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Bound by Contract

Author: Author Anselm
last update Last Updated: 2025-02-26 20:08:05
Skylar

The sharp chime of the doorbell startled me awake. I groggily sat up, rubbing my eyes as I glanced at the clock. It was still early. Who could it be at this hour?

Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled to the door and opened it. A delivery man stood there, holding a neatly wrapped package.

“Delivery for Skylar McLair?”

“That’s me,” I said, still half-asleep.

He handed me the package, nodded, and left without another word. I closed the door behind me and stared at the box in my hands. There was a small card attached to it, signed with a single name—Cole.

My fingers tightened around the edge of the package.

Taking a deep breath, I set the box down on the table and carefully peeled back the wrapping.

Inside was an ivory-colored dress, neatly folded. The fabric felt smooth, beautiful and expensive beneath my fingers.

But why had he sent me such a beautiful dress?

Before I could think further, my phone suddenly rang.

I picked it up hesitantly.

“You’re awake,” Cole’s dee
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  • Sweet Submission: Love Me, Mr. Billionaire    Appreciation Gone Wrong

    SkylarI couldn't believe it!The same, damn Ethan who humiliated me, doubted me, made my life hell—was now being credited for my vindication?They really believed Ethan was the reason Xavier and the special forces came to the company to investigate?I turned my eyes toward Ethan, and sure enough, he was grinning smugly. That self-satisfied look, like he had won something.He was just shameless…totally shameless and hopeless. Taking credit for something he didn’t do.I felt heat rush through my face, but it wasn’t from embarrassment.I stared at the glass, my vision blurring slightly. The alcohol was already making me tipsy. I was never good at holding my drink. But tonight… I didn’t care. I was just too irritated and angry to care.I reached for the wine bottle and poured myself a full glass.Everyone quieted down and smiled as I stood. I could feel their expectant eyes on me, thinking I was about to toast Ethan.Wrong.Too bad they all thought wrong because I was about to surprise t

  • Sweet Submission: Love Me, Mr. Billionaire    Appreciation

    Skylar I leaned back in my seat, letting out a soft sigh of contentment. The food the chef brought up had been delicious, and after resting a bit on the couch, I finally stood up, brushing my dress straight. "Thank you for the meal," I said softly, reaching for my bag. "I think I’ll head back to the company. I need to hand over some files to Tara, and then I’ll make my way to the celebration party."Cole looked up at me, his expression unreadable. He gave a small, stiff nod and looked away.I paused, my hand still on the strap of my bag. "Are you okay?" I asked, tilting my head slightly.He didn't respond for a second, then just muttered, "Yes."I frowned. There was something off about him, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. He had been so warm earlier, yet now he was acting like I’d wronged him somehow. I sighed quietly. Cole was still a mystery to me in so many ways. Sometimes it felt like he was putting up walls right in front of me, and no matter how much I tried, I could

  • Sweet Submission: Love Me, Mr. Billionaire    Tension Between Men

    ColeIt was getting harder to ignore the thoughts in my head—thoughts about Skylar.She had become more than just someone I needed to protect. But no matter how often I thought about her smile, or how her voice softened when she was nervous or wanted to apologize, I knew I couldn’t act on what I felt.Not now.I couldn’t confess my feelings. There was too much at stake. Too many eyes watching. Not yet.Not while she was still under scrutiny. And if I confessed anything, it might not just ruin what we had—it might put her in danger too.So, it wasn’t just a matter of timing. It was her safety. It was her peace of mind. And for now, the only way to protect her was to keep my feelings buried—hidden beneath layers of emotions.But even I had my limits.Especially when it came to Ethan.That brat had a way of testing boundaries, and lately, it felt like he had made it his personal mission to provoke me—like he could smell something I didn’t want anyone to see.I leaned against the wall of

  • Sweet Submission: Love Me, Mr. Billionaire    Realization

    ColeHer face was right in front of mine—just inches away.I was just about to lean in when, suddenly, a knock came from the door.Skylar quickly blinked and straightened herself. She shifted away, her face turning a deep shade of red as she cleared her throat awkwardly.I let out a short chuckle and reached for the small button beside the couch. A quiet click, and the door slid open automatically.The waiter stepped inside, carrying a tray and a fancy-looking wine bottle. “Your special wine, Mr. Buckman. The meal will arrive shortly.”I gave him a brief nod. “Thank you.”He bowed slightly and left the room without another word.As the door clicked shut behind him, I turned to find Skylar still trying to calm herself. She looked everywhere but at me. That blush hadn’t left her cheeks yet.“What’s the wine for?” she asked softly.I reached for the bottle and smiled. “To celebrate you.”Her brows lifted a little.“I ordered it ahead of time,” I said, carefully removing the cork. “To mar

