9. The Contract

♛

Aurora:

I remain tight lipped, not knowing what to say. I could only clench my pen tightly in anger, and brush my sweaty palms on my skirt, cause I couldn't do anything. And I didn't want this, but then I didn't really have any other choice.

Mr. Lancaster shifted in his seat, he didn't seem to know what to say either. The same way other investors were quiet. They were all looking at me, perhaps wondering what exactly could be my hesitation in accepting.

In plain sight, there was no issue in what he proposed. It was easy, I could just accept and go through him as long as other investors had no issue with it. But considering I didn't want to have anything to do with him, there was an issue. Big one.

I could clearly tell that Adrian knew what he was doing. And that burned me deep, infuriating me.

Lancaster spared me a glance, he hesitated, but then lowered down a little, gesturing my assistant closer to mutter something into her ear.

Bonnie walked back to me, and lowered down, before muttering into my ears in a low voice, “Mr. Lancaster said If you don't want this… you don't have to accept it. We could just call everything off.”

Was he kidding me? call everything off? I couldn't do that, especially since I knew what this big charity project was supposed to mean to society. The kids. The disabled. The elderly. And the minors.

My fingers unclenched from my own and it fell on the table. I finally looked up, and soon as I did, I was met with Adrian's burning gaze.

He must have already predicted that I would accept this.

A smile tipped his lips, and I was forced to notice his straight jaw, that aligned his perfect smile.

For a moment, it felt like everyone was holding their breaths and waiting for me to give a response. I could hear collective exhales from different seats, the moment I finally breathed, “I accept.”

Soon as I finally agreed. Adrian’s assistant walked over to him with a file, and a pen. Adrian took it from him and signed, flipping through pages and leaving his signature at the end of each one. He closed the file as he finished, his assistant took it and handed it over to Mr. Lancaster, who also signed some pages, before finally handing it down to me.

A scoff escaped my breath when I saw what the file was about. It was a contract. An agreement that I couldn't back out from this later on till the project was completed.

He could only have one intention behind this, which was to bring us close. How ironic, considering he was the same person who handed out divorce papers to separate us.

I looked up at him, and Adrian matched my gaze with a much more relaxed one.

Remaining expressionless, I looked down at the paper, and signed.

✦✧✦

The meeting ended just as soon as I signed. There were murmurs, handshakes and others between each investor. But I wasn't that happy to walk over to any of them.

I stood up, and ignored all of them, I just wanted to get out of here.

I glanced over at Bonnie, “Let’s leave.” She nodded.

Without another glance at Adrian, I turned on my heels and made my way towards the exit. I could feel a heavy gaze on me, but I didn't bother turning back, because I knew who I was going to see when I turned back.

Bonnie hurried to keep up with me, but I didn’t slow down. My mind was in disarray, and my heart was thudding angrily against my ribs.

I had agreed, but that didn’t mean I was happy about it.

I only agreed cause I couldn't let my personal problems affect the people that this project was for.

As soon as I stepped into the hallway, I made a beeline for the elevators. I pressed the button, and heard Bonnie forcing breath from behind me.

I slowed my walking, and shook my head.

The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped inside, but before I could take another step, I heard Bonnie’s surprised gasp from behind me. I turned around to check what she saw, and at the same time I felt a grip on my wrist.

I stilled. The warm, familiar cologne wafted into my nostrils.

I swallowed hard and yanked my wrist free before turning to face him. His black rimmed eyes flickered as it settled on me.

Adrian didn't say anything immediately. He just looked at me, not just looked at me, he devoured me with his gaze. Like he was surprised with the woman in front of him.

“What do you want?” My voice was harsh.

He shoved his hands into his pockets, tilting his head slightly. “You left in a hurry.”

The nerve of him! Who was he to talk casually with me?

“I have nothing else to say,” I replied, stepping back, Bonnie entered inside the elevator and the elevator door began to slide shut, but he reached out, stopping it with one hand.

His lips pressed into a thin line before he spoke again. “We need to talk.”

I looked up at him, trying so hard to stay composed, but I couldn't. Especially not when I was this angry.

“Talk? About what? The contract you just locked me into? The fact that you deliberately forced this arrangement?”

“You know why I did it,” he said.

I narrowed my eyes on him. “I know why?”

I didn't let him answer before shaking my head, “You don’t get to do this.”

“Do what?”

“Act like you know me.”

“I know you,” he said, as if he couldn't understand my point.

“You dont. You lost that right three years ago. And I hope I don't have to remind you next time.” My gaze dropped to my wrist, “You don't get the right to stop me in any way.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw, and for the first time in the conversation, he looked away. Just briefly. Just enough for me to see it.

“I want us to talk,” he stared down at me.

“I don't have anything to say to you.”

“I have something to say to you.” He countered.

“I don't want to know about it.”

Adrian turned silent.

I couldn't feel something sharp hitting me hard in my chest. I had told myself numerous times that I was prepared for the day I'll meet him, but right now, I realized I wasn't. At all.

I wanted to leave. Right now.

“About the project, we’ll talk through the proper channels. But if this is about anything else… Don’t waste your time. There’s nothing that should be between us if it doesn't concern formality.”

He didn't say anything, but he looked like he wanted to counter my words. Instead, he dropped his hands, and the elevator doors slid close slowly.

The last thing I saw was the flicker of regret in his dark eyes.

A sigh escaped my lips as the door shut. Bonnie remained stiff beside me, and silence fell over the air.

My phone vibrated in my purse and I picked it out to check the message I received. A frown creased my brows.

An unknown number sent a message that read:

“Roses have thorns for a reason.”