Terms and Conditions

The moment they were out of sight of the other guests, Zara pulled her arm away from Jordan's.

"Would you mind explaining what exactly that was?"

Jordan glanced down at her before looking ahead.

"I assume you're referring to the engagement announcement."

She stopped walking.

"Of course I'm referring to the engagement announcement! What else could I possibly mean?"

He stopped too, his expression remaining frustratingly calm.

"There's no need to raise your voice."

Jordan gestured towards a door at the end of the corridor.

"Come with me. We should talk somewhere private."

Zara hesitated, then followed him.

He led her into a quiet office overlooking the city. The moment the door closed, she turned to face him.

"Okay. Talk."

Jordan loosened his tie slightly before walking towards his desk.

"First, I owe you an explanation."

"An explanation would be lovely. An apology would be even better."

He paused.

"You're right. I shouldn't have made that announcement without consulting you."

Zara folded her arms.

"Well, at least we agree on something."

"I acted on impulse. I saw what was happening between you and your mother, and I wanted to put an end to it."

"By announcing that we're engaged?!"

"It seemed like the most effective way at the time."

She stared at him.

"You're unbelievable."

Jordan ignored the comment.

"However, now that the announcement has been made, I think we should discuss what happens next."

Zara let out a humorless laugh.

"You're talking as though we planned this."

"We didn't. But we can decide what to do about it."

She finally took a seat opposite his desk.

"Fine. I'm listening."

Jordan studied the woman sitting across from him.

She was clearly upset, and he couldn't blame her. He had put her in an awkward position, not to mention the fact that he was her employer.

He needed to be careful about how he handled this.

"Let me explain my situation first."

Zara nodded, though her expression suggested she wasn't particularly interested.

"My mother has made it clear that if I want to inherit the family estate and secure my position in the family business, I have to get married and start a family."

Zara blinked.

"Wait. You're telling me you announced our engagement because you need to get married to inherit something?"

She leaned back in her chair.

"That's insane."

"I'm aware."

Jordan said.

"So, let me get this straight. You need a wife, I happen to be standing next to you, and suddenly I'm the perfect candidate?"

"That wasn't how I arrived at the decision."

"Then how did you arrive at it?"

Jordan exhaled.

"I wasn't planning on getting engaged tonight. But after what happened, I realized there might be a way for both of us to benefit from the situation."

Zara narrowed her eyes.

"And what exactly do I get out of this?"

It was a fair question.

He leaned forward slightly.

"That depends on what you want."

For the first time since they had entered the room, Zara seemed to consider his words.

What did she want?

A chance to leave her mother's house. A life where she didn't have to constantly defend herself or feel guilty for wanting better. The freedom to make decisions without someone making her feel selfish for it.

But she wasn't about to pour her entire life story out to Jordan Harvey.

"I want to know what you're proposing before I agree to anything."

"Fair enough."

He paused before continuing.

"We remain engaged publicly. My mother believes the engagement is genuine, and I have a feeling she won't be satisfied with an engagement for very long. Eventually, she'll expect a wedding."

Zara stared at him.

"A wedding?"

"Yes."

"You're moving rather quickly, Mr Harvey."

"Jordan."

"What?"

"You can call me Jordan. We're apparently engaged."

She rolled her eyes.

For the first time, the corner of his mouth moved slightly.

"Sorry."

He said amused.

He continued, explaining that the arrangement would have to be convincing. They would attend family gatherings together, make occasional public appearances and avoid giving people reasons to question their relationship.

Zara listened carefully.

"And what happens at work?"

Jordan's expression became more serious.

"At work, nothing changes. You're still my employee, and I'll continue to treat you as such. No special privileges, no personal expectations and no interference with your professional responsibilities."

"Good. Because I don't want people thinking I got my position because I'm sleeping with the CEO."

His brows drew together.

"You won't have to worry about that."

"I also don't want you using this arrangement to control what I do outside work."

"I have no intention of doing that. But you do know that you can’t have any public relationships so we won’t jeopardize this arrangement."

"I know that. And I won't be expected to fall in love with you."

Jordan looked at her.

"That shouldn't be difficult to arrange."

Zara scoffed. She shook her head, almost smiling despite herself.

This was going to be more complicated than Jordan had anticipated.

He had expected questions, perhaps some hesitation, but Zara was making it clear that she wouldn't be entering the arrangement blindly.

He respected that.

"There's one more thing," he said.

She looked up.

"Your mother."

Zara's expression changed immediately.

"What about her?"

"I don't think she'll let this go easily."

"She doesn't have to like it. It's my life."

Jordan nodded.

"Agreed. But I don't want you agreeing to this simply because you want to get away from her. If you decide you don't want to go through with it, say so."

Zara studied him, apparently surprised by the statement.

"I thought you needed this marriage."

"I do. But that doesn't mean you owe it to me."

For a brief moment, neither spoke.

Jordan reached for a folder on his desk, then seemed to reconsider.

"We'll have a proper discussion about the terms before anything becomes official. I don't expect you to make a decision tonight."

Zara stood.

"Good. Because I haven't."

"I assumed as much."

She walked towards the door, then stopped with her hand on the handle.

"One more thing, Jordan."

He looked up.

"Please don't call me sweetheart at work."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Noted."

"And don't make another announcement about our relationship without telling me first."

"That seems reasonable."

"Good."

She opened the door.

"Goodnight, Mr Harvey."

"Goodnight, Zara."

She stepped out, leaving him alone with the consequences of his own decision.

By the time Zara made it back into the ballroom, she had one thing figured out.

Her life had become considerably more complicated.

She had walked into the event as Jordan Harvey's employee and was now apparently his fiancée.

She wasn't sure whether to laugh or scream.

Her phone vibrated inside her purse. She pulled it out and found several missed calls from her mother.

Zara stared at the screen for a moment before locking it.

She wasn't ready for another argument.

Not tonight.

As she slipped her phone away, she glanced towards the other end of the ballroom. Jordan was already speaking to a group of guests, looking every bit like the composed CEO she knew from the office.

It was almost ridiculous how easily he had returned to normal.

She, on the other hand, had no idea what normal was supposed to look like anymore.

And tomorrow, she will have to face him at work.

As his employee.

And apparently, his fiancée.

She sighed.

Tomorrow was going to be a long day.