Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Terms and Conditions

The contract was Fifteen pages long—typed, and bound in a leather folder that reeked of wealth and riches

Rayna sat opposite Denzel in his study, sunlight pouring in through the marble floor to the windows, casting a shiny glow on the table between them. She hasn't signed the contract yet. The pen lay there like a sword, daring her to pick it up and sever the last thread of her autonomy.

He watched her, expression unreadable, and arms folded. Everything about Denzel Connor Adams was too perfect—his voice, his movement, his silence.

“You can still back down,” he said with a smirk, as if the choice were true.

Rayna looked at him, her jaw rigid. “And let my family crumble? My mother needs money for her surgery. Oliver’s tuition is overdue and dropping out is never an option. You know that. You know every damn thing.”

“That’s business,” he replied. “You need something. I offer something. We both gain.”

“You make it sound so transactional.”

“Of course it is.”

The calmness in his voice made her skin tingle . This wasn’t a man who saved people. He makes use of them.

Rayna picked up the agreement form, going through the form over and over again. No intimacy of any form is accepted. Public appearances are compulsory. Discretion mandatory. Two years. After which, Denzel would ensure her family’s financial status was cleared, with a generous compensation.

“Why me?” she asked suddenly, her voice quieter than she intended.

Denzel’s gaze flickered just slightly. “You’re smart. Beautiful, Single. And your family’s... urgency makes you compliant.”

She hated how easy he made it sound. As though he hadn’t once looked at her across a gala room with something else in his eyes. Something she’d thought was curiosity. Maybe even adoration. Obviously, she’d imagined in her head.

She signed on the first page.

Denzel didn’t say a word. Instead he leaned forward, signing his name on the second page with the same ease he signed billion-dollar deals.

“The wedding will be held next week,” he said. “Legal. Private. No Ceremony whatsoever.”

“And after that?” she asked.

“You’ll move in, to leave with me. We’ll be like a couple in public. No one outside this house needs to know the truth. Is that clear?”

Rayna tried to suppress the urge to spit on his face for his stupid gut. She was walking into a new Life drafted for good appearances and Meekness . A glittering cage of riches.

“Wait you mean, like I would start living with you, in the same house”, I said, totally shocked.

“Yes”. He answered, “ is that not what married couples do? Or do you have a problem with it”?

“No, not at all, it's just that I can't stand seeing you everyday, you're a Devil”, Rayna retorted.

“A devil that is saving your family from destruction, think about, Denzel said, how many devils go around helping people? no you tell me”, he hissed.

“You’re badly eathful with deception,” she murmured.

Denzel smirked, “I can't deny what you said but in this world, appearance is power. You’ll learn it very soon.”

She closed the Contract folder and stood up. “I’m not a toy to play around with. I'm pretty sure you know that.”

“That I know,” he said, “But you’re mine now.”

His speech was tainted with ownership, not fondness and that made her afraid more than anything else.

As Rayna walked out of his study room, contract in one hand, she had no idea the new phase of life she was stepping into. Or how many dark secrets lay beneath Denzel’s calm exterior.

.………………………….

Seated on the couch, in the living room, looking out the window with a glass of water in my hands, I heard footsteps approaching the living room door, accompanied by a knock on the door.

Knock, knock, the knock came in as I expected it. “Ray, common open up the door, I’m sure you can hear me”. My younger brother Oliver shouted.

“Who is knocking please”? I feigned ignorance, as I stood up to go open the door.

“Hi Ray!,” Oliver said as he fondly called me as I opened the door.

“Hey!, you are back,” I said, tugging at his shirt with a smile. “How are you? How was school today?”

My younger brother was all to me in this world and I could not ever imagine him struggling for help with anything.Although sometimes he acts irrational and makes unwise decisions,the best part was he always wanted to do better.

“Sure Ray I'm fine, I have a competition coming up next week and I need to be mentally prepared for it.” He said “And you, my confidence booster has been keeping to herself lately, we barely even talk these days, I'm worried about you, sis.” Oliver was now standing directly opposite the sofa I sat on.

“Uhm, Oliver there's something I want to tell you”.I'll be leaving the house next week and I'm not sure about when I'll be back, but I'll be around for your competition. I said hoping he wouldn't probe further.

“How do you mean Ray, I don't understand.” Oliver said with a perfect frown “Wait o! Are you planning on eloping? I've told you to forget about mum and”….. I cut him short

“No Oliver, Not that.” “I signed the contract with that beast; Denzel ”