Chapter 2 The Contract

Chapter two:

The Contract

Theme: Trust and Power

With her heels tapping fiercely on the smooth marble floor, Sophie entered the opulent boardroom. She could feel Adrian Blackwell's eyes on her as soon as she entered. The tension in the air changed as his black eyes remained focused on her.

"You're late," he said in a calm, demanding voice, as though her timeliness had meant the difference between life and death.

At the door, Sophie hesitated, holding her portfolio bag close to her side. She pushed back the nerves that were starting to creep up her spine. "Traffic," she answered, attempting to hide her uneasiness.

Adrian remained motionless, his stance as hard as the surrounding steel. The only indication that he was listening was the small arch of his eyebrow. Excuses are not acceptable to me. Being on time is crucial in my world.

"Your world?" Sophie yelled, speaking more quickly than she had planned. She forced herself to stand up straight and straightened her shoulders. "I don't work for your company."

A tiny smirk formed at the corner of Adrian's mouth as his lips quirked. "Not yet," he responded in a tone that was almost humorous, as though the prospect of her working for him was already finalized.

A flare of rage rose in Sophie's chest, which she struggled to control. As she walked over to the elegant, glass-topped conference table where he was seated, she replied forcefully, "I'm here to discuss the contract, not your world."

Adrian folded his hands in front of him and relaxed back in his chair. "All right, then let's talk about the contract."

After setting her portfolio on the table, Sophie inhaled deeply. There was no going back, but she wasn't prepared for this yet. She had concurred. Now there was no turning back.

Adrian motioned to the chair across from him and said, "Sit."

The moment's weight pressed down on Sophie's chest as she sank into the seat. Adrian wasted little time.

"First, we'll review the fundamentals," he said in a clear and concise voice. Tomorrow, you'll move into my penthouse. Weekly public appearances will be planned, and we'll go to social gatherings, dinners, and galas. I'll see you with me. Our narrative is straightforward: we had a brief but intense romance after meeting through mutual connections.

Attempting to keep the dryness out of her throat, Sophie swallowed. "And in private?" she inquired, nearly frightened of the response.

Adrian's eyes became less piercing as his stare grew softer. "You'll be left alone. I'm not here to make things more difficult than they have to be.

She paused, not knowing if she should be relieved or cautious. He was being remarkably sensible. Too rational. She felt concerned because she thought he might be hiding something from her.

Slowly, she nodded, deciding to believe him for the time being. She questioned, "What about the terms?"

The legal document was visible when Adrian opened a folder he had moved across the table. He stated in a businesslike tone once more, "It's all here." "You'll get full discretion, financial support, and a work allowance. In public, we will conduct ourselves like a married couple. One year will pass throughout the marriage. We both go our separate ways after that.

"A year?" With a pounding heart, Sophie repeated. "What if I don't?"

"There will be consequences if you don't," Adrian stated in a calm tone, but it was obvious what he meant. "Just as I will, I expect you to keep your end of the bargain."

A stab of pain went through her chest. A year. A year of acting. of being a different person.

However, she had no other option. No more. Not if she wished to prevent the collapse of her artistic career.

Scanning the terms, she picked up the document. It was too simple in its simplicity. She glanced at the fine print. "What occurs at the end of the year?"

Adrian's eyes remained fixed on her. "You can leave now. However, the agreement is legally binding. There will be consequences if either of us chooses to leave before then.

She took a big breath and put the contract down. "What am I really agreeing to?"

Adrian never took his eyes off hers. In the spotlight, you're consenting to be my wife. Not much more. Nothing less.

The weight of his words descended upon Sophie. Even if it was a business deal, he had indisputable power at this time. The feeling of being caged was unavoidable. However, she would have to accept it if this was the only option.

The following day, Sophie's heart was pounding in her chest as she stood in front of Adrian's penthouse building's glass doors. Above her, the tall building stood as a metaphor for the life she was about to enter. She entered with a kind nod from the security guard at the front desk, but Sophie couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable. She didn't live in this world. By no means.

Silently, she ascended the elevator, her hands perspiring as the screen's numbers increased. She was greeted by Adrian's penthouse's elegant, contemporary décor when the door eventually opened. The expansive glass walls provided a frightening and stunning perspective of the city in all directions.

Adrian said, "Welcome," from the doorway.

Sophie turned to see him standing there with his enigmatic gaze in his customary sharp suit.

With a distant tone, as if he were giving a tour to a visitor rather than a wife, he said, "I'll show you to your room."

The sound of her shoes reverberated off the marble floor as she trailed him down the corridor. He showed her the room, and she paused at the door. It was spotless-pricey, cozy, and completely impersonal. She didn't know what she was anticipating, but this wasn't it.

"Your belongings are in the closet," Adrian stated in a serious tone. As long as you desire it, you will enjoy total privacy. The majority of my time will be spent in the workplace.

Sophie looked around the room and nodded. No personal touches were present. No images. No keepsakes. Everything was cold, cold, and well constructed to look that way. She knew it wasn't this empty, but she wasn't sure what she had anticipated.

"This weekend, you'll have to go to a gala with me," Adrian added, interrupting her daydream. "This evening, get some sleep. The specifics will be discussed tomorrow.

Unable to find the right words, Sophie nodded once again. She had no choice, but she had no idea what she was getting herself into.

She muttered softly, "Goodnight," as she entered the room and shut the door.

Sophie slipped onto the bed, her thoughts racing, as the door snapped shut. What was she doing? Would she actually spend a year living this lie?

The silence was broken by the buzzing of her phone in her pocket. She took it out and took a quick look at the screen. She saw a flashing anonymous message.

"Are you certain you can rely on him?"

Sophie's heart froze. Who would communicate that way? How did they find out?

Her heart pounding, her fingers shaking as she gazed at the words on the screen. She glanced around the room quickly, but it was quiet and deserted. Too quiet.

She was by herself. Or did she?

Sophie's heartbeat thumped in her ears as her mind raced. The message felt like a warning she wasn't sure how to handle, and she could feel its weight bearing down on her. She looked around once more, her eyes sweeping the vacant room. Her mind was racing, each notion more disturbing than the one before it.

This was sent by whom? Why now, too?

She scribbled a brief response, her hands shaking: Who is this?

Although the message was delivered, no answer was received right away. The silence dragged on while Sophie waited, breathing shallowly. Had she been wrong? Had she gone too far already?

Abruptly, a fresh message appeared on the screen:

"You'll learn soon enough."

The icy words pierced Sophie's psyche, causing the blood to drain from her face.