The Agreement

Cole

I could feel the weight of her gaze even before I saw her. She was the same woman I had spent a fleeting night with at the hotel, and she was standing in front of me with wide, nervous eyes.

Her legs wobbled slightly as she descended the stairs, looking every bit like she was about to fall. It was all I could do not to reach out, though I knew I’d only make it worse.

Instead, I just watched, my face a mask of indifference as she regained her balance.

The atmosphere seemed tense, and She wasn’t the only one who seemed to be struggling. I could see it in the way she nervously adjusted her clothes, trying to avoid meeting my eyes. It was clear she had no idea what I was thinking, just as I had no clue what she was thinking.

But I did know one thing—I was furious. Furious that she had shown up here at my grandfather’s house, under these circumstances. Furious at the idea that she might have some ulterior motive, that she could be part of some scheme orchestrated by my stepmother.

The butler’s voice broke through the heavy silence, announcing that lunch was served.

Grandfather led us to the table, his voice warm as he gestured for us to sit. “Please, make yourselves comfortable,” he said, his tone gentle but expectant. “It’s good to have you here, Skylar.”

Skylar… so that was her name.

My eyes briefly met Skylar's. She nodded politely at grandfather, but her gaze was filled with uncertainty, and I could see a flicker of something else too—maybe fear.

Every time I glanced at her, I could sense her eyes darting nervously away from mine. It was clear we both had our reservations, though neither of us was willing to voice them just yet.

Halfway through the meal,Grandfather seemed to have sensed the tension, and cleared his throat after a few moments of silence. His eyes flicked between us as he paused mid-bite, before speaking with a smile.

“Well, I think a change of scenery might help. Why don’t you two take a walk in the garden? It’s a beautiful day, and it will give you both a chance to get to know each other better.”

My eyes met hers, and for a second, I could swear I saw a flicker of fear in her eyes. Was she scared of being alone with me?

Grandfather’s gaze softened. “I’ll have a few words with your mother, Skylar. You two take your time.”

We both stood up slowly, and she followed me without a word to the garden.

As we stepped outside, the cool breeze hit my face, but it did little to ease the tightness in my chest. The garden stretched out before us, the flowers in full bloom, but I couldn’t focus on the beauty. All I could think about was the woman walking beside me. Her silence was louder than any words she could say.

Finally, breaking the silence, I turned to her, my voice cutting through the stillness. “So, what is it that you really want, Skylar?”

Her steps faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure and faced me. “What do you mean?” she asked in a low voice, but I could sense the tension in her words.

I narrowed my eyes, studying her carefully. “What’s your game? You even dared to appear in front of me?” I asked my tone sharp. “Aren’t you scared that I might expose your secret?”

She stopped walking, her eyes wide with surprise as she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. For a moment, she said nothing, but then, slowly, she spoke again.

"I... I don't know why you're bringing this up, but if it's about that night at the hotel... I—I'm so sorry. It was a mistake, and I never meant for it to happen like that. I don’t want you to think badly of me," she said, her eyes avoiding his.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I’m really not that kind of woman. Please, don’t think of me like that."

She looked at me, feeling her cheeks flush, then added, "After we marry, I’ll be with you, I swear. I’ll do whatever it takes to make things right between us.”

Her apology was almost flawless—too flawless. As Skylar spoke, I watched her closely, my mind cataloging every shift in her tone, every flicker in her eyes. She was good, I’d give her that. Too good. The sincerity in her voice, the carefully measured regret—it felt like a well-rehearsed performance.

I narrowed his eyes, my face expressionless but inside, I was long consumed by anger. Was this an apology or a provocation?!

“I don’t want you to think badly of me,” she continued, her voice soft but steady. “I know I messed up. I didn’t mean for it to happen, and I’m sorry. I can promise you, I’m not that kind of woman.”

I didn’t say anything, just let her words hang in the air as I leaned back slightly, studying her. She looked nervous, but not in the way someone caught lying would be. No, she was composed, controlled even. She had a psychological strength that I hadn’t accounted for. I’d clearly underestimated her.

“Why are you apologizing? That night was a memorable one for me, and I'm guessing it was for you, too? Or do ...... you have another story to tell about that night?” I asked her with a smile as I resisted the urge to strangle the woman in front of me.

She frowned as if she wanted to say something but eventually just sighed, “I know it's hard to get you to let go of your prejudices but I'm going to prove it to you ...... After we're married, you'll see what kind of person I really am on a daily basis!”

I almost laughed. Married? The word itself felt like a provocation coming from her. She had no idea what she was walking into.

Liar! Just imagine how bold she sounded!

How much of this was her manipulative way of getting into my family, that she wanted to live with me and infiltrate my life? And how much of it was a calculated move by Vanessa whom she was working for?

Either way, I realized something important: this woman wasn’t going to break easily. She was no fool; she was here to play the long game, and I was going to use this game to my advantage by spying on her.

“Well, you’re ambitious, I’ll give you that,” I said, stepping closer to her. I didn’t miss the way she stiffened slightly, her breath catching for a split second. “But don’t think for a second that I don’t see through you.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” she murmured in a low voice.

“It's okay, you'll understand later,” I bent closer to her, my lips brushing her ear, my voice dropping lower…… “Let’s settle this, then. I’ll marry you.”

Her head snapped up and our distance shortened to the point where I could kiss her pink lips if I lowered my head, but I wouldn't back down. Her face slowly turned red like a ripe tomato as I watched.

Was she shy? Or was this her disguise? Before I could understand, she took a step back.

“You... what?”

“You heard me,” I said smoothly. “But let’s be clear—this isn’t some romantic fairytale. This is a contract marriage. Three years, and we’re done. No strings, no complications.”

She looked stunned, her lips parting as if to protest, but no words came. I stepped even closer, closing the distance between us until I could see the conflict written plainly across her face—part disbelief, part anger, and a hint of something else.

“Do we have a deal?” I asked, my voice firm.

Her eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I thought she might argue. But instead, she swallowed hard and nodded.

“If that’s what it takes,” she said quietly.

Hearing her words, I smiled, satisfied. No matter what exactly her purpose was and what kind of game she wanted to play with me, the rules of the game were still up to me.

I smoothly picked a white rose from the side and pinned it behind her ear, raising an eyebrow at the sight of her face, which was more beautiful than the lflower.

As I stepped back, I caught the flush in her cheeks and the defiance in her gaze. It was satisfying, in a way. Skylar might think she could navigate this, but she had no idea what she was really getting into.