Chapter Three:The contract
1115 Words
Lara’s POV
I took a deep breath and punched the green button. The moment he picked up my heart rate skyrocketed. “ Mr. Moretti,” my voice was small.
“I’d like to say that this is not a surprise,” he said softly in a deep, distracting baritone. I rolled my eyes. Rub it in as much as you want. “ Where are you, Lara?”
“I’m…I’m at home”
“Good. My men would come get you, stay there” and he hung up. I gasped as I stared at the darkened screen. If this were a call conversation…how would marriage be?
True to God's word, a car was outside my house waiting for me in the next 30 minutes. I grabbed my purse and off we went. In the next hour, I was seated in front of Dante Moretti. Two rows of bodyguards welcomed me at the entrance. It was like royalty. As we were going into the house, I let my eyes wander around the house.
Glass walls stretching out over the city, the skyline glowing gold and silver under the evening light. Marble floors that reflect everything. Furniture that looks like it belongs in a museum instead of a home.
It’s quiet.
Too quiet. I shuddered at my life here.
We were in the presence of lawyers. He looked hotter that day than the last time I saw him.
Dark, jet black hair, dark eyes, plump lips. He had the profile of the devil. And I was making a deal with him.
After a while, he looked up, and I froze. His eyes were on me and it made me uncomfortable. Stop looking already. Quickly I looked away. I heard a low chuckle.
Suddenly he cleared his throat and I turned.
“Decided? What’s your answer?”
He knows what he wants now. “Yes, I’ll marry you but on one condition” I glanced at the two lawyers, and my cheeks heated up. “I will not share a bed with you.”
Dante chuckled, I blushed harder. “ Deal”
“Call the staff of the house. Right now. As the witness.” I blinked. What’s going on? The next thing I know the whole room is filled with cooks and maids. I turned to see Dante going on his knee. I gasped. He took my left hand and slipped a ring on my finger.
He signed a few papers and shifted the others to me. The pen felt heavy as I grabbed it. The whole moment seemed to be in slow motion. As I signed, I couldn’t help but feel like I was signing away my freedom. I flinched when they began to clap.
“ I declare you man and wife,” the lawyer said.
And just like that I was married.
I am now Lara Rossi Moretti. I couldn’t believe it.
The day went by fast and before I knew it, it was just Dante and me in the room. I didn’t know where to go to hide from him. I wanted to go home but the realization that this was my home was the most humbling experience.
I stood up and went to the bathroom.
After I was done, I went to the mirror and almost screamed. “ I am red” I touched my chin. “ Is it obvious that I was blushing?” I washed my face.
“ Now’s not the time to crush on anybody” I muttered. I checked myself one more time and walked to the door.
As soon as I opened it, I jumped. “’ Oh my God, you scared me!”
Dante leaned on the wall like a model about to have a photo shoot. His frame was so fitting. My eyes strayed to his muscles and tattoos. He studied me. From head to toe. I wanted to run and hide. There was this thing with the way he looked at me. It made me want to melt. Finally, he spoke.
“Your room is down that hall,” he says finally, nodding toward the left wing. “Everything you need has been prepared.”
Prepared.
Like I’m some kind of… installation. I nodded.
“I need to get my clothes”
“I asked my assistant bro get you new ones”
“My size” I blurted. “Will she—” The way he stared at me made me rethink speaking.
“Of course, I know your size.” He stopped closer. I so badly wanted to run or leave but I had to stay out. I would never let him know I am scared of him.
“But while you’re here,” he continues, voice quieter now, “you follow my rules.”
“I am not your slave”
“You signed the contract, Lara.”
My name sounds different in his mouth. Heavier.
“I didn’t sign away my freedom.”
His head tilts slightly “Didn’t you?”
That shut me up.
“Security will be assigned to you at all times.”
I stiffened. Is he watching me too?
“I don’t need—”
“You do.” There was a note of finality in his voice. He continued. “You don’t leave the premises without clearance.”
I clenched my fist.
“Clearance?”
“Yes.”
“From who?”
He paused.
“Me.”
Something hot flares in my chest.
“No way.’ I shook my head immediately.
“That tone.” He raised an eyebrow.
I stepped closer to him now. Matching his space. Though I was running like a headless chicken in my head.
“You don’t want a wife,” I say quietly. “You want control.” I glared.
His gaze dropped briefly to my mouth, then back to my eyes. It was slow and measured, I felt heat rise on my neck.
“I want to order.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“It is in my world.” That was a humbling moment. I had no comeback for that.
“By the way, I’ll have the doctor visit tomorrow,” he said.
My stomach tightened.
“Doctor?”
“To begin the process.”
Process.
He narrowed his eyes. “You are fertile right? Because if you aren’t, you will pay me every last dime and you can kiss your mother goodbye”
My heart broke at his words. “ One more thing, get dressed,
we are going to a charity gala”
I thought his words were bad until I went into the room and saw the dress that had been picked for me.
- Writer
