PASSION'S CONTRACT

CHAPTER 2

Marie held the phone like a hot potato. Her body froze, not understanding why—just why did he have to disrupt her life this way? What exactly did he give him the right to do this to her?

Is it all because he is a billionaire and now he is trying to rub it in her face?

"Who is it? Did he tell you the person causing all this ruckus?"

"Yes, he did."

"Good...so?"

"Antoine"

"You don't mean Antoine Donovan, right?"

"The one and only" Marie's hand clenched into a fist as she looked ahead without saying another word.

"What does he want from a small business owner like you, or did you offend him in any way?" asked Mike, not understanding the issue. What did Marie do to offend a big shot like him? Marie is always sweet and calm. She is a person who would rethink before killing a fly. So why is someone farther than her in every aspect after her?

Marie didn't tell Mike about Antoine being her nemesis. Neither did she ever tell him they had known each other for a very long time. She didn't think it was important to tell him about that anyway.

And even now, she doesn't still think it is important to say that to him.

She looked away, avoiding the question. The tears in her eyes now dried up, even though she still felt like crying out tears of frustration.

Out of everyone God could send her way, why him?

"I'd go see him tomorrow," said Marie before she walked into the room they shared and shut the door.

Her hand scrolled through her phone, stopping at a particular contact. The name Antoine was written as clear as day in bold letters. A contact she didn't delete after so many years. Her hand hovered over the contact for a while before the door was opened, and she quickly deleted it.

Her hand clenched the phone tight, realizing what she had done, but she couldn't take it back as she had already deleted it permanently and there was no trash to run to.

But why would she want to run to the trash anyway? That is what he is, after all. Just a piece of trash. Anger coursed through Marie's veins as Mike came over to sit by her side.

"It would be alright," he said, as gentle as the cool wind while patting her head lightly. Marie rested her head on his shoulder with a sigh. "I wish I could help you; I wish to be your anchor," he chuckled mockingly, "but I can't even be of assistance to myself, yet I want to help you. What a joke!" he was mocking himself.

Remembering what he did always made him angry, losing a lot of money while trying to start a business. Even the money Marie lent him was lost now. Looking at the girl who could do anything for him crumbling before him, he could do nothing to save her from herself.

He felt useless.

"I love you just the way you are." Marie hugged him tightly with a gentle squeeze, which made him chuckle at her cute behavior.

Love... Marie hugged him tighter. Yes, that's what she had for him; what she had was... love. Or, what else could she call it?

It was now the next day, and Marie rushed to the company she remembered like the back of her hand.

Looking at the big skyscraper, Marie looked down before making a cross sign and walking into the building.

She looked around as her shoe, which wasn't as flashy as the heels the females in the company wore, made an embarrassing sound.

Marie felt her face heat up, and she couldn't help but feel like she'd die out of embarrassment before she could do what she came over for.

She saw people giving her weird looks as she walked over to the secretary and stood awkwardly.

"I want to see Mr. Antoine."

"You are welcome, ma'am. Do you have an appointment with him?"

"I do not."

"I'm sorry you can't see him without an appointment," the Secretary seemed used to saying these words, as she smiled all through like a programmed robot.

"Um, can you call him, please, and tell him Marie from the artisan bakery?"

"Alright"

"Thank you"

She made the call as Marie pursed her beautiful, lush lips and tucked her red hair, which came out of the messy bun in her head to the back of her ear.

The call went on for some minutes as Marie pulled down her gown as if it could cover her curvy shape.

Her brown eyes stayed on the secretary's perfectly manicured nails, and she couldn't help but look at hers which had been bitten almost to the end.

" you can go in," the secretary said with her signature smile, and Marie bowed after saying thank you before going into the elevator.

Getting out of the elevator, she greeted the personal assistant she saw sitting beside the office.

He motioned for her to go in without knocking.

Marie pushed open the door, but before she could vent her anger at the man, she was hit with a contract to the face.

What's with everyone hitting her with things?

"Sign the contract, and that's all." When she saw the content, her eyes hardened, and she rejected it quickly.

"Over my dead body."