Chapter 3 The Contract Lover
941 Words
"I know. Eric was really worked up."
Theodoric leaned in closer to Faye.
"He won't be able to process this right away. But seriously, Faye, what exactly did you teach my brother? Why is he so furious about us having s*x?"
"What's so strange about that?" Faye scoffed, not bothering at all. " Who'd believe their tutor ended up in bed with their brother?"
Shortly after Eric stormed out, Theodoric had a maid bring Faye some clean clothes.
Given the state of her outfit from last night, it was clear it was beyond repair.
After a long, cleansing shower, Faye felt a bit better. She would have preferred a long soak in the bathtub, but there were more pressing concerns.
"Forget about who started this. How do we handle the mess now?"
Faye wrestled with the potential fallout, her frustration growing as she roughly dried her hair.
She had her own reasons for working for the Colin family, but now she found herself entangled with Theodoric, who was essentially her benefactor, even though he was an ex. This made her plans more complicated and uncertain.
Her salary as a tutor was substantial, but it was mere pocket change compared to her other earnings. With her grandfather's legacy, she could live comfortably without issue.
Her reason for applying to tutor for the Colin family was deeply connected to her late grandfather.
At Eric's birthday party yesterday, Theodoric, who knew her background, likely figured out her real intentions immediately as they met.
"Isn't being a lover a good thing? It makes it easier for you to operate within the Colin Group."
Theodoric emerged from the bathroom, drying his hair with a towel and wearing a simple bathrobe. He spoke bluntly as if he wasn't the powerful figure in the Colin Group.
As water droplets from his damp hair trickled down his well-defined chest and abs, Faye watched openly. His even more sculpted physique compared to three years ago showed he'd maintained a rigorous regimen.
This also meant he hadn't forgotten the training from her grandfather. He had only become stronger!
Though, last night's escapades were hardly an example of discipline.
"Really? But from what I hear, your family and your fiancée's Douglas family wouldn't be thrilled to see you with a clever lover."
Faye set aside the blow dryer and lazily leaned against the headboard.
The bed had been tidied by the maids, making the room feel more like a business negotiation. If not for her lingering soreness, she might have thought last night was just a vivid dream.
"Sure, they might not like it, but I'm not interested in mingling with those idiots. Dealing with smart women is tough, but dealing with fools is even harder."
Theodoric walked over to her, grabbing the blow dryer and starting to dry his messy blond hair.
'Looks like he's been through a lot these past three years,' Faye thought to herself.
"Isn't your lovely fiancée keeping tabs on you?" she teased.
"We stay out of each other's personal lives. As long as things don't get too out of hand, I don't bother her, and she doesn't bother me."
His detached response only heightened Theodoric's air of coldness.
"Sounds like you've got things figured out."
'No wonder he'd show up to fool around with me years ago and then disappear without a trace,' Faye thought to herself.
"But others might not understand," Theodoric said, setting down the blow dryer and looking down at her. "That's why I need someone to help."
"To handle those annoying romantic entanglements?" Faye raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, but I'm not looking to be your personal secretary for your love life."
"No, I just need a plausible excuse, something to keep these idiots at a distance."
He leaned closer, his arms forming a barrier around her.
The subtle scent of his cologne made Faye's mouth go dry.
'Great, is he trying to charm me now?' Faye couldn't help but think.
"You're ideal for this. Your background is solid but not long enough to pose a threat to the Colin and Douglas families."
He scrutinized her with a critical eye. "You're also quite striking. Your skills are impressive. Those who are better looking than you aren't as capable, and those who are more capable aren't as attractive."
Theodoric's lips finally curved into a slight smile, but combined with his cold gaze, it might have terrified anyone else, like a predator sizing up its prey.
"As a lover, you're absolutely perfect."
While some might find such a comment offensive, Faye found it rather tempting.
"So, what's in it for me?" she asked, smiling as she lightly tilted his chin towards her.
"Access to the Colin Group's database, with the same level of viewing rights as mine."
Theodoric's offer was undeniably tempting.
The Colin Group was a leader in information technology, with companies across the country and even other continents relying heavily on their database. This made them dominant in various fields and enriched their information reserves.
It was precisely why Faye had applied to be a tutor for the Colin family.
Of course, with Eric having caught her and Theodoric in the act and now likely planning to complain to his parents in a fit of anger, she needed a solid reason to stay.
If the offer came from anyone else, she might have hesitated. But from Theodoric, the top power in the Colin Group, it was an offer she had no reason to refuse.
She let a cool, calculated smile mirror Theodoric's own, then leaned in and placed a soft kiss near his lips.
"Then let's make sure we get along, my lover."
- Writer
