Chapter 20: The contract
Veronica's Pov
Why did I come here? I'm asking myself the same question for the past fifteen minutes, holding this fucking contract in my hand.
He gave me a pen for the signature, for the commitment that I was dreading not to be part of. I still don't know how he managed to convince me to play his ridiculous game but now I can't go back on my words.
I agreed to play with him, follow his stupid rules and the compromise I'm about to make for that fucking drive.
I blankly stare at the contract papers, one sign that's all it needs to ruin my life that is already fucked up.
I tightly close my eyes, there's no point cursing my luck right now, we all know that I would eventually end up signing this contract so let's just get over it.
I took a really long deep breath before scribbling my name on the white sheet that now has the ability to command my life however the way it wants.
I slowly move my head up and look at Leonard whose eyes were already on me "there you go" I said handing him the contract and ready to get out of here.
I got up and head for the door when he interrupted me "don't forget the clauses you've just agreed to" he said with a smirk "don't forget to add the conditions I've laid down" I grit my teeth and opened the door.
What the heck did I got myself into? I bit my lip nervously and walk out of his villa.
I quickly take the blonde wig out of my bag that I used before for the disguise and put on a mask as I carefully got inside my car.
As soon as I got in I close my eyes and hit the steering wheel "Fuck" I cursed remembering the events that happened a few minutes ago.
*17 minutes ago*
"A game?" I questioned,
He raised his eyebrow and nodded.
"What game?" my eyes scrunching up, a dubious expression on my face as I waited for him,
He took a seat and interlocked his fingers, "a game that will guarantee you about Kelly's safety," he pauses then continues " if you play this game with me then I promise nobody will ever hurt your friend"
"Nobody?" I chuckled, "seriously you're not including yourself, I mean you're the one I need to protect her from".
He lets a breath out and opens the drawer on the right side of his wooden desk.
He grabs a black document and puts it on the table " I know you don't trust my word but maybe this contract will satisfy your doubts"
"What contract ?"
He rolls his eyes and taps on the hard paper "find out yourself"
I suspiciously look at the contract before picking it up and slowly reading the clauses.
The game? the contract is about his game? It is called Seduction, wait what? "what is the game called again?" I asked him in disbelief.
"No questions until you read the whole thing"
He's got to be kidding me, no question until I finish the dumb thing. What does he think of himself?
I grab the paper tightly and continued reading the part. I can't do anything except waiting.
In this game, each party has to seduce the other in an attempt to win the game. Whoever manages to seduce the most time will be the winner, the loser on the other hand has to do everything the winner demands.
"Umm hello, wtf does this mean? I clear my throat "I have to seduce you?" my eyes are ready to pop out any minute now, forget the loser stuff, the content of this game is nonsense.
"Why are you giving me that expression? didn't you seduce me two times already?" he smiled,
I clear my throat and blink a few times to ignore his statement which was true, I did seduce him but that was totally different and this now is totally insane. He's asking me to seduce him on purpose, previously I did it without knowing I did it, and just now was an impulse to make him realize the feeling of helplessness. But that got me nowhere, he ended up enjoying it instead.
I released a breath before going through the papers again.
The seduction can happen anywhere, any location, anytime, anyplace. Wait, anyplace? does this mean he will interrupt my work life? Barging during the shoots or my house? okay calm down, no point in panicking just finish the whole thing quickly.
The other instructions of the game said; if the one who is getting seduced involuntarily moans then the seducer scores a point, if the seducer can't manage to let a moan out then he loses. Great that means all I have to do is refrain myself from moaning.
I nod my head as I take in few notes of what to do and what not to do in order for me to win this game as early as possible. Seducing him is not a big deal but Idk if I can manage to seduce him without letting my feelings interrupt.
I move on to the rules part which shockingly I agreed to most of them.
Rule number one- Till the time this contract is valid, no party is allowed to engage themselves with another woman or man, clever move.
Rule number two- No party is allowed to dine with other people of opposite genders ALONE. What a baby.
Rule number three- Every party must give a brief update about their day to the other party.
Rule number four- Once a week, both the parties are required to live with each other probably for a day or two, even more, if it's mutual, except this part.
Rule number five- No party will interfere with each other's personal lives. Each party is bound to act accordingly to the given statements.
What a fantastic way to control one's life!!! I scoff
There was one last paragraph that was written in bold red letters.
"The party who made this contract Mr. Leonard king, current Ceo of King enterprise shall provide protection to Miss Kelly Anderson 24/7 till the maturity of this contract. Any type of harm, abuse, stalkers, or exchanges should be taken into consideration while providing aid to Miss Anderson".
The contract will be in motion for sixty days including the day it was signed by both parties. The upper hand in this contract shall stay with Mr. Leonard King. Yeah like hell I would, I'm not letting this man take the upper hand.
I close the file tightly and looked at him "Do you give me your word to protect Kelly?" I ask him, if he really is serious about protecting Kelly then I don't mind playing this game with him.
