5. An Offer

KAYLA

“We do,” Corvin replied.

It left me speechless for a while. I'm familiar with Marlowe International and how powerful and wealthy they were. I have read their feature in the magazine, and now I'm surprised I'm actually standing in front of someone so influential.

When I recovered, I took his hand and accepted the handshake. His palm was soft and warm against mine, sending a chill down my spine.

I had to quickly let go.

Corvin then popped the champagne. Only then did I notice the pair of champagne glasses I haven’t seen earlier.

“Are you sure you’re fine with champagne? I thought you’d want something to eat,” he said, handing me one of the glasses. He filled it almost to the brim.

I shrugged. I don't really feel hungry. I haven't eaten all day, and this champagne was technically my meal. I'm used to fasting–it helped me stay fit and maintain my figure.

“Are you on a strict diet or something?”

For a guy, I thought he was quite talkative. My first impression of him had been that he was the quiet, mysterious type, the kind who would command rather than ask questions, especially personal ones.

“Not really,” I replied. As soon as he finished pouring, I lifted the glass and took a sip. I figured it was my turn to ask something. “Why are you here?”

Just moments ago, I was certain I have the entire place to myself. I hate crying in front of people, so I always make sure to do it somewhere private. But I'd been wrong this time. Contrary to what I thought that this place was closed for the night, it clearly wasn’t closed to the owner.

“Because I saw you coming up here.”

That made me raise a brow. I confirmed his eyes really followed me the entire night.

“Now, why are you broken-hearted again?”

The question made me finish the rest of my glass. That question stings that I held the glass out for more. Corvin didn’t speak. He simply refilled it.

“Because what people see isn’t really the truth,” I began. “Well, for a brief moment, it was. We were actually in love. But that ended just a while ago. We broke up, and now I have to pretend that everything’s okay between us.”

Derek and I started as a love team in an online series. It unexpectedly clicked with viewers and earned us thousands of fans. People loved our chemistry and how real everything looked between us. It paved way to the 'successful career' we have now.

Because of all the champagne I've consumed, my emotions started to overwhelm me. I told him about the contract we signed, binding us together for at least seven years.

It had been three years since signing, and I thought everything was fine. But then Derek started becoming this hot-tempered, impatient person who shouted and screamed at staff and crew. I was shocked, and for a moment, I wondered if I really knew him.

Derek’s treatment of me changed too. We used to be so in love, so sweet, affectionate, always together. Then suddenly, he was never around and would ignore my calls and texts. I felt as though I was being pushed aside, and it made my heart ache. But I held on. Not just because of the contract, but because I love him.

But maybe all good things must come to an end. Our arguments grew worse–Derek would shout and snap at me often. Whenever we're alone and the cameras weren’t pointed at us, he became a completely different person. Misunderstandings piled up, quarrels became more intense. And then I just couldn't handle it anymore.

I decided to break up, and he agreed without a fight. And it broke me. More than I can imagine.

I didn’t realize I was already crying. Until he offered me the same handkerchief again. This time, I accepted it without hesitation.

“And we signed a contract! I want to move on, but how can I when we’re still supposed to be together? When we still have to see each other every day?”

The contract is valid for seven years. One of its clauses required us to stay together as a love team turned “real couple” for that duration to maintain the fantasy for our fans. It brought enormous profit to the company, so the rule was strictly enforced. We both benefited from it, so we agreed to continue.

But it's becoming harder for me. Because he still holds a piece of my heart, while he doesn't want me anymore.

It would be hard to move on because another clause of the contract strictly forbade us from being with other people except for work projects. We can't fall in love. We can't be with anyone else but each other.

“And you know what’s funny?” I mumbled, a mix of laughter and pain in my voice. “He can’t even pleasure me! Whenever we make love, it’s always about him! I have to do all the work, and when he’s done, I’m all alone. I’m left to take care of my own needs. How crazy is that?”

My emotions were running wild, and I wasn't really thinking. I was feeling hurt, regret, and betrayed, all at the same time, which is why I didn't care about the words that came out of my mouth.

“He’s my first everything… But I never really had a real orgasm with him. It’s always fake. I’m always responsible for my own satisfaction.”

And then I suddenly started hearing the words I said. It was a private information between us and I forgot I was talking to a man I barely know.

I fell silent, and so did Corvin.

I suddenly wanted to smack my head. How could I share all of those?! What would Corvin think of me now?!

“God, I’m so sorry,” I quickly said. “Oh my God, I wasn’t supposed to say that!”

I brought the glass to my mouth, but it was empty now. Corvin readily filled it, and I murmured a quick thanks before downing it in one go.

I think I'm crazy.

“It’s fine,” he quickly replied. There was something in his voice that I couldn’t quite distinguish.

“I’m really sorry. That’s private information!”

This time, Corvin didn't reply. We fell silent again, and I wanted to run away. But my feet seemed to be glued to the floor and my body frozen on the bench.

I think I'm really crazy.

“You never had true orgasm?” He asked.

Out of everything I shared, that's what struck him the most?

I then shook my head, still embarrassed. “I… I’m always responsible for my own… orgasm.”

When I looked at him, I saw him nodding. But I could see he was deep in thought.

I'm feeling anxious now, also curious about what was going through his head.

He took a slow sip of his own drink, and a thoughtful, almost predatory look settled on his face. “You’ve given me quite a lot to think about, Kayla,” he said, his voice low and steady. “And honestly, I find myself deeply intrigued.” He paused, leaning forward just slightly. “It seems to me, you have needs that aren’t being met. Needs that a woman like you absolutely deserves to have satisfied.”

He placed his glass down on the bench.

“I propose an arrangement..” He started, and I was holding my breath, anticipating his next words. “Do you want to feel what it’s like to have a real, great orgasm?”

I couldn’t reply. My thoughts were mixed up and running in every direction.

“I can offer you the satisfaction and the attention you’ve been missing. No strings, no future obligations, and certainly no illusions of a relationship. Just for tonight.”

Corvin’s face had shifted–no teasing, no smirk, just quiet seriousness. And I know he wasn’t joking.

“Just two adults acknowledging a mutual curiosity,” he continued, his voice low. “It would be my pleasure to make sure you never feel like you’re on your own again.”

The room felt smaller, warmer, as the weight of his words settled between us. I didn’t answer right away—this wasn’t a decision to make lightly.

But as his steady gaze held mine, I realized I could do it. Derek had been with other women, and a small part of me wondered if maybe this was something I needed too.

So, with an answer I hadn’t fully thought through, I replied, “Okay.”