Chapter 2: The Contract Marriage
1118 Words
(Esther's Point of View)
I had barely slept the night before. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the contract again—the one Matthew King had slid across the desk to me. The numbers on the paper had danced in my head, almost mocking me, daring me to say yes. How could I not? The offer was too good to refuse. But then, everything in my life had always been a little too good to be true, hadn’t it?
As I walked into the office the next morning, my thoughts felt like a storm, swirling around in my head. Tara greeted me at the front desk, as usual, but I barely noticed. My feet moved on autopilot, my body heavy with the weight of the decision I hadn’t yet made. I wasn’t sure if I was running from the offer or running toward it.
"Morning, Esther!" Tara called after me.
"Morning," I mumbled, flashing her a quick smile before I turned down the hallway.
When I opened my office door, I froze.
Matthew stood there, in front of my desk, his arms crossed. His posture was relaxed, but there was something about the way he stood that made the room feel smaller, more claustrophobic.
I hadn’t expected him to be here—especially not so early. He looked like he had just stepped out of a magazine, perfectly polished, his sharp features set in that unreadable mask he always wore. My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel the heat creeping up my neck.
"I thought we’d talk," he said, his voice deep, controlled. Too controlled.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stand. "Y-Yes, Mr. King," I stammered, offering a stiff handshake that felt like a lifetime in my clammy palms.
Matthew didn’t react. His grip was firm, professional, but there was no warmth in it. Nothing to suggest this was anything more than a business transaction.
He glanced around the office, his gaze cold and calculating. I could feel his eyes assessing the space, the people, even me. "I trust this won’t take long. I have a very tight schedule," he said, his tone clipped, almost dismissive.
I nodded, trying to gather myself. "Of course," I said. I gestured to the chair opposite me, and he took a seat without a word.
I waited for him to speak, but the silence between us stretched, thick and uncomfortable. I could feel my palms sweating, my heart racing. What was he here for, really? What did he want from me?
He finally broke the silence, his eyes locking onto mine. "You haven’t signed yet," he said, the words almost a challenge.
I blinked, unable to keep the surprise from my face. "I… I’m still thinking about it."
"You’ll make the right decision," he said, his voice low, almost too sure of himself. His eyes never left mine, and it sent a shiver down my spine. There was something in them—something that made it clear he wasn’t just talking about a contract. He was talking about something deeper.
"But this isn’t just a business deal, is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I had to know. The tension between us felt like it could snap at any moment. "I mean, there’s more to it than just the money, right?"
Matthew’s jaw tightened slightly. He didn’t respond right away, just watched me for a long moment. It felt like he was weighing me, measuring my every word. Finally, he leaned forward in his chair, his voice quieter but more intense.
"It’s not just the money," he said. "But the money makes it easier for both of us, doesn’t it?" He tilted his head slightly, and I could swear there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something that almost looked like regret. "You need this, Esther. And I need you. For my own reasons."
I stared at him, my mind racing. "And what’s in it for me, really? Beyond the money? What do you get out of this?" I asked, not sure I wanted to know the answer.
He didn’t flinch. "I get exactly what I need. A woman by my side who can keep up with me. Someone who can handle the pressure. This is a business arrangement, Esther. Nothing more. Nothing personal."
His words stung more than I expected. I knew this wasn’t going to be a fairy tale. I knew it wasn’t about love. But hearing it from his mouth—so cold, so distant—made it harder to stomach.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to look away. "I’m not like the others, Matthew. I’m not just going to jump into something like this because of the perks. This isn’t a game for me."
He leaned back, his hands clasped in front of him, his posture relaxed but his eyes hard. "You’ll learn that it’s not a game, either. But this deal is one you won’t regret. Not in the end."
I felt a chill at his words, but something inside me refused to let him see how much they bothered me. I had to stay strong. I had to remember that this wasn’t about me. This was about survival.
I forced a smile, trying to mask the conflict inside me. "I’ll think about it," I said, my voice steady, but my heart wasn’t so sure.
Matthew stood up, smoothing down his jacket as he turned toward the door. "You have until the end of the week. Don’t take too long to decide."
As the door clicked shut behind him, I was left standing there, alone. My body felt like it was floating, my mind spinning in a million directions. Had I really just been offered a contract marriage? Was this my only way out of the mess I was in?
I sank into my chair, my fingers trembling as I gripped the arms of the chair. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do. I had always prided myself on making my own decisions, but this—this was a decision that would change everything.
And yet, something in me still wanted to say yes. Something deep inside whispered that this was my chance—my only chance—to escape the life I had.
I closed my eyes, trying to breathe through the chaos in my chest. What was I really afraid of? Was it the deal itself? Or was it the man offering it to me?
I didn’t have the answers yet. But one thing was clear: I was already tangled up in his world, whether I wanted to be or not.
And I wasn’t sure if I could walk away.
- Writer
