Signatures And Secrets

The ballroom sparkled with chandeliers, soft music playing in the background as the rich and powerful mingled. Olivia and Ethan walked in hand in hand, dressed like royalty. Olivia wore a deep red gown that hugged her figure, her lips painted to match. Ethan looked polished in a sharp black tuxedo, though his jaw was tense.

They paused on the red carpet outside the ballroom, facing the press.

A bold reporter stepped forward, eyes flicking between them. “Mr. and Mrs.?” he asked, clearly fishing for drama.

Ethan gave a practiced smile. “I’m Ethan Henderson. And this” he squeezed Olivia’s hand“ is my wife, Olivia.”

Cameras flashed like lightning.

Another reporter pushed in, voice loud. “But what about Jessica? She says she’s your wife. Is that true?”

Olivia smiled sweetly, her tone calm. “Jessica’s confused. That’s all. Tonight is about celebration, not gossip.” Then she turned, eyes sharp. “Next question.”

Ethan’s grip tightened. Olivia leaned into him just enough for the cameras. It was a dance, and she played it well.

But the real deal happened two hours before the party.

Earlier That Evening, Private Lounge at Silver Lounge Hotel

The private room was quiet, candlelit, and filled with tension. A large round table sat in the center with four people seated Olivia, Ethan, and their two lawyers.

Mr. Carter, Ethan’s lawyer, cleared his throat. “So, the contract terms have been reviewed. You agree to pretend to be legally married for a six-month period. In return, Mr. Henderson will transfer twenty million dollars into Ms. Castillo’s private account within twenty-four hours.”

“And the estates in Spain, Italy, and Paris,” Olivia added, crossing her legs smoothly.

Mr. Carter hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, those will also be transferred, under Olivia Monroe name.”

Olivia’s lawyer, a sharp woman named Ms. Graham, leaned forward. “Additionally, if a scandal involving Ethan Henderson breaks out cheating, fraud, or anything that affects Olivia’s reputation she keeps everything, and Ethan will owe her full financial damages. As stated here.” She tapped the prenup document.

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “Fine,” he said. “I agree.”

“You sure about this?” Carter asked him quietly.

Ethan looked across the table at Olivia. “I’m sure.”

Olivia tilted her head. “You know, we could still back out. You could go beg Jessica to fix the mess.”

Ethan gave her a dry look. “I’d rather walk barefoot through fire.”

“Cute,” Olivia said, then pulled the contract closer and signed her name in bold black ink. “There. Your turn, husband.”

Ethan signed next, his hand firm, his eyes unreadable.

The lawyers collected the documents and shook hands.

“Congratulations,” Ms. Graham said with a slight smirk. “You’re officially fake married.”

Ethan stood up and looked at Olivia. “See you at the party, wife.”

Olivia smirked back. “Try not to fall in love again, husband.”

Back at the Party, Present Time

The press finally let them pass. Inside, the ballroom buzzed with whispers. All eyes followed them.

Olivia leaned in toward Ethan and whispered, “Smile. Everyone’s watching.”

He gave a faint smile. “You were born for this.”

Olivia held a glass of champagne, standing beside Ethan as they made their way through the crowd. She wore her usual calm mask, but every now and then, her eyes narrowed watching, reading the room.

“Everyone’s staring,” Ethan whispered.

“They should,” Olivia said, sipping her drink. “We just dropped a bomb.”

A woman in a silver dress came up to them, fake smile stretched wide. “Ethan! Darling! And Olivia… wow, I’ve been seeing your face on every magazine cover lately.”

“Nice to see you, Vanessa,” Olivia said with a polite nod.

Vanessa leaned in, voice low and sharp. “So, it’s true? You two are married now?”

Ethan smiled smoothly. “Of course. Didn’t you hear the news?”

Vanessa’s eyes flicked to Olivia. “Oh, I heard. Just didn’t believe it.”

Olivia held her glass tighter but smiled sweetly. “That’s the thing about power moves, Vanessa. No one believes them until they’re already done.”

Vanessa blinked, then forced a laugh and walked away.

Just then, a waiter approached with a note. Ethan took it, glanced at it quickly, then folded it and slipped it in his pocket.

“What was that?” Olivia asked.

“Nothing important.”

She gave him a look. “Ethan.”

