop personal expectations beyond the agreement.

Charlotte almost laughed at that part.

How could two people pretend to be in a relationship without feelings becoming involved?

Still, the money was impossible to ignore.

By morning, she had made her decision.

She returned to Blackwood Tower.

Daniel led her into Adrian's office.

Adrian was already there.

"You came back."

Charlotte placed the contract on his desk.

"I've read everything."

"And?"

"I'll do it."

For the first time, Adrian looked directly into her eyes.

"Are you certain?"

"No."

His eyebrow lifted.

Charlotte sighed.

"But I need the money."

Adrian nodded.

"Then we'll proceed."

He pushed another document toward her.

"The final agreement."

Charlotte picked up the pen.

Before signing, she looked at him.

"Your rules."

"My rules?"

"For this arrangement. You said there were rules."

"There are."

Adrian leaned back in his chair.

"First, you don't discuss the contract with anyone."

Charlotte nodded.

"Second, when we're in public, you follow my lead."

"Fine."

"Third, you don't enter my private office or personal rooms without permission."

"Fine."

"Fourth, you don't interfere with my business."

"I wouldn't want to."

"And fifth..."

He paused.

Charlotte waited.

"Don't fall in love with me."

Charlotte stared at him.

Then she laughed.

"Trust me. That's not going to be a problem."

Something flickered across Adrian's face.

Perhaps irritation.

Perhaps amusement.

Charlotte signed.

Adrian signed immediately afterward.

The deal was official.

Her life was about to change.

Two days later, Charlotte stood outside the gates of Adrian's mansion with a suitcase beside her.

The house was enormous.

It looked less like a home and more like a private estate.

Daniel opened the gate.

"Mr. Blackwood asked me to make sure you're comfortable."

Charlotte looked around.

"I don't think comfortable is the word."

Daniel smiled.

"You'll get used to it."

A housekeeper showed Charlotte to her room.

The bedroom was larger than the entire apartment she had been living in.

There was a huge bed, a walk-in wardrobe, a private bathroom, and windows overlooking the garden.

Charlotte stood in the middle of the room.

"This is insane."

She placed her suitcase down.

A few minutes later, she heard a knock.

Adrian entered.

He was no longer wearing his suit jacket. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing his forearms.

Charlotte immediately remembered the contract.

Rules.

She needed rules.

"Why are you here?"

"We have dinner tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Our first public appearance is tomorrow."

Charlotte nodded.

"Right."

Adrian looked around.

"Is everything satisfactory?"

"More than satisfactory."

"Good."

He turned toward the door.

"Wait."

He stopped.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes."

"Why me?"

Silence filled the room.

Adrian looked at her.

"I already answered that."

"No. You said I don't belong to your world. That's not an answer."

His jaw tightened.

"You don't need to know everything."

Charlotte crossed her arms.

"Fine."

She expected him to leave.

Instead, Adrian said quietly,

"You're not easily intimidated."

Charlotte blinked.

"What?"

"Most people change when they're around me."

"Should I?"

"No."

For some reason, the answer surprised her.

Adrian walked away.

Charlotte watched him disappear down the hallway.

Something about the man confused her.

He was cold.

Distant.

Yet there was something beneath that coldness.

Something he was desperately trying to hide.

The next evening, Charlotte entered the dining room.

Adrian was already seated.

He looked at her.

For a second, he didn't speak.

Charlotte wondered if something was wrong.

Finally, he said,

"You're late."

She looked at the clock.

"I'm three minutes late."

"Exactly."

Charlotte rolled her eyes.

"Good evening to you too."

Adrian almost smiled.

Almost.

Dinner was quiet.

Then his phone rang.

He answered.

Charlotte continued eating.

But suddenly, Adrian's expression changed.

His eyes became darker.

His hand tightened around the phone.

"What?"

He listened.

Then stood.

"I'll handle it."

He ended the call.

Charlotte looked at him.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes."

But his voice suggested otherwise.

He walked toward the door.

Then he stopped.

For just a moment, he looked back at Charlotte.

Something strange passed through his expression.

It was as if he had sensed something.

Something he couldn't explain.

Adrian left the room.

Charlotte frowned.

Neither of them knew that the call had just brought the first warning of trouble.

And the contract had barely begun.