TIED BY CONTRACT
1812 Words
~Alexander~
I stepped out of my sleek black SUV and onto the driveway of my luxurious mansion, my mind still reeling from the encounter with the woman and her son. Her piercing green eyes and fiery spirit had left an indelible mark on me.
As I walked towards the entrance of my mansion, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had seen her before. But where? Her face lingered in my mind, haunting me like a ghost.
I opened the door and walked into the foyer. I looked around at the fancy decorations as I headed to my study. My assistant, Rachel, looked up from her desk when I came in.
"Welcome back, Mr. Thompson," she said, her voice professional as always. "How was your day?"
I shrugged, dropping into the leather chair behind my desk. "It was fine, Rachel. Just the usual business meetings and deals."
But my mind wasn't on business. It was on the mysterious woman. I couldn't remember the last time someone had spoken to me like that. Most people cowered in my presence, intimidated by my wealth and power.
But not her. She had stood up to me, her eyes flashing with anger and her voice steady. And then she said that I'm not nice. “Not nice?” I repeated the word again out loud. The word echoed in my mind, stirring up a mix of emotions.
I thought back to the encounter, replaying the scene in my head. She had been so angry, so passionate. And yet, there was something vulnerable about her, something that made me want to reach out and protect her.
I remembered the way she had looked at me, her eyes blazing with anger. "You could have killed us!" she exclaimed. And then, "I want you to be more careful in the future!"
Her words had struck a chord deep within me. No one had ever spoken to me like that before. No one had ever dared to call me out on my behavior, or even taken my spot light.
And yet, as I sat there in my study, I couldn't help but feel a little bit of respect for her. She was fearless, unafraid to stand up for herself and her son.
"Rachel, I need you to find out something for me," I said, my eyes narrowing as I thought back to the encounter.
"Yes, Mr. Thompson?" Rachel asked, her pen poised over her notepad.
"I want you to find out everything you can about the woman I had an... argument with earlier today," I said. "She had a son with her, probably around four or five years old. They were at the crosswalk near the shopping district. She was wearing a yellow sundress and had long, dark hair. I want to know who she is and what her story is."
Rachel's eyes widened slightly as she scribbled down the details. "I'll see what I can find out, Mr. Thompson."
As she left, I felt excited. Who was this mysterious woman? And why did I think I'd seen her before? I sat at my desk, thinking deeply, until my grandfather's voice came through the intercom, breaking the silence.
"Alexander, may I have a word with you?" he asked, his voice weak but authoritative.
I sighed inwardly, knowing that I couldn't avoid him. "Of course, Grandfather. Come in."
The door to my study swung open, and my grandfather, Edward Thompson, walked in, his frail frame supported by a walking stick. His eyes, though weak with age, still shone with a strong spirit.
"Alexander, I've been thinking," he said, his voice low and serious. "You're not getting any younger, and it's time you started thinking about the future of this company."
I raised an eyebrow, knowing where this conversation was headed. "What are you talking about, Grandfather?"
"The board of directors is getting anxious," he replied. "They want to know who's going to take over the company when I retire. And they're not just looking for anyone, Alexander. They want someone with stability, someone who can provide a secure future for this company."
I knew what he was getting at. "You mean someone who's married," I said, my tone neutral.
My grandfather nodded. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Marriage provides stability, Alexander. It shows that you're committed to something, that you're willing to work through the tough times."
I sighed, feeling a familiar sense of frustration. "Grandfather, I've told you before. I'm not interested in getting married just yet. I've got too much on my plate, too many responsibilities to attend to."
My grandfather's expression turned stern. "Alexander, you're not getting any younger. You need to settle down, start a family. It's what's expected of you, not just as the future CEO of this company, but as a Thompson."
I felt a surge of resentment at his words. Why did he always have to bring up the family name? Couldn't he just see me as an individual, rather than as a mere extension of the Thompson legacy?
"Grandfather, I understand what you're saying," I said, trying to keep my tone even. "But I'm not ready to get married yet. Can't we just focus on finding someone who's qualified to take over the company, rather than someone who's married?"
