Chains of gold

Chapter 10: Chains of Gold

Under the cover of darkness, Adrian's car raced past the hazy glow of the city lights. The adrenaline rush from our tight escape was still running, and my pulse was racing. I quietly glanced across at Adrian, who was dead focussed on the road with his mouth rigidly set.

"Where are we going?" To break the awkward pause, I asked.

"Somewhere secure," he said, his voice strained. "We need to talk."

The vehicle climbed slowly into the hills until it came to a halt in front of a contemporary home that offered a stunning panorama of the city below. As Adrian led me inside, a shiver ran up my spine as his palm brushed against the small of my back.

The inside was all slick lines and simple décor, but I barely noticed. The events of the previous night were still crashing into my head.

Adrian led me to a luxurious couch, then poured two glasses of amber liquor from a crystal decanter. He gave one to me before taking a seat across from me.

"Drink," he urged softly. "It'll help calm your nerves."

I took a swallow, the whiskey burning a trail down my throat. "Thank you," I mumbled, "for saving me back there."

Adrian's eyes softened. "I'm just glad I got there in time." He leaned forward, his eyes angry. "Vianne, what happened? Who were those men?"

I swallowed hard, guilt burning in my chest. "Loan sharks," I admitted. "I... I borrowed money to pay for my dad's medical expenses. But with interest, the loan kept mounting. I couldn't keep up with the payments."

Adrian's face hardened. "And they came to collect."

I nodded, holding back tears. "I didn't know what else to do. Dad needs surgery, and I—"

"Shh," Adrian whispered, going to sit by me. He grasped my hand, his thumb drawing calming circles on my skin. "It's alright. You're safe now."

I glanced up at him, seeing real worry in his eyes. It made my following words much tough to speak.

"Adrian, I... I can't accept your offer."

He tensed, his hand stilling on mine. "What?"

I drew away, stood up to pace the room. "It's too much. You've already done so much for me, and I can't expect you to take on my problems. It's not fair to you."

Adrian stood as well, his look unreadable. "Vianne, look at me."

Reluctantly, I met his eyes.

"I'm not asking you to do this for me," he added softly. "I'm giving you a way out. A chance to start afresh, free from debt and anxiety."

"But at what cost?" I countered. "A year of my life, pretending to be something I'm not?"

Adrian drew closer, his presence overwhelming. "Is it really pretending if it's what you want?"

My breath stopped in my throat. "What do you mean?"

His fingers clasped my cheek, softly yet forceful. "I've seen the way you stare at me, Vianne. The same way I look at you. There's something between us, whether you want to accept it or not."

My pulse raced, split between want and terror. "Adrian, I—"

He hushed me with a finger to my lips. "Just listen. One year. That's all I'm asking. One year to see where this goes, to give us a real shot. And in return, I'll make all your worries vanish."

I closed my eyes, overpowered by the allure of his offer. A year of stability, of freedom from debt. A chance to follow my aspirations without the continual weight of fear.

But could I really do it? Could I connect myself to this guy, knowing it may all be temporary?

"What happens after the year is up?" I mumbled, opening my eyes to scan his face.

Adrian's stare was steady, unwavering. "That's up to us. If we decide this isn't working, you walk away with your debts paid and enough money to start anew. But if it does work..."

He drifted off, leaving the idea hanging in the air between us.

I took a big breath, assessing my options. On one hand, it seemed like selling myself. On the other... it may be the answer to all my prayers.

"Okay," I answered finally, my voice barely audible. "I'll do it."

Adrian's face lit up with a grin that stole my breath away. "You won't regret this, Vianne. I promise."

He took me into his arms, and for a time, I allowed myself dissolve into his hug. It felt normal, being here with him. Safe.

But when he drew back, reality came slamming in.

"We need to discuss terms," I replied, pushing myself to focus.

Adrian nodded, his attitude going businesslike. "Of course. Let's sit down and go over everything."

We spent the next hour hashing out the details of our plan. Adrian would pay off all my debts, including my father's medical costs. He'd give me with a monthly stipend and pay all living costs. In exchange, I would live with him and play the part of his wife in public.

"What about... physical expectations?" I asked carefully, my cheeks heating.

Adrian's eyes softened. "Nothing you're not comfortable with, Vianne. We'll take things carefully, watch how they grow organically."

Relief surged over me, followed quickly by a twinge of... disappointment? I put the strange feeling away, focused on the work at hand.

As dawn dawned over the city, we finished the remaining details. Adrian created a contract, the pages loaded with legal words that made my head spin.

"Take your time," he urged, offering me a pen. "Read it carefully. If there's anything you want to change, simply speak the word."

I studied the page, my heart thumping. This was it. The moment that would change everything.

With a deep breath, I wrote my name on the dotted line.

Adrian's face was joyful as he appended his signature. "It's done," he muttered gently. "Welcome to your new life, Mrs. Russo."

The words sent a shudder down my spine. What had I just committed to?

As if reading my thoughts, Adrian grabbed my hand, his touch soft. "I know you're scared, Vianne. But I swear, I'll do all in my power to make you happy."

I nodded, unable to speak over the knot in my throat.

Adrian's phone buzzed, breaking the moment. He stared at the television, his face hardening.

"What is it?" I asked, suddenly nervous.

"Nothing for you to worry about," he whispered, but I could see the tightness in his jaw. "Why don't you get some rest? I'll have some clothing provided for you, and we can talk our next actions when you wake up."

I wanted to object, to demand answers, but weariness was already tugging at me. The events of the night came up with me all at once, and I could hardly keep my eyes open.

Adrian took me to a magnificent bedroom, the bed looking more tempting than anything I'd ever seen.

"Sleep well, Vianne," he said, pressing a light kiss on my forehead. "I'll be here when you wake up."

As he turned to go, a terrible fear struck me. "Adrian, wait!"

He paused at the entrance, gazing back with anxiety. "What is it?"

I bit my lip, feeling silly yet unable to escape the fear. "Will you... will you stay? Just till I fall asleep?"

His frown eased, and he nodded. "Of course."

Adrian sank onto a chair near the bed as I cuddled up beneath the soft blankets. As my eyes fell asleep, I felt his hand clasp mine, a familiar anchor in this strange new world.

"Sweet dreams, my reluctant bride," he said, his words trailing me into slumber.

But my dreams were far from lovely. They were filled with dark men following me down interminable halls, contracts that turned to snakes in my hands, and Adrian's face, always just out of reach.

I awakened with a shock, startled in the new settings. Sunlight rushed through floor-to-ceiling windows, showing a scene that made my heart stop.

Adrian stood at the bed, his face stern. Behind him, a stern-looking elderly couple stared at me with undisguised hatred.

"Vianne," Adrian answered, his voice strained. "I'd like you to meet my parents."

The woman's lips bent in a sneer as she eyed me up and down. "So this is the gold-digger who's ensnared our son."

I sat up, holding the covers to my breast, my thoughts rushing. This wasn't how it was meant to go. We weren't ready for this meeting, not yet.

Adrian's father walked closer, his hard eyes drilling into me. "Did you really think we'd let you get away with this, girl? That we'd stand by and watch you ruin our family's reputation?"

I glanced at Adrian, quietly praying for help. But his face was a mask, unreadable.

What had I gotten myself into? And more importantly, how was I going to get out of it?

As the tension in the room rose, one thing became crystal clear: This was simply the beginning of my issues.

The year ahead suddenly spread out before me, a labyrinth of secrets, deceit, and unanticipated dangers. And I was stuck right in the thick of it all.