Chapter three

Diana POV

I can’t sleep through the night.

​The first thing I do this morning is visit the police station with my aunt's lawyer.

​"We are going to need your signature on this file, Miss Hamilton," the lawyer says, handing the folder to me.

​I sign my name on the bottom line and pass it back, my hand shaking slightly.

​"That's all we need, Miss Hamilton," the officer behind the desk tells me. "You may take your aunt home from the hospital.The outstanding debt is paid in full. Your aunt is cleared for release."

​A sudden wave of relief hits me. I smile so hard my cheeks hurt. Aunt Elena is finally coming home.

​"You may go now," the officer adds.

​I walk out into the waiting room, where Chloe sits on the edge of her seat.

​"Is everything cleared?" Chloe asks, jumping up.

​"Yes! She's completely free!" I shout, throwing my arms around her.

​"I'm so happy for you, Diana!" Chloe squeezes me tight.

​My phone vibrates in my bag. I pull it out and answer without checking the screen. "Hello?"

​"Hello, Miss Hamilton. This is Jack Porter, Mr. Blake's PA."

​The smile vanishes from my face. My throat goes dry.

​"Kindly send your current address," Jack continues, his tone cold and professional. "I will have the driver pick you up in an hour."

​"Okay," I whisper. I end the call and drop the phone back into my purse.

​Chloe notices right away. "Who was that? Why the sudden mood change?"

​"It's... Mr. Blake's PA," I say, staring at the floor. "The driver is coming for me in an hour."

​"Oh my goodness, Diana!" Chloe exclaims. 

“What are you going to tell your aunt?” “Not the truth, Chloe. Never the truth. If she finds out I sold myself into a contract for her debt, she’ll say she’d rather rot in prison.” My voice cracks. “It’s not just about the money, Diana. You might actually like the experience with him. Especially when it comes to your writing.” I completely ignore Chloe’s words. I know that if it were only for my writing, I would never have agreed to this. 

“I can’t lie to her face. She knows me too well. She’ll read it right off my face.” I look at Chloe, pleading with my eyes. “Can you help me?” “You don’t even have to ask,” Chloe says gently, grabbing my hands. “What do you need?”

​I can't help but smile. Ever since my parents died and I came to stay with my aunt, Chloe has been my best friend since high school.

​"I want to go home and pack my clothes. I called Aria and she is already at the hospital with Aunt. Please, can you help me take them home? I will message you once i reached there."

​"Of course I can, Diana. But won't you see your aunt first before going?"

​I press my lips together. My eyes sting with unshed tears. More than anything, I want to run to the hospital, hug my aunt, and hear her laugh again. But I can't. The second she asks where the millions came from, I'll break.

​"I'll talk to her on the phone," I say, swallowing the lump in my throat. "It's easier to hide the truth through a speaker."

​Chloe widens her arms and gives me a warm hug. I don't know why, but I really need that.

​"We will still see each other in school, right? Or does the contract say otherwise?" Chloe asks, breaking the hug.

​"Of course we will," I smile at her.

​"I trust Blake, he will take good care of you," Chloe whispers.

​"What! Chloe, I am not getting married," I snap.

​"You never can tell," she says, wiggling her brows.

​I roll my eyes at her. Just when you want her to be serious, Chloe always shows her childishness. 

​I take an Uber home to pack, while Chloe goes to the hospital to pick up my aunt. I already sent the address to Mr. Jack.

​My dog, Luna didn't bark or look playful, her big brown eyes fixed on me. No one needs to tell her that I am leaving. I can tell by the way her tail hangs low as she lowers her head.

"Come here, Luna," I whisper, scooping her heavy body into my arms. I bury my face in her soft white fur. "Don't look at me like that. Aria and Aunt Elena will take care of you, I promise."

​She gives a quiet, heartbreaking whimper and rests her chin on my shoulder.

​My phone rings. Looking at the caller ID, my stomach twists.

​"Hello?"

"Hello, Miss Hamilton," Jack's voice echoes. "The driver is outside."

​I pull back the window curtain back and see an expensive-looking black Bentley Flying Spur. I quickly pick up a few photos of my family and zip my luggage. Luna tugs at my pant leg, refusing to move away, but I gently nudge her back inside and step out, closing the door behind me.

​The driver instantly steps out, opens the heavy car door, and takes my suitcase.

​As I slide onto the buttery leather seat, I spot Chloe's small sedan turning the corner toward my house. I pull back from the window, collapse into the seat, and finally let the tears stream down my face. My aunt is going to spam my phone with calls, but running away feels safer than facing her right now.

​As the car glides onto the highway, panic creeps in.

​Why would Mr. Blake pay such an amount of money for anyone? I know he is rich, but still. 

Who could he probably be mistaking me for? That thought alone makes my heart pound harder.

 What if he kidnaps me? No, no, Chloe said he is good, but still... you never can tell. What 

if I have a panic attack again?

​I shake my head, clearing the thoughts as they are eating me up already. 

I look through the window as we pass through the tall buildings of New York City to distract myself.

​I sleep off during the drive, and I don't need anyone to tell me it is because of the sleep I missed last night.

​"We are here, Ma'am."

​The driver's polite voice wakes me from my nap.

​I step out of the car, and my jaw instantly drops.

 huge white mansion rises before me, its towering glass windows and perfectly manicured lawn giving it the look of a billionaire’s private estate.

"Good morning, Ma'am," a middle-aged woman in a crisp uniform greets me, taking my hand luggage. " Right this way, please."

​"Good morning," I reply, giving her a warm smile and follow her inside.

​ The sitting room alone is bigger than our entire house. She leads me up a grand winding staircase and opens the door to a massive bedroom.

​"If you need anything at all, Ma'am, just press the call button," she says politely. ‘’And please call me Sofia ”

 ​"Please, just call me Diana," I say, uncomfortable with the title.

Miss ​Sofia drops her gaze nervously. "I'm sorry, Ma'am, but I can't do that. Mr. Blake is very strict about staff protocol."

she replies.

​I wonder if he is really that strict. "It's okay," I reply. The last thing I want is getting her into trouble.

​I inhale deeply, taking everything in. I wonder what to expect next. A lot has happened.

—----------

It's been two days since I arrived at Mr. Blake's estate, but I still haven't seen him.

Sofia says he comes home late and leaves early, so I assume he's busy with work.

I've tried not to think too much about it.

I've kept myself busy with school assignments and projects, and the huge house has been strangely quiet. Maybe that's why I haven't had much time to think about the contract—or what is waiting for me.

Tonight, after taking a warm shower, I slip into a satin nightdress from the wardrobe (which came fully stocked with high-end designer clothes in my exact size).

I walk toward the bed, still wondering how long this strange arrangement will remain this way.

Maybe he doesn't even want me here.

​A soft knock sounds at my door.

​"Miss Sofia, how—"

​The words die in my throat.

​Standing in the doorway, blocking the light with his towering frame, isn't Sofia.

​It's Mr. Blake.