[Music: Blood In The Water By Joanna Jones As The Dame]
"Do ask. Adjustments can be made in the necessary part." Mr. King wiped his lips with the napkin and grabbed his portfolio.
I looked at mine, already open. "It said the contract lasts twelve months, and during that time period, I'm protected from the media."
"Protection extends outside the media, too."
"Can you emphasize that more clearly?"
"If you're worried about your background being dug up, then you shouldn't. Also, as my wife, you must be under my protection."
I tried to ignore the jittery feeling at the mention of my wife. This protection status was more than enough for me. I trust Mr. King's influence and his prudent behaviour.
"That's more than okay with me."
"Good."
I cleared my throat. "The living arrangements. It's mentioned here... Separate bedrooms and privacy, unless mutually decided otherwise. Why?"
"Sex should be considered. The space of one year together, it's agreeable to maintain sexual relations since there is no third party involved."
I chewed the inside of my mouth. The last thing I wanted was to be in bed with him.
"Can we skip that?"
"Of course. If you change your mind, arrangements can be made. Anything else, Ms. Lane?"
"The NDA. Can there be an exception for one person? There is someone in my life I don't wish to keep this a secret from, better that than asking questions from the wrong side."
"This person is...?"
"A close friend, and she means a lot to me. Her name is Victoria Dalton."
"Then the NDA is exempt from Victoria Dalton." The corded muscles in his hand stood out as he wrote down something.
"Thank you."
He pinned me with his cold blue eyes. Goosebumps rose on my skin when he held me captive with his lifeless eyes. It unsettled me during my years of working with him. There wasn't a single emotion in them.
"I think that is all..." My heart throbbed as I grabbed my pen. Here comes the hard part.
"You're forgetting something, Ms Lane."
"Hmm?"
"We haven't looked over the special clauses."
Special Clause? Shit! I forgot about that.
"The next page."
I exhaled and flipped the paper.
Number one: The wife should under no circumstances fall for the husband. Should the wife breach this clause, instant termination of contract, all compensations shall be nullified and revoked.
This clause is actually pretty serious. The termination clause wasn't as direct as this.
I dragged my gaze back to him, and he watched me calmly.
"Unfortunately, changes can't be made to that clause."
I scoffed. Does he actually think I'd fall for him?
"Understood. Emotional attachments should be prohibited."
"This Ms. Lane is why I said we work." He drank from his champagne flute. "Read the rest."
Number two: The wife must wear the ring at all times.
Dates must be done to create a familiar and more comfortable relationship with the husband, and other activities if need be.
"Dates...?"
"One such as this."
"I don't consider this a date. It's more like a business dinner."
One of those rare smiles touched his lips, but it was brief. "There can be arrangements to make it more date... worthy."
"It's a fake date. There is no need to—"
"Efforts should be made despite that."
I ignored him, reading through the last clause.
Number three: In public, both husband and wife should maintain a good relationship to convince the crowd of their union. Therefore, there are no restrictions on physical touch.
"Very meaningful."
"Do you agree with these?"
"Do I have a choice? You mentioned earlier that nothing can be changed from this special clause."
"Ms. Lane. Contracts exist to make sure everyone keeps promises and protects mutual rights. I want you to be comfortable, you're not caged, you're free..."
"Let me guess, adjustments can be made to the special clauses, but not number one."
"Yes."
"May I ask if there can be additions?"
"There can be. What do you want?"
I straightened my spine. "After the contract ends, both parties must cut all forms of communication. You already mentioned you'd protect me, I hope you do so after too."
He leaned back on his chair, a flash of intrigued flickering in his eyes. "You want to erase yourself."
"Yes, Catherine Lane will no longer exist."
This was so I could protect my grandparents' privacy. After this, I'm done with Midnight. It was bittersweet, and most of my best memories were here, as well as ones that scarred me.
"Understood. Everything will be in order when the time is right."
"Thank you."
"You may also make demands if you want to."
"Demands?"
"Aside from the money, I can provide you with any mansion of your choice in any country. All you have to do is tell me which one."
"T-That won't be necessary."
This money was enough to sort me out for a lifetime.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes! Shall we sign?"
There was a pause from him before he grabbed his pen.
We signed simultaneously. A ghostly chill seized me.
It felt like I had sold my soul to the devil. Just for one year, though.
I flinched when Mr. King pushed to his feet, and I did too. Everything spun for a little bit before I got my balance.
I didn't have too much champagne, right? I looked at my empty bottle. Catherine!
"Shall we?"
"Y-Yes." I turned to walk and froze when I felt his hand at the small of my back.
He didn't touch me, but the heat made my insides coil. Maybe because of the itching anticipation that he might, so I tried to stay alert.
Despite wearing my coat, the moment we stepped outside, I was shivering.
"Catherine."
I rasped as I turned, but his lips were already locked on mine. The cold texture of them mingled with the taste of champagne.
I tensed when his hand covered my throat, and the other pulled me closer until there was no space.
I was stiff as his mouth dangerously roamed mine, forcing his tongue to invade and sucked like he wanted to drain my soul.
I opened my eyes, and my stomach sank. He was looking right at me. Finding some ounce of strength, I managed to push him off.
I forced my hands to stay rooted to my sides, or I might slap him.
"What are you doing?" I asked sharply.
He used his thumb to wipe the red stain on his lips. "You should get used to things like this."
"Excuse me?"
"We're in public."
"With all due respect, Mr. King, there is no one here. Maybe a warning next time, I might punch you in the face. Reflex."
As I entered the car right at the corner of my eyes, I swore I saw his lips tipped.
"Ares," he said when he got into the car. "Formalities are no longer necessary."
This just took awkwardness to the next level, but I just managed with a nod, trying to ignore the taste in my mouth.
"Where to, Mr. King?" Julian asked.
"My penthouse."
A tinted glass partition slid up, sealing us off from the driver's seat.
"What are you doing?"
"The living arrangements."
"Yes, I'm aware."
"If you're worried about your things, I'll have a team pick them up."
My mouth went agape, the words to say clogging in my throat. This was all too sudden.
"C-Can you give me time? I'd like to pack my things myself."
Besides, when Tori comes in the morning, she'd think I was kidnapped by aliens.
"As you wish. But my team will help with the moving."
"That's fine by me."