She change how she was sitting, like she's a Queen:
- May I ask for the reason?
She whispered.
- No,
He snapped.
- You have no right to know.
He set there, waiting for her to break. He expected her to scream, to stand up and press herself against him, begging for a scrap of mercy. Deep down, he craved her touch; he wanted her to bewitch him again, to cling to him so he could pull her close. But instead, a transformation washed over her. The vibrant emerald spark in her eyes faded, replaced by a cold, icy blue.
- That's fine,
She said, her voice freezing the air between them.
- I'm used to people like you. I'm used to being pushed aside. Adding one more to the list won't change anything.
After a heartbeat of silence, she added,
- Do you need my signature?
- Yes,
He replied curtly.
- Sign beside your name.
- Then,
She retorted, her gaze unwavering,
- I have conditions of my own.
- And you have conditions, too?
He asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
- Yes,
She replied firmly.
If you want me to sign, you must agree to my terms first.
- Fine,
Jaguar said, crossing his arms.
- Give me your conditions, then I'll decide whether to agree or not.
In his mind, he was already bracing for her to demand millions for her family or the return of their lost estates. But her request was far simpler, and far more shocking:
- First: Bring back my staff the secretary and the bodyguard. And you will not interfere with how I treat them. I am the one who manages them, and I alone have the right to end their service in whatever way I see fit.
Jaguar rubbed his jaw, stunned. He couldn't believe she had traded millions for two employees who, in his cold worldview, would never sacrifice for her the way she was sacrificing for them.
- I accept,
He finally said.
- My second request,
She said, her voice wavering slightly.
- I know my friend made a mistake, but I am certain he has learned a lesson he will never forget.
- Agreed,
He replied, surprisingly calm.
- Do you have any other requests?
She pointed to the contract.
- Here the clause that forbids me from getting close to any man. If I am to sign it, you must agree to the same: you are not to get close to any woman.
A rare, soft smile touched his lips. He realized she was jealous, and the sight of it clearly amused him. Seeing that expression, Fati gasped,
- You're smiling! You're smiling just like you do on screen!
He froze, his amusement vanishing into confusion.
-What? On screen?
Silence fell between them. Fati realized too late that she had let her secret slip; she had been watching him, studying him, and knew exactly how he looked when he thought no one was paying attention.
The green spark returned to her eyes, and she looked at him, her voice dropping to a low, alluring whisper:
- And now... what are we going to do?
Jaguar felt his walls crumbling; she was luring him in, and he knew he was losing the battle. He stepped close, his breath brushing against her ear as he rasped,
- What do you want me to do?
- You,
She countered,
- what have you decided?
Jaguar felt her voice dismantle his every defense. He moved toward the door, trying to reclaim his fading composure.
- Fine,
He said, his voice trembling.
- I will call to have your friend released. I'll return your secretary and bodyguard. Finish your honeymoon, and when you're ready to return... come back. As for the last clause, I will do my best not to break it. Does that satisfy you?
Fati took a deep breath, the icy blue creeping into her eyes like armor.
- Yes,
She replied, fighting to keep her voice steady.
- But I want to go back with you. I won't break a single rule: I won't get close to you, I won't kiss you, and I won't look at any other man. I will follow every clause, but take me back with you. I promise that after three years, we will divorce... and that will be the end of it.
Jaguar froze at the door. Her words tasted of bitterness, especially her insistence on not kissing him. He was struck by how her voice rose slightly when she mentioned those forbidden acts, as if she were desperately trying to convince herself of a lie, as if every fiber of her being wanted to bury itself in his arms instead of pulling away.
He looked at her for a long moment, then muttered,
- Fine. I will pick you up tomorrow, and we will return home.
- Aren't you staying here?
She asked, a sudden panic rising in her.
- promise... I won't get close to you.
He knew he shouldn't stay near her, but her voice calling out to him held him captive.
- I'll stay until you sign the contract,
He said.
- Then I won't sign it,
Fati declared,
- So you can stay by my side.
- Do you always speak without thinking?
He asked.
- No,
She replied, locking eyes with him.
- I am a very rational person, but with you, I lose my mind.
Her words sent his senses into a frenzy. His mind screamed at him to leave, but his heart refused to move. He stepped closer, his voice a low rasp.
- You lose it like this?
- Yes.
Before they knew it, their lips crashed together in a kiss that left them both breathless. Suddenly, he pulled away, his expression pained.
- I thought you said you wouldn't break the contract!
- But you were the one who kissed me this time!
She fired back.
He stormed toward the door, furious.
- The next time you break the contract, I will be forced to dissolve this marriage entirely!
He slammed the door, left standing in the hallway, struggling to breathe. He knew that being near her was his undoing, yet he couldn't bear to let her end the honeymoon. Returning to the mansion meant the beginning of his torture, and he couldn't bring himself to subject her to that just yet.