(Contracts)
Callie stood beside Grayson's car, staring at his face with a frown.
She looked down at her wrist, still held by Grayson, and sighed. "You can let go of my hand now. You already dragged me out here," she frowned at him.
Grayson slowly released her hand and watched her face. "We finally meet again, Contestant 12," he smirked at her.
Callie scoffed. "My name is Callie," she corrected defiantly.
"I don't care," Grayson said, leaning on his car.
Callie stepped back, her expression guarded. She looked at Grayson's friend, leaning on the trunk behind the car, and wondered about their agenda.
"I'm sorry, I'll give you two some privacy," Okani said, leaning away from the car.
"No, let's take her home," Grayson replied, opening the door. "Get in, Princess," he said to Callie.
Callie chuckled. "Look," She pulled off the ring and threw it at Grayson, who managed to catch it with a frown.
"I'm done here," Callie said, turning and walking away from him.
"Here we go," Okani murmured.
Grayson's jaw ticked in irritation. With a few steps, he caught up with Callie and grabbed her hand.
"Let me go, Mr. Grayson! Don't think you can bully me because you have wealth. I've done nothing to you; just let me go, please!" She rooted her feet to the ground, refusing to follow him.
Grayson cursed under his breath before he stopped pulling her. "Can we at least talk? I just helped you in there, you know? And you owe me three thousand dollars, to be precise. How are you planning to pay for that? Don't tell me you thought it was charity?" He arched a brow at her in question.
Callie sighed.
Who was she kidding?
Why would a guy pay a debt for you out of nowhere and just let you leave?
She faced him squarely, staring into those blue eyes that always made her feel as if he was looking into her soul.
"What do you want from me?" she asked in a resigned voice.
He would want his money back, so maybe he wanted them to talk about how she would repay him.
The side of Grayson's lips lifted in a small smirk. He was about to reply when the wind picked up, blowing dust into the air and causing Callie to cover her face with her hand.
"Come on," Grayson gently tugged her hand, leading her back to the car.
Okani was already sitting in the car as Grayson and Callie returned. He held back his smile, seeing someone who finally challenged Grayson's authoritarian ways.
Callie hesitated as she stood in front of the open door, unsure of what her life would become the moment she got inside the car.
"Get in, it's about to rain," Grayson tapped the roof of the car.
Callie glanced at him and reluctantly got inside the car.
She shut the door and sat very close to it, not trusting Grayson or Okani. She couldn't let her guard down amid these two strange men.
"Please, take her to the address," Grayson said to Okani.
Okani nodded and drove the car away.
Callie slowly turned to look at Grayson. "How did you know my address?" She was bewildered, staring at him in suspicion.
"He—"
"I looked you up, Callie. Being here is not an accident. Now, stop acting surprised, and let's talk," Grayson cut Okani off with his direct answer.
Callie opened and closed her mouth; she couldn't believe her ears. She looked from Grayson to Okani, and this time, she was beginning to feel real fear.
"W-why? Why did you search my background, Mr. Grayson? Are you planning to kidnap me because of some little scene from the game show?" She bit her lip, her fists clenched.
Grayson chuckled darkly. "Some little scene?" He tilted his head, observing her stiff posture.
"You almost ruined my image, Callie," he told her, folding his arms on his chest and giving her a hard look.
"I __ I did nothing wrong. I didn't want you, so I politely rejected you. Is that why you're stalking me? Do you think this is some movie where you use your billionaire status to intimidate me into doing your bidding because I crossed your path one time? It's not going to work, and I suggest you let me go and never show your face in my city again." She stood her ground.
Grayson knew she was stubborn but he never knew she was bold and fearless, too. But he wasn't worried; he knew he had her trapped, there was no escaping for her at this point.
"Okay," Grayson spoke up.
"Really?!" Callie's face lit up with unexpected joy.
Could it be real that Grayson would actually let her go?
Even Okani gave Grayson a questioning look, his words contradicted his intentions.
"Of course, Callie. If you can pay back my three grand right now, I'd let you go," Grayson finally dropped the bomb.
Callie's hope was wiped from her face. She stared at Grayson as if he was stupid. "How do you think I can pay it right now? I couldn't even pay Richard a thousand, and you magically think I'll pull three out of thin air? Unbelievable." She muttered the last part.
"That's unfortunate. Then I can't let you go, Callie. You owe me now." He relaxed on the headrest.