  • Sweet Submission: Love Me, Mr. Billionaire    Heavy Feelings

    SkylarThe elevator dinged softly as it reached the top floor, and I stepped out in a hurry.The hallway of the presidential suite was quiet, almost too quiet.I moved forward, checking from one end of the corridor to the other. But there was no one in sight.No sign of Cole.No footsteps.No sound of movement.Just silence.My heart beat a little faster, and I couldn’t explain why. It was strange. I didn’t usually panic this quickly. But right now, I felt unsettled. Uneasy.My palms were slightly damp as I rubbed them along the side of my skirt. My head kept turning, trying to decide which direction to go.Why was I even this anxious?I reminded myself it was because I didn’t want Cole to get the wrong idea. That’s all.He had done so much for me… and even my family. I owed him respect, honesty, at the very least. I didn’t want anything to upset him.But even as I told myself this, another voice whispered in my heart—“Is it really just that? Are you only worried because you don’t wa

  • Sweet Submission: Love Me, Mr. Billionaire    Theme Concept

    SkylarThe event was beginning to slow down. Some guests had already started leaving. Others lingered near the displays, chatting and admiring the collections for the last time. It had been an incredible day—one I would never forget.My cheeks still ached from all the smiling. I’d shaken more hands tonight than I had in my entire life. Compliments floated around, and I was finally beginning to breathe easy when the host, Miss Annie, returned to the stage.“Ladies and gentlemen,” she said brightly, “please join me in welcoming Mr. Ethan Varelli, General Manager of Elegance Jewelry Company, for the closing remarks!”I turned my head just in time to see him stepping onto the stage.Ethan took the mic from Annie, flashing his charming smile. “Good evening, everyone. First of all, thank you all for being here tonight. Your presence means a lot to us at Elegance Jewelry.”More polite applause followed.He continued, “This year’s Biannual Jewelry Collection Event has been nothing short of ma

  • Sweet Submission: Love Me, Mr. Billionaire    Spotlight

    SkylarThe day I’d been working toward for weeks now—maybe even up to months—was finally here.The Biannual Jewelry Collection Event.It sounded like a dream. Just saying the name out loud gave me a rush. I was actually going to present my jewelry design—my own design—at one of the most respected industry showcases. And not just that… I was the lead designer and the last to present.The finale.They always said the best was saved for last, right?But right now, I was pacing back and forth behind the stage like a wind-up toy about to burst. I’d rehearsed everything, and still, my heart raced like a jackhammer.As I tried to collect myself, Tara came from behind.“You alright?” she asked, her tone low and calm.I nodded quickly, then shook my head just as fast. “I don’t know. Maybe. I mean… I’m excited. But terrified.”She chuckled gently and stepped closer. “That’s natural. If you weren’t nervous, it would mean you don’t care. You’ve worked hard. You deserve to be here, Skylar.”Her wo

  • Sweet Submission: Love Me, Mr. Billionaire    Like The Stars

    ColeSkylar didn’t move.“I thought we were going somewhere for a talk or something. I didn’t think…” She glanced at the bike again. “This wasn’t what I expected.”“That’s the point.”Skylar looked uncertain, her fingers brushing her coat. “You really want me to get on the bike?”“Unless you’d rather go back inside and keep apologizing over dinner.”Her eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of defiance flaring. “Fine.” She walked over, still hesitant, but her hand reached for the helmet.“Hair up,” I reminded her.She tied her hair quickly, then slid the helmet on, adjusting the strap under her chin. I got on first and steadied the bike. She climbed on after a brief pause, one leg swinging awkwardly over the seat before she settled behind me.She hovered for a second before her arms slowly wrapped around my waist.“You good?” I asked over my shoulder.“Yeah,” she said. “Just… surprised.”I grinned. “Hold on tight.”And with that, I revved the engine. It roared beneath us, vibrating throug

  • Sweet Submission: Love Me, Mr. Billionaire    Ghost

    ColeAfter everything that happened today, all I wanted was to go home and rest.Xavier had just finished giving me a full report—everything went according to plan. On the surface, it looked like a miracle. A massive plagiarism scandal buried within twenty-four hours? To the world, it would seem effortless. Clean. Efficient. Just another one of those privileged power plays. But I knew better.No one saw the number of phone calls I had to make. The favors I had to pull. From top-level media executives to legal consultants who owed me for cases they’d long forgotten. The resources I had to mobilize— surveillance analysts, and digital forensic teams that were included in Xavier's special team. Even a few old intelligence contacts I had sworn I’d never call again unless the world was burning. Well, for Skylar, it almost did.But it was done now. The article was taken down, retracted. The "sources" vanished like smoke. And Skylar’s name was cleared.With work wrapped up, I grabbed my coat

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