Chapter Twenty-One Step Close

Chapter Twenty-One Step Close
Orson

I return to work from my lawyer’s office. I was getting all the necessary paperwork sorted for Everly to sign. We have barely spoken to each other since our night together, which was five days ago—arguing, yes, but not a proper conversation. It isn't very pleasant, but it doesn’t stop me from thinking about our night together. It was the best night of sex I have had in a long time. She is on another level. Our sexual chemistry was through the roof. We fucked perfectly together. I was tempted to put a sex clause in the contract, but I changed my mind because she wouldn’t have signed, and both of us would have lost. 

“Everly, my office, now,” I call out before I enter. 

I hear her groan as I head in. I chuckle to myself. Four words, and she is already pissed at me. I sit at my desk and wait for her. 

“What do you want? I am busy.” She whines. 

“We have some business to discuss. Close the door.” I reply, pointing to the paperwork on my table.

She sighs, closing and locking the door. She doesn’t want to risk anyone walking in and finding out what we are up to. I understand because I don’t want anyone to know the truth, either. 

Everly takes the seat across from me. I slide the paperwork over to her. “I want you to take these home and read over them carefully. If you would like to add or remove anything, please notify me promptly. The second you sign it, and it becomes legal, I will transfer the money to your account, and then we will find your new apartment.” 

“I will study it closely tonight. You better not have added anything sexual into it.” She warns. 

“I thought about it, but changed my mind. Everything we discussed is in it. The NDA is there, too, for you to sign. If you speak about our arrangement, I have the right to take everything back I give you.” 

I can’t have her opening her mouth. If the truth comes out, it won’t only affect me, but also her. She keeps my secrets. I keep hers. It is a fair deal. 

“Okay. I will call you if I have any questions when I take a look over it.” 

“Good. I want it all signed and sorted as soon as possible because my father and brother are going to be on at me the second they see me.” 

They are both getting on my last nerve and if they push any more, it won’t end well for anyone. I will speak my mind and say things I won’t be able to take back. 

“Yes, sir. I still can’t believe I agreed to this,” she groans, shaking her head. 

I rest back on my office chair, putting my hands behind my head and smirk. “No going back now. You are stuck with me for the next few months, gorgeous.” 

She rolls her eyes and flips me off. She gathers the paperwork, puts it back into the envelope and leaves my office without another word. I wonder if she will stop selling herself. Surely, she will with the money she will have. I don’t know how much debt she is in, but by her reaction when I asked, I assume a lot. 

How does one get into such a debt? I understand the student loans; many people are in debt with those. What medical bills could she possibly have? She seems healthy enough, and she said she has been on her own since she was a teenager, so it can’t be for her parents. There is more to her story, something she didn’t want to tell me. It is none of my business, but I am curious. What other secrets does she have? Perhaps I can discover some of them during our time together. She is a woman of mystery, and I am intrigued. I like a good mystery. She is a code I need to crack. 

I laugh and sit up straight, getting to work. I swear she better not make too many changes to the contract because it means we have to wait longer. I want it sorted without any issues. I am eager to see the look on my brother’s face when he sees me with Everly. I can only hope she will make it convincing. 

I forgot about one thing! A ring! I need to buy her a damn ring to see our story to everyone. I can’t buy her something cheap either because it would be a giveaway. I will need to spend a decent amount of money on it. I don’t even know her size. I groan and jump to my feet. 

“What do you want now?” she whines when her eyes fall on me. 

“We need to go ring shopping. No one will believe it unless you have a diamond ring on your finger. I don’t know your size.” 

“Can’t you buy a fake one?” 

“No, it needs to be a real one and expensive. We can go tomorrow.” 

“If I must.” 
“I thought women loved diamonds. What are you complaining about?” 

“I am not most women. Why would I love a diamond from a man I don’t like? One that is only on my finger because of a lie?” 

“Does it matter who it comes from?” I ask. 

“Yes, it should, especially a ring, but what would you know about that? You don’t seem the type to want a serious relationship or marriage.” 

“I don’t. Why would I want to give my entire being to someone else? It is pointless, and it ends in heartbreak. I don’t want to be someone whose world revolves around another person. Call me selfish, but I refuse to let someone else destroy me. Love and marriage are not worth the pain and bad that comes with it.” 

“If it is the right person, then everything that comes with it will be worth it.” She protests. 

“That is your opinion.” 

“It is, yes. If that is how you think, then you are going to end up living a lonely existence, Orson.” 

“I get what I need. I don’t want or need any more.” I shrug. 

“If you insist.” 

Sarcasm drips from her voice. 

I shake my head and walk out without another word. It is none of her business. I live my life as I see fit. She can judge me all she wants, but she doesn’t know me.