Callie's mind raced. She couldn't return to the bar to work because, even though the cops made Richard pay for the damages from their little scene, she knew there was no way Joey would take her back after learning she was now Grayson Wolfe's wife. She needed to start applying for jobs in several places. It wasn't just her mother's medical bills anymore; it was also now a debt she owed to a ruthless and vengeful billionaire.
"Look, just give me some time. I'll get another job, and I'll definitely pay you back, I promise." She shifted uncomfortably on the seat.
Grayson shrugged. "Or," He sat up and faced her. "You can just marry me instead." He threw the ring back at Callie, pinning her with a serious gaze.
"What?! Are you crazy? Why would I want to marry you?!" Callie picked up the ring from her lap and frowned.
"I don't love you, Mr. Grayson, I don't even like you; hell, I don't know who you are. What makes you think I'll marry you? Wait, are you in love with me? Is that why you're stalking me?" She furrowed her brows.
Grayson sighed. "Calm down, farm girl. You don't really think I'd want to marry you, do you?" he asked coldly.
"We're here, Milady," Okani announced, breaking the tension in the car a little.
It was raining now, and Callie couldn't tell which was more chaotic: the thoughts in her head or the thunder roaring above.
With a frown, she looked up at Grayson. "I will not play your stupid games, Mr. Billionaire. I'm leaving, and you are not allowed to follow me." She pointed a finger at him, but before she could turn to the door, her hand was grabbed, and she was pulled to the center of the seat.
Callie gasped, "Mr. Grayson! What are you doing?" Her heart was thudding loudly as Grayson moved closer to her.
"Marry me, Callie, and I'll help you solve every bit of your financial problems, down to the last penny," Grayson's voice was smooth as he stared into her green eyes.
Callie paused. The moment she heard his words, she had an immediate rethink. She glanced through the window and saw the rain falling on her worn-out roof; she knew Roxy might be in there, waiting to mock her. If she was being honest with herself, she would confess how much she disliked her life.
After all, she had come here to make money, and if Grayson was offering to give her that money in exchange for something she could offer, then she didn't see why she wouldn't agree.
Callie cleared her throat, shifting away from him. "Um, so—"
"How about you take it as a game, Callie? In the end, we both get our prizes; you get the money you need, I get what I want, it's a win-win," Grayson spoke in a calm but firm voice.
"And what is this thing you need, Mr. Grayson? Why do you need a wife to achieve it?" Callie wasn't agreeing so easily; Grayson was already shady enough to trust him blindly.
Grayson was getting a little frustrated with Callie's questions. He raked his fingers through his hair and sighed.
"I think you should go straight to the point, my friend," Okani said, handing Grayson a white file and immediately turning to face forward.
Okani felt like he really needed to give them some space to discuss their matter, but it was raining outside and honestly, he loved seeing Grayson sweat.
Callie stared at Grayson as he slid documents from the white file and fished a pen from his pocket; she wondered what was written on those pages.
Grayson raised his face from the document and locked eyes with Callie, who had been watching him with her sharp gaze.
"Here, you just need to sign it," Grayson extended the documents to her.
With reluctance, Callie took it from him. The first thing she read was the 'One Year Marriage Contract' written boldly at the top.
She didn't even read it to the bottom before she chuckled and shook her head. "You need a wife for your inheritance? And you need me to love you? What sort of sick joke is this?" she asked him, glancing at Okani who was drumming his fingers on the steering wheel.
"Relax, Callie. I don't like redheads; if you read further, you'll see that it says 'to pretend you love me in front of my family.' Don't be an airhead," Grayson shot at her in his cold tone.
Callie frowned and looked at the document again. "I have to live with you for a year?" she questioned.
"Yes, Callie. Just bear my name on paper. When you sign that, I'll give you five hundred thousand as a commitment, and after our successful divorce, I'll give you another five hundred thousand. Sound good?" He narrowed his eyes at her.
'One fucking million dollars!' Callie thought in shock.
She'd be a fool to refuse.
She slowly cleared her throat and composed herself so she didn't seem desperate.
"I think I can do it," she replied, smoothing the documents in her lap.
Grayson smirked. 'I knew she'd be easy.' He thought.
"Then sign the papers, Callie," he said, throwing the pen onto her lap.
'How mannerless,' Callie frowned.
"I have a condition," she stated, folding her arms and wearing a serious look.