From pretence to forever

Chapter 8 : The contract.

Tony

“Did you just say that your father is proud of you because you held someone's baby in front of the cameras?" Joanne jokingly asked making my heart skip a beat.

"Yes, are you surprised? He said I’ve matured. That he’s happy we are a family." I paused, then looked at her directly. "He even told me I didn’t have to go to the office today, because my mom wants to meet her grandson."

Joanne sank onto the edge of the bed, stunned she smiled and teasingly said, “I didn’t know you were a playboy.”

“A play boy? Why do you say so?” I asked but she told me not to mind her.

“That’s not all,” I carefully added. “I... had Simon pick up a lawyer on his way here.”

Her head snapped up. “What?”

“I asked him to draft a marriage contract.”

Her silence was loud but I immediately interjected and continued.

I know it sounds crazy and I’m not trying to trap you I swear. But if I don’t act with speed and do something, if I don’t convince them that what we have is real... I lose everything. The company, my father's trust and my chance to finally—finally be someone. I can’t let that slip away just like that.

She turned to face me, her eyes narrowing, her voice was only a soft whisper, that made my heart race once again. “Is that the only reason you want to lie to them?” she asked with a low voice leaving me speechless. "I thought we had agreed?"

I didn’t know how to explain the depth of my desperation, but I knew I couldn’t give up. I stepped closer to her, knelt in front of her as I gently took her hands into mine. My voice was soft and full of earnestness. "I just want to borrow time. That’s all. And if you don’t like the idea, if you can’t do this, I’ll call it off right now. But you should know that I really need you. Just for a little longer. Once it’s over, we can walk away from each other. No strings attached. Just like I promised earlier, I’ll never hurt you or your baby. It will be a clean... quiet... and uncomplicated contract."

For a long time, she didn’t speak, but her eyes, those eyes betrayed her emotions. Hurt, anger and maybe, just maybe, something else. A sign of vulnerability. But she said nothing. I waited, desperately hoping that she would see the reason.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, she finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "And what about the baby?"

The question caught me off guard. I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breath. "I’ll be there for him. No matter what happens. Whether we sign that paper or not, I’ll be there."

There was silence between us once more, heavy with unspoken words. I could see her trying to process everything, the weight of the decision heavy in her heart.

And then, her voice broke through the tension between us, a quiet, almost resigned whisper. "You better get to work then. I’m here now, with no one to protect me. I hope you already got the contract ready, I will sign."

I nodded in resignation, relief flooding through me as I stood and reached for my phone. "Oh yes, it’s all set. Let’s speak with my lawyer, he’ll help us figure out the next step."

Moments later, I dialed the lawyer's number, my hand trembling slightly as I held it to my ear. "Hello, Mr. Cleophas, we are ready to proceed. Please bring us the contract to my study."

I turned to Joanne as I spoke, offering a reassuring smile and gently taking her hand in mine, hoping the simple gesture would show her how serious I was, that I was with her in this.

But as Cleophas handed over the papers, something shifted in Joanne. She withdrew her hand from mine and moved to another seat, her body tense as she began to study the contract. I watched her carefully, anxiety creeping in at the sight of her deep concentration. She flipped through the pages slowly, her brow furrowed in thought.

Finally, she looked up, her voice hesitant but firm. "Can we agree to take care of the baby... in turns?"

The question made my chest tighten. I didn’t want her to feel burdened, especially not now. "Don’t worry about it," I said, trying to reassure her. "I’ve already hired someone responsible to take care of him while we are away. You won’t have to worry about anything. Just focus on this."

Her eyes widened, she got shocked and shouted back at me. "You hired someone? I... I don’t have enough money for a caretaker. Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you do this without seeking my opinion first?”

Her voice was sharp, full of frustration, and I could feel the heat of her anger rising. I wasn’t prepared for her outburst, but I understood it. She had every right to be upset. I was crossing boundaries she hadn’t even known existed.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice calm. "I didn’t want you to worry about it. I just wanted to make sure everything was taken care of, so you wouldn’t have to carry that weight alone. But I’m sorry if I overstepped your boundaries. I didn’t mean to upset you."

She softened, the anger in her eyes dimming as she looked at me with a mixture of frustration and something softer, something I wasn’t sure I could define yet. She apologized quietly, her gaze dropping to the floor.

I sat beside her then, trying to close the distance between us, offering her the comfort of my presence. "It’s alright," I murmured, my voice low and steady. "I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work. For you a…nd, him."

Her hand gently brushed against mine, the touch tentative but warm. It was a small gesture, but in that moment, it felt like the first step towards something deeper. Something that, perhaps, neither of us had expected but were both willing to try for.

Just as she reached for the pen, ready to sign the contract, she suddenly paused. A strange expression blinked across her face, one that was half panic and realization. Without a word, she pushed back her chair with urgency and stood up so fast that it surprised everyone in the room.

Then, without explanation, she hurried out, her steps echoing across the polished wooden floor as she rushed toward the living room. Her eyes searched anxiously until they landed on the baby curled peacefully in a bassinet by the window, bathed in soft golden sunlight.

She fell to her knees beside the baby, her arms instinctively wrapping around him as she pulled him gently into her arms. She rocked him slowly, protectively and whispered in disbelief, “Oh my God… How could I be so foolish? I didn’t even think to feed my own child.” Her voice trembled with guilt and frustration, thick with the kind of pain only a mother could know.

Then her tone was filled with sudden bitterness. “It’s all because of that selfish jerk from the hotel. That manipulative bastard who only cares about himself. He doesn’t think twice about the people who get hurt along the way, just those who fall for his lies.”

Her anger was heavy for a moment before she turned her face toward me. I had followed her quietly and stood nearby, watching with concern.

She got somehow embarrassed, when her eyes met mine but I gestured her to go on. “Tony… I’m sorry. Truly, I am. Thank you for everything, for being here, for taking care of him while I was lost in my own problems. You’ve been more than I could have asked for. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

She paused as she brushed a tender kiss on her baby’s forehead before slowly rising to her feet.

“I’m ready now,” she said, her voice steady and filled with strength. “I’ll sign the contract. I accept your offer.” I breathed a sigh of relief because that’s all I wanted to hear.