One: Heartbreak

It’s been five months since Amelia moved in with the CEO, Ryan Davidson. After proper consideration of the benefits of the contract, she’d gone ahead to sign it without second thoughts. It wasn’t like she had much of a chance to reject it. Apart from being a fresh college graduate at that time, the possibility of finding a well-paying job that could actively settle all of her bills and student loans was close to zero. She saw Ryan’s offer as a means to an end and a new beginning. Hence, she’d taken it after much deliberation, proceeding to sign the contract that pronounced her as his wife for twelve months.

At first, it had been hard to wrap her head around the scenario and to fit into the role perfectly, considering she knew nothing about the man. It was as though she was sharing a home with a stranger, but with time, she got used to it as Ryan also dedicated his time to making her feel open and comfortable around him. She quickly learned that beneath his hard exterior, there was actually a caring man. He showed her off to the public, treated her like a precious treasure he couldn’t afford to lose, and soon, the lines between their fake marriage and reality began to blur, mixing together and entangling her into a delusion and fantasy. 

Amelia was quite aware she was treading on the wrong path by allowing her heart to melt for Ryan but she just couldn’t help it, not with the amount of affection he showered on her. She was pretty sure her developing feelings for him were mutual. And never for once, did he give her a reason to doubt what they shared. She was convinced it ran deeper than just their signatures on a paper.

One evening, Amelia was laying in bed, waiting for her husband, Ryan, who was currently answering a business call in his home office to join her in bed. They’d just had dinner when he’d excused himself to take the call that came in, as they were about to retire for bed.

Amelia laid on the king-sized bed, smiling to herself as thoughts of the previous night filled her memories. Ryan had pampered her into a peaceful sleep after a thorough love-making session that had left her sated, and breathless. Although their contract hadn’t included such terms, they’d naturally fallen into the temptation, giving in to thier sexual pleasures that arose from spending so much time together. Amelia didn’t make any attempts to resist Ryan’s seduction. Not that she could have been successful at it with the way he looked at her, his dark intense gaze filled with sinful promises that made her body buzz and caused her lower stomach to tighten, sending sweet shivers down to her nerve endings.

Thinking of these moments had her body coming to life, as she began to feel her nipples tighten into hard buds. A moan slipped out of her lips when she turned to her side and the sheer silk material of her nightdress grazed the hard buds. Biting down on her bottom lip, she pressed her legs together, allowing her imaginations to take over, and prepare her for Ryan.

Luckily for her, the bedroom door slid open and Ryan walked in, stealing her attention from the fantasy she’d been conjuring up in her head.

“Hey…” she drawled in a sultry voice, giving away the dirty thoughts in her head, her lips spreading into a grin, as she sat up in bed, glancing up at him.

Stepping towards her, Ryan leaned down to her level, resting his head against hers and returning her smile, with his eyes locked on hers. His palm grazed her cheek, with his thumb tracing the curve of her sensual lips.

“Did I keep you waiting?” He murmured, his warm breath fanning her lips, as his hand moved down to the back of her neck, holding her in place.

“Not really,” she responded, her smile widening.

“I’m here now,” Leaning closer, he sealed his lips to hers, tasting her slowly, as though savoring the moment. Amelia tried deepening the kiss but he pulled away. “Nuh-uh… not yet, love,”

Straightening his stance, he moved towards the sofa beside the room and took off his t-shirt and slacks, draping them over the arm of the sofa, before returning to bed in nothing but his boxer briefs. Immediately after he got into bed, Amelia rolled towards him, naturally wrapping her arms around him, and resting her head on his hard chest as though she was meant to be there. Ryan on the other hand draped an arm around her stomach, lightly caressing the warm skin of her stomach that was opened as a result of her nightdress riling up.

For a while, they remained in this position, a comfortable silence descending over them. Amelia popped up her head, her eyes finding his.

“What’s eating you up?” she questioned, after staring at him for a while.

He sighed heavily, his gaze straying to her soft brown orbs. Without speaking, he leaned into her to claim her lips and she allowed him but realizing it was a means of distraction from her question, she pulled away. Not that she should care, but it was obvious they were both past the point of ignoring each other’s issues. Ryan had his nose in her business just like she had hers in his. They shared everything, no matter what it was so she saw no problem in asking what was bothering him.

