After She left her boss office, quiettly walked to her desk still in dase.
not believing what is happing to her,
Maya did not open the file immediately. It stayed there in front of her for a few minutes while she tried to settle her thoughts. Accepting it had not been easy, and even now, it did not feel natural to her, but she had already made her decision, and there was no point delaying what came next.
She finally reached for it and opened it again, this time paying attention to every line.
The first page explained the agreement clearly. It was a temporary marriage, not a real relationship, and it would last for a fixed period of time. Everything between them would follow what was written, nothing more, nothing less.
Maya continued reading.
There were conditions.
They would appear as a married couple in public when necessary, especially for business and family situations. Outside of that, their personal lives would remain separate, and neither of them would interfere in the other's private matters.
Living arrangements were included. She would move into his residence, but there were clear boundaries. Separate spaces. No unnecessary interaction unless required.
Financial support was also written in detail. All her expenses would be covered, including her mother's treatment, and she would not have to worry about payments during the duration of the contract.
Maya paused at that part.
Then she continued.
There was a clause about confidentiality. Nothing about the contract could be shared with anyone. To the outside world, the marriage would be real, and it had to be treated that way.
Another section explained behavior. There would be no actions that could damage his reputation or the image of the company. Everything had to remain proper in public.
Maya read through it again, slower this time, making sure she did not miss anything. The more she read, the clearer it became. This was not something emotional. It was an arrangement, planned carefully, with no space for anything outside what was written.
She closed the file briefly, then opened it again, going back to the financial section.
Her mother's treatment.
That was the reason she was here.
That was the reason she had agreed.
Maya leaned back slightly in her chair, staring at the pages for a moment before closing the file completely. It still did not sit right with her, but she understood it now.
That afternoon, she went back to his office.
She knocked once and stepped in after hearing his voice.
Caspian looked up, his attention shifting to her.
"I've read it," Maya said.
He waited.
"I have conditions," she added.
Caspian leaned back slightly, giving her his full attention.
"I will follow what is written," she said, her tone steady, "but nothing beyond that. No changes without informing me first. No decisions that involve me without telling me."
Caspian nodded once. "Agreed."
Maya held his gaze. "And this doesn't change anything. This is just an agreement."
"I'm aware."
There was no argument in his voice.
Maya took a small breath. "Then I'll sign."
Caspian reached for a pen and placed it on the desk.
Maya stepped forward, opened the file to the last page, and read the final lines once more before picking up the pen. Her hand paused for a second, not because she was unsure, but because she understood exactly what she was doing.
Then she signed.
She placed the pen back down and closed the file.
"It's done," she said.
Caspian picked up the document and glanced at it briefly before setting it aside.
"Yes."
Maya turned to leave, but before she reached the door, she stopped.
"There's one more thing," she said without turning around.
Caspian waited.
"I don't like you," she said plainly. "And I'm not pretending to."
Caspian did not react.
"That won't be a problem," he replied.
Maya nodded once, then continued walking and left the office.
Outside, the air felt the same, but something had already changed.
The decision had been made.
And now, everything would follow it.