Chapter 2: Bound By Deception 

The door to Damien’s office creaked open, its sound loudly heard in the stillness of the moment. 

“Good afternoon, Mr. Anderson,” she said, her voice steady despite the rapid sound of her heartbeat. Her eyes flicked to her wristwatch—an attempt to maintain her composure in the presence of the man who now held her future in his hands.

Damien Anderson sat behind a smooth dark reddish-brown desk, looking up from some papers he was reviewing. He was as striking as Mia had always described-his chiseled features framed by a well-groomed beard, dark eyes that seemed to see right through her. But Noah quickly reminded herself that his looks were the least of her concerns.

"Good morning, Miss Miller," Damien replied, his lips curling into a feeble smile as he watched her. For a moment, his gaze rested on her, mainly noting the poise and calmness with which she carried herself. He found himself appreciating her resilience, one quality he had come to respect in anyone. 

"Please, sit down," he supplemented, his hand gesturing toward the chair opposite his desk. "Welcome to Anderson Enterprises."

Noah didn't miss the mischievous glint in his eyes as she clasped his extended hand. Firm was his grip, warm his touch, and she couldn't help but notice a strength in his arm that spoke hours spent in the gym. She released his hand in an irritatingly swift manner.

Thank you," she said, settling into the chair. Her back was straight, her hands clasped together in her lap. She met his gaze, refusing to let him see the concern that she felt. "Shall we get started?

Damien eased back in his chair; his smile expanded. "Of course. Can I offer you something to drink? Coffee, juice. perhaps a glass of wine?"

Noah's heart pounded in her chest, a solid drumbeat against her ribs. She fought to dismiss the nervous flutter of her stomach. "No, thank you. Let's just get this over with," she said, her words short and sharp. She could feel his eyes on her, keen and probing, as if searching for chinks in her armor.

Damien chuckled softly. "Fair enough. Are there any questions about the contract we've sent over?"

She nodded, as she leaned forwards in her chair slightly. "Yes, Mr. Anderson. Clause 5-if either party initiates a divorce before the five-year term is up, Miller's Enterprise will be split 70-30, with your company taking the larger share. Why is that?

Damien didn't bat an eyelid. "Is that your only concern, Miss Miller?" His smirk still there, and Noah had to restrain himself from just reaching over the table and smearing it off his face. He felt her anxiety spike, her fists clenched below the table, but she held her face in a mask of composure.

She narrowed her eyes, refusing to rise to the bait of his nonchalance. "It's obvious this contract had been drafted to keep the majority shares of the company in your hands. I'd like to know why.

Damien leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk as he faced his gaze towards hers. "You're right. This clause ensures that Anderson Enterprises is suitably compensated for the risk we're taking in this arrangement. After all, it is our funds that will save Miller's Enterprise, isn't it?

Noah's heart hammered against her ribs, a drumbeat that seemed to reverberate through her very being. She tried to disregard the nervous flutter in her stomach. "And 30%? You believe that's a fair amount for my family to retain?"

"It's more than fair, considering the circumstances," Damien replied silkily. "And, as you've already read, the clause is non-negotiable."

She forced a smile onto her lips, swallowing the frustration. "It's just five years, after all.

For one flashing moment, Damien's smirk broke, and something else crossed his face-remorse, perhaps? In an instant, it returned to that confident façade of a smile.

"And indeed, Miss Miller," he said with a voice a little more subdued. "Shall we?

The two signed in their hands the contract and clinched the deal with a scratch of the pen on the paper. When it was all over and done, Damien leaned back in his chair, the gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Care for a drink to celebrate our new alliance, Noah?" Damien's tone light, but there was something more, and she wasn't biting.

"I will pass, Mr. Anderson," she coolly replied.

"Damien," he corrected, a playful lilt in his voice. "We don't want the people-or the press-wondering why my wife addresses me so formally now, do we?"

Noah rose from her seat, her eyes narrowing at him. "There is no one here, Mr. Anderson," she told him with perfect enunciation, her tone implying that she wasn't playing along. "I'll see you in two weeks—at the wedding."

Damien strode to a small safe in the corner of his office and opened it with a series of moves. Turning back to her, he held a small velvet box. Opening it, he showed her a diamond ring whose surface caught the light as he walked closer.

"And that's what for?" she asked, one head tilt, an edge in her voice. Suddenly, her throat knotted, a premonition of things to come.

He came closer and gently reached for her left hand. "It is an engagement ring, Noah," he said as he slipped the ring onto her finger despite her trying to pull away. "We need to make this look real. And for that, you need to wear this."

   

……………….

As Noah emerged out of the building, her mind was filled with a lot of thoughts about the future. This wasn't just a business deal but a decision to change her life. She felt the weight of the diamond ring on her finger, a reminder of the path that she had chosen and had just sealed.

"How was it, ma'am?" Mr. David asked as he opened the car door for her.

"It went as expected," Noah said, sliding into the back seat. "We signed the contract."

David nodded, sensing her unease but saying nothing more. As they drove away from Anderson Enterprises towards home, Noah looked out the window, watching the city. Her thoughts drifted to the upcoming wedding and the challenges that might lie ahead.

Back at the Miller mansion, Noah found herself standing in front of her Mr. Miller's portrait. "Dad, I hope I did the right thing," she whispered. "I do this for you-for us, Dad-to save everything you built."

Her brother, Sebastian, entered the room, sensing the turmoil. "How did it go with Damien?" he asked gently, reaching out to her shoulders.

"We signed the contract. It's official," Noah said, her voice even, while she was a storm inside. She fought against the fear that gnawed at her, though it was tacked away, hiding in the dark corners of her mind.