Chapter 5 Wandering thoughts

Marcel hadn't slept all night. Every time he closed his eyes, Anna Blackwood's voice echoed in his head: 'One year, no strings attached.' He'd spent hours pacing his tiny apartment, the unopened box still on the coffee table taunting him like a Pandora's box full of promises he wasn't sure he wanted to unleash.

By morning, he still hadn't made up his mind. His mother's soft humming from the kitchen was a reminder of the life he had built-a simple, hardworking existence. A life that didn't include billionaires, contract marriages, or Anna Blackwood.

But it did include bills. And responsibilities. And a gnawing fear that no matter how hard he worked, it would never be enough.

As he left his room so he could prepare for work, he was startled by a knock on the front door. Wondering who might be visiting this early morning, he opened it to find Anna standing there again. She was looking pretty and distinguished in a navy gown and black thick coat to ward off the chill from the morning. Her personal assistant was a few steps behind her and was holding a sleek black folder.

"Good morning, Marcel," she said as she breezed past him without waiting for an invitation.

He blinked as he turned to look at her stand in the sitting room. He was still in yesterday's shirt and his hair a mess. He paled drastically in comparison to her. "You couldn't have called first?" He managed to ask.

"I didn't think of it. And I didn't want to do this over the phone because I prefer face-to-face negotiations so here I am," she replied and sat down on a couch confidently as if she owned the place. She glanced around. Her expression was neutral as she did so but Marcel could feel her assessing everything. That made him feel more tense which was crazy because he was a soldier before and so no woman should make him feel this way. It was just that there was something about Anna.

The assistant handed Anna the folder, and she placed it on the table then patted it lightly. "Inside is the contract. I assume you've had time to think things through?"

Marcel leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. "You don't waste time, do you?"

"Time is money, Mr. Sterling," she said as her red painted lips curved into a faint smile. "And I have neither to waste."

He then sat across from her as his gaze locked onto hers. "And what if I say no?"

"Then I'll respect your decision," she said simply. "But I'll also remind you of what you're turning down. A chance to make a difference-for yourself, your family. I don't make offers like this lightly."

Marcel stared at the folder. He asked softly. "Why are you really doing this?"

Anna's smile faltered for the briefest moment. She exhaled and said softly. "This is because as capable as I am, I can't become CEO if I don't marry. That is because I am a woman. They won't really pressure me if I was a man. But I do not really care about the bias. What matters is taking control of my future. And if I can do that by lying, then fine. And you, Marcel, are the only person I trust to help me do that. Lying, that is."

Her vulnerability surprised him and it disarmed the argument he'd been building in his head. Still, his hesitation lingered. "Why me? You could have anyone-someone with a higher profile, someone who fits your world."

"Exactly. Someone who fits my world would know how to exploit it," she said. "I don't need a businessman or a socialite. I need someone honest, grounded. Someone who can see through the facade."

Marcel sighed heavily as he ran a hand through his hair. "You know this is crazy, right? A year of pretending to be married? That's a long time to lie."

"It's not a lie," she said simply. "It's a business arrangement. And if it helps, we'll establish boundaries. You'll have your space and I'll have mine. We don't even have to interact unless necessary."

He shook his head as he tried to make sense of it all. "And after the year is up?"

"We part ways," she said in a flat tone. "Clean break. No complications."

Marcel leaned back on the couch as his mind raced. The logical part of him screamed to walk away, to stick to the life he knew. But another part-a quieter, more desperate voice-whispered that this might be the lifeline he'd been waiting for.

"Fine," he said finally, the word slipping out before he could stop it. "I'll do it."

Anna's eyes lit up and for the first time, her smile seemed genuine. Warm even. Relief shone in her eyes. "Excellent."

The assistant walked to him immediately and handed him a pen. Marcel stared at it for a moment before picking it up. His hand trembled as he opened the folder and scanned the dense legal text.

"You're free to have a lawyer review it," Anna said as she slipped back into her professional tone.

"No need," Marcel said as he flipped to the last page. He signed his name even as his heart continued to beat past.

Anna reached across the table and her hand briefly brushed his as she took the folder. "Welcome to the Blackwood family."

He swallowed hard just then as the realization hit him hard. He had just married into one of the wealthiest dynasties in the world. Crazy. But still, it didn't feel like an accomplishment-it felt like walking into a storm.

"What now?" he asked.

"Now," Anna said as she stood. "We prepare. There will be public appearances, interviews, and of course, the wedding itself. My team will handle most of it but you'll need to... polish up a bit."

"Polish up?" he repeated as he narrowed his eyes at her.

"No offense, Marcel," she said with a faint smirk as she eyed him from his head to toes. "But your wardrobe leaves much to be desired."

He laughed despite himself and he shook his head. "Great. Married for five minutes and I'm already being criticized."

"Consider it constructive feedback," she said as she headed for the door. "My assistant will be in touch with the details. And Marcel?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you," she said softly, pausing just long enough to meet his eyes.

Then she was gone leaving Marcel alone with the realization that his life would never be the same after this.

He looked down at his hands and the pen that was still between his fingers and whispered to himself, "What the hell have I just signed up for?"