''NEGOTIATION ''
.
Adrian was not expecting her to come back. Yet there she was. Sitting across from him again—this time with a completely different energy.
Less mocking. More dangerous. "I've thought about your offer," Zara said, crossing her legs confidently. "And I have terms."
Adrian leaned back slightly, studying her.
"Go on. "First," she said, raising a finger, "the money increases. "His eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Of course it does."
"I'm serious," she continued. "You don't get to control my life for a year on a discount."
"And what price do you suggest? Zara held his gaze. "Two hundred thousand."
Silence.
Then—
Adrian smiled.
Actually smiled. "You're bold," he said.
"I'm expensive," she corrected. A pause.
Then he nodded once.
"Agreed. Zara blinked, Wait—what? "You didn't even argue," she said suspiciously." I don't waste time arguing over small amounts," Adrian replied "she muttered Zara forced herself to stay calm.
"Second," she continued, regaining control, "no control over my personal decisions. "You're my wife in public," he said. "You will act like it.""In public," she agreed. "Not in private."
Another pause. "Fine."
Zara leaned back, surprised but refusing to show it."Third," she said, "if I want to leave, I leave. "No," Adrian said immediately.
Zara smiled. "There it is," she said. "The real you. "Their eyes locked, Tension filled the room.
"Six months minimum," he said finally. "After that, you can leave if you want. "Zara considered it.Then nodded.
"Deal."
Adrian extended his hand. Zara looked at it for a moment. Then shook it.
And just like that—
She had officially made the most dangerous decision of her life....
Zara had never signed her life away before.
There was a first time for everything, apparently.
She sat across from Adrian in a ridiculously large office, staring at a contract that looked long enough to qualify as a novel.
"Are you sure this isn't a trap?" she asked, flipping through the pages. "Because this feels like the kind of document people sign before disappearing mysteriously."
"It's a standard agreement," Adrian replied calmly.
"There are forty-two clauses," Zara said.
"Forty-three."
Zara looked up slowly. "You counted?"
"I wrote it."
"Of course you did," she muttered. "Control freak."
Adrian ignored that.
"Clause seven," Zara continued, squinting. "Public appearances must be attended without protest."
She looked up. "What if I protest quietly?"
"No."
"What if I protest in my mind?"
He paused.
"…That's acceptable."
"Great," she nodded. "I'll be mentally rebellious."
She flipped another page.
"Clause twelve: No romantic involvement outside the marriage." She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You jealous already?"
Adrian's expression didn't change.
"It's for public image."
"Mm-hmm," Zara hummed. "Sure."
"Clause eighteen: You will reside in my home for the duration of the contract."
Zara froze.
"…Excuse me?"
"It's a marriage," Adrian said. "We are expected to live together."
Zara stared at him like he had just suggested something illegal.
"You want me to live with you?"
"Yes."
"In your house?"
"Yes."
"With you inside it?"
"…Yes, Zara."
She leaned back, processing that.
"That sounds like a psychological experiment," she said finally.
"It's temporary."
"So is insanity," she replied.
A brief silence passed. Then Zara leaned forward, tapping the paper.
"I'm adding something."
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly. "You don't edit my contracts."
"I do today," she said sweetly. "New clause."
He watched as she grabbed a pen and scribbled something at the bottom.
"No unnecessary control over my personal habits."
Adrian read it, then looked up at her.
"What exactly are your 'personal habits'? "he said with a hint of mockery. Zara smiled.
"Mind your business."
Another pause.
Then—to her surprise—
He signed it.
Zara blinked.
"You didn't argue."
"I pick my battles," he said.
"That's concerning," she muttered.
She stared at the contract one last time.
Forty-three clauses.
One year.
Two hundred thousand dollars. And one very questionable life decision.
"…If I die, I'm haunting you," she said.
"Noted."
Zara took a deep breath. Then she signed.