PAPER HEARTS:Contract with Mr. CEO

OLIVIA'S POVI woke up to the soft, familiar sound of the city. The distant hum of traffic, the muffled chatter of pedestrians below, and a faint beeping of my alarm clock, my constant reminder that another day was starting, and I had to face it, whether I was ready or not.I pushed the covers aside and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. The room. dimly lit by the early morning light, seeping in through the curtain. I turned my head to see Lily, my five Years daughter still asleep On the side of the bed, her delicate face was partially hidden under the blanket, her breathing shallow but steady, seeing her look this way always tugged at my heart, She looked So Peaceful, yet I knew the battle she fought daily.Quietly, I slipped Out of bed and Padded to the kitchenette. I started making breakfast, Oatmeal, the same every morning. As I stirred the pot. I couldn't help but d think of how different our lives had become since Lily's diagnosis. I glanced at the clock. I had to hurry if I was g

DAWSON'S POVI watched Olivia as I left her office, I could see the hesitation in her eyes, the proposal I made was not a simple one; It wasn't just business deal, not in the traditional sense. Marrying her wasn't about love or even companionship. It was about securing a future, for both of us, in our own ways.As the door click shut, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. What had I done? my board members will call me reckless, and maybe they where right. But this was the only option I had left. The merger was slipping away from me, and with it, everything I'd worked so hard to build. A few months ago, I wouldn't have considered this kind of deception, but the stake had never been higher.Sitting back in my chair, I stared at the contracts On my desk the words blurring together. I'd always been a man Who knew what he wanted, who took What he needed without hesitation. But Olivia Cadell was different, she was my assistant, Yes, but she was also so much more. She was stro

OLIVIA'S POV The day after the contract, I was still trying to wrap my head around everything when my phone buzzed, a message lighting up the screen. I opened it, and my heart Skipped a beat as I read the words: "Come to my office. We need the discuss something.” the message was from Dawson, and despite its formal tone, it made my stomach flutter, I quickly grabbed my things and headed to his office, my mind racing with questions. why did he want to see me? What was so Important? When I reached his office door; I paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and knocked. "Come in" Dawson's deep voice called from inside. I stepped in, finding him Sitting behind his sleek mahogany desk, his eyes locked on his Computer screen. As soon as he saw me, he leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting to meet mine. "Sit down, Olivia," he said motioning to the chair across from him. I Sat, feeling the weight of his gaze as he watched me. “Mr. Chen, the Investor, is hosting a Charity gala

Olivia's POVThe soft click of my heels against the pavement echoed in the quiet night as I stepped out of the car. The gala, Vanessa's sudden reappearance that still rattle me: Vanessa, was now wrapped up in Mr. Chen's business dealings. I had expected tension tonight, but not the palpable sense of rivary Vanessa seemed to carry with her like a Weapon,ateast thingsI'veheard fromthe officesincei started work at Pierce Enterprises. Shaking off the thought,I unlocked the door to my apartment, stepping inside to the comforting hum of the refrigerator and the faint lullaby coming from Lily's room. Emily had texted earlier that everything was fine and that Lily was resting, but a wave of guilt still washed over me. I hated missing evening's with my daughter, no matter how important my work feltThe apprtment was dim, save for the soft glow of the nightlight in the hallway. As I passed the couch, I noticed Emily, fast asleep under a blanket, a small smile tugged at my lips. she'd been my

OLIVIA'S POV The office felt unusually quite when I returned to the next morning. Dawson's warmth from the night before still Lingered in my thoughts, but the world outside Our private buble moved on. I settled into my desk, determined to focus. But a small envelope resting on top of my files quickly Pulled me back into the tangled webs of personal and professional tensions. The handwriting on the envelope was unmistakably Vanessa's. Lunch today?. Let's catch up and talk about how we can work together. Vanessa. I hesitated. Her reaction last time gnawed at me and I knew this invitation wasn't just a casual attempt to bond. Vanessa never did anything without a purpose, still, I needed to confront whatever she had in mind. When I arrived at the chic restaurant she’d suggested, I wasn't surprised to see her already seated at a prime table by the window. Vanessa had an innate ability to command attention without trying, her poised figure framed perfectly by the soft midday sunlight