A Billionaire's Redemption

CHAPTER 5 THE CONTRACT.

Lila froze for a moment. She stamped her fist against her forehead, ‘What did I just say?’

She wiped her tears and tried composing herself. She had only fifteen minutes to gather her thoughts.

She took a deep breath and hurried to a nearby café to clear her head. ‘Asking Damien Kingston to marry me was ridiculous.’ She thought. 'What was I thinking?'

######

Thirteen minutes later, she was in the lobby again. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves as she walked through the entrance.

She proceeded to the elevator and pressed the button for the first floor. When it opened on the top floor, she stepped out and was immediately greeted by a sleek, modern reception area.

“I’m here to see Mr. Kingston,”

The receptionist gave her a scrutinizing look, “Follow me! Mr. Kingston is expecting you,” the receptionist said, opening the doors.

Lila walked into the office, her jaw dropped as soon as she entered.

Damien’s office was a study in power and control, it was overly spacious, and its floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city below and even the birds as they flew up the sky.

Damien sat comfortably on a plush chair at the right end of the office, legs crossed and he held a document in his hand.

He placed the document on the glass table in front of him. His gaze remained fixed on the television, which was broadcasting a news segment about the Vice President’s daughter and the recent allegations surrounding him and Hawaii. “Sign this,” he ordered his attention clearly on the fluctuating stock prices and breaking news updates displayed on the screen.

She stood for a moment, staring at him before picking up the document. She wished she could grab his tie and choke him till he turned red.

Her eyes widened, it felt like it would pop. “A one-year contract” she exclaimed, with a smile.

“You should know by now the purpose of this marriage! You know what is at stake for both of us?! I have no interest in you, I can’t …..”

“Well the feeling is mutual” she interrupted him.

He gave her an icy glance and looked away “I can’t spend the rest of my life with a dummy who couldn’t hold a small fashion house together without running it into bankruptcy” he emphasized, his gaze still fixated on the television.

“I also, can’t spend my life with one who sleeps around just to get whatever he wants” she retorted

“Don’t talk back at me again, or you won’t like the way I would react” he was so calm in issuing his threat but it didn’t diminish the impact “I’ve come up with a proposal,” He added. “I’ll marry you legally and cover your mother’s medical bills, as well as clear the debts incurred by your fashion house. In return, you will agree to be my wife for one year, during which you must submit to me completely. At the end of the year, I will file for a divorce of infidelity.

“Infidelity! That could tarnish my image. Why must I be the infidel one, can’t I file a divorce instead” she blurted out.

He raised his icy eyeballs to meet her gaze, giving her a cold look.

“Fine, I don’t have a choice do I?” she added pitifully. No lies, his offer was tempting, but he wasn’t, far from it, he cold robotic stare was frightening.

After that, we’ll part ways as if we never knew each other. Do we have a deal?” he continued.

“Fine! I’ll sign the contract, just as long as I don’t spend the rest of my life with a sadist like you” She immediately grabbed the pen on the table and flipped to the last page of the contract, signing it without reading.

Damien stood up and went to his desk, picking up the phone.

He called his assistant and instructed her to make two photocopies of the document.

—

Within ten minutes, there was a knock on the door.

“Sir, here are the documents,” Vera; Damien’s assistant, said.

Lila took hers, she was still flipping through the pages when she saw something that caught her attention, "What ... .This is impossible!"

“Who the f**k do you take me for” Lila demanded “I am about to be your wife and not your slave” she yelled.

“What!” she exclaimed

Party A: Damien Kingston

Party B: Lila Thompson

1. Party B must obey all of Party A’s commands and requests without question or hesitation, this includes dress code and manners.

2. Party B must avoid entering any private areas of Party A’s home or office unless explicitly invited.

3. Party B must show respect and obedience to Party A’s wishes in all public settings, ensuring no behavior that could undermine his reputation.

4. Party B is prohibited from maintaining close relationships or frequent communication with former friends, family, or any past romantic interests.

5. Party A reserves the right to monitor Party B’s activities, including phone calls and emails, to ensure compliance with the terms of the contract.

6. Party B is required to seek permission before leaving the premises of their shared residence or traveling, with exceptions only for approved activities.

7. Party B must never publicly challenge or argue with Party A and must handle any grievances privately and discreetly.

8. This contract must be a secret between Party B and Party A, no other person including families must know of it.

9. Party B must adhere to the terms of this marriage contract for a period of 365 days. After this period, Party A is required to initiate a divorce, which Party B will agree to without dispute.

10. A breach of this contract will incur a fine of $4,996,350, which is exactly three times the amount needed for Party B’s mother’s medical bills. This fine must be paid within 48 hours; otherwise, Party B’s entire family will be imprisoned until the amount is settled.

“I need not remind you that you have your signature in that document” Damien spoke, his eyes held no emotion. “And I am sure you saw the fine stipulated for a breach of contract. In the absence of anything else, please leave my office. One more thing! No one must know about this contract, including your parents.”

Lila’s eyes became heavy with tears, she fought so hard not to show any form of weakness before the terrible monster standing in front of her.

“You think a contract can control me?” Lila said, her voice trembling. “Papers might tie me to you legally, but you’ll never have my body.” She blurted, without thinking.

Damien’s eyes hardened, his expression as cold as ever. “Your body? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? Damien looked at Lila with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "If beauty was a crime, you would be innocent, my dear," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Lila's lips twitched in amusement. She knew he was only teasing—her beauty was undeniable and had never been a point of contention. But Damien was trying to get a rise out of her, and she wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of a serious response.

He turned to meet her gaze, giving her a scrutinizing look. “You are nothing compared to the ladies I f**k. Now, get out”.

She felt her knees wiggling, she had never been so embarrassed her whole life, she couldn’t hold the tears any longer so they poured out, flooding her red cheeks, she rolled up the document and squeezed it to her chest, walking shamefully like a wet puppy to the exit and just as she was about opening the door she heard Damien’s voice.

“The wedding is in two weeks, the only person you are allowed to invite is your father since your mother won’t be making it for the wedding, and I wouldn’t want a lot of lowlifes crowding my premises”