CHAPTER 2: SIGNING THE CONTRACT

AVA POV

I stood at the entrance of Raymond’s office building, fingers wrapped around the cool metal of the door handle. I paced back and forth, trying to decide whether to go in. I thought of Mr. Daniel’s words and that's the only word that confused me back here..

"Either way, whatever he did to you, why can't you consider this deal as payback? Deal with him, if you can."

Those words stuck with me, reminding me why I was here. This wasn’t about me anymore; it was for my daughter’s future. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

When the elevator doors opened, I walked out with purpose. I wasn’t here to dwell on the past. I had a goal, and nothing was going to stop me from reaching it. I moved swiftly through the hall, avoiding eye contact with anyone, my mind set on the task ahead.

I reached his office and paused at the door. I didn’t look back. I walked in, forcing myself to remain composed.

Raymond was standing by his desk. He glanced up when I entered, his eyes scanning me briefly before he masked his surprise with that all-too-familiar smirk. I didn’t smile back. I wasn’t here for small talk.

"I’m here for business, Mr William," I said, my voice steady. "Nothing more."

I sat down and placed my purse on the desk, waiting for him to get to the point. I wasn’t interested in anything else.

Mr. Daniel walked in a few moments later, placing a folder on the desk between us. I didn’t look up, keeping my attention on the papers in front of me. He smiled at me briefly before addressing Raymond.

“I have the contract,” he said, his tone professional.

Raymond nodded, but I wasn’t paying attention to him. I flipped open the folder and scanned the contract quickly. I didn’t need to read every line—I knew what I was here for.

When I saw the section I was looking for, I picked up the pen and wrote:

**No communication about my past. No single question.**..Yes, I added that to the contract rule myself

I signed the document without a second thought. This was business, and I wasn’t about to let anything distract me from that.

*********

The stylists and model arrived shortly after, ready to change my look. I let them do their work, stepping into the new persona they were creating for me. The model showed me how to walk—confident and poised.

Raymond office is giving another form of mansion on his own.

As I stood in front of the mirror, I briefly thought of my daughter. As I sat on the stool, a picture of her peeked out from the corner of my bag. I couldn’t help but reach for it. Staring at her bright, innocent face, I smiled. It was a small moment of warmth, a reminder of why I was doing all this.

But my thoughts were shattered when Raymond’s voice broke through.

“Is that your daughter?”

I froze for a second but quickly blocked the picture from his view with my hand. I turned my head slightly and hissed, refusing to answer him. The stylists and models around us, clearly uneasy, turned their attention elsewhere, pretending not to notice the tension.

And it obvious Raymond feel embarrassed..

As I started to walk past him, ready to leave the room, Raymond grabbed my wrist, pulling me back firmly but not harshly.

“Mrs. Ava,” he said, his voice cold and commanding, “I’m sure being rude is not part of the contract rules. And just so you know, bringing past emotions into this arrangement is also not permitted, you added that particular rule yourself.”

His tone made me shiver slightly, even though I tried to appear bold. I hadn’t expected him to react so sharply. His words hung in the air, and I could feel my heartbeat quicken.

Raymond released my wrist and turned to leave. His posture was stiff, and his every step carried authority. But just as he reached the doorway, he stopped and turned back to look at me.

“Daniel will be here soon to take you to the new apartment,” he said. “I hope he told you that you won’t be staying in your old one.”

Without waiting for a reply, he walked out, his commanding presence filling the room even in his absence.

I stood there speechless, unsure how to react. I could feel the stylists and models watching me, but the moment my gaze met theirs, they quickly looked away.

The ringing of my phone saved me from the awkward silence. I grabbed it from the table and answered without looking at the screen.

“Hello?”

“Mommy!” my daughter’s cheerful voice echoed through the speaker. My heart warmed instantly, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

We chatted and laughed like we always did, her innocent happiness making me feel lighter. I couldn’t let her know about the turmoil I was feeling—not now, not ever.

After the call, I finished the last of the lessons—learning how to walk with grace and handle myself like someone who belonged at high-profile events. The models critiqued and guided me, ensuring every move was polished.

When it was finally over, I felt relieved and stepped out of the training room, ready to head home. But as I entered the mini sitting room near the office, the sight before me stopped me dead in my tracks.

There he was, Raymond, holding a tall, stunning woman in his arms. His lips were on hers, and his hands roamed her body without hesitation.... romancing each other roughly.

My stomach twisted, and my chest tightened. I wasn’t sure if it was anger or disgust—or maybe both. Either way, I froze, watching them for a moment before I forced myself to look away.

The sound of their moan echoed as I walked out, trying to ignore the emotions swirling inside me. This wasn’t supposed to matter to me.

Ava, don't be stupid…