The Orchestrated Lie

Chapter 6

“I don’t like waiting, Shania,” Stefan’s voice broke through the quiet, sharp as a blade.

I looked up, my heart giving a slight jolt. He was already seated across from me, his face unreadable but his gaze holding an edge that sent a chill through me. He hadn’t even waited for an invitation to sit, or a polite hello. Typical.

“Then why are you here?” I asked, keeping my tone as steady as I could. I’d started to learn with Stefan that any sign of weakness was a game he liked to play with.

“You’re dragging your feet,” he said simply, eyes boring into mine. “On the contract.”

I swallowed, instinctively glancing around.This was not a suitable conversation to have in public. "Now is not the right moment or setting to talk about that," I whispered, speaking quietly. He grinned, clearly taking pleasure in my uneasiness.

“You think I care where we discuss it? I came here to remind you that I don’t offer patience twice. The terms were clear, Shania. You’re running out of time to sign.”

I shifted in my seat, feeling the weight of his demand pressing on me. "And what if I decide not to?" The challenge in my voice surprised even me.

He arched his eyebrow, a hint of amusement flashing in his icy, calculating stare. "Why do you believe there is an option?"

I frowned, my frustration flaring. “There’s always a choice, Stefan. You might have control over a lot, but you don’t get to decide everything for me.”

His lips curved into a tight smile. “That’s cute, Shania. You think that refusing me has no consequence.” He leaned forward, his gaze darkening. “Let me be clear—I don’t lose. Not to anyone, and especially not to you.”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. The intensity in his eyes made my pulse race, though not entirely from fear. “You’re not exactly making this… arrangement any easier,” I muttered, glancing away.

He chuckled quietly, without any kindness. "I'm not here to make things simple for you. I'm here to get what I want," he said in a growling voice that made me shiver involuntarily.

Stefan was both scary and exciting. He didn't pretend to follow the rules. He confessed to controlling a lot of my life, making things happen according to his plans.

But I couldn't help being fascinated by his strong and confident attitude.“Why do you even need me?” I demanded, a spark of defiance fueling me. “Why not find someone who actually wants to go along with whatever twisted plan you have?”

Stefan’s expression didn’t change. “Because you’re exactly what I want. And you’re exactly what I need.” His words were simple but delivered with enough certainty that I felt the walls closing in.

I forced myself to hold his gaze, refusing to back down. “And you think you can just buy me?”

He tilted his head, studying me. “Is that what you think this is about? Money?” He shook his head, a faint smirk playing at his lips. “If you think I came to you because I wanted to make a convenient transaction, you’re more naive than I thought.”

“Then why, Stefan?” I asked, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. “Why me?”

He leaned back, his eyes never leaving mine. “Let’s just say that certain… circumstances led me to you. Circumstances that require you, specifically.”

“Circumstances?” I repeated, feeling a fresh surge of anger. “Like manipulating every part of my life? Or maybe orchestrating that night? Were you that desperate?”

He briefly looked angry, but it disappeared fast. He crossed his arms and spoke in a quieter tone. "Be cautious, Shania. You might not know as much as you believe you do."

I chuckled without humor, feeling my patience fading. "Perhaps not. But I can tell that you will do whatever it takes to achieve your goals." He didn't disagree. Instead, he stared at me firmly, as if challenging me to oppose him. "You can't just leave this," he stated, each word spoken with intention.“Not without facing the consequences.”

I swallowed, my pulse hammering in my ears. “What consequences, Stefan? Are you threatening me?”

"I'm not threatening you, Shania," he said calmly. "I'm just explaining the situation. You have one option ahead of you, and I recommend you choose it." His intense stare made it difficult for me to breathe, but I didn't want him to know that his words were affecting me.

"You may have a plan, Stefan, but I am not yours," I told him, feeling rebellious. He looked angry, with only a small movement in his jaw showing his irritation. "You're mistaken. Even if you don't want to believe it, you have belonged to me since you entered my life."

He moved nearer, speaking softly. "And you will remain a part of it until I choose otherwise." His confident and firm way of speaking shocked me. I didn't like how I found myself obeying his strong control. It felt like he had a hold on me that I couldn't break free from, even though I really wanted to. I looked at him directly, trying to stay calm.

"You can trick others, Stefan, but I'm different," I said.

"I don't have to threaten you, Shania," he answered calmly. "I'm simply explaining the situation to you. There's only one way to go, and I recommend you follow it." His determined look made it difficult to catch my breath, but I didn't want him to know that his words were affecting me.

"I don't belong to you, Stefan, even if you have a plan," I said, feeling defiant. He looked angry, with a small twitch in his jaw showing his irritation. "You're mistaken, that's not true. You might not want to say it, but you've belonged to me ever since you entered my life." He moved nearer, speaking softly. "And you'll be a part of it until I choose otherwise."

The confidence in his voice, the icy certainty, made me feel overwhelmed. I didn't like how I felt drawn to his authority and strong control. It was like he had me trapped in his power, even though I wanted to break free. I looked at him, trying to stay calm. “Stefan, you may be able to control everyone else, but I'm different from them.You can’t just make me fall in line because it suits you.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “I don’t need you to fall in line, Shania. I just need you to understand that resistance will only make this harder for you.”

A feeling of both fear and anger overwhelmed me as I felt the suffocating weight of his control over my life and decisions. This realization was overwhelming. "Is that all there is to it? Why bother pretending to allow me autonomy in decision-making?" I angrily questioned.

He responded curtly, "There is no need. This is not up for discussion or negotiation. You are present here as you possess something that I require, and you will either provide it willingly or be compelled to do so. In either case, it holds no significance for me."

I gripped my fists tightly, sensing a feeling of being cornered. "You are remarkable. You discuss situations and requirements, yet all you have done is forcefully plow through my life."

He let out a dark chuckle. “Believe what you want. Just remember, I’ve given you a way out of Adrian’s mess—a clean slate, a life where you’re free of him.” His tone turned softer but still held an edge. “If I were you, I’d take it.”

I gazed at him, feeling my heart beat faster. Despite my reluctance, a small part of me acknowledged the truth in his words. Adrian's control continued to suffocate my existence, and Stefan's proposal, though deceitful and convoluted, seemed to be the sole means of escape.Yet, the thought of binding myself to him, of giving in to this dark, domineering man, felt like trading one cage for another.

"I do not wish to be owned, Stefan," I murmured, the words barely audible. His expression softened slightly for the first time, although it was fleeting.

“This isn’t about ownership, Shania. It’s about survival. Yours, and mine.”

His words left me reeling, tangled between fury and resignation. I knew, deep down, that he was right about the danger, about the mess Adrian would drag me into if I tried to stand on my own.

However, the cost of Stefan's assistance was high, and I was uncertain about my ability to pay for it. Following a period of quiet contemplation, he pushed his chair back and rose to his feet, looking down at me.

Delving into his jacket, he retrieved an envelope and set it down on the table before me. "You have a 48-hour window to decide. Once that time elapses, my proposal... disappears."

With those words, he left the café without further explanation, leaving me to ponder over the envelope in solitude.