He sighed. “It’s Jessica. She’s here.”

Olivia blinked. “Here? At this party?”

He nodded. “She’s causing a scene at the lobby. I told security not to let her in.”

“Smart.” Olivia turned slightly, scanning the room. “But this is your mess. If she gets in, I’m walking out and you can kiss our little deal goodbye.”

Ethan nodded. “Understood.”

They walked farther into the ballroom, and a famous designer approached Olivia. “Miss Castillo,” he said warmly, “your last collection was divine. Truly world class.”

Olivia smiled genuinely. “Thank you, Marco. That means a lot.”

“You’ll come to Milan Fashion Week?”

“If I’m not busy handling… family matters,” she said, giving Ethan a pointed look.

Marco laughed and kissed her hand. “You’re a wife now.”

Ethan’s House..Upstairs Guest Room

They left the party early.

Ethan’s house was just as Olivia remembered massive, cold, and spotless. The kind of place that screamed wealth but whispered loneliness.

He opened the front door and stepped aside to let her in. The hallway lights glowed softly, but they didn’t warm the space.

“You can stay in the guest room tonight,” he said casually, his tone neutral.

Olivia’s heels clicked softly on the marble as she walked in, her eyes scanning the familiar layout. “That’s fine,” she said, brushing a loose curl behind her ear.

Ethan gave a small nod. “The bed’s comfortable,” Olivia said.

He looked at her, a little surprised, not sure if she was being serious or just teasing. He took a step closer.

“Do you want to sleep with me?” he asked quietly.

But she gave a little smirk and waved it off. “Relax. I’ll rather sleep with another man."

“So you’d rather sleep with someone else than me, huh?” he asked, his voice tight with frustration.

When she didn’t respond, something in him snapped.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her forward, pushing her down onto the cold floor, his body pressing against hers.

“You want me, Olivia,” he growled. “You want me so badly you won’t be able to walk when I’m done, isn’t that right?”

She shook her head quickly, trying to hide the way her body reacted.

“Oh, now you want me?” she said, narrowing her eyes, her voice sharp and mocking.

“You’re already wet for me, aren’t you?” he whispered, daring her to deny it.

“No,” she said with a teasing smile, though it was a lie. Her body was already reacting to his heat,

She didn’t get to finish her next sentence. His hands moved fast, sliding over her body, pulling at her dress until it gave way. Her bra followed, the strap snapping lightly against her skin before falling to the floor.

His hands found her breasts, rough and greedy, squeezing and teasing her nipples until she gasped in pleasure

“You like that, don’t you?” he murmured, voice thick with desire. “You like it when it’s me touching you. Only me.”

“Yes, Ethan,” she breathed, her voice low and sultry. “I do.” he slid her panties down slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. Gently but firmly, he parted her thighs and lowered his head, his mouth finding her wetness, exploring her in slow, deliberate strokes.

"Ah!" Olivia cried, her mind mixed between pure pleasure and desire.

"Yes...?" He circled her clit with his tongue. "Is that the best you can moan say my name out?" He taunted, sliding lower to her throbbing opening, thrusting his tongue in her weeping cunt. His fingers digging into the flesh of her thighs, but Olivia didn't pay attention to it. What was taking her attention was the feeling of his tongue licking into her, so deep driving her steady onto cloud nine…

When he lowered her onto the bed, his weight over hers, she didn’t resist. His fingers traveled along her thigh, coaxing her open. Their eyes locked hers glazed with want, his dark with intention as he positioned himself between her legs.

She felt the blunt pressure of his length at her entrance.

But just as he was about to enter her, Her mind snapped awake. Reality dawned on her.

This is a deal.

Just a business contract.

How could I be so stupid?

“No,” she whispered, more to herself than him. Her body stiffened beneath him.

He paused, confused.

Her hands trembled as she pushed against his chest hard enough to make him pause. Then, without thinking, she stood, eyes blazing, and slapped him across the face.

His head turned with the force of it, but he didn’t say a word. His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking.

She stood, pulling the sheet around her like armor. “This is a transaction,” she said coldly, though her voice trembled. “A marriage arrangement. That’s all this is.”

He looked at her, silent, something unreadable behind his eyes.

“This must never happen again,” she continued, each word like a blade. “We don’t cross this line. Ever. We stick to the terms as from now on