'Marry me, Miss Onyx. Yes or Yes?'
I sat frozen in Darius's office whereas he was calming staring at me.
"Why me, Mr Crowne?" I had no choice but to ask, it had all come so suddenly.
"Because you'll do."
That wasn't the answer I was expecting. There had to be more. My mind raced, trying to find the catch. Women threw themselves at his feet daily, women far more polished and prettier than I was. So, this couldn't have been random.
"I can't just say yes," I whispered. "It's all so sudden."
"You have forty-eight hours to decide. Go back to work."
And just like that I was dismissed.
The office had already begun to empty when I finally opened the file again.
"I will only skim through it," I muttered to myself. "Intent of agreement."
A time bound mutually beneficial arrangement between both parties lasting one year.
There was no mention of affection and which made sense in a cold way. It was Darius Crowne after all.
I flipped to the next section.
Residence and living conditions:
I would relocate immediately, full time residence in his penthouse. No exceptions unless approved.
Shared appearances at events.
Coordinated schedules.
Then came the clause that made me pause.
Public conduct: Mandatory display of affection.
So this just wasn't signing papers. It also meant acting the part, holding hands, smiling at cameras. It meant every woman he had ever entertained would suddenly have a reason to hate me.
"Great," I muttered. "That won't backfire at all."
The next section was financial provision.
My mouth hung open as I stared at the page, certain that I was miscounting the zeros.
"This is..insane."
It was more than I could realistically make in 3 years working as a standard secretary. With this amount, I could clear my sister's debt, get the kids out of orphanage home, maybe even go back to school.
It was a lot. I turned the page quickly.
Security provisions: Even after the contract ended, certain protections would remain in place.
Personal boundaries: No romantic or physical involvement with third parties for the duration of the contract.
Expected.
Termination clause: The conditions were outlined. Breach of contract, failure to comply.
Then public scandal, I scoffed.
Confidentiality agreement: I couldn't tell anyone. I wondered what I would tell Naomi.
The other sections covered wardrobe, medical care, travel all fully funded covered.
Before I could open the last page, my phone buzzed.
"Brii, where the hell are you?" Naomi yelled. "Your line hasn't been going through and i went to your place and the locks and everything are changed. Talk to me."
"Naomi... I'm okay. I'm at work," I stuttered.
"At work at 5:30pm? I sure as hell hope you haven't crawled back to that cheating prick?"
"No, of course not. He's dead to me," I assured her. "I found a place. A temporary thing through the company."
"I'm coming there. Send me the address."
"Naomi, no—"
"Address. Now. Or I'm calling the police to report a missing person."
An hour later, Naomi was standing in my office.
"You work for the Darius Crowne?" she asked.
"Yes."
"So where is he?"
I blinked. "Who?"
"The hottest guy in Sun City."
"He's in a meeting and we have to go."
I practically dragged her to the elevator. I didn't want her near that contract or Darius.
We headed up to the apartment, Naomi's jaw dropped as we entered.
"You're staying here?" She ran a hand over a velvet sofa. "Bri, what did you do? Did you rob a bank?"
"It's a perk of the job," I lied.
I walked to the kitchen and opened the massive fridge, which was stocked with everything I hadn't been able to afford in forever; fresh fruits, artisan cheeses, and glass bottles of imported water.
I pulled out two drinks and sat at the table.
"Now talk. What's going on?"
"I can't really explain it."
Naomi raised a brow. "That's usually how you start the most dramatic sentences of your life."
"I'm serious."
"I know," Naomi said more softly. "It's just that anytime you start sounding like this, it means you plan to carry something alone."
"I can't...talk about it."
"I'm here whenever you need me."
Silence settled between us for a moment before Naomi sighed and crossed her arms.
"I wish I could help you financially, you know."
"You don't need to say that," I replied firmly. "I understand your situation more than you think."
Naomi's expression softened.
Naomi was the eldest of ten siblings, carrying responsibilities that never really allowed her to stop being needed. On top of that, she worked at a dog daycare center which really didn't pay much.
"Naomi… can I ask you something?"
She sighed. "Go ahead."
"What if… by chance, you get an opportunity. Something big. And it solves everything you're struggling with."
"And?"
"And it comes with conditions. Ones you're not sure you can handle."
She tilted her head slightly. "How bad are the conditions?"
"Complicated."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one I have."
Naomi crossed her arms. "Then here's mine. If it costs you who you are, it's not worth it. But if it's just fear talking… then maybe it is."
I nodded slowly, absorbing that.
Before I could respond, my phone rang again.
This time, it was the orphanage.
I stepped aside to answer.
"Hello?"
"Miss Brielle?" the worker's voice came through warmly. "The children have been asking for you all day."
A soft smile touched my lips. "I've been busy. How are they?"
"They're fine. But the youngest has been crying. She says she wants to hear your voice."
Emma was just 5 and she was the youngest version of me.
My chest tightened slightly. "Put her on."
There was a shuffle, then a small, sniffing voice.
"Aunty Brielle?"
"Hey, sweetheart. Why are you crying?"
"I thought you forgot me."
"I could never forget you."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
There was a pause, then a quiet question that made my throat tighten.
"Can I talk with Uncle Paul?"