Bound by Contract

THE PROPOSITIONAria Collins looked out the great black building at the office complex of Blackwood Enterprises and saw the glass tower shining through it in midday sun. She nearly fainted as she got the courage to step through the two revolving doors. The dented leather purse held tightly to her side holding all the papers—medical bills, notices of eviction and letters rejecting loans—that had taken her here to this very moment.As she approached the front desk, the guard at the security checkpoint looked suspiciously at her, taking note of the single navy dress—the most formal of her clothes—and the wrinkled flats that had needed serious repairs.“I have an appointment with Mr. Reed, ” she said proudly, trying not to reflect the wavering fear in her gut. “Aria Collins. ”After getting a phone call and a visitor’s badge, she was directed to the elevator. As she began to journey up the 40th floor, Aria quietly rehearsed her pitch again. This was her last chance—a loan from the undoub

THE CEREMONYAnd the chapel on the Blackwood estate was nothing like the reception hall Aria had dreamed of as a small child: no flowers lined the aisle, no music playing as she entered, and so in lieu of friends and family there were cold-eyed lawyers and a justice of the peace who seemed to be on a routine basis engaged in such transactional proceedings.The white dress she’d worn had just been delivered to her hotel room that morning—a designer dress, beautifully constructed, making her wonder how Alexander had determined her measurements. It was modest, refined—not the princess gown she’d hoped for, but something that a woman of refined taste would choose to enter a very private ceremony in. It didn’t seem to matter much in her defense—looking the part of a blushing bride as she went into the most defiant situation possible.Alexander stood in the doorway of the chapel; his dark gray suit bespoke to him made him look more substantial than ever before, and when he saw her, his eyes

HER FIRST REAL TESTAlexander stayed attentive, his hand never more than a few centimeters away from some part of her, her waist, her shoulder, the small of her back. Every touch, as performative as it was, stung with unwelcome tingles in her body. She found herself having to fight the shiver that would rise up involuntarily when he would lean in to whisper some background information about whoever they were speaking with, his breath warm against her ear.As they made their way toward their appointed dinner table, he murmured, 'You're doing fine.' "Robert was impressed."She admitted that she wasn't performing with him. 'I truly do enjoy what the foundation does.'Alexander’s expression shifted; maybe approval. Pretense is more convincing when it's possible to be authentic.The dinner was a seven course affair, with wines that cost more than Aria's rent probably for the month. She was seated between Alexander and an elderly gentleman who, as it turned out, was a retired neurosurgeon w

JUST ARRANGEMENT The soft knockings woke Aria. Dazed, she sat up in the massive bed, still in shock by the luxury she had grown accustomed to in the Blackwood mansion for a week."Mrs. Blackwood?" a feminine voice called. "May I come in?"“Yes, of course,” Aria said, hastily tucking the blanket over herself.A young woman came in, wearing the dull clothes of the household staff. "Good morning, ma'am. I'm Sophie. Mr. Blackwood requested that I notify you, the car will be ready in THIRTY minutes.Aria blinked in confusion. "Car? I have no appointments today”.“To see your father at the clinic, ma’am,” Sophie said. "Mr. Blackwood said you should leave early in order to get out of the traffic.Surprise rendered Aria momentarily speechless. She had expressed a desire to visit her father, but hadn’t anticipated that Alexander would organize this so soon, given the late evening at the gala."Thank you, Sophie. I'll be ready."After the maid was gone, Aria dressed quickly in one of her new c

WHISPERS IN THE DARKOn their way back to his office building, Aria could not help but wonder which Alexander was the genuine one, the ruthless businessman, the attentive husband he pretended to be in public, or the nuanced man who had just eaten with her.‘I have meetings for the rest of the afternoon,’ he said as they arrived at the shining tower. “The car is for your use”."Thank you. I guess I’ll go back home and embark on some online coursework. Mr. Reed approved my class schedule."Alexander nodded. "Dinner at seven?"The question was almost casual as if they were just a normal couple checking on their plans. "Yes, I'll be there."An awkward moment followed – in public this would be where a goodbye kiss would be natural. Instead Alexander merely nodded a second time and turned to reenter the building.As she turned to look for the waiting car, Aria saw somebody who was familiar across the street, Victoria Harrington, who was watching her with narrowed eyes. The woman brought one