Tangled in Temptation

CHAPTER3

Through the blinds of Amelia's flat, the early light filtered in and created gentle shadows on the gleaming wood flooring. She hardly slept. Her head was buzzing with several permutations that might follow from her choice and replaying every word Sebastian uttered. As if the walls of the apartment were closing in on her, pleading for a decision, act before she was crushed under the weight of everything was oppressive.

She thought she had decided. But now that the moment had come—one seriously life-changing event of which she stood on the verge—Amelia was doubting everything.

With professional ease, she slid her blazer off the seat back and grabbed it off. She had to seem calm—so professional, notwithstanding. Particularly in business affairs, Sebastian Hawke expected nothing less. She had to carry out her role; the arranged plan included the legal marriage. She had to go no matter how many doubts hounded her inside and no matter how much uncertainty loomed in her head corners.

The city seemed practically dead as she left her house and entered the fresh early morning air. The frantic energy that defined the city, the typical hustle and bustle of New York, felt far off. It felt like every last bit had been boiled down to this one choice, this one instant. She would next enter the offices of Hawke Industries, where the guy who had ruled her career would be waiting to finalize their negotiation.

Quickly, the drive to the office flew by buildings and never-ending traffic. Amelia's nerves were on edge by the time she got to the large skyscraper, but she marched in with her head bowed, trying to present a confidence she didn't completely feel.

In the lobby, Hawke Industries' sharp, minimalistic design was as challenging as ever. Everything about the building cried opulence, authority, and strictness: the polished marble floors, the high ceilings, the glass walls. She thought of herself as a tiny fish in a sea of sharks.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she neared the elevator. She pushed the button for the top floor, where Sebastian's office was to be found. The ascent seemed to take more time than usual; the quietness of the lift was nearly oppressive. Amelia walked from the penthouse-like room with every inch of space intended to project riches and power when the doors finally opened.

Apart from a slim glass desk where a secretary was seated typing away, her eyes hardly looking up as Amelia approached, the reception area was vacant. She greeted Amelia with a nice grin but said zero words. The stillness in the air felt almost deliberate: an unsaid acknowledgment that something significant was going on nowadays, something that would alter everything.

"Mr. Hawke is expecting you," the receptionist said, cool and professional.

Amelia nodded, lips parched, hands clammy. Unknowingly, she had created quite a show and was about to change her course of life. Still, she was not able to back out at that time. Had no means of turning back.

When she attained it, his body outlined against the big windows behind him, the door to Sebastian's office was already open. Standing, his body language powerful and intentional, he was gazing out over the city. His piercing blue eyes fixed on her when he turned, wondering; a weak smile tugged his lips. But in his look there was something cold and unsettling that turned Amelia's stomach.

"Amelia," he said calmly but tinged with something else—expectation?—I'm glad you could arrive."

"Of course," she said, getting in the room. Though her chest flutters, she maintained an even voice. "I am ready."

Sebastian motioned to the chair in front of his desk, and she sat, fighting to control her anxiety. He headed to the desk, picked up a smooth black folder, and glided it across to her. The front's gold-embossed writing caught Amelia's eyes: Marriage Contract.

She started to pulse quickly, breathing little. As if it carried not only legal terms but also the very destiny of her life, the folder's weight seemed heavier than she had assumed. Only for a second did she hesitate before opening it, going over the meticulously worded clauses in front of her. The wedding would be a public event to run for one year: that was clear. The conditions were obvious: she would take over as executive director at Hawke Industries, including all the perks and authority thereof. Consequently, she would be Sebastian's wife, going to business events, making public appearances, and keeping up appearances of a cheerful marriage. Runner for Singer. There were no emotional expectations; there were no demands for anything beyond her part.

But something bothered her as her eyes flew over the document—that in the small print. It was what she had expected. These sorts of agreements always had something concealed, something not mentioned, some stipulation restricting her to him in ways she couldn't foresee.

Sebastian got back in his chair, still staring at her face. He watched her intently and then waited for her reaction. He understood precisely the catch, the hidden clause that would forever link her to him.

She gulped painfully, trying to stabilize herself. She said the words felt unusual in her mouth, although I would have to check with my attorney. She was not one to second-guess things set in front of her, and she had never wavered. But now, with the future of her career and life in jeopardy, she felt unsure.

For a split second, Sebastian's eyes changed. "The need for an attorney is not there," he stated softly yet firmly. "Already everything you need has been provided." Your signature is all that remains.”

Her ears rang with his words. All you need. Was she? Is that all there was to it? Power, riches, a top location? Could she really depend on him, the agreement, or was it a cage from which she could never get out?

Still, she had no other option. The chance was too great, too valuable to pass over. Years of hard labor and constant sacrifice had brought this single point that she had waited for.

Her hand shaking a bit, she got the pen from the table and placed it on the paper. As she penned her name, each stroke of the pen made the transaction official, tying her to this man, this life, this agreement.

When she was done, she dropped the pen down and felt a curious combination of excitement and trepidation. She had done it. There was no return now.

With a pleased grin, Sebastian reached across the desk for the signed contract. His voice even and cool, he said, "Welcome to the family, Amelia."

The room itself seemed to have moved for a short period. As she gazed at him, her belly turned; the outside world seemed to fade away. She had agreed to the deal, but at what price?