THE CEO RUN AWAY BRIDE

THE CONTRACT

9:00am. Exactly.

Adrian's lawyer was sitting in the living room with a thick folder and a cold face.

"Miss Thompson," he said. "This is a standard protection agreement."

I sat across from him in jeans and a sweater Adrian's maid gave me. I hadn't slept.

Adrian was at the other end of the couch, reading emails on his phone like this was nothing.

The lawyer opened the folder. "Clause 1: Miss Ella Thompson will reside in Blackwood Residence for 30 days. Clause 2: Blackwood Security will provide 24/7 protection for Miss Thompson and her son, Kemi Thompson."

He kept going. Page after page.

"And in exchange?" I asked.

The lawyer looked at Adrian.

Adrian finally put his phone down. "In exchange, you attend 3 dinners with me. As my date. That's it."

"Why?"

"Because Damian Cole will be there," Adrian said flatly. "And I want him to see you on my arm."

Cruel. Petty. Perfect CEO energy.

"And my son?"

"Will be moved to a secure location today. Private school. New name if you want it."

My heart squeezed. "I want to see him first."

"After you sign," Adrian said.

It felt like a trap. But it was the only trap keeping me alive.

I picked up the pen. My hand was shaking.

"One question," I said before signing. "What happens after 30 days?"

Adrian met my eyes. "5 million naira. New passport. And you disappear."

Freedom. Money. Safety.

I signed.

The lawyer took the papers and left.

As soon as he was gone, Adrian stood up. "Good. Car leaves in 1 hour. You're coming with me to the office."

"What? Why?"

"Because if you're going to pretend to be my girlfriend, people need to see us together."

One hour later I was in the back of his Maybach wearing a dress I didn't buy, heels I couldn't walk in, and more makeup than I've worn in years.

The Blackwood Group building was 40 floors of glass and power.

Everyone stared as we walked in.

"Who is she?"

"Since when does Adrian bring dates to work?"

"Is that the runaway bride?"

Adrian's hand rested on the small of my back. It burned through the fabric.

We got to his office on the top floor. Floor to ceiling windows. A desk bigger than my kitchen.

"Sit," he said, pointing to the chair next to him.

I sat.

For the next 4 hours, I watched him destroy people in meetings. Cold. Brilliant. Terrifying.

At 3pm, his assistant came in. "Sir, Damian Cole is downstairs. He says he needs 5 minutes."

The room went silent.

Adrian looked at me. Then smiled. It wasn't a nice smile.

"Send him up," he said.

2 minutes later, the door opened.

And Damian walked in.

His eyes found me immediately.

"What the hell is she doing here?" he spat.

Adrian leaned back in his chair. "She works for me now."

Damian laughed. "She's my fiancée."

"Was," I said. My voice didn't shake. "I'm not anymore."

Damian's face went dark. "You think he's protecting you? He'll chew you up and spit you out, Ella."

Adrian stood up slowly. "You have 10 seconds to get out of my office before my security throws you out."

Damian looked between us. Then he pointed at me. "This isn't over."

He left.

The door closed.

Adrian looked at me. "You did good."

For some reason, that made my chest feel warm.

Dangerous.

Because rule #1 was: No falling in love.

And rule #2 was: Adrian Blackwood breaks every rule.

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TO BE CONTINUED IN EPISODE 4: "THE FIRST DINNER"