She leaned into him and began threading her fingers through his hair, with her back resting against the headboard, and his head on her chest.

“Your kisses are addictive but please tell me what’s bothering you,” her voice came out soft, laced with concern.

“You really want to know?” 

“If you don’t mind,”

For a moment, he was quiet but then he spoke.

“The woman I’ve been in love with for the past ten years is back in town.”

The words sounded foreign to Amelia and for a moment, she tried making sense of them but couldn’t.

“I… could you come again?”

“Her name is Selena Halbert. I’d met her in college and we’d been close friends. I had such a huge crush on her but the next school year, she never resumed. I was heartbroken but I couldn’t reach her. It was from a friend I’d heard she’d returned to her home in London. That was how we cut ties without me confessing my feelings to her. Of course, over the years I thought they’d die but they never did. I think one of the reasons I picked you over the other applicants for this position was because you sort of remind me of her, and now she’s back in New York. She was the one that called this evening, and apparently, she wants to meet.” He explained, without sparing her a glance.

“And you want to see her?” Amelia asked slowly, her heart racing from the fear of hearing the wrong answer.

“I don’t want to see her. I need to see her,”

His words uttered in a strong voice confirmed her fears. She pushed away from him, putting the much-needed distance between them. She felt as though she couldn’t breathe with how fast her heart was palpitating.

“Y-you still love her…” she stated in a low voice, her mouth slightly parted, as though the reality of the situation was sinking into her.

“I’ve always loved her.”

An eerie silence descended upon them, dragging for almost an eternity as Amelia’s heart thudded loudly, her stomach constricting with the pain she couldn’t explain. All along she’d thought she meant something to this man, only to be informed she was simply a replacement for the woman he couldn’t have. A face for his fantasies and obsession. 

How had she fallen into such a messy situation?

“Knowing you have been amazing, Amelia, but now the one woman for me is back, and I’m sure you understand. What we’ve had is only a planned marriage, to convince my family that I was worthy enough to keep the family’s inheritance and also keep the family’s legacy in the business and social world. And so far, it has been working but now, with Selena’s return, I have an opportunity to cut the lie and actually get myself a wife who doesn’t have to pretend,”

His words struck her heart mercilessly like daggers stabbing into her heart and yanking hard on it to intensify her hurt. She still couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that the same man she’d thought shared the same feelings and sentiments with her had only been using her until he could get rid of her.

Ignoring her current state, Ryan continued.

“As stated on the contract, you’ll be paid, not just for the five months we’ve spent together but for the entire year, as promised. But on the condition that you’ll never show your face in this city anymore. I wouldn’t want you to ruin the relationship I intend to build with Selena. I also cannot risk my family knowing the truth between us. By tomorrow, I’ll make arrangements to drive you to the airport with your pay and you can move on with your life.”

As he spoke, Amelia didn’t see the man she’d fallen in love with. All she could see was the cold businessman she’d met five months ago at the conference room of DCL. 

“You’re paying me to move out of the city to hide your dirty secret?” she lashed out, allowing her anger to get the best of her but the man wasn’t fazed.

“Yes, Amelia. I have a reputation to protect, and I will not lose the woman I love for a second time because of an employee that signed a contract.”

Amelia thought she was heartbroken before but on hearing these words, her heart fell, a gasp escaping her lips from his cruel words.

“Y-you don’t…” she bit down on her lips, holding onto her words, needing to hold on to the last of her pride.

Could she really fault him for it? She was the one that had accepted to be his dirty secret all for the money, and they’d signed a contract. She shouldn’t really expect anything more from him. He was paying for her place in his life and hence, he could treat her however he wished. 

Falling for him hadn’t been part of the contract and she should have known better.

With this pep talk, Amelia rose to her feet, deciding she couldn’t spend any more time with him.

“It’s fine. I’ll take my pay and leave tomorrow.”

Not that she expected a response but his silence hurt her more as she stepped out of the room, heading towards the living room to pass the night. The urge to let the tears threatening to choke her fall freely was a lot to handle but she told herself she couldn’t shed tears for him.

He didn’t deserve it.