He nods his head assuring me to trust him. He passes me an ink pen and eyes the contract "your sign mam".
I took the pen from him and looked down at the contract. Now that I'm agreeing to sign this fucking contract then there should be few rules in my favor too. Like eliminating the upper hand rule and that living together shit.
I shake my head and move all my attention to him "I'd like to add a few things to the contract" I said without wasting any minute.
"sure" he replied
"Really?" I wasn't sure he would agree so easily. Well not that I'm complaining, it didn't actually sound like him. He's not the person to agree so easily over things that don't benefit him. Whatever, as long as nothing harms me.
"In that case, I would like to add two rules" I started and he just narrowed his eyebrows preparing himself. "Number one, we can't interfere in each other's work life"
I lift my head and look at him to see any different expression but nothing so I continued with the second rule "Number two, no touching"
I roam my eyes over to him once again to see his reaction. In the game of seduction, the very first thing that comes to your mind is touch, and setting that off-limits might seem a little stupid, but hey no harm in trying.
I watch him silently playing with his wristwatch. Did he not hear the thing I just said? I tap the table to get his attention " did you hear what I said just now?"
He strangely grabs my wrist and pulls me closer to his face "I did" he said looking straight into my eyes. "So?" I curiously ask him,
He lets go of my arm and sits back in his seat "I have no problem with your first rule, but the second one might need some alterations"
"What alterations?" I knew he wouldn't agree to the second one.
"instead of no touching" he rises from his seat once again and leans his face forward to mine "how about" he pauses and looks me up and down, slowly brushing his finger on the corner of my lips "only touching" he finishes while licking his finger he used just now on my lips.
I released a deep breath and clear my throat "anyways' *cough* "I'll like to replace the second rule" I steal a look at him,
"Of course" he licked his fingers, even more, twirling his tongue around it. I gently bit my lower lip and clutch the seat handle, shit my insides are betraying me once again. I need to state the second rule and get out here. It's getting fucking hot here.
"Well, I don't agree to the living together part, we are not close and I certainly don't feel comfortable around you so we can't share a place, or hotel or room ever" I blankly look at him.
"Okay, anything else" he sweetly replied, like really sweetly giving me chills,
"Hmmm" I support my chin with my free hand and look at him,"are you like bipolar or something?"
"What?"
"Why the heck are you talking so sweetly to me? weren't you giving threats to me about Kelly literally five minutes ago?"
"Isn't that in the past and to answer your question I'm not bipolar" he again sweetly replied
"what past? it happened five fucking minutes ago?" I'm surprised by his answer like you don't call five minutes ago a past, five years ago is a past, five months ago is what you call a past. A certain period of time that is no longer in existence, but he just said what?
"Yeah it happened five minutes ago; that's past, right? you used ago" he said with finger quoting
"Are you saying five minutes is past to you?" I pause and wait for his answer " it's present you dumbass, it happened in the present, like NOW" I raised my eyebrow,
"Why are we even discussing this? let's keep talking about the contract, okay? so do you want to add any more rules or you good?"
He's seriously not paying attention to his mood swings. This man is unpredictable, mentally and physically. First, he's flirting then he's making threats, and now sugarcoating. A normal person might think he has some bipolar syndrome but in reality, he's playing with people's minds. He knows really how to work for his favors that doesn't mean he can fool me.
I met my share of people in this life and one thing they taught me is never fucking trust anyone. Their words say one thing and their action does the opposite, it is so confusing you end up blaming yourself for their ridiculous behavior pattern.
I *cough* "yeah, no I'm good" I shake my head and took the pen before he decided to show me the meaning behind his sweet behavior.
"fine that'll be 55 million dollars" he raised his hand towards me "how would you like to pay?"
"what?" what is he talking about? what dollars?
He pull the corner of his lips and chuckled " everything has a price sweetheart" he looks at the contract then me and smiles "if you want something you have to pay"
Pay for what? for two rules. Is he kidding me? this is why he was sweetly agreeing to all the rules that I suggested? and I was an idiot to believe he had a mental condition because the only condition he has is being an asshole.
"You never told me the rules needed price" I clench my teeth,
"you never asked sweetheart" he smiled
"I'm. not .your. fucking. sweetheart. my. name. is. Veronica" I very slowly let these words out my mouth,
"Oops, someone might be angry"
I slowly closed my eyes and took three deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling trying to calm myself and collect my thoughts, I can't trust this man. Playing a game with him can be very dangerous if he keeps doing this shit.
I can't risk both my and Kelly's life because of him. I don't know-how in heaven's name he's a businessman. No partners should trust their investment with him cause he's nothing but a fucking liability.
I can't involve myself with him anymore, maybe for a few minutes I got convinced that he might protect Kelly but now I don't think depending on him would work very well. I gotta do it, I need to say it, and Now.
"I'm not going to play with you"