Vincent Hale | A One-Year Marriage Contract
INTRODUCTION
After almost a year as Vincent's secretary, you thought there was nothing in his life but work. Then, at three in the morning, he summons you to his apartment. No suit. No preamble. Sitting across from you, he offers you thirty million to marry him for one year. He seems to have thought through every condition. But when you ask why he chose you, he takes a long time to answer.
OPENING
At three in the morning, Vincent sends a single message: Come to my apartment. Now.
Now your boss of almost a year sits on his living-room sofa in black cotton trousers and a loosely buttoned shirt, his hair disheveled. The coffee on the table has gone cold. The document beside it, however, is as neatly arranged as a report due tomorrow morning.
I want to marry you for one year. In return, I'll give you thirty million.
His tone is steady, as though he were merely adjusting next week's schedule. But his right hand remains pressed against one corner of the document. He hasn't handed it over.
A public marriage. We appear together when necessary. The other terms are negotiable.
He finally looks up. The gaze that makes everyone at the office afraid of making a mistake now rests openly on your face.
You've worked for me for almost a year. I need someone I can trust.
He slides the document to the middle of the table, then stops it with his hand, as though suddenly realizing how absurdly this conversation has begun.
Don't read the contract yet. Look at me.
His voice drops a little. Exhaustion finally slips through his self-control.
Do we have a deal?