Two

I.V

Chapter Two: Contract Marriage?

POV: Sarah

The Grand Meridian rose in front of me like it had been built specifically to make people like me feel small. Chandeliers sparkled behind floor-to-ceiling windows. Women in gowns that probably cost more than my rent climbed out of cars while valets rushed to hold their doors. I paid my cab driver with shaky fingers and stepped onto the pavement.

Claire's red dress hugged my body a little too tightly. The high heels made my ankles feel unsteady with every step. I looked like someone pretending to belong here. A waitress who had borrowed fancy clothes for one night and hoped no one would notice the difference.

The lobby hit me with the scent of expensive perfume mixed with polished marble. Soft piano music drifted through the air like it was part of the atmosphere. 

I gripped Claire's small purse harder against my side as the receptionist at the front desk looked me up and down with careful eyes.

"Reservation?" she asked in a polite but cool tone.

"Claire Bennett," I replied. The name still felt strange and heavy on my tongue. "I am meeting someone for a date."

She gave me a quick questioning glance. Right then my phone buzzed with a text from Claire. It read: Adrian Cole. Please don't mess this up Sarah. I love you!

Adrian Cole. The name landed like a splash of cold water. How could Claire drag me into something involving a man with a name like that? I forced my face to stay calm.

"Adrian Cole," I told the receptionist. Her expression grew serious for a moment. Then she put on a professional smile. "Table seven in the VIP section. Please follow me."

My legs felt heavy as I walked up the stairs behind her. Each step echoed softly in the quiet space. Then I saw him.

He sat alone at table seven wearing a tailored black suit with no tie. A glass of amber liquid rested untouched in front of him. The candlelight caught the shine of his expensive watch. He looked calm and completely in control.

The moment I stepped into view his head lifted. Our eyes met. His gaze was sharp and cold like he was already figuring me out. The space between us felt thick with tension.

The waitress cleared her throat behind me. "Sir this is your date Miss Bennett."

He didn't smile. "Sit."

It was only one word but it carried weight. Just that single instruction.

I almost laughed out loud from the nerves bubbling inside me. What kind of man spoke to a woman like that on a first meeting? Still I took the seat across from him. My right foot tapped a quick nervous rhythm against the floor. 

"Ask Miss Bennett what she would like to order," he told the waitress. His voice sounded casual but bored.

Out of pure spite I pointed to half the menu. I chose the most expensive dishes I could see. Lobster. Filet mignon. The kind of things I never got to eat in my normal life. I hoped it would annoy him enough to end this date quickly. That way I could complete my promise to Claire and go home.

He didn't react at all. His face stayed cold and stern.

"Bring everything she ordered," he said to the waitress without hesitation.

Only after she left did he look at me again. He picked up his glass and took a slow sip. The silence stretched between us.

"So Miss Bennett," he said finally. "Why do you not introduce yourself properly?"

I frowned at the question. Did this man really agree to a blind date without learning anything about Claire first? It made no sense.

I sat up straighter in my chair. "I am Claire Bennett. The only daughter and heiress of the Bennett Corporation. I thought you would have researched me before coming here tonight. Why would you agree to something like this? A blind date feels completely unnecessary and ridiculous for someone in your position."

He watched me speak without interrupting once. His eyes stayed steady on my face. It felt like he was criticizing every word I chose. Like he could see through the performance I was trying to give.

I kept going because the nerves pushed me. "My father arranged this but I didn't want any part of it. I have my own life and my own plans. This whole evening is a waste of time for both of us."

He set his glass down with a soft click. Then he loosened his tie with one finger pulling it downward in a slow motion.

"I don't want this arrangement either," he said in a calm steady voice. "But here we are. Name your price."

I blinked hard. "Excuse me?"

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a thick document folder. He slid it across the table toward me. The paper looked formal and expensive under the candlelight.

"Here is the contract for a marriage deal," he continued. "Read through it carefully. Let me know if there are any clauses you want to add. But none of my original terms can be changed."

I stared at the folder in front of me. My mind spun. Marriage? This man had just met me and he was talking about a contract like it was a normal business discussion.

"Excuse me!" I said louder than I meant to. My voice carried a bit across the table. "What contract marriage? Who exactly is getting married here?"

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. My hands felt clammy against the purse in my lap. This was supposed to be simple. Show up. Reject him politely. Go home with the money Claire paid me. But now everything had twisted into something much bigger.

Adrian Cole leaned back in his chair. He studied me again with those sharp eyes. The piano music in the background seemed quieter now. Or maybe it was just my pulse pounding in my ears.

The waitress returned with the first plates of food. The rich smells of butter and grilled meat filled the air. But my appetite had vanished completely. I looked at the documents again. The title on the front was clear. Marriage Contract Agreement.

Adrian waited. He didn't seem rushed or bothered by my shock. He simply watched me like he already knew how this evening would end.

I swallowed hard. Part of me wanted to stand up and walk out right then. But another part the tired broke part that had accepted Claire's money stayed glued to the chair. What had I gotten myself into?