three months
823 Words
stared at him.
“This is insane.
“Three months,” he said. “Then you walk away. No strings.”
“No, I said immediately.
His expression didn’t change.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes!”
“Then walk out.”
I turned instantly toward the door—
The men didn’t move i Didn’t dn’t even blink My steps slowed My chest tightened again I turned back slowly.
He was watching me Waiting Not forcing Not shouting Just… certain. "You said no force, I said quietly.
“I said you have a choice.
“This isn’t a choice.”
“It is,” he replied. “You can stay under my terms… or walk out and deal with whatever is waiting for you out there.”
My mind flashed—
My best friend
My boyfriend
The humiliation the pain the, emptiness My grip on the contract tightened the apartment“ was a shared asset of me and james.
"three months?” I whispered, he wasn't wrong whatever was waiting for me back at the apartment was some thing i wasn't ready for yet.
His gaze softened—just slightly.
“Three months.”And then I leave?”
“Yes.”
“No chasing. No control?.
A pause.
Then—
“If you can walk away,” he said.
Something about that answer made my heart race again.
I looked down at the paper.
This was crazy ,Completely crazy ,But somehow i felt like I had already stepped into something I couldn’t escape.
Slowly… I lifted my gaze to him.
“And if I say yes…”
A faint, satisfied look crossed his face.
“Then,” he said quietly, “welcome to your golden cage although it wasn't voiced aloud.
My fingers tightened around the contract, the paper now slightly crumpled from the pressure ,This wasn’t just an agreement it felt like a line.
One step forward… and everything changes,One step back… and I fall apart.
I swallowed.
“Fine.”
The word slipped out before I could stop it.
Silence,Heavy ,Real ,His eyes sharpened instantly, like he had been waiting for that exact moment.
“Say it properly,” he said.
I frowned. “What?”
“If you’re going to agree,” he continued calmly, “I want to hear it clearly.”
Control even now… control.
My jaw clenched.
“You really enjoy this, don’t you?”A faint smile touched his lips.
“More than you think.”
I exhaled slowly, steadying myself.
Then—
“I agree,” I said, my voice firmer this time.
Three months. Your terms.
The room shifted it was subtle… but I felt it Like something invisible had just sealed.
“Good,” he replied.
And just like that—
The tension in his shoulders eased Not gone Just… satisfied.
He turned slightly toward the men at the door.
“Open it.”
Immediately, they moved The door clicked open.
I stared at it , Freedom, Right there just a few steps away my feet didn’t move of course they didn’t Because now Walking out wasn’t freedom anymore it was defeat.
A quiet realization settled in my chest—and I hated how true it felt.
Behind me, his voice came again.
“You should get used to that feeling.”
I didn’t turn. “What feeling?”
“That even when the door is open…” he said, “you’ll choose to stay.”
I scoffed softly, though my stomach tightened.“Don’t be so sure of yourself.”
“Oh, I am,” he replied.
A pause.
Then his tone dropped—lower, more personal "Because you didn’t say yes for me.”
My fingers curled slowly at my sides.
“…you said yes because you have nowhere else to go.”
That hit Hard I turned sharply "You don’t know anything about me.”
He held my gaze without flinching.“I know enough.”Silence stretched between us again—but this time, it felt different.
Closer More dangerous More real.
He stepped toward me, stopping just close enough to make my breath hitch—but not close enough to touch.
“Three months,” he said quietly.“During that time, you follow my rules every thing i require of you must be done without any delays or disobedience.
I didn’t respond Didn’t trust my voice.
“You don’t lie to me A pause “You don’t leave without permission.”
Another pause.
“And most importantly…”
His eyes locked onto mine—deep, unreadable.
“You don’t fall for me.”
My heart skipped Just once But it was enough l forced a dry laugh.
"Trust me… that won’t be a problem.”
Something flickered in his expression.
Not anger Not amusement Something else.“Good,” he said softly.
But for some reason…It didn’t sound like he believed me.
At all.
I
- Writer
