CONTRACT OF HEARTS

CHAPTER 3

Xander's POV

I yanked my eyes open, the sunlight streaming in through the blinds searing my vision. my eyes darted across the room, taking in the empty bed space beside me. She was gone.

Groaning, I sat up and pressed a finger against my temple. The memories of the last night flooding my memory. It had the best night of my life-an unexpected , intoxicating encounter with a stranger in my own home. I had always preferred the hotel for such affairs. But this? This was different.

A satisfied smirk, appeared on my lips. She was beautiful-too beautiful. Her presence had been electrifying, her touch pure yet inhibited. But it ended there. One night was my rule. I don't do repeats. Women were an abundance, and the Idea of being tied to one more than once? Boring.

Tossing the duvet aside , I gathered the clothes scattered across the floor. My eyes landed on her ripped panties and I couldn't help the grin that spread on my face as I picked them up. They were a trophy-a small token for a match well played. I tossed them into the drawer before heading to the shower.

The moment I stepped into the building, the chatter of employees ceased, replaced by a tense silence as they hurried to their workstations my commanding presence always had that effect, so it wasn't a bother.

Ignoring them, I strode into my office. Moments later, Jayden, my best friend and PA tormed in, his expression grim.

"Xander," he began, his tone sharp. "You were with a woman last night."

I leaned back in my chair, smirking. "Yes. And how do you always know?"

Jayden slammed his phone, unto the chair. "Because the media caught wind of this and it's all over the internet."

I glanced at the pictures, scrolling at the damning photos.

"I can't understand why you can't f*****g control yourself. I thought we agreed-no hook ups for now?" He snapped.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "You fix this. "That's why I pay you the big bucks," I said with a wink.

Jayden's expression hardened. "Well, congratulations. Mr Donald is threatening to cancel the contract because of this."

The smirk vanished from my face. “What!” I shouted, standing abruptly. “what does the contract have to do with this?”

Jayden met my eyes, his own cold and unyielding. “You figure it out,” he said flatly before turning and walking out.

“Jayden! Wait—Jayden!” I called after him, but the door shut behind him without another word.

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration mounting. Jayden never let me off the hook easily, and deep down, I knew why. He wasn’t just my PA or my best friend—he was the one person who never abandoned me when my life fell apart.

When my parents died in that crash, the world blurred into chaos. I’d been in the car, too—barely conscious as I heard voices confirming their deaths before the killers sped off. No one believed me when I recounted that detail. "Just a trauma-induced dream," they said. Everyone dismissed me except Jayden.

His father, our family butler, had taken me in after the accident. While the rest of the world moved on, Jayden stayed. He nursed me back to sanity when I shut everyone out, keeping me grounded through my darkest days.

Now, he was the one keeping my reckless choices in check. But this time, his silence cut deeper than any reprimand.

"What have I done?" I muttered. I grabbed my phone and dialed Mr Donald's number, but it went straight to voicemail. Anger simmered within me as I slammed the phone onto the desk.

Pulling up social media, I scanned the comments under the photos. They were brutal.

"Xander Blackthorn-just another playboy with a fat bank account."

“I had a night with him, too. Then he ghosted me.”

“He’s not even that handsome. Take away the money, and there’s nothing else to him.”

“Bastards,” I muttered, gripping the phone tightly. This was worse than any scandal I’d faced before.

Moments later, a news notification popped up on my screen: The Blackthorn Group Press Release: The Mystery Woman Is Xander Blackthorn’s Fiancée.

"What the hell!" I exclaimed, my jaw dropping. "Fiancée? How?"

Then my mind trailed off. "Jayden! Jayden!!" I muttered, my voice low but dangerous. "He did this. Is this what fixing looks like in his own dictionary."

Before I could react, Jayden burst into the office, his expression unreadable.

"Jayden," I barked, storming towards him. "What is this nonsense? Are you out of your mind?"

He met my glare with calm defiance. "You told me to handle it. I did. Now you've got a press conference with her tomorrow."

"Press conference!" I snapped . "Jayden you should consult me first. Don't forget I'm the boss here and not you."

Jayden's expression boiled over. "Then act like one, Jayden. It's time for you to grow up and stop behaving like a spoiled brat. Until when do I have to keep cleaning up after you?"

The silence between us lingered for a while as we glare at eachother. His words hit harder than I cared to admit. “Fine,” I muttered, my voice low.

Jayden's expression softened. "So I found her."

"Who?"

“The woman from last night. But there’s a catch—she’s about to be jailed for a crime she claims she didn’t commit.”

“A criminal? You want me to marry a criminal?” I said, my voice rising with frustration. "I really can't believe you, Jayden."

“Relax, Xander," he said, his tone indifferent. "It’s not a real marriage, Xander. It’s a business arrangement. I already pulled strings to get her out.” He tossed an envelope onto the desk. “Now, go convince her. Get her to sign the contract no matter what or else everything we've worked hard for, might crumble overnight."

I hesistated before nodding.

Minutes later, I found myself driving towards the precinct. She stood by the roadside, looking pale and exhausted.

I stepped out of the car and approached her. Her eyes met mine briefly before she looked away, embarrassment coloring her features.

“Miss Knight. “We need to talk," I said in a commanding tone.

“If it’s about last night,” she began, her voice shaky. “We were just caught up in the—”

I cut her off, my patience wearing thin. “Sign it. It’s a contract marriage.”