Behind The Contract

CHAPTER FIVE

The Smith Group building stood tall in front of me, the glass door reflected a version of me I barely recognized. I stood there for a moment staring up at the company name carved boldly above the entrance.

If Lucien couldn't help me, then I have no one left to help. I tightened my grip on my bag and let out a slow breath before stepping inside.

The moment I stepped inside, the world changed. “This is it,” I whispered to myself, walking towards the reception desk ahead, rehearsing what I would say in my head–just ask for Lucien, that's all.

I barely got halfway there when something solid crashed into me, the impact made me stumble back. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” the words slipped out quickly but the man I bumped into didn't even look at me, he just walked past me like I didn't exist.

I blinked and turned slightly to look at him, his steps were sharp and fast. The tension in his shoulders was obvious like he was carrying anger but something about him felt familiar. I frowned slightly, watching him disappear toward the exit.

“Where have I seen him before?” the thought lingered at the edge of my mind.

“Kelly,” the sound of my name snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned toward the elevators just as they opened, then I saw him–Lucien.

He stepped out, moving closer to me. For a second, the tensions in my chest eased.

“You actually came,” he said, a small smile touching his lips.

“You've been expecting me?” I asked, walking towards him slowly,my nerves built with every step.

He slipped his hands into pockets, studying me. “I was expecting a call. You never made one.”

I didn't answer, I didn't know what to say, if I tried to explain everything out here I might fall apart.

“Is something wrong?” he said, his smile faded into something more serious.

I swallowed hard, the words sat heavy in my throat refusing to come out.

Lucien glanced around, then back to me. “Come with me.” I followed him into the elevator without a word, the silence pressed in on me thick and uncomfortable.

The doors finally opened, I stepped out quickly walking towards Lucien’s office at the end of the hallway. He pushed the door open and stepped aside for me to enter, I walked in slowly.

“Sit,” he said gently, moving around his desk but didn't sit immediately. Instead, he leaned against it, arms crossed watching me carefully. “Talk to me, Kelly.”

The words made something inside me c***k.

“A few weeks after my parents death,” I began, staring at my hands and twisting my fingers together. “My uncle and aunt came to inform me that I was adopted by my parents. They requested that I pack my things and leave the house. I never took it seriously until they came around last week and threw my things out of the house,” my voice wavered but I pushed through it. “I'm squatting at my friend’s place now.”

Lucien finally sat down, leaning slightly forward and his attention fully on me now.

“That's not all,” I added, my fingers curling tighter forcing myself to meet his eyes. “I don't think my parents' death was an accident.”

“What are you saying?” he finally said.

“The more I think about it, the less it makes sense,” I continued. “Everything happened too fast. The way everything happened, the timing, the frozen accounts. It's like someone planned it.”

“What do you want from me now?” Lucien asked.

“I need to find out the truth,” I said. “I need access to everything that was taken from my family–the money and the records, but I can't do it alone.”

For a moment, he said nothing. He just looked at me.

“If I help you,” he said. “I get something in return, I don't do anything for free.”

“Of course you do,” I said, a bitter laugh escaped me. “What do you want?”

“A contract marriage,” he replied without hesitation.

“A what?” I responded, staring at him possibly I had heard wrong.

“A marriage,” he repeated.

“Are you serious right now?” I snapped, the chair scraped loudly against the floor as I stood up fully. “You think this is a joke? I came here for help and this is what you have to offer me?” I said, shaking my head, already turning towards the door. “This is a mistake.”

“Kelly,” his voice stopped me, I didn't turn. “We need each other.”

“I doubt that,” I laughed under my breath, but there was no humor in it.

“You need money,” he continued. “You need resources and protection to investigate your parent’s death. That's not something you can do alone.”

“And you think marrying you solves that?” I asked.

“Yes, I need your family name,” he said. “The connections that come from it.”

I frowned. “I don't have access to the connection myself, so how will it be useful?”

“You may not realize it, but it still holds influence in this town. People respect and fear it but the fear of the name makes people shun off,” he said, stepping closer. “You’re still part of that legacy. Whether people believe you’re adopted or not. If we're married, both names will be built on power and wealth and it will help you get to the root of the incident.”

“So this is about power,” I said, crossing my arms.

“It is about survival,” he corrected, his gaze locked onto mine. “There are people waiting for me to fall, people who want everything I’ve built.”

The room fell silent

“In return,” he said, “I give you everything you need–money, access and protection.”

My mind spun, this sounded insane. Slowly, I walked back to the chair and sat down. Lucien watched me, waiting.

I stared at the floor for a long moment before speaking. “No feelings,” I said quietly. “No interference in my personal decisions.”

He didn’t respond.

“This is just a deal,” I added, lifting my head. “Nothing more.”

Then he nodded. “The same applies to me.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Then we have a deal.”

“We do…”

The door slammed open so hard.

“Sir, you can’t just…” Lucien’s secretary's voice trailed off as she stumbled in behind him.

“Get out,” Mr. Hart Smith barked, his presence swallowing the room whole.

I stiffened beside Lucien, who raised his hand slightly. “It’s fine. Leave us.”

The door clicked shut, and silence stretched.

He leaned back in his chair, studying him. “To what do I owe this dramatic entrance?”

Mr. Hart's eyes burned. “You blocked my exclusive card.”

Lucien clasped his hands together on the desk. “That sounds like a question better suited for the board meeting.”

His jaw tightened. “Don’t play games with me, Lucien.”

“Games? I thought you enjoyed them,” Lucien said, a small smile tugged at his lips. “Especially the kind where you try to take over the president’s seat with absolutely nothing to show for it.”

I shifted slightly, sensing the shift in the air. My father’s expression darkened.

“You think this is a joke?” he snapped, stepping closer. “Your mother and I built everything you’re sitting on.”

“You never helped in building anything but rather you kept destroying,” he replied calmly.

“You’ve gone too far this time,” Mr. Hart said, slamming his fist onto the desk

Lucien didn’t flinch.

“Have I?” he tilted his head. “Or have you finally realized you’re losing?”

“Good, the battle line has been drawn, Lucien.” he said, turning toward the door, then paused. “And when this is over” his voice dropped, “you won’t just lose your position, you’ll lose everything.”