Chapter 4 SETTING THE RULES.

The tension in the office had settled into something sharper-an unspoken agreement that neither Kareem nor Ayshe could take back. The deal was sealed, but now came the harder part: making it look real.

Kareem leaned against his desk, watching Ayshe as she paced across the room. "You look like you're regretting this already," he said, amusement lacing his voice.

Ayshe shot him a glare. "I'm trying to figure out how I got myself into this mess."

He smirked. "You didn't have much of a choice."

She stopped pacing and crossed her arms. "Let's get one thing straight-I may have agreed to this, but I don't trust you."

Kareem chuckled, pushing off the desk. "Good. Trust makes things messy."

Ayshe frowned. "Then let's talk about rules. If we're going to convince everyone, we need boundaries."

He raised a brow. "Boundaries?"

"Yes." She straightened. "For one, this stays between us. No one finds out it's a contract."

Kareem nodded. "Agreed. If word gets out, it'll ruin everything."

"Second," she continued, "we need to set a timeline. How long is this... arrangement supposed to last?"

Kareem rubbed his chin, considering. "My father will be watching closely for at least a year. After that, I can start making my own decisions in the company. So, let's say... one year."

Ayshe swallowed. One year of pretending to be married to a man she barely knew. "Fine. One year."

Kareem grinned. "What else?"

"No actual... marital duties," she said, feeling her cheeks heat.

Kareem laughed, shaking his head. "Relax. I have no interest in complicating things."

Ayshe ignored the flutter in her stomach at the way he said it.

"Good," she said, clearing her throat. "And we'll keep our personal lives separate. I don't need you interfering in mine, and I won't interfere in yours."

Kareem tilted his head, studying her. "That might be difficult."

She frowned. "Why?"

He smirked. "Because if we're pretending to be married, people will expect us to act like a couple. That means public dates, family gatherings, maybe even living together."

Ayshe stiffened. "Living together?"

He shrugged. "Unless you have a better idea."

Ayshe exhaled sharply. "Fine. But separate rooms."

"Of course," Kareem said smoothly. "Anything else?"

Ayshe hesitated before saying, "We end this cleanly. No drama, no complications. We walk away when it's over."

Kareem's gaze flickered, something unreadable in his expression. "Understood."

For a moment, they just stood there, the weight of what they'd agreed to sinking in.

Kareem extended his hand. "Shall we make it official?"

Ayshe hesitated before shaking it.

Their deal was done.

But neither of them realized just how blurred their boundaries would become.