My grandfather's expression softened slightly, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of the man he used to be, before age and illness had taken their toll.
"Alexander, I want to see you happy," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I want to see you settled down, with a family of your own. And I want to see it before... before it's too late."
I felt a pang of guilt at his words. I knew that he wasn't just talking about the company, but about his own mortality. He was sick, and he knew it. And he wanted to see me happy before he went.
"Grandfather, I..." I began, but he cut me off.
"No, Alexander. Don't make promises you can't keep. Just think about what I've said, okay?"
I nodded, feeling a sense of resignation wash over me. I knew that I couldn't avoid this conversation forever. Eventually, I would have to make a decision, one that would affect not just my own life, but the lives of those around me.
As my grandfather left the room, I couldn't help but think about the mysterious woman again. Who was she, really? And why did I feel like I had seen her before?
I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. I had a company to run, and I couldn't let my personal life get in the way.
But as I sat at my desk, staring blankly at the papers in front of me, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to change in ways I couldn't even imagine.
And then, my mind began to wander back to the lady I had a one night stand with. I had been to a mask party, and we had both been wearing masks. I never got to see her face, but her body... her body was etched in my memory forever. I had tried to find her after that night, but she was gone, vanished into thin air.
I sighed, feeling a pang of regret. Why had I let her go? Why hadn't I tried harder to find her?
But it was too late now. She was gone, and I was left with nothing but memories.
Or so I thought.
*****
I sat in my office, staring at the file on my desk. Rachel had done her research, and I have finally found her address. “Ohh, her name is Elsa Scott,” I called out her name a bit louder as I nodded my head.
I picked up the phone and dialed Rachel's extension. "Rachel, I need you to arrange for a car to take me to Elsa's address. And make sure it's a discreet car, not the SUV."
Rachel's voice was efficient as always. "Yes, Mr. Thompson. Right away."
Twenty minutes later, I arrived at Elsa's address. I got out of the car and looked around, taking in the scene. Elsa's things were scattered all over the lawn, and the little boy was crying uncontrollably.
My eyes narrowed as I took in the sight. What is going on here?
I walked up to Elsa, who was standing on the sidewalk, looking stressed. "Elsa," I said, my voice firm.
Elsa turned to me, her eyes blazing with anger. "You! You're the one who's been causing all this trouble. You and your reckless driving. Now look at what's happened! We've been sent out of our house and I'm very sure you are behind this!"
I felt angry and defensive. "I had nothing to do with this," I protested.
But Elsa wasn't listening. "Just leave us alone," she spat. "We don't need your help."
My eyes flashed with anger, but I took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. I reached out to my car and pulled out the file, tossing it at Elsa's feet.
"What's this?" she asked, her voice wary.
"A proposal," I replied, my eyes glinting with determination. "Marry me, and I'll provide for you and your son. You'll lack nothing."
Elsa's eyes widened in shock. "You can't be serious, what do you take me for?” she exclaimed.
But I was dead serious. I needed a wife, and Elsa was the perfect candidate. She was in a difficult situation, and I was willing to take advantage of that. Apart from that I actually need to inherit my grandfather's company.
Elsa's eyes scanned the file, her face growing paler by the minute.
"This is a contract marriage," she whispered. "You're proposing a two-year marriage, after which we'll divorce?."
I nodded. "That's right. And during those two years, we'll live separate lives. We won't touch each other, we won't share a room, and we won't fall in love.” “Before I also forget, I will definitely pay you handsomely for it.”
Elsa's eyes flashed with anger, but I could see the desperation in her eyes. She had nowhere else to turn, and I was offering her a way out.
"Fine," she spat, scribbling her signature on the contract. "I'll do it. But don't think for a moment that I'm doing this for you. I'm doing it for my son."
I smiled, a cold, calculated smile. "I wouldn't have it any other way," I said, taking the contract file from her hands.
"Shall we?" I asked, offering Elsa my arm.
Elsa hesitated for a moment, then took my arm, her eyes flashing with resentment.
“I will make sure I find the person who did this to her.” I said to myself as we all walked over to the car.
- Writer
