Our Contracted Romance

Mara sat in the waiting area with her bag on her lap, quietly rehearsing the answers she had practiced at home. The company was bigger than she expected—polished floors, quiet offices, people moving with confidence. She felt small, but she needed this job, even if her heart wouldn’t stop racing. A young man stepped out of the office, dressed sharply and wearing glasses that made him look a bit too serious for his age. “Miss Mara? You can come in now,” he said with a small, professional smile. Mara followed him into the room. He moved behind the desk and sat down, sorting through a few papers. But Mara’s eyes shifted to the tall figure standing by the window—hands in his pockets, back turned to them, staring quietly at the city below. He didn’t speak or greet her; he just stood there, calm and unreadable. “Please, have a seat,” the P.A. said. Mara sat carefully. He began asking her questions—simple ones about her background, her work history, why she needed the job. She answered honestly, doing her best to stay focused, but she could feel the presence of the man by the window. Even without looking, she knew he was listening. After a short pause, the P.A. looked up at her again. “There is another position available,” he began, choosing his words slowly. “It’s… different from what you applied for.” Mara blinked, confused. Before she could ask anything, the man by the window finally turned around. His eyes met hers—quiet, steady, and carrying a seriousness that made her heart skip. She didn’t know who he was yet, but something told her he wasn’t just another employee. And whatever this “other position” was… it wasn’t going to be simple. The room suddenly felt smaller as the man stepped away from the window. He didn’t rush, didn’t try to look intimidating—he simply walked with the quiet confidence of someone who was used to being obeyed. Mara’s breath hitched as he came closer, stopping just a few steps behind the P.A. “This is Mr. Adrian Vallin,” the young P.A. said quickly, as if he sensed her confusion. “The CEO.” Mara’s eyes widened. The CEO? The same man who hadn’t said a single word since she entered? Adrian gave her a small nod—nothing more. No smile, no frown, just a calm, controlled expression that made her sit up straighter. The P.A. continued, clearing his throat. “Sir… should I explain?” Adrian finally spoke, his voice deep but soft. “Go on.” The young man turned back to Mara. “The job we want to discuss is personal. Very personal. It involves helping Mr. Vallin and his wife in a… delicate matter.” He paused, watching her face carefully, as if unsure how she would react. “It’s not illegal. But it requires trust, responsibility, and confidentiality.” Mara’s fingers tightened around her bag. “I… I don’t understand,” she said quietly. The P.A. exchanged another glance with Adrian—this time longer. As if he was waiting for a signal. Adrian stepped forward slightly, his eyes still fixed on Mara. “Before we say anything,” he said slowly, “I need to know if you’re willing to listen without judgment.” His tone wasn’t harsh—it was tired, almost gentle, but heavy with meaning. Mara swallowed, her heart pounding. “I… I can listen.” Adrian held her gaze for a moment longer, as if searching for something in her eyes. Then he said softly, “Good. Because this offer will change both our lives.” The P.A. let out a slow breath, almost as if he’d been holding it. He adjusted his glasses and leaned forward slightly. “Mr. Vallin and his wife have been trying to start a family for a long time,” he said carefully. “But… things haven’t worked out. They’ve tried everything the doctors recommended.” Mara’s expression softened. She didn’t know these people, but she could hear the weight in his voice—and see the quiet sadness in Adrian’s eyes as he stood behind the desk. “So,” the P.A. continued, “they are searching for someone who can help them in another way. Someone they can trust. Someone who is healthy, responsible, and understands the seriousness of the situation.” Mara blinked, still lost. “Help… how?” This time, it was Adrian who answered. He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t pace. He simply spoke with calm honesty. “You would carry a child for us.” The words hit her like cold air. Mara’s breath caught. “Carry… a child?” she repeated, as if making sure she heard right. Adrian nodded once. His expression didn’t change—still steady, still gentle, still unreadable. “You would not be left alone,” he added. “You would be cared for. Protected. Paid well. And when it is over… we part ways. No pressure. No trouble for you.” Mara’s heart was racing, but the room felt strangely quiet—like the world had paused. The P.A. watched her carefully. “We understand it’s a lot. You don’t have to decide now.” Mara finally looked up at Adrian again. His shoulders were tense in a way she hadn’t noticed before, as if this entire conversation cost him something heavy. He wasn’t cold—not at all. He looked like someone who had run out of normal options… and hope. She swallowed hard. “Why me?” she whispered. Adrian’s eyes held hers, steady and sincere. “Because,” he said softly, “you seem like someone who wouldn’t hurt us.” Mara lowered her eyes, her mind spinning with everything she had just heard. It sounded unreal… impossible… yet all too real at the same time. She thought of her stepmother lying weak at home, coughing through the night, the hospital bills piling up on the table. She thought of the landlord who had warned her twice already. She thought of the small jobs she’d been doing that barely covered food, let alone medicine. Her chest tightened. “I…” she began, her voice small. She looked up at the P.A., then at Adrian—the man who stood so quietly yet carried a storm in his eyes. “I’m in a difficult place right now,” she admitted, her fingers twisting together. “My stepmother is very sick. The bills… I can’t handle them anymore. And I need something stable. Something that will help me take care of her.” The P.A. nodded slowly, sympathy