THE CONTRACT

MEET THE GRANFATHER

CHAPTER 5: FIVE

"Grandfather wants to see us. Today."

Victoria's voice on the phone was different.

Not CEO. Not cold.

Scared.

"Is he okay?" I asked.

"He had another episode last night," she said.

"The doctor said stress is making it worse.

He keeps asking for 'my husband'.

Daniel... can you do this?"

"Yes," I said. "What do I need to know?"

"Just be kind. Hold my hand. For the cameras."

Two hours later we were at St. Nicholas Hospital. Private wing.

Flowers everywhere. Balloons. Card: "Get well soon, Chief Okoro"

The room was huge.

Machines beeping. Nurses walking quietly.

And in the middle, an old man on the bed.

Chief Anthony Okoro.

70 years old. Oxygen in his nose. But his eyes?

Sharp. Like they could see through lies.

"Grandpa," Victoria said. She was holding my hand. Tight.

"This is Daniel. My husband."

The old man looked at me. Slow. Up and down.

"So," he said. Voice was weak but strong.

"This is the boy you married in 3 days."

"Yes, sir," I said. I bowed. "It's an honor to meet you, sir."

He studied me for a long time.

"You're not rich," he said.

"No, sir."

"You're not from a big family."

"No, sir."

"Then why did my granddaughter marry you?"

Victoria squeezed my hand. Hard.

This was the test.

I looked at her. Then at him.

"Because," I said. "She needed someone who would show up.

And I needed a reason to start over.

We made a deal, sir. To help each other."

Half truth.

The old man hummed.

"Honest," he said. "I like honest boys."

He motioned for me to come closer.

I did.

He grabbed my hand with his frail one.

"Take care of her," he whispered. "She's tough outside.

But inside... she's just a little girl who lost her father too early.

Don't break her, Daniel."

My chest got tight.

"I won't, sir," I said. And I meant it.

Victoria's eyes were wet. She blinked fast.

We stayed 30 minutes.

Talked about the wedding. About the company.

He asked about my family. About Tolu.

When we were leaving he said:

"Come back next week. With good news."

In the car, silence.

Then Victoria spoke. Quiet.

"You did good," she said.

"Thank you."

"Did it hurt?" I asked. "Lying to him?"

"Everything hurts," she said. "Lying. Not lying.

Being CEO. Being granddaughter.

I'm tired, Daniel."

We got home.

She didn't go to east wing.

She went to the balcony.

I found her there at 1AM.

No jacket. Shivering.

Staring at Lagos lights.

"You should go inside," I said.

"I can't sleep," she said. "Every time I close my eyes

I see him in that bed. And I see the company dying."

I took off my jacket and put it on her shoulders.

She didn't push it away.

"Why are you being nice to me?" she asked.

"Because someone should be," I said.

She turned to look at me.

Moonlight on her face. No makeup.

Just Victoria. Not the CEO.

"Daniel," she whispered.

"Yeah?"

"Don't... don't make me like you."

"Too late," I said before I could stop myself.

She didn't answer.

But she didn't move away either.

We sat there until sunrise.

Not touching.

But not strangers anymore.

The contract said 6 months.

But after meeting her grandfather...

I wasn't sure 6 months would be enough.

Or too long.

Later that day my phone buzzed.

Unknown number:

"Nice speech at the hospital.

Too bad it's all fake.

The old man will die thinking you love her."

I deleted the text.

But the words stayed in my head.

Meet the grandfather.

Check.

But now the guilt was heavier than the 2 million.