C4 Chapter 4

Our Contract, the one that turned our two completely different words upside down. a union between a couple who have nothing in common, except for the love towards their family.

It began almost five years ago when my elder sister Vanessa announced she wanted to get married to the love of her life, Benjamin, her high school sweetheart, they have been together for almost 10 years now and still madly in love.

It's beautiful the way they express their love for each other. everything was in perfect harmony until the bank rejected our claim to inherit our father's money.

My father was a great man, served for his country, and died for it as well. he was a major in the American army, died an honorable death. but that's not the issue here.

My father James was a smart man. he had insurance, he made sure to plan for the worst if there will be any, he was smart and considered all the consequences.

One day when I was home early I overheard my mom arguing, being the nosy person I am. I heard everything, Bank due to some ridiculous reason was not approving our claim to the insurance, this was just a month before the wedding, I confronted my mom about this and she cried not knowing how to handle this situation. I assured my mom that I'll find some way. I was pretty smart in school and college, I had graduated from college when I was twenty and was working in my dream company The Hoffman Technologies.

I was stressed and distracted and was running out of ideas, my mom begged me not to reveal any of this to Vanessa because if she knew about this, she would have canceled her wedding and we too didn't want her to do that. I was very close to my manager and I spoke to him about my situation. I wanted his advice maybe I could take a loan.

Unfortunately, someone, had overhead us talking. later that day I was called to my boss's office, thinking Mr. Hofman needed my assistance in something I obeyed and went into his cabin. he was a very good-looking guy, in his mid-twenties, he had recently taken over his father's company. but what confused me was that he was not alone.

There was a tall, handsome, and mysterious-looking guy in his twenties was with him, he had midnight dark hair, cool grey eyes, a straight nose, full lips, and a strong jawline. he has this bad boy aura surrounding him. something we all were taught to avoid and run the other way.

"Hi, You asked to see me?" I directed my question to my boss and avoided looking at the mysterious guy sitting across from him.

Mr. Hofman smiled politely " Ms.Black, please come in" he called me inside and introduced the other guy to me "This is Mr.Price, my old friend, and business partner" I smiled warmly at him to which he nodded Monotone. I didn't mind most of the rich businessmen were like that.

"Nice to meet you, Mr.Price," I said politely smiling professionally.

"The reason You were summoned here is that we have a new project that needs some technical help and Mr.price wants the best of our IT people" I nodded at him understanding what he wanted from me.

"Sure, what do you need my help with?" I inquired interestedly.

"We have decided to relocate some of our best high techs to Mr.Price's office for the time being and I want you to handle it, make a list of our best and send it to me" he explained

I nodded, during the meeting I could feel his stare drilling holes on the side of my face within the next week I along with a bunch of IT experts were relocated to The Price Enterprises. this was one of the best companies in America.

"Erika" someone called my name, I looked up from my computer to the legal department's head "Mr. Price wants to see you in his office" with that she walked away.

I don't know why he affects me so much, maybe I was just intimidated by his personality, I walked to the elevator nervously and pressed 15, the top floor where his office was. I dusted my formal black skirt and fixed my shirt, I never wore those uncomfortable high heels, I'm a desk worker and never felt the need to.

breathing nervously, I smiled at his secretary and knocked on his door and walked in. he was sitting on his chair working on his computer, his office was huge. perks of being the CEO I guess. there was a glass table and two chairs across from him.

"You wanted to see me, Mr.Price," I said trying not to stammer or lose my footing when he glanced at me from his computer for a brief second.

" Take a seat Ms.Black" he gestured to one of the chairs, I took a seat and waited for him to speak.

"How do feel about the sudden relocation Ms.Black?" he asked I didn't know where this was coming from, I think he wants some kind of feedback.

"It's nice, refreshing, and different from what we are used to," I gave him an honest response, lying was never my strong link.

"Good," he said. he didn't say anything further so I thought our meeting was over and decided to take my leave. "I'm not done Ms.Black," he said looking up from his computer to stared at me with those knee-weakening grey eyes. "I heard your sister is getting married"

I nodded "Yes, in December" I looked at him " but how is this relevant?" I asked him with an attitude.

"I also heard there was a complication with a Bank, not approving your father's insurance money" he shocked me with his words, 'what the hell? how did he know?'

"I still don't understand how this is connected to my work," I said annoyed with him 'how dare he meddle with my personal life "This is personal sir," I said as politely as possible.

"I can help you with this Ms.Black but on a condition" he was full in business mode.

I looked at him offended "I'm not sleeping with you" was the first thing that came out of my mouth, I knew people like these existed, taking advantage of the needy.

He smirked, his face showed emotion and he was amused. "You misunderstood me Ms.Black" leaned forward on his table and looked at me directly in the eyes.

"You need to be more clear for me not to misunderstand sir," I said confidently, I'm a no-bullshit kind of a person. I like to get straight to the point, no circling around.

"Marry me," he said and I stood up from my seat taken back from his direct answer, ok maybe I'm not used to this kind of straightforwardness.

"wh... What?" I stammered looking at him dumbfounded.

His face was back to his usual business look "It's not how you assumed Ms.Black," he sat up in his chair "it's not real, but a Contract" he said standing up walking towards me, buttoning up his grey blazer.

"I don't understand" I finally found my voice avoiding his eyes and aimed at his white shirt under the blazer.

"You need help and I'm the one who can help you on such short notice" he concluded just like he was closing some kind of a deal.

"Why Marriage? I can work overtime until I repay you" I bargained almost desperate, "And you don't even know me"

"I don't need to be a genius to know what kind of a person you are Ms. Black" he leaned towards me, suffocating me his musky cologne and his natural manly scent. he was making me dizzy without even trying. I raised my head to look at him, he is taller than an average person, more than 6ft I guess. my head almost reached his jawline without any heels.

"And what kind of a person am I?" I questioned him daring him, he smiled for the first time since I've met him he smiled like a normal person.

"You're selfless Ms.Black, You love your family and can go to any extent to make sure they are happy," he said "As do I" I finally looked at his face and he looked happy talking about family.

"My family won't get off my back until I marry someone, every girl I've met wants me for my money, if you agree then we can help each other," he said leaning his back on the table and waited for my answer.

"I need time to think over this," I said not wanting to reject him on the spot, he nodded

"you have till tomorrow Ms.Black" with that I was dismissed.

I couldn't focus on my work the entire day and when I went back home, My entire family was in the living room, My mom, My sister who is elder to me by four years, and my brother who is younger than me by six years. there were others as well, my uncles and aunts and cousins, my grandparents.

Everyone looked so happy and excited, this marriage has brought so many people together, they are so happy and maybe, just maybe they can continue to live like this with a small sacrifice from my side.

My mom saw me looking at them with a sad smile and walked to me with a slightly worried expression, I smiled at her reassuringly and joined everyone in the living room.

'I will do it' I smiled looking at the happiest person in the room, Vanessa, her smile gave me the strength to take the toughest decision of my life 'I'll sign the contract'