章 2: Chapter 2

The contract

Bella pov

I paced my small flat, the business card of Samuel Asher gripped tightly in my hand. My mind was a whirlpool of anxiety and disbelief. How could I possibly have agreed to meet him? The morning sunlight seeped through the shabby curtains, illuminating the dust floating in the air, a stark reminder of how much I needed to change my life. I couldn't waste any more time.

Just then, my phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. Jonathan's name flashed on the screen.

"Hey, Bells. Did you… uh, meet anyone last night?" he asked, his tone laced with hope.

I sighed heavily. "You mean your boss? Yeah, Jona. What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking about helping my best friend," he replied defensively. "Are you gonna meet him today?"

I hesitated, uncertainty creeping in. "I don't know. This whole thing feels wrong."

"Just hear him out, okay? For me?"

After hanging up, I stared at Samuel's card again. With trembling fingers, I dialed the number. The crisp voice on the other end sent a shiver down my spine.

"Mr. Asher's office."

"This is Bella Thompson. I… I'd like to speak with Mr. Asher."

"One moment, please."

Seconds felt like hours until I heard his deep, smooth voice. "Ms. Thompson. I'm glad you called."

"I haven't agreed to anything," I blurted out, panic rising.

"Of course not. Shall we discuss it over lunch? My driver can pick you up at noon."

I inhaled sharply. "Okay. But this is just ordinary talk. I'm not promising anything."

"Understood. I look forward to our meeting."

Just before noon, a sleek black car pulled up outside my apartment. The driver, a man in a sharply tailored suit, opened the door for me with an expression that suggested he'd seen more than his fair share of troubles.

"Ms. Thompson," he nodded, his voice gruff but respectful.

As we drove, the city transformed outside the window from my rundown neighborhood to the glitzy downtown I had only dreamed of. My stomach twisted in knots. When we arrived at the restaurant, I felt like a fish out of water.

Samuel was waiting outside, looking impeccably handsome in his tailored black suit. When he saw me, a charming smile spread across his face.

"Ms. Thompson. Shall we?"

He led me to a secluded table, and I felt the weight of the world in my simple dress among the elegant crowd.

"Order whatever you like," he said, barely glancing at the menu.

I scanned the prices, swallowing hard. "Maybe just a salad."

Samuel raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Oh! No. You'll need your strength for our discussion. I recommend the steak."

After we placed our orders, he leaned in, his gaze piercing. "Let's talk business, shall we?"

I nodded, my mouth suddenly dry.

"As Jonathan probably mentioned, I need a wife to inherit my grandfather's company. That's where you come in."

My heart raced. "Why me? Surely there are plenty of women who'd jump at the chance to marry you."

His lips twitched into a half-smile. "Perhaps. But I need someone who understands this is strictly business. No emotions, no complications. Just a contract."

"That sounds… cold," I replied, frowning.

"It's practical. You play the role of my wife for two years. Attend events, smile for photos. In return, you receive fifty thousand dollars and assistance with your brother's wrongful conviction."

I blinked, my heart skipping a beat. "You'd help my brother?"

"Absolutely. The best lawyers, private investigators. Whatever it takes to get him a fair trial."

It was tempting. So painfully tempting. But I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this deal than met the eye.

"What's the catch?" I asked cautiously.

Samuel smiled, and I could see the hawk-like glint in his eyes. "While we're 'married,' your life is mine. Where you go, what you do, who you see must fit the narrative."

I gasped, my pulse quickening. "That's… a lot to ask."

"Well, freedom for your brother isn't cheap, is it?" he replied, his voice steady.

I bit my lip, knowing he was right and he knew it too.

"What about… physical stuff?" I asked, a blush creeping up my neck.

Samuel chuckled, a hint of warmth in his otherwise cold demeanor. "Relax, Ms. Thompson. I'm not asking you to sleep with me. We'll have separate bedrooms, but we'll need to act affectionately in public hand-holding, the occasional kiss. Nothing too scandalous."

Relieved but still uneasy, I nodded slowly.

"So," he said, sliding a thick document toward me, "do we have a deal?"

I stared at the contract, my heart pounding like a drum. This was it. The moment that could change everything.

"Can I… can I have some time to think about it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Samuel's expression hardened. "I don't have time for you to think, Ms. Thompson. All I need is your answer now."

I breathed in deeply, the weight of the world pressing on my shoulders. I thought of my brother, alone and in danger. I thought of the life I could give him with this money. But was it worth the sacrifice of my freedom?

"Okay, I'll do it," I said softly, the words escaping before I could stop them.

Samuel's smile was triumphant, like a predator who had just captured its prey. "Excellent. Sign here, please."

Just as I was about to sign, his phone rang.

"Excuse me," he said, his face darkening as he listened. "I see. I'll be right there."

He ended the call abruptly, concern etched on his face. "Sorry, we have to end our discussion now. There's an urgent matter at the office I need to attend to."

I nodded, a mix of relief and disappointment flooding me.

"Take the contract home. Read it carefully. I'll send a car for you tomorrow morning. Be ready to sign… and to move into my mansion."

"Move in? But "

"We are engaged now, don't you understand?" he said with an enigmatic smile. "It would look odd if we didn't live together. Don't worry, all your expenses will be met."

As he stood up, fastening his jacket, he added, "Oh, and Ms. Thompson? Remember, once you sign that contract, there's no turning back. You're in this for the number of years stated."

With that, he strode out of the restaurant, leaving me with the unsigned contract and a mind full of questions.

I clutched the contract to my chest as I stepped outside, my heart racing. Just then, my phone buzzed again. A text from an unknown number appeared on the screen.

"Don't sign it. Asher is dangerous. Meet me at the park tomorrow at 9 AM if you want the truth. - J"

My heart pounded. Who was J? And what truth did they know about Samuel Asher?

I stared at the message, uncertainty washing over me. The restaurant loomed behind me, and my mind raced with possibilities. Samuel's earlier words echoed in my head: "You stick to a deal once you've signed the contract; you cannot change your mind again."

But now, this mysterious J was offering another path. A chance to learn something that could change everything.

As I walked away from the restaurant, my steps grew more hesitant. The busy city streets blurred around me as I weighed my options. Should I sign the contract and secure my brother's future, or meet this mysterious J and uncover potential secrets about Samuel Asher?

When I reached the subway station, clarity struck me. I will go to the park tomorrow. Whatever J had to say, I needed to hear it before I committed myself to two years of my life.

However, as I descended into the dimly lit station, a shiver ran down my spine. I felt a presence behind me, a prickling sensation creeping up my neck. My heart raced. I dared a glance over my shoulder; all I could see were typical commuters, lost in their own worlds.

Still, as I boarded the train, clutching the contract close to my chest, a nagging feeling clawed at my mind. Had I already stepped into something I couldn't escape?

The doors shut with a definitive thud, and I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the grimy window. Fear and

determination flickered in my eyes. Regardless of what happened the next day, I knew one thing for certain: there was no turning back now.

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