Louis' POV
It got painfully unbearable waiting on Claire to make her decision. But, I had a feeling she was going to eventually accept.
I bid my time, distracting myself with work. Doing nothing to pressure her.
I was growing very impatient, even though I didn't let it slip. I didn't want to make her think I had no other choice.
Every time I'd glance at her from my office windows, I'd often see her staring into space, lost in thoughts.
She looked like she was having a hard time with it and deep down, I felt a tad bit bad knowing I was likely the cause. But there is no helping it. I do need her to accept.
I contemplated playing the cards I unexpectedly got. To make use of the lie she had told her friends as a bargaining chip , but I keep stalling for some reason.
I didn't want her to think poorly of me. If she agreed, it had to be entirely of her own accord.
Still, desperation makes people do things they normally wouldn't. I'd gone as far as asking Kelvin, my best friend and resident tech genius to quietly look into her situation.
I told myself it wasn't an intrusion. If she had debts, a sick family member, anything at all that might make this arrangement worth considering for her.
I did find what I was looking for. But I don't think I'd be able to use it to my advantage.
There was a mortgage, an overwhelming one, tied to her mother's house. The place she lived. The place she was trying so desperately to protect.
But now, she is in my office and she looks like she's about to break and cave. But something holds her back which is why I had no choice but to give her one final push using one of the cards I had.
"What do you mean by that?" She asks, eyeing me suspiciously.
I moved closer, careful not to invade her personal space, but close enough that I could feel her body heat from the sheer proximity.
This is another reason why this is a dangerous contract, I already find the woman appealing. She intrigues me in so many ways.
Many women would jump at the chance to be my wife, contract or not. But here she is, no will whatsoever. No appeal to even consider it.
She was difficult. Unyielding. A tough one to crack.
And perhaps that was exactly why she had to be the one.
There would be no promises beyond what was written. No romance. No expectations. No real relationship. Just terms, signatures, and an ending already decided.
Purely contractual, I tell myself, even though I'm not entirely convinced it will stay that way.
"You told your friends you were in a serious relationship," I said quietly into her ears. "You told them you were considering marriage."
Her breath hitched. Her cheeks tinged with a soft pink, probably from embarrassment.
"They're expecting to meet him," I continue. "Soon. Am I right?" I asked, pressing.
I stood straight, my hands sliding into my pockets, trying to stand firm and intimidating.
Her face is drained of color. "You had no right—"
"I didn't intend to overstep but I couldn't help but overhear your conversations at the restaurant ," I interrupted. "But I know how these things go. Lies demand proof. You said you had a serious boyfriend, one that could lead to marriage. And look how blessed you are, God sent you a husband."
Her hands clenched at her sides. She is furious, the tips of her ears tinged in a bloody red, her eyes reddened at the tips.
And I immediately regretted it, this wasn't a good idea.
"If you walk away," I said evenly, despite myself "that lie collapses."
She stared at me, her head titling as she crossed her arms. "So this is blackmail?" Her brows raised in faint amusement.
'Damn, I've messed up' I thought to myself.
"No," I said firmly. "This is reality, you said you weren't sure what you stand to gain and I just gave you a reason to accept."
"I'll have you know that these words don't have a hold on me. If I accept, it'll be purely of my own volition" she says with absolute conviction, her arms still crossed, " I can very well call my friends and confess. They're my friends, they will understand and forgive me."
Even though she has a small frame, her tiny self looks really intimidating in her stance right now. I find myself speechless.
She looked at me then, not the powerful executive, not the composed man but someone equally cornered.
Schooling my features, " Alright, I apologize for the intrusion. I didn't intend to offend you". I truly did not expect her to be this furious, it was unnerving.
And the fact that I was apologizing, like truly apologizing, caught me off guard.
Her chest rose and fell unevenly. Her expression faltered, just slightly, as if she hadn't anticipated that response. The anger in her eyes softened, replaced by something more uncertain.
"And if I agree," she whispered, "what happens if no one believes it?"
He met her gaze. "We have to make it believable."
The room suddenly felt too small.
She turned away, and the next minute, she turned back.
"I guess you have yourself a deal" she says, and I feel myself let out a sigh of relief.
"We would go over the terms and conditions properly tomorrow" she responds with a stern resolve. " Good day, Mr. Louis"
"Good day Claire"
As she reaches the door, about to step out, I find myself saying,
"And Claire, thank you" I added, the words sincere.
She paused, then turned back just enough to offer a small nod. A faint smile followed, brief but genuine.
And for reasons I couldn't quite explain, my heartbeat stuttered, louder than it should have.