Chapter 5

The moment the contract was signed, everything changed. Not physically or immediately. But Sophia felt it.

"Draw up the announcement," she said, her voice calm as she walked to her desk the next morning.

Mr Thomas hesitated. "Now?"

Sophia didn't look at him. "Yes. Engagement, effective today."

Across the room, David sat still.

"Engagement?" He repeated slowly.

Sophia finally looked up. Her gaze met his. Steady and unapologetic.

"You didn't think we'd wait, did you?" she said. "My family moves fast when they smell an opportunity."

His jaw tightened. "And this..." he gestured faintly between them "... is part of the performance?"

"All of it is."

The silence stretched heavily.

"Fine," he said. One word. Flat. But beneath it something simmered.

Sophia rose from her seat, smoothing invisible creases from her dress.

"Then we start now."

The first rule of the contract: Appearance is everything.

Within hours the news had spread wildly, it was explosive.

'Sophia Ashford is engaged.'

The media erupted. Calls flooded in. Investors speculated.

And her family... They reacted exactly the way she had expected.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?!"

Uncle Richard's voice thundered through the estate before she even stepped fully inside. Sophia didn't slow down or flinch.

"Good evening to you too," she replied coolly, walking past him.

"You think this is funny?" He snapped, following her. "You don't get engaged without consulting the family!"

Sophia stopped and turned slowly.

"And yet," she said softly, " I just did."

The room fell silent. Aunt Melissa stood near the fireplace, her expression composed but her eyes sharp. Sophie stood beside her. Watching, always watching.

"And who is he?" Aunt Melissa asked smoothly.

Sophia's lips curved slightly. "You'll meet him tonight."

They didn't have to wait long. The front doors opened. And David walked in. Silence fell like a blade. He didn't belong there. It was obvious in the way he moved, in the way he looked at everything not looking impressed or intimidated.

Sophia watched the room react, watched the confusion and the disbelief. It was perfect. David's gaze found hers almost immediately. He crossed the room slowly, every step felt like tension tightening. When he reached her, he didn't hesitate. His hand settled at her waist possessively.

For a second her breath caught, then she recovered.

"Everyone," she said smoothly, "this is David. My fiance."

The word landed heavily. Uncle Richard laughed disbelievingly. "You're joking."

Sophia didn't blink. "No."

His eyes flicked to David, scanning him- judging and dismissing him.

"Who the hell are you?" he demanded.

"Someone she chose," he said calmly and confidently. It irritated them which felt good.

"Chose?" Sophie finally spoke, her voice laced with mockery. "You expect us to believe that?"

Sophia turned slightly toward her. " I don't expect anything from you," she said softly.

Sophie's smile sharpened.

"Oh I think you do," she replied. "Because this? This looks like desperation."

The insult hing in the air. But before Sophia could respond, David spoke.

"Careful," he said quietly. Everyone turned, his gaze fixed on Sophie cold and steady."Respect goes both ways."

A flicker of something crossed Sophie's face. Annoyance or maybe surprise. She hadn't expected that. Neither had Sophia.

"Enough," Grandfather's voice cut in. All eyes shifted.

"Sit," he said.

~~~

Dinner was worse than before. Because now it was war. Every word was calculated. Every glance sharp.

"So," Aunt Melissa said lightly, "what do you do, David?"

"A bit of everything," he replied calmly.

"And how did you meet Sophia?" she continued.

That was obviously a trap. Sophia leaned back slightly, watching but David didn't hesitate.

"I work in one of her branches," he said.

The table stilled. Uncle Richard let out a slow laugh. "Of course you do."

The implication was clear. He could be termed a gold digger. Sophia's fingers tightened slightly under the table. But David didn't react.

Instead his hand moved, resting over hers. It was unexpected, Sophia's breath caught for the second time that night.

"I didn't marry her for her money," he said. The room went silent.

"Good," Sophie said sweetly. "Because that's the only thing she has."

That did it. Sophia's eyes darkened but before she could say anything, David's grip tightened slightly. Then he leaned in and kisses her. It wasn't staged. The room disappeared. The noise faded. For a moment Sophia forgot everything.

Suddenly he pulled back. Her heat racing. Her thoughts gone. And the room- the room was silent. Shocked written on everyone's face. They were all stunned just as expected. Sophia smiler slowly turning back to the table.

"Any more questions?" David asked calmly.

No one spoke because for the first time they weren't in control.

~~~

Later that night as they stepped out into the cold air. The silence between them was different. Sophia turned slowly to him.

"That wasn't part of the contract."

David held her gaze. "No," he said. Then his voice dropped slightly. "But it worked."

Her pulse quickened dangerously because she realized something too late. She hadn't controlled that moment and that was going to be a problem.