The Deal

CHAPTER FOUR

The Deal

Annie's POV 

I stirred as the soft morning light streamed softly into my bedroom window. The sunlight brushed against the curtains in warm, lazy streaks, glowing across the bedroom walls like gold dust. The first thing I became aware of, was the soreness in my body, a deep pulsing reminder of last night. A reminder I couldn't escape even if I tried.

The second?

Grey wasn't here.

I looked around my room as if expecting a note, a trace, anything… but there was nothing. My cheeks felt hot, and I could still feel the numb ache of my womanhood humming with traces of his touch, reminding me of how wild he was last night.

Annie, you didn't come here for all this, I scolded myself. You came to heal.

But it had happened, and there was no undoing it now.

Besides… it's not like I'd ever see him again.

A knock pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Annie, it's me, Matteo.”

I opened the door and let him in. He sat beside me crossing his arms in that dramatic, exaggerated way he always did, his eyes twinkling with tease and mock seriousness.

“You left me at the party last night,” he complained. “Very unfair.”

“You got lost in the music,” I said, shrugging. “So I took a walk to the shore.”

“He narrowed his eyes but let go. “Alright. Go freshen up and meet me downstairs for breakfast. We have a lot to enjoy here.”

He winked, one eyebrow raising in that irresistible Matteo way, before turning to leave, his footsteps light but purposeful, a sly smile curving his lips.

By the time I stepped into the dining room, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries hit me like a hug, making the room feel alive, warm, and seductive. My stomach growled with anticipation.

Then I saw him.

Grey.

Standing by the buffet.

His eyes locked onto mine instantly, and my heart stumbled violently in my chest. A second felt like a full minutes —i forgot to breathe. The air seemed to thicken, and the light reflected his crisp white shirt like a highlight on every impossible detail.

No. No. No.

Could he be staying here?

Under the same roof as me?

I sat with Matteo, but the food blurred in front of me, the scent of croissants and coffee faded into nothing against the pounding of my heart.

“You barely touched your meal,” Matteo said, frowning. “Aren't you hungry?”

“No appetite,” I muttered and gulped my coffee in one painful swallow. “I need some air.”

I escaped the table before Matteo could protest. The corridors were empty, and the light filtered through the windows like silver, casting long shadows on the floor.

The bookstore was quiet, smelling of ink and paper. I wandered around the shelves, running my finger along the spines like a grounded ritual, trying to distract myself from the memory of his smile, his eyes, his touch.

Then –

“Annie.”

I froze. His voice was low, smooth, and wrapped around me like smoke, making every hair on my body stand on end.

I turned slowly. “H–how did you find me?”

“That's not necessary,” he replied calmly. “And forget about last night. It happened because we were both drunk.”

The words struck me like a slap, sharp, and unexpected. Just like that? Erase everything?

“Let's have an agreement,” he added.

I blinked at him, eyebrows folding. “W–what agreement?”

“Date me.”

My heart stopped. I felt it beating like it would bust through my chest.

“W–what? D–date you?”

“I mean a fake relationship,” he clarified. “My parents want me to be in a relationship. I'm tired of their pressure.”

None of it made sense.

He'd just told me to forget everything –

Now he wanted to date me?

“I don't get it,” I whispered. “Why me?” I just came out of a bad relationship, I –”

He pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to me. I felt the thick edge of the card, cool, and smooth against my palm, the weight of his presence sitting heavy across from me.

“If you agree to this deal… Call me.”

And just like that he walked away. The sound of his footsteps echoed, leaving silence in the room like a vacuum, making my chest burn and my heart pound loudly in the quiet.

*******

“Annie, NO!” Matteo nearly screeched the moment I told him. “Have you lost your mind?”

“Matty, his–”

“Oh please,”Matteo snapped. “Blood is thicker than water. His brother shredded your heart. You're not even healed completely, and now you want to date his elder brother? Annie, why can't you just leave that cursed family alone?!”

“It's not real dating,” I said weakly. “We're pretending.”

He pressed his finger against his forehead, letting out a long sigh, shoulders sagging as if he had just witnessed the world ending. “Fine. But be careful.”

“I will,” I whispered.

I picked up my phone, hesitated for only a moment, fingers trembling slightly, heart still skipping, then typed:

“Deal accepted.”

And sent it.

Grey's POV

Early that morning, my phone lit up with a video call from Diaman. His mischievous grin filled the screen.

“Hey bro! Damn, you've grown into a full–grown ass man,” he laughed.

I rolled my eyes. “Look who's married. Where's your wife?”

“At home,” he said proudly. “I'm at mum and dad's. They want to talk to you.”

“What about little sis? Isn't she back from studies?”

“She isn't back yet,” he shifted the camera. Mum and Dad came into view immediately.

Mum's eyes sparkled. “Look at you! You've become even more handsome.”

I chuckled. “Thanks mum. And you haven't aged. Still under eighteen.”

They laughed.

Dad leaned forward in his wheelchair. “You came back from London, you didn't come home. Instead, you went to Venice beach… with a lady.”

“Yes,” mum chimed in. “We were waiting to celebrate your return after studying business abroad—our first son is finally home! But you chose to be with your girl first.”

Diaman added. “Bro you've got a girl? Did you sleep with her? Since when did you become that type?”

I frowned. “Are you stalking me? How do you know that I'm at Venice beach? And with someone?”

Mum tapped her chin. “We have eyes everywhere, darling.”

Dad nodded. “Bring her home. Your brother is married, and soon there'll be a baby.” He patted Diaman's shoulder proudly.

I changed the subject. “Dad, how's your treatment?”

He gave a tired but strong smile. “Still fighting. But I'm not getting younger. There'll be a shift once you're home—you’ll become the new CEO while your brother assists.”

Mum squeezed his shoulder. “He just wants to see you settled. In work and in love.”

Dad added. “You bring that girl home, and I'll know you're planning to settle down.”

“She's not my girl,” I said firmly.

“If she's not,” Diaman teased. “Why were you with her at the beach?”

Mum actually winked. “For your welcome party, bring her. Before you show up with a woman, she must mean something.”

“If you don't bring her, I'll set you up on a blind da

te myself,” Dad added.

I sighed. “Fine. I'll bring her.”

When the call ended, I stared at the ceiling.

How did a single night turn into… all this?”