Chapter 5 Episode

The next day loomed large, filled with the promise of change and the unknown, but Liv was ready. She had to be. The morning arrived in a blur of nervous energy. Liv woke early, her mind too restless to allow her to sleep any longer. She moved through her routine with robotic precision, making coffee, taking a quick shower, and pulling her hair into a sleek, low ponytail. Her hands shook slightly as she applied a touch of makeup-just enough to make her feel polished, but not overdone.

She chose her outfit carefully, opting for a fitted navy dress that struck the right balance between professionalism and subtle elegance. It was one of the few items in her wardrobe that made her feel confident, and she needed every ounce of that confidence today. As she dressed, Liv's mind raced with thoughts of the impending meeting with Alex. She replayed their conversations, dissected his words, and tried to predict how the day would unfold. There was a knot of tension in her stomach, but she pushed it aside, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand. By the time she was ready, the sun had fully risen, casting a warm glow over the city. Liv glanced at the clock. It was nearly time to leave. She grabbed her bag, double-checked that she had everything she needed, and then made her way to the door. Emma was still asleep, her soft snores barely audible from the bedroom. Liv paused for a moment, listening to the rhythmic sound of her sister's breathing. Emma had no idea what Liv was about to do, the sacrifice she was about to make for their future. And for now, that was how it had to be. Emma didn't need to know the details-only that Liv was doing what she thought was best. With one last look at the apartment, Liv slipped out the door and headed for the subway. The ride to Grayson Tower felt surreal, like she was watching herself from outside her own body. The city moved around her as it always did, bustling and busy, but today, it felt different. Today, Liv was stepping into a new chapter of her life, one that would be defined by her contract with Alex Grayson. When she arrived at the tower, Liv squared her shoulders and walked through the revolving doors with purpose. The lobby was as sleek and modern as she remembered, but this time, the imposing atmosphere didn't faze her. She was here on business, and she had a role to play. The receptionist greeted her with the same polite professionalism as before, and within minutes, Liv found herself once again in the private elevator, ascending to Alex's office on the top floor. The ride was smooth and silent, the only sound the soft hum of the elevator's mechanics. When the doors opened, Liv stepped out into the familiar office space. Alex was waiting for her, standing by the window with his back to her, the city skyline stretching out before him. He turned as she approached, his expression calm and composed. "Olivia," he greeted her, his tone formal. "Thank you for coming." "Of course," Liv replied, her voice steady as she met his gaze. "I'm ready to sign the contract." Alex nodded, gesturing for her to join him at the glass-topped table where the contract lay waiting. The document was neatly arranged, with two pens placed side by side. Everything was meticulously prepared, as if Alex had anticipated this moment with the same precision he applied to his business dealings. Liv took a seat, her heart pounding as she reached for the contract. She had reviewed it thoroughly with her lawyer, made the necessary amendments, and now all that was left was to put pen to paper. But the finality of it all made her hesitate for a moment, her hand hovering over the document. Alex's gaze was unwavering, his presence steady and unyielding. "If you have any last-minute concerns, now is the time to voice them." Liv shook her head, her resolve hardening. "No, I'm ready." With a deep breath, Liv picked up the pen and signed her name at the bottom of the contract. The act felt monumental, like she was crossing a threshold into a new world. As she finished, she glanced up at Alex, who had already taken the other pen in hand. His signature was swift and precise, a single fluid motion that completed the contract. He set the pen down and looked at Liv, his expression unreadable. "It's done," Alex said, a finality to his tone. "Welcome to the Grayson family, Olivia." Liv swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling over her. She was now, in name at least, a part of Alex's life, bound to him by the terms of their agreement. The realization was both thrilling and terrifying. "What happens now?" she asked, her voice softer than before. "Now," Alex said, standing and moving toward the door, "we begin the preparations. There are certain legal requirements we need to fulfill-marriage licenses, pre-nuptial agreements, and of course, planning for the ceremony itself. It will all be handled swiftly, but there are a few appearances we'll need to make together to establish the authenticity of our relationship." Liv nodded, following him as he led her out of the office and down a hallway she hadn't noticed before. The corridor was lined with tasteful artwork, each piece carefully chosen to reflect the sophistication of Alex's world. They reached a door at the end of the hallway, which Alex opened with a keycard. Beyond the door was a smaller, more intimate office space, dominated by a large wooden desk and a wall of windows that overlooked a different angle of the city. The room had a warmer, more personal feel, with shelves filled with books and a few framed photographs that Liv couldn't quite make out. "This is my private office," Alex said as he walked inside. "It's where I handle the more confidential aspects of my business. We'll be working here for the remainder of the day to finalize the details of our arrangement." Liv followed him inside, her eyes scanning the room. It was clear that this space was different from the larger office she had seen before. This was where Alex conducted the business that required discretion, away from the prying eyes of the public and his employees. He gestured for her to sit in one of the leather chairs in front of the desk, then took a seat behind it. "I've already made appointments with the necessary officials to expedite the marriage license. We'll be meeting with my lawyer later today to go over the pre-nuptial agreement, which is a standard procedure for someone in my position." Liv nodded, though the mention of a pre-nuptial agreement made her stomach tighten. It was a reminder of the transactional nature of their arrangement, a legal safeguard that underscored the business-like nature of their relationship. "Will there be a ceremony?" Liv asked, trying to keep her voice neutral. "There will be," Alex confirmed. "It will be small and private-just a few close associates and family members. It's important for appearances, but I've kept the guest list limited to avoid unnecessary attention." Liv's mind raced as she processed this information. She had expected the marriage to be a formality, but the reality of planning a ceremony-even a small one-felt daunting. She had never envisioned herself as a bride, certainly not under these circumstances. "What about the press?" she asked, her concern growing. "Won't they be suspicious if there's suddenly a marriage announcement out of nowhere?" Alex leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady. "I've already taken care of that. There will be a carefully crafted narrative released to the media, explaining that we've been seeing each other for some time, but kept our relationship private. The wedding will be framed as a natural progression of our commitment to each other." The way he spoke was so calm, so assured, that it was easy to believe he had thought of everything. And he likely had-Alex was a man who planned every move with meticulous precision. "What will I need to do?" Liv asked, knowing that her role in this charade was just beginning. "For now, focus on familiarizing yourself with the details of our cover story," Alex said, sliding a folder across the desk toward her. "This includes the timeline of our relationship, key moments, and information you'll need to know about me and my family. We'll need to present a united front, so it's crucial that we're both on the same page." Liv opened the folder, her eyes scanning the neatly typed pages. It was all there-dates, locations, even anecdotes about their supposed time together. It was a well-crafted fiction, and she would need to learn it as if it were the truth. "We'll also need to discuss your living arrangements," Alex continued. "You'll move into one of my properties, where we'll be seen together frequently. I've already prepared a suite for you in my penthouse, but if you prefer, I can arrange for you to stay at another location." Liv looked up from the folder, meeting his gaze. "I... I hadn't thought about that. I mean, I have my apartment, and my sister-" "Your sister will be taken care of," Alex said smoothly. "I'll provide a stipend to cover her expenses, and she'll be welcome to visit you at the penthouse whenever you like. But for the sake of appearances, it's important that you're seen living with me." Liv's heart clenched at the thought of leaving her apartment, her home, the place where she and Emma had built their lives together. But she knew that this was part of the deal. She had agreed to this, and now she had to follow through. "Alright," she said quietly. "I'll move in." Alex nodded, his expression one of approval. "Good. We'll make the arrangements today . I'll have my staff coordinate the move. Everything will be handled discreetly, and your sister's needs will be prioritized."