It All Started With A Bet

Chapter 14

Stella POV

I looked up at a giant-sized building in front of me. Black ford Enterprises was written in bold words at the center. I had seen this building many times but never once did I visit it from inside.

"Don't go inside, Stella. How can you sign your life to someone?" my subconsciousness spoke up trying to change the decision that I made after careful consideration.

"Shut up!" I scolded myself and made my way inside the magnificent glass doors. The large building was busy as usual. Employees were rushing from one place to the other. I walked over to the reception

"Hi, How may I help you, mam?" the Receptionist asked me.

"I want to meet Aaron Blackford. My name is Stella Blade" I provided her with my information so that she can lead me to him.

"Do you have an appointment, mam?" she asked while looking through her computer to search for my name.

"Yes, I think so or you can just ask Aaron, he will grant you permission to let me in" I said in a strict voice and took off my sunglasses to show my face.

From my response, her behavior toward me flipped. She still looked unsure of me But to some extent she believed that I was not someone to mess with.

The other girl beside her came and whispered something in her ear because she instantly gave me a polite smile, and came in front of me from behind the desk.

"I am Lina. I am sorry, I didn't recognize you earlier, Miss Blade. Mr. Blackford is waiting for you in his office. Allow me to escort you there" she talked to me with so much respect like I was the owner of this company.

"Lina, please!" I signaled her to lead the way.

She passed the regular elevator and came across an elevator with platinum doors. CEO was engraved in gold on the top of the doors.

"This way" she guided me inside the elevator and pressed the golden button of the second floor from the top. The topmost floor had a diamond button. I guessed that it had the President's Office.

After waiting for three minutes we reached there. The door of the lift opened and welcomed us into a spacious quiet floor. The creamy white floor was shining as if it was newly made. Wooden work, glass equipment, and precious antiques added beauty to the floor.

We walked over to the receptionist on that floor. The silence was so much that even the clicking of our heels could be heard. There were two young women behind the desk.

"This is Miss Blade. Inform CEO of her arrival" Lina said to the near woman.

She picked up the phone and informed Aaron of my arrival.

"Come with me" the woman called Aaron came with me to a large glass door. She opened the door for me so that I can walk in.

"Thank you!" I said out of courtesy and walked in alone.

The large office was colored dark grey with black furniture and a black marble floor. The walls were decorated with expensive dark paintings and over one side there was a medium-sized bookshelf. The office had a large French window, which gave a magnificent view of the city and rushing people, moving cars, etc. I was so busy admiring the beauty of the office that I completely forgot the purpose of my presence there. A clearing of the throat grabbed my attention.

I looked over at the person sitting behind the large table. The aura of an overbearing CEO that was radiating off him forced me to clench my thighs. He looked so eye-catching in a suit with neatly made hair, that all of the male models were inferior to him. My grey eyes met with his hazel ones. I was drowning deep in them when he rescued me by speaking up

"Are you gonna stand there all day, admiring my handsome looks?"

"Narcissistic! I was looking at the portrait behind you" I rolled my eyes at him and walked over to sit in front of him. I put my glasses on the table and leaned back in my seat.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night. Since you came here, it means that you had already made your decision." he looked at me with a questioning look.

"Yes, I have. I agree to the deal........ but I have some conditions!" My eye level was the same as his. We were both trying to read each other through our expressions.

"Go ahead!" he signaled me to continue my words.

"Firstly during the time of our marriage, you will not interfere in any of my matters whether they are personal or business.

Secondly, we will only be a couple only on paper. Don't expect me to fulfill any duties of a wife except in public and in front of the family.

Third and the last one, this marriage is a deal between you and me so if you want to use me for my family background then you can forget about it" I made all matters clear to him in a firm tone.

I could see that he was listening to them with concentration. But his face was void of expressions.

"That's all?" he crossed his hands on the table.

"Yes," I played with my nails.

"I agree to your conditions. Now can we sign the contract?" he picked up a black file near him and passed it to me. I muster up the courage and asked him the question that was irritating me all the time.

"I don't understand, what will you get from this marriage? If you are not marrying me for my family background then what exactly is your purpose?" I inquired as I pulled out a pile of papers from the folder.

"I am sorry, I can't tell you that now but you will find it out very soon," he said in a cold tone. From his tone, it sounded like a high level of confidential information.

"I am fine with it as long as the reason does not harm me and my family" I spoke out while reading the long and detailed contract.

I sat there for almost an hour reading every word of the twenty-long pages. To be honest, the contract was fair with no loophole. I was impressed by his sincerity.

"Can I add the terms in it that I mentioned earlier?" I looked up at him for the first time in the last one hour.

I was shocked as I saw him staring at me. When I caught him, he pretended to be in deep thoughts as if he was not intentionally looking at me.

"Aaron, I asked if I can add the terms that I mentioned earlier to you?" I smirked as I played along with him.

"Yes, you can" he cleared his throat and told me.

I wrote the added terms, rechecked the contract, and was about to sign the contract when he spoke up

"Wait!".............