Chapter 4 Terms and Temptations

Cecilia sat on the edge of her worn-out sofa, her phone screen still lit up with the last message from Leo Hartford.

Leo: "I'll send the terms tomorrow."

Her apartment was silent except for the distant hum of traffic and the occasional groan from her refrigerator. She glanced around her tiny living space-the cracked ceiling paint, the pile of bills on her table, and her half-empty fridge.

Was she really considering this?

Her heart pounded in her chest as a storm of thoughts rushed through her mind. She didn't know Leo. He was a CEO. A man with cold eyes and a powerful presence. The kind of man who didn't take no for an answer.

And yet, last night, he had taken no for an answer.

He hadn't forced her. He hadn't guilted her.

He'd simply offered.

And now the offer loomed like a key in front of a locked door she didn't want to admit she was standing behind.

---

The next morning, an envelope arrived at her door-hand-delivered.

She opened it with trembling fingers. Inside was a formal contract printed on ivory paper, sealed with the Hartford Global insignia. Her name was typed clearly across the top.

> Temporary Engagement Agreement

Between Mr. Leo Hartford and Ms. Cecilia Brooks

She skimmed the first few lines and caught the phrases:

"No physical intimacy required."

"Public appearances only."

"Six-month duration."

"Compensation: $200,000 (USD)."

Cecilia nearly dropped the papers.

Two hundred thousand dollars.

Her mind reeled. With that money, she could pay off her student loans. Move into a better apartment. Maybe even help her younger brother get into college. And still have enough left to start fresh.

Still, her stomach twisted.

Pretending to love a stranger?

Living a lie?

It felt... wrong.

---

That afternoon, Leo's black Bentley pulled up in front of her building again. He didn't step out this time. Just waited with his sunglasses on and engine humming.

Cecilia approached hesitantly, the envelope in her hands.

She climbed into the passenger seat. "I haven't signed it."

Leo glanced at her. "Okay."

"I don't know if I can do this."

"I'm not here to force you."

Cecilia looked at him closely, searching for even a trace of mockery. But he was serious. And strangely... calm.

"I just-" she bit her lip, "-I don't want to sell myself. That's what it feels like."

"You're not," Leo said, his tone gentle. "You're helping me maintain a public image. And I'm helping you gain financial freedom. That's the trade. You're not selling yourself. You're making a choice."

She looked down at the contract. "What happens if I sign and back out halfway?"

"You get paid monthly. If you walk early, you keep what's already been paid, but nothing more."

"And if I stay the full six months?"

Leo hesitated. "There's a bonus at the end. Fifty thousand."

Cecilia let out a breath.

"That's tuition for my brother," she murmured. "And my mom's medical bills. And... rent. For a whole year."

Leo didn't respond. He didn't need to.

The silence between them was heavy-but not uncomfortable.

Then he reached into the glovebox and pulled out a pen. "You don't have to decide today. But if you do-sign, and I'll handle everything else."

Cecilia took the pen, fingers trembling. She stared at the dotted line for a long moment.

Her pride screamed at her not to.

But survival whispered louder.

She signed.

---

Two days later, Cecilia stood in the mirror of a luxury boutique in downtown Atlanta, staring at her reflection in disbelief.

A soft cream-colored blouse. A navy pencil skirt. Designer heels that didn't pinch. A touch of lip gloss. Her silky brown hair styled into a soft wave that cascaded down her back.

She looked... expensive.

She looked like his fiancée.

Leo stepped out of the fitting room, adjusting the sleeves of his tailored gray suit.

He gave her a once-over, nodding. "Perfect. Paparazzi will eat this up."

Cecilia crossed her arms. "This is so weird."

Leo smirked. "You get used to it."

"You like being chased around by cameras?"

"No. But I know how to play the game."

She rolled her eyes. "You really think people will believe this?"

He looked her dead in the eye. "They already do."

---

Their first public appearance was a "casual" coffee date at a trendy café in Midtown. Leo's driver parked discreetly as they exited the car hand-in-hand, as per their newly signed contract.

Cameras clicked instantly.

Leo leaned down and whispered, "Smile like you're in love."

Cecilia forced a grin that felt like it might break her face. "This is ridiculous."

"Relax," Leo said through his teeth. "You look like a deer in headlights."

She pinched his palm lightly. "Don't push me, boss."

They sat under the umbrella-covered patio as reporters snapped photos from across the street. Cecilia stirred her latte and leaned closer to Leo, pretending to laugh at something he hadn't even said.

After a while, the performance started to feel easier. The cameras didn't bother her as much. Leo was surprisingly good at this-charming, attentive, even funny when the situation called for it.

He knew when to speak, when to touch her arm gently, when to laugh. It was all timed. Calculated.

And yet...

It didn't feel fake.

Not entirely.

---

Later that night, back in her apartment, Cecilia stared at the ceiling in the dark.

The day had been surreal.

The way people stared at them. The compliments. The attention. The money.

And Leo.

He wasn't what she expected.

He wasn't arrogant, or demanding, or cold.

He was distant, yes. Guarded. But there were moments-tiny cracks in the armor-where she caught glimpses of something else.

Something vulnerable.

She didn't trust it. Not yet. But she saw it.

She turned over, eyes wide open, heart conflicted.

This was only the beginning.

Six months.

No feelings.

No strings.

Just business.

She hoped to God she could keep it that way.