CHAPTER 2

 THE AGREEMENT 

"What happens when I want out before the three years have passed? " she asked.

“The contract does include provisions of early termination, ” he said. “But the economic advantages would be considerably diminished. ”

Aria took a deep breath. "And what if you change your mind?

For the first time, some kind of respect was shown in his expression. "A smart question. If I let you go without any cause you will get seventy percent of the promised final payment and all the medical costs are covered.

She paused, her mind racing between possible outcomes and possible consequences. "I need some time to think about this. "

“You have twenty-four hours. ” Blackwood said, buttoning his suit jacket at once. “My lawyer will get back to you tomorrow afternoon. ”

As he came out of the bedroom Aria felt her voice grow again. "Mr Blackwood? What about... feelings? What happens if one of us develops actual attachment?” 

He paused at the door, a cold smile barely at his lips. I assure you, Ms. Collins, that won't be a problem for me. And if it turns out to be one for you, I suggest you realise that we're only there to keep this business, which has an expiration date, in it.

After that he was gone, leaving Aria alone with a contract that offered salvation at the risk of her freedom and the dreadful realization that she was already considering saying yes.

—

The next afternoon Aria was in the same conference room, this time with Edwin Reed, the silver-haired CFO who seemed to regard her with a mixture of curiosity and what could have been some kind of pity.

“Ms Collins, have you come to any decision? ” he asked, slipping the signed contract across the sanded board.

The past 24 hours had been the longest of her life. She’d come there to visit her father in the hospital, watching him struggle for each breath knowing that without treatment it will only take him months, or at least several. She would have to pace her little apartment looking at all the options, only to find she had none.

"I have conditions, " she said, surprised by her consistent tone.

Reed's eyebrows rose. "The contract is non-negotiable."

“And then Mr. Blackwood will have to go out and find another desperate woman to be his convenient wife, ” Aria spat at her purse.

"Wait." Reed held up a hand. "What conditions?"

She laid back down and shook her head. "I want some guaranteed time to visit my father... weekly at least. "

Reed considered this, then nodded slowly. "That can be accommodated."

"I want to continue my education. Online courses, part-time.

That bit was almost suspicious of him. "That... may be possible, depending on how it affects your availability for your work as Mrs Blackwood.

"And I want it written down in case anyone tries to get me into... physical contact whatever their view of it may be, it will be treated with contempt. "

Reed didn't seem too thrilled, though, but there was some flickering in his eyes. "That's all in section twelve... but we can't stress it more. "

Aria took a deep breath. "Those are my terms."

“I think I’m going to have to talk to Mr. Blackwood. ” Reed picked up his phone.

"No need."

Aria came out to see Alexander Blackwood staring in the doorway, his expression unreadable; how long had he been listening?

"They are acceptable conditions, " he said, entering the room fully. "Reed, make your changes. "

When Reed began to scramble through the papers Blackwood settled down beside Aria and studied her with those sharp gray eyes, "Second thoughts Ms Collins? "

"Protection of what little I have left, " she openly replied.

Something that might have been respect lit up across his face. "A pretty good move. I'll tell you something though, as soon as you sign you'll be expected to have a full commitment to your part of the business.

"I understand the stakes."

Reed came back with the revised contract in hand, putting it before her with a pen probably more expensive than her monthly rent. "Address each page, signature at the end.

Her hands trembled a little as she entered into signing off the next three years of her life. And then her hand reached the final page. She paused while holding the pen in front of her.

" Second thoughts? - " Blackwood asked again with a hint of annoyance.

"Wondering how do we explain to the world this sudden marriage? " she admitted.

"A crazy love affair, " he said, naturally. "We met while doing charity work in connection with rare diseases, because your father suffers from one and we had a connection. We kept it a secret. Life's short to wait. "

The ease with which he had laid out the lie was appalling. Aria signed her name as though she were falling off a cliff unsure if there were water or rocks below.

"Congrats, Ms Collins. Or rather Mrs. Blackwood, " Reed took the signed papers away. "The marriage ceremony is for tomorrow morning.

"Tomorrow?" Aria gasped. "That's impossible! I need to—"

“Pack? ” Blackwood inched his way. “Sure. A team is already coming into your apartment, with your father’s signed permission to remove your things. ”

She felt her anger roar through her as she rebuffed her, "you had no right... "

"I had every legal right, given that your father was both your emergency contact and co-signer of the building. " He was quite dead serious. "The ceremony will be private and only necessary witnesses will be present. Your father will be taken straight to Mayo Clinic right after. "

Aria struggled to control her breathing, the truth of what was happening settling in. “I have to see him by then. ”

For a moment Blackwood’s eyes dimmed slightly. “Now, there’s a car waiting for you to go to him, you have till this evening to say goodbye. ” He stood, straightening his tie, already spotless in such a way as to give himself a tidy smile. “Tomorrow you become Aria Blackwood. I offer you today to try to deal with that fact. ”

As he walked out from the room Aria kept her head down and the weight of her decision weighed her on her chest. Three years. I just had to weather three years of living with a man who considered her nothing but a business asset.

She could do this. And for her father she would do this.

What she couldn't explain was the strange tingling in her stomach when the thought of becoming Mrs Blackwood, not just in her name, occurred.