Chapter 5 Twenty-Four Hours

Lucy spent the entire night staring at the contract papers.

The neatly printed pages sat on her desk like a life-changing decision waiting to happen.

Because that was exactly what it was.

Her future.

One signature could erase every debt suffocating her.

One signature could change her entire life forever.

Yet instead of relief.

Lucy felt terrified.

"You've been staring at those papers for three hours," Maya said from her bed.

Lucy sighed heavily. "I know."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Are you going to marry the insanely hot billionaire CEO or not?"

Lucy threw a pillow at her immediately.

Maya burst into laughter.

"I'm serious," Lucy muttered. "This whole thing feels insane."

Maya sat up properly this time. "Okay, jokes aside. what are you really scared of?"

Lucy fell silent.

What was she scared of?

Everything.

The contract.

The secrecy.

Vanessa.

Hart Matthew himself.

There was something deeply overwhelming about him.

The way he looked at her.

The way he spoke like he already owned the room.

The way he somehow made her feel nervous and safe at the same time.

That combination terrified her.

"I don't belong in his world," Lucy whispered finally.

Maya frowned softly. "Maybe his world needs someone like you."

Lucy shook her head immediately.

"You didn't see Vanessa properly yesterday."

"I saw enough."

"She looked at me like I was dirt."

"And Matthew defended you."

Lucy looked away quietly.

That part affected her more than she wanted to admit.

No one had ever defended her like that before.

Not publicly.

Not without hesitation.

Maya crawled closer before lowering her voice dramatically.

"Okay, forget the billionaire thing for a second."

Lucy raised a brow.

"Do you like him?"

Lucy nearly choked.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"I met him two days ago!"

"That's not what I asked."

Lucy opened her mouth.

Then closed it again.

Because honestly.

She did not know the answer.

Hart Matthew fascinated her.

Confused her.

Pulled her in somehow.

And that alone felt dangerous.

Before she could respond, her phone suddenly rang.

Unknown Number.

Lucy hesitated briefly before answering.

"Hello?"

"Have lunch with me."

Her heartbeat stumbled instantly.

Hart.

"You could at least greet people properly," she muttered.

"I already know who you are."

Lucy rolled her eyes despite herself.

"That's still rude."

A low chuckle echoed softly through the phone.

The sound shocked her.

She had never imagined someone like Hart Matthew laughing.

"I'll send a car," he said calmly.

Lucy frowned immediately. "Wait-I didn't agree yet."

"I know."

"Then why are you acting like I did?"

"Because you're still answering my calls."

Heat rushed to her cheeks instantly.

Annoying man.

"Lunch, Lucy."

"That sounds less like a request and more like an order."

"Maybe."

Lucy hated how easily he affected her emotions.

"You're impossible."

"And yet you're smiling."

Her eyes widened slightly.

Was she smiling?

She immediately stopped.

"I'm hanging up now."

"Wear something warm," he added suddenly. "The weather will get colder later."

And then the call ended.

Lucy stared at her phone speechlessly.

Maya looked ready to explode from curiosity.

"What did billionaire husband say?"

"He's not my husband."

"Future husband then."

Lucy groaned loudly before burying her face into her hands.

This was becoming dangerous.

Far too dangerous.

-

Two hours later, Lucy stood nervously outside the dorm building.

A sleek black luxury car waited nearby.

Several students openly stared at her now.

Some whispered.

Others secretly recorded.

Lucy suddenly wanted to disappear.

The driver stepped out respectfully. "Miss Lucy?"

She nodded awkwardly.

"Mr Matthew is waiting."

Of course he was.

Lucy inhaled deeply before entering the car slowly.

The interior alone looked more expensive than her entire life savings.

She tried not to touch anything.

As the car drove through the city, anxiety twisted tighter inside her chest.

What exactly was she doing?

This was Hart Matthew.

A billionaire.

A powerful CEO.

A man completely out of her reach.

People like him did not belong in stories like hers.

Yet somehow.

He kept stepping into her world anyway.

Nearly thirty minutes later, the car finally stopped in front of a luxurious private restaurant.

Lucy's eyes widened immediately.

The place looked so expensive she felt underdressed just breathing near it.

The driver opened the door politely.

Inside the restaurant, everything looked elegant and painfully luxurious.

Lucy gripped her bag nervously while following a waitress toward the private dining area.

Then she saw him.

Hart Matthew sat near the large glass windows overlooking the city skyline.

Black shirt.

Rolled sleeves.

Expensive watch glinting beneath the light.

Even sitting down, he completely dominated the room.

His eyes lifted the second she approached.

And instantly softened.

Very slightly.

But enough for Lucy to notice.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Hart slowly stood to his full height.

Then his gaze moved carefully across her appearance.

Not judgmental.

Not mocking.

Intent.

"You came," he said quietly.

Lucy swallowed softly.

"I'm still deciding."

A small smirk touched his lips.

"But you still came."