Chapter 1: The Contract Trap

Ethan’s POV

"Sign this paper, and you'll get unlimited money access!", he smirks as I look at him in despair. 

His voice is smooth, but at the same time, deadly. He sits across from me as if he owns everything, including my fate. His face is calm, body relaxed while the darkened orbs tell a different story.

"Just like you always wished...", he adds. 

The words stabbing me straight in my heart like a sharp knife.

His eyes flicker with bitterness, the corner of lips curling in a wicked smile. While I just look at him in dismay and wonder, "Does he really believe in it?"

____________________________________

Few Hours Ago

The scorching sun burns my skin as I look up at the bold letters adorning the glass walls "Blackwood Company". One of the top and biggest companies in New York. Its name in your resume itself is enough to land you in any high paying job. But one rejection letter from them can destroy you as well. 

It works vice versa.

I stare at the name for a bit longer as unsettling feelings evokes inside me, the surname is familiar to me. Reminding of someone from the past, whom I left seven years ago.

“Buck up man… landing in for this Technical Analyst is your sole target. Don’t forget!”

I remind myself of my purpose for changing my country and landing here. Brushing off the heavy feelings, I walk inside the office with my chin held up, unaware of the looming danger.

Fixing the tie, I inform my name in the reception and pass on my Resume. Smiling, he asks me to wait in the lobby and I sit on the recliner, anxiously tapping my right foot on the floor.

"I heard that the CEO is also going to be present in the interview!", a guy in a brown suit informs his fellow mate. 

"I don't think so, a CEO has better work to do than go through CV", his friend in navy blue replies. 

I gulp as both were right, you never know if he can be there or not. But taking a slight possibility in consideration, doing a small research on the company's owner won't do any harm. Telling myself, I fetch my phone and put the company's name in G****e, looking for a small introduction of my new boss.

The internet seems to slow down, and subconsciously I tap my feet harder as nervousness creeps over, as if the data will fasten.

"Can you please stop shaking your leg? It's disturbing us...", the same guy in the brown suit asked and I nodded apologetically.

Straightening my back, I look at my screen again and my gasp. The name written in the article feels like a tight punch on my chest and I forget to exhale or inhale.

"Adrian Blackwood!"

I read the familiar name again with a horrified expression. The same name I cut my ties off long back. Everything from the past is running in front of my eyes again like a trailer of a movie. 

Frantically, I search for the picture of the man, to be sure of my nightmare coming true. And just as it loads my world seems to collapse.

“You might be kidding…. Out of everyone, why him God???”, I question my fate.

I feel like crying, screaming, laughing all at once, as the man I was running away from, seems to bump into me again. The twist and taste of fate, turning sour for me again.

“I need to leave before he sees”, I mumble to myself.

“Ethan Vale, it's your turn next”, my name gets announced and I realised I was standing at the same place with a pale face for a long time. The lounge filled with the candidate was almost empty now.

Wiping the dripping sweat over my forehead, I shove my phone inside my pocket and walk toward the reception, to withdraw my name. I decline to let destiny play its joke again, and wish to walk out, when in the back of my mind something flashes and I pause.

Before I conclude anything, the lady who called my name a few minutes early walks back with a pitiful face. My burrows gather in confusion, as she whispers something to the receptionist. 

I cock my brow, for him to spill the beans as the lady walks away.

“Sorry Mr. Ethan, the interview is over”, he informs with an apologetic tone. “Is someone else selected?”, I asked in reflex.

He nods in No.

Did he see me already?, I gulp.

Brushing my wild thoughts, I was about to leave when he stopped me again, “Our CEO wants to meet with you… 13th floor!”, he adds. And shows me the way to the elevator while I find it hard to breathe.

“He did see me.”

—-----------------------------------------

"This way Sir. My boss is waiting for you....", he bows slightly, showing me his cabin which says 'CEO' written on the door.

Passing a nervous smile, I gulp hard as I walk inside the room, the chilling air of AC sends shivers down the spine. My eyes scattered across the room which was silent as hell. A strong authoritative presence doesn't leave me alone.

I take a few steps more, and my eyes find him, leaning against the glass wall he was looking down at the river lane behind his office. I was facing his back but still I could sense his strong gaze over me. He was dressed in dark black from head to toe, as if Lucifer itself came to say 'Hello'. His silk raven hair nicely ruffled behind made him look like a dangerous tease.

"Is it really him?", I wonder, as he was unwillingly peaceful.

The door behind me opens, "Sir... here is the paper you asked for", his secretary showed up, startling me. "Sorry, for the delay... we ran out of printer ink", he bows in front of the devil.

"Leave and close the door behind you", he finally says, making my heart almost stop.

I glance up, to find his black piercing eyes, rolling at his secretary with irritation. "He is still the same, carrying a thin line of patience on his sleeves." A soft smile curls to the corner of my lips as the nostalgic vibes hit in. But soon his eyes darkened, as he noticed the barely visible smile on me.

“Have a seat, and take the papers. It's for you only”, he says in his so called calm tone.

His predatory gaze never leaving me, was terrifying me to my core, and I lowered my gaze unable to meet up anymore. Wasting no time, I followed as he said only to find the never ending shock, dropping to me again.

“One Year Living Contract”, I read.

It says, I’ll be his shadow in public acting like his better half, but in private I’ll be no less than a slave. His rules, his dominance, my submissive surrender. I’ll have to do whatever he says or wants to do, in a beat for a year.

“What’s this?” I ask, amazed with this shit in my hand.

“Like you read, it's a contract. You want money and I want you…”, he replies with a tsk in the end. “Think about it, read it nicely, take it home actually. And then let me know…”, he adds with a smirk and digs his head in his phone.

10 mins passed and I stood there in the same position with the trembling hands, holding the file and my glowing phone.

“Fine, I agree to this contract. Pass the pen!”, I announce, and he looks at me in amusement.