Chapter 4-Agreement

"Where is he?" I asked the woman, whose name was Bea.

Jomin, the driver, explained that Bea's family had been hired by the man's family to be a caretaker for the house. At first, she was the only one there, but over time, five of them ended up working together. I felt a pang of guilt for being rude to her earlier, especially when I learned she was the youngest and working to support her family.

Bea approached me where I stood outside. "Sir just left," she said, sounding apologetic. "He just left."

"Is he at work?" Jomin asked.

Bea nodded, and I let out a heavy sigh. I had hoped to find him and talk, but it seemed he was taking back his offer. A wave of disappointment washed over me, and my body went limp.

Suddenly, a phone rang. It was Bea's. She answered it, glancing at me with a strange smile.

"Okay, sir," she said before hanging up.

She gave me a playful look and nudged Jomin, who had been checking his watch impatiently. He looked at her in annoyance, but when he saw her expression, his face lit up, and he mirrored her odd, knowing look. I felt like they were communicating without words. It was then that I realized how close Eavon's staff was, and how unusual their behavior was.

"Ma'am, Sir Eavon is waiting for you at the penthouse," Bea announced. "He said you should meet him there."

I was about to ask how he knew I was looking for him, but they both squealed in unison.

"Oh, ma'am, you and Sir are so cute! We're so kilig!" Bea teased.

I frowned at her joke. "You know, I barely know your boss, and I'm just using him, okay? I don't have any other choice," I said, shrugging my shoulders.

"Okayyyy!" they said in perfect sync, their faces were unreadable.

Ignoring their teasing, I got back in the car with Jomin, who drove me to the penthouse. The drive was quiet, but I noticed the busy city outside. People moved like a swarm of bees, fast and frantic. It made me feel guilty, and tears welled up in my eyes. I was filled with regret for not calling for help for Orion. I was angry at him, but I loved him.

Everything was so confusing, and I hated the unanswered questions swirling in my mind.

"Ma'am," Jomin's voice pulled me from my thoughts. He handed me a black mask, shades, and a cap. I quickly wiped my tears and thanked him, realizing we had arrived.

I swallowed hard, nervous about leaving the car. What if someone recognized me? Jomin opened the door, and I took a deep breath, closing my eyes before stepping out. He guided me toward a towering building that looked familiar. I remembered passing it on my way to work and knew it was the headquarters of a company that owned some of the most advanced surveillance systems and other technologies in the country.

Wait... he works here? Or he owns this?

"Who are you?" A security guard blocked our path inside. My heart hammered against my ribs, fearing he would make me remove my disguise. I could feel the stares of the employees around us, and a cold dread crept up my spine.

Jomin showed the guard an ID, and we were immediately allowed inside. The guard bowed respectfully, and we continued walking. Jomin led me to a gold-plated elevator with the letters 'EJ' engraved on the door.

EJ? Eavon June? I thought to myself. His name sounds familiar...

Jomin pressed a button, and the elevator arrived in a second. The doors opened to reveal a uniformed elevator attendant sitting on a stool. The attendant smiled and greeted us warmly. The inside of the elevator was stunning, with reflective walls that mirrored everything, and a luxurious scent filled the air. I noticed the buttons the attendant was pressing—most were for the different floors, but the very top one had a single letter: P.

P... Penthouse?

"Ma'am Shay, this is where I leave you," Jomin said. "Sir doesn't allow us in his penthouse."

I raised an eyebrow. "And I'm allowed in?" I asked, pointing to myself. He nodded. My heart hammered again, and I started to panic.

"Jomin, what should I say?" I ran a hand through my hair, feeling a chill run down my body. Both of them chuckled at my panic. It was embarrassing to show up uninvited, just to say I agreed to his strange proposal.

As the elevator doors opened, I was about to step back inside when a voice called out my name.

"Shadow Veralla."

A sharp pain shot through my head. I grabbed my temples as a forgotten memory flashed in my mind.

Shadow!

A voice echoed in my head, a voice I couldn't place, but it sounded so familiar...

"Gosh, you're pale, babe." A man's voice snapped me back to reality, and before I could react, he lifted me into his arms. I clung to his neck, a strange warmth spreading through me. I couldn't see his face, but his neck smelled so good it made me want to get closer.

I was about to struggle, but my mind was stuck on the strange memory I'd just had. I've been having these headaches and fleeting, unfamiliar memories for months now.

He carried me inside, and I gasped at the sight of his penthouse. It was more luxurious than his house, with a stunning floor-to-ceiling window offering a view of the city skyline. A grand crystal chandelier hung over a plush, cream-colored sofa and a dark marble coffee table, all set against black marble walls. This man's taste was far more modern and expensive than I'd imagined. He gently set me down on the sofa, then pressed a button that drew navy blue curtains, blocking out the harsh sunlight.

"Stay there. I'll get some tea for you, babe," he said. I frowned at the pet name, but let him go.

While he was gone, my eyes fell on a small framed photo on the coffee table. It was a picture of him with a black cat, and he was smiling so genuinely it was impossible not to smile back. He was undeniably attractive and looked younger in the photo, with a buzz cut and a leaner frame.

"You're falling in love with me, babe," I heard his voice chuckle behind me. I spun around to face him.

"You're full of yourself, aren't you?" I said, rolling my eyes and walking back to the sofa. I saw the tea on the table and sat down.

"Do you have anything to say?" he asked, staring intently at me.

I avoided his gaze, remembering why I was here. After a long pause, I finally spoke, the benefits of his offer flooding my mind. "Yes, I agree to marry you, but—"

"But what?" he frowned.

"No sex. No kisses. No intimate moments," I declared.

"I can't promise that, but I'll try for you, babe," he said with a wink.