The contract

 

★★★★★

Rebecca drove the car to Edward Harrington's office, her mind swirling with reluctance. Confronting him was the last thing she wanted, but her father’s business was on the line, she had no other choice.

Stepping out of the car she lessened her hair from the tight bun, allowing it to fall freely, softening her professional look. It could not be an exaggeration if people said she resembled a striking model.

She walked up to the receptionist, who was working on her desk computer.

"Excuse me, I would like to meet Mr Harrington. Could I get an appointment?" Rebecca asked.

The woman looked up, her eyes briefly scanning Rebecca before asking, "What is your name?"

"Rebecca Matthew," Rebecca said, her tone steady. If this had been three years ago, she would not have had to fill out the formality like any other person. However, things had changed. Plus, this was the new girl at this Reception desk.

"Oh!" Came a surprise reply from the receptionist, shifting her eyes from Rebecca to the computer before saying, "Boss is on the third floor, and you can meet him now!"

For a moment, Rebecca hesitated, her eyes staring at the woman with questions because the way the receptionist acted made her feel as if she had already been notified about her arrival.

Rebecca bit her bottom lip, dismissing her doubt, and headed toward the elevator.

All the way up, she was rubbing her palm in irritation, hardly believing she had come back to him after vowing she never would. As soon as the elevator door slid open on the third floor, Rebecca saw Edward's assistant, who gave her a professional nod and said, "Boss is available to see you now."

"It's been a while, Trevor. How are you?!" Rebecca said since she knew Trevor very well- he was a decent man.

"I am fine, Miss Rebecca. It’s nice to see you again," Trevor responded with a courteous smile, opening the door for Rebecca to enter.

She returned the smile politely and stepped inside, only to find Edward in the middle of a conversation with his lawyer- something she hadn't anticipated. As a result, she froze, momentarily, unsure of what to do next.

"I can wait outside," Rebecca said.

"Leave now, and you won't get another chance to walk back in," Edward's voice thundered, cold and unyielding.

"Mr. Harrington, I am done here. If there is anything I can do for you, please, feel free to contact me. Thank you," the lawyer abruptly said, cutting through the tension.

"I will. You can leave now!" Edward dismissed the lawyer with a sharp tone, who walked past Rebecca, glancing at her before leaving. Rebecca's heart raced for a moment; the urge to run overwhelmed her.

"Shall I start, or would you prefer to explain why you have come crawling back?" Edward asked a smug expression crossing his face as he leaned back in his chair.

His tone, dripping with condescension, and the sharp, judging eyes stung Rebecca like hell, but she forced herself to stay composed. She hated this, every second of it, but she had no choice- she needed his help.

"Could you help Mr.Pete out of this condition? He can pay you as much as you want, or if there is something else you have in mind, I strongly trust he will fulfil it," Rebecca said with an earnest voice. In the back of her mind, she braced herself to hear more insults.

"Hahaha!" Edward laughed out loud, "You want me to help that old man, and in return, he will give me whatever I want? Really!" His brows were drawn together, deep lines forming underneath his eyes as they studied Rebecca, as if questioning whether she had even thought before speaking.

"Someone set him up deliberately, I am sure. My father cannot help him, so he thought asking you was the only option" Rebecca said, choosing to ignore his mocking tone.

However, her response did not sit well with Edward. He straightened his back, his expression darkening as he asked gloomily "Why are you so desperate to save him? Is he really that irresistible that you cannot stay away from him!" His words were insulting, stirring anger in Rebecca.

"Yes, I love him, I adore his charm. And I have no interest in discussing my personal feelings with you," she snapped back, her tone sharp.

Listening to her, Edward slapped the table hard in anger, his voice rising in fury, "If you have come to ask for my help, you will talk about your feelings if I demand it!"

"Do not raise your voice in front of me, Edward," Rebecca shot back, her tone fierce. "I am no longer that girl who laid her heart bare for you. Let’s not forget the situation I am in is because of you. I am being forced to marry an older man just because of you. But you know what? I am not sad marrying him- because at least he is not Edward Harrington," Rebecca yelled with the same intensity as Edward. Years of pent-up frustration lost all the boundaries.

Edward's darkened expression sank deeper into an abyss as his eyes became more menacing. He left his desk and moved in front of Rebecca. His eyes locked with hers, and in a chilling tone, he said, "Now you have challenged me and I accept it."

Rebecca paused for a second, noting Edward was thinking something dangerous. Her confidence faltered, but before she could respond, Edward interrupted, "That old man won't be leaving prison anytime soon, and the business your father is desperately trying to salvage, will be doomed. I can help him but you will have to do something for me."

His voice was so dangerous it sent a chill down her spine. Rebecca swallowed hard trying to hold on to her defiance.

"How come there is a fear in your eyes? Edward commented with a pleased grin, "You seemed so Fearless just a moment ago."

"Cut the crap and get to the point!" Rebecca's voice yielding.

"You will be my woman for a month!" Edward announced, but his words didn't make any sense to Rebecca who replied, "Your woman! What sort of fantasy are you playing at now!?"

"Hmm...." Edward drew a breath and glanced toward the desk before reaching out for a file, holding it in front of Rebecca, saying, "Everything is laid out in this document. Read it. Whether you agree or not, the choice is yours. However, think about your father's company and the billion-dollar debt he is buried under, though I suspect he hasn't told you about it."

"Debt!" Rebecca's head boomed with a question, "How come she did not know!" With her thought going intense, she grabbed the file from Edward's hand and opened it.

The more she read the more her anger stirred up. She threw the paper on the floor, and shouted, "I am not going to accept this crap!"

"When you come begging for help, it’s unwise to dismiss the only offer on the table," Edward said, shoving both his hands into his pockets, clearly unfazed seeing Rebecca's outburst.

Suddenly, something dawned on Rebecca's mind, and her eyes narrowed on him. She queried, "You had these papers ready beforehand. You are already aware I will come to you. Don’t tell me you are the one who orchestrated this!” She gasped, and questioned Edward with a doubtful tone, “Are you behind Mr. Pete’s downfall?"