softening his expression. Adrian watched her with steady eyes, not pushing, not rushing, just listening. Mara swallowed hard. “So… yes,” she whispered. “I’ll do it. I accept.” For the first time, Adrian looked away—just slightly—his jaw tightening as if releasing a breath he’d been holding for months. Not relief exactly… more like quiet, heavy gratitude. “Thank you,” he said softly. No authority, no command—just sincerity. The P.A. stood, smoothing the papers on his desk. “We’ll go over the contract, your health checks, the terms… everything,” he said gently. “You won’t be left alone in this.” Mara nodded, though her heart was still shaking. Adrian stepped a little closer—not too close, but enough that she felt the warmth of his presence. “You’re giving us more than you know,” he said quietly. And even though Mara had agreed for financial reasons… a strange feeling settled in her chest. Like her life had just shifted in a direction she never imagined. And there was no going back now. The P.A. placed a slim folder on the desk and opened it carefully. Inside were neatly arranged documents, each page marked with small tabs. He turned the folder toward Mara so she could see. “These are the terms,” he said in a calm, steady voice. “Your medical care will be fully handled. Your living expenses covered. A private account will be created for you every month. And when everything is completed… the final payment will be made.” Mara nodded slowly, her fingers trembling just a little as she reached for the pen. “There is one more thing,” the P.A. continued. “Everything you do here—everything concerning this agreement—is confidential. You cannot tell friends, neighbors, family… not even your stepmother. No one. For your safety and for theirs.” Mara looked up. “I understand.” Adrian’s eyes stayed on her, steady and serious. “Once you sign,” he said gently, “you are protected by us. But you must also protect us. What happens between us stays between us.” Mara licked her lips nervously. “I won’t tell anyone.” The P.A. nodded, satisfied. “All right.” Mara lowered her gaze to the paper. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest—this was it. The decision that would shape her entire future. The pen felt heavier than it should as she pressed the tip to the first line. Her hand shook once. Then she signed. One page… another… and the last. When she finished, the P.A. quietly gathered the documents, sliding them into the folder with care. Adrian didn’t smile, but something softened in his eyes—something warm, almost protective. “You did well,” he said quietly. “From today, you’re under our care. Whatever you need… you ask.” Mara breathed out slowly, her chest loosening just a little. It was official now. Her life was no longer just hers. And the secret she carried already felt heavier than the ink on the paper. Mara held the strap of her bag tightly as the P.A. closed the folder. She hesitated for a moment, then slowly lifted her eyes to them again. “There’s… something I need to say,” she began softly. Adrian and the P.A. both looked at her, listening. “It’s not for me,” she continued, her voice steady but carrying a quiet pain. “My stepmother… she needs treatment. The doctor said she has to start a new set of medications, and they’re expensive. I’ve been trying to keep up, but it’s getting too much.” She swallowed, her eyes dropping to her hands. “And I’m behind on rent. The landlord already warned us. I’m afraid we might be sent out soon.” She paused again, breathing shakily. “My younger brother is supposed to start school next term. He’s bright… really bright. But without fees, he’ll have to stay home.” She didn’t mention her own struggles. Not the nights she skipped meals. Not her headaches. Not her exhaustion. Only them. Only her family. Adrian’s expression changed—barely, but enough. A tiny shift, like someone hearing more than just words. His eyes softened, his jaw relaxed slightly. The P.A. leaned forward, his voice gentler than before. “We will make sure everything is handled. You won’t have to worry about those things.” Mara nodded quickly. “Thank you. I just… I just want them to be okay.” Adrian took a quiet step closer. Not too close to intimidate her—just close enough to show he heard her clearly. “They will be,” he said slowly. “You’ve taken a heavy step for us. We won’t let your family suffer because of it.” Something warm moved through Mara’s chest—unexpected, unfamiliar. For the first time since she entered the building… she felt like she wasn’t fighting alone anymore. The P.A. closed the last document and stood, smoothing his shirt as if that marked the end of the meeting. His tone returned to its calm professionalism. “All right, Mara… we have everything we need for now.” Adrian gave a small nod, his expression unreadable again, though not unkind. The P.A. offered her a polite, reassuring smile. “You should go home and rest. We’ll get back to you soon with the next steps. Someone will contact you once the arrangements are ready.” Mara blinked, her heart still racing from everything that had just happened. “Oh—okay,” she whispered, slowly rising to her feet. Adrian stepped back toward the window, his hands sliding into his pockets again, watching the city with that same quiet intensity. He didn’t dismiss her harshly; he simply said, in a soft, controlled voice, “We’ll reach out shortly.” Mara nodded even though neither of them was looking at her now. “Thank you… both of you,” she said quietly. The P.A. walked her to the door. “You did well,” he murmured, almost kindly. “Just keep your phone close.” She gave a small, nervous smile and stepped out into the hallway. The door closed gently behind her, leaving the office silent again. As she walked toward the elevator, her legs felt strangely weak—not from fear, but from the weight of the decision she’d made. Somewhere behind that closed door, a powerful family waited for hope. And somewhere inside her chest, something whispered that her life was about to change in ways she didn’t yet understand.