Chapter 3: The Contract 1

Lena’s POV

I stared at the contract on Adrian Vale's desk one more time. Five hundred thousand dollars. The number was written in clean black ink letters, almost as if it's mocking me.

Five hundred thousand dollars. Suddenly I thought about the hospital, and my mother's aging face when she tried to smile.

I thought about the bill I saw on the kitchen table, I thought about the way she had asked me one fateful morning, “How are you going to pay for it?” And now this man is sitting opposite me, offering me more money than I had ever seen in my entire life, just to pretend to love him.

I slowly looked up. "You can't be serious,” I said again. "I am,” Adrian Vale said repeatedly. "You want me to pretend to be your fiancée for five hundred thousand dollars?" I asked curiously. "Yes,” he replied softly.

"Why?" I asked again to be sure what he was saying if he really meant it. "I have already explained,” he replied.

"No,” I said. I shook my head. "You explained why you need a wife, and you haven't explained better why you really need me,” I added.

His expression remained calm. "Because I don't have time to date,” he replied.

I almost laughed. "You don't have time to date, and that's your reason?" I asked carefully. "My grandmother has given me a deadline,” he said. "And you think paying a stranger half a million dollars is easier than finding a real girlfriend?" I asked softly.

"I know it is,” he said. I stared at him for a long moment. "You really believe that?" I asked again. "I don't believe in relationships,” he said. Something about the way he said it made me pause.

There was no arrogance in his voice, but only certainty. "You don't believe in relationships?" I asked again. "Yes, not at all,” he say.

I folded my arms. "why do you want to get married?" I asked. "Because I have to,” he replied. "Then That makes no sense,” I said. "It really doesn't have to make sense to you,” he said. But his answer irritated me.

"Then why should I care?" I asked again. "Because you're sitting here,” he said.

I looked away, and he was right, I hated that he was right, but I was still there because of the money.

Five hundred thousand dollars could pay my mother's medical bills, it could pay medication, treatment, and even to take my mother to a better hospital. It could almost sustain us for a long time, and maybe my mother will be saved.

I swallowed.

"What exactly would I have to do?" I asked quietly. Silence answered me at the moment.

Adrian opened the contract again. "Six months,” he said. “After Six months the contract ends, and you will play a role as my wife within six months time,” he added.

I stared at him, and he made it sound simple. Like ending a business agreement, not a relationship, not something involving two people pretending to love each other.

"Would we actually get married as tradition demands?" I asked softly. "No,” he said.

I blinked. " But your grandmother wants you married,” I said. "Eventually,” he said. "So you don't actually want to marry me?" I asked consciously. "Not immediately,” he responded softly. "Then why the engagement?" I asked very quickly. "Because she wants proof that I'm serious,” Adrian Vale said softly.

"And she believes you?" I asked. "She believes what she wants to believe,” he said. There was something strange in his answer that I can't imagine.

"You don't like your grandmother?” I asked quietly. "I haven’t said that,” he replied softly. "But your speeches and reactions tell me you didn't like your grandmother,” I said.

His jaw tightened. For the first time, I saw a crack in that calm expression, then it disappeared quickly, and I looked back at the contract.

"What happens after six months?" I asked. "You walk away with the money,” he said. "And you?" "I receive control of the family trust,” he said.

I laughed softly, this is insane. "You're asking a complete stranger to move into your house, pretend to love you, attend family events, and convince everyone you're engaged,” I said. "Yes,” he said.

"And you expect me to agree,” I said. "I'm hoping you will,” he said. I stare at him for a few minutes.

"Why?" I asked. Because you need the money,” he said. The words hurt me the most, even though they were true, but I felt my face grow hot.

"You really did your homework very well,” I said. "You really know everything about me,” I added. "Not everything,” he said.

“How come you know everything about me?" I asked again. His eyes held mine immediately, waiting patiently for me to say yes to his contract.

I looked down, and my fingers tightened around the edge of the paper.

"What are the rules?" I asked. He turned the contract toward me.

"First, no public disagreement,” he said. "Secondly, you attend all necessary family functions as many as required,” he added.

I sighed. "Of course,” I said.

"Thirdly, you will move into my house,” he said. I looked up. "Your house?" I asked very quickly. “Yes,” he said.

"Why?" I asked.’"Because we're engaged, and my family expects us to spend time together,” he said.

"That sounds convenient for you,” I said, furrowing my eyes. "And what about sleeping arrangements?" I asked, His expression didn't change. "Separate bedrooms,” he replied. I relaxed slightly. "Good one,” I murmured.

"Unless circumstances require otherwise,” he murmured. I lifted my eyebrows.

"What circumstances?" I asked. "Public appearances, Travel, and family events,” he said.

I stared at him. "You've thought about everything, I don't like surprises,” I said.

"Neither do I,” he said. "Then we'll get along and I wouldn't count on that,” I whispered.

For the first time, Vale gave a faint smile, not a quiet smile, but I looked away quickly. I didn't want to notice things like that, and I certainly didn't want to notice that he had a nice smile.

This was a business deal and nothing more. I forced myself to continue reading. "There's a clause here about physical affection,” I said. "Yes,” he said. "Explain it,” I requested.

"Sometimes we'll have to appear affectionate in public,” Vale murmured.

"How is affectionate among conditions enlisted in the contract?" I asked carefully. His gaze got mine for some moment. "It's an avenue and enough to convince people,” he said.

My stomach tightened. "So what about kissing?" I asked. "If necessary,” he replied softly.

I closed the contract. "No,” I said. Adrian didn't react. "Is it okay that I won't kiss you,” he finally said.

"You just said no without reading the entire clause,” he said. "I don't care,” I said. "It is necessary,” he said. "For your inheritance,” I said. "Yes,” he said.

"Then find someone else,” I said. I stood for a long moment, he watched me for a few minutes, and I could feel my heartbeat in my throat.

I was embarrassed by how quickly I had reacted. But I wasn't going to let money buy everything about me entirely. Adrian leaned back in his chair. "Sit down, Lena,” he said.

I froze immediately the way he echoed, and he was the first person in a long time to say my name like that. Not softly, not cruelly, just confidently, and I sat.

He pushed the contract toward me again. "The physical affection clause only applies when necessary to maintain the appearance of a genuine relationship,” he said quietly.

"And if I refuse?" I asked softly. "Then we don't have a deal,” he replied.