The Contract Love

Greyson re-entered Alexis' room, finding it silent there.

"Miss Reed, where are you?" he called out while approaching the bathroom, turning the door handle, and realizing it was unlocked. "Are you in there?" He peeked inside but didn't find her.

The man furrowed his brows, leaving the bathroom and glancing around until he spotted papers scattered on the sofa. His heart pounding, he approached the sofa and picked up the pieces of paper, realizing they were their contract.

"Oh my God... What does this mean?" he asked, his heart racing as her beautiful face flashed in his mind. He stood up quickly, breathing heavily, glancing around and noticing the suitcase that had previously been near the bed was now gone. "Does this mean she considers our contract void, and she left me?"

"No!" He threw the pieces of paper, scattering them across the floor. "I will find her!"

In hurry, he left the room and accidentally bumped into Clara, who stopped him and placed her hand on his chest.

"Greyson..."

"Sorry, I have to go!" Greyson brushed Clara's hand away from his chest and rushed toward the main door.

Clara stood still, watching him disappear from her view, and suddenly remembered Alexis saying she was only a paid mistress.

'if she's just a paid mistress, why does she seem so important to him?'

...

Together with her friend, Lucia Bridge, Alexis entered a modest room with a monochrome atmosphere dominated by white and light brown. The girl looked around before turning back to her smiling friend.

"You can stay here as long as you want," said Lucia sweetly, her dimples showing.

Alexis sighed, then took Lisa's hands and looked at her with a faint smile. "If it wasn't for you, I don't know what would have happened to me. Thank you so much for helping me!"

"I'm your best friend... You're like my sister!" Lucia said firmly, still smiling. "I'd be even happier if I could do more to help you."

"Lisa, this is more than enough. I'll stay here temporarily until I can afford to rent a place... I can't stay here forever because I need to take care of my father," Alexis explained, her smile fading as she lowered her head, thinking about her father. 'I need more than two jobs... To pay for rent, daily necessities, and save up to return Greyson's money, she thought anxiously.

"I understand..."

Lucia nodded and withdrew her hands when the doorbell rang. "I'll see who it is," she said.

Alexis just nodded, letting her leave the room. She took a deep breath, then sat on the edge of the bed, running her hand over the white bed cover, though her thoughts drifted back to moments with Greyson at his luxurious mansion.

'It was just a fleeting moment, but somehow it felt so deep and meaningful... I shouldn't want him... Of course, he never truly wanted me...' She smiled faintly and shook her head. 'Not at all... I'm just a poor girl... He probably just pitied me or used my misfortune for his own benefit...'

"Miss Reed." A man's voice called from the door.

Alexis immediately turned and stood up, her heart pounding when she saw it was Greyson.

'Holy shit! How did he find me here?' she wondered, while Greyson slowly approached her. 'I'm doomed—what do I do now?'

"It hasn't even been a day since we signed the contract, but you already canceled it," Greyson said, his gaze so intense.

Alexis lowered her head and turned her face away.

"Is this because of Clara's arrival?" Greyson asked.

Alexis took a deep breath and mustered the courage to look at Greyson, clenching her fists.

"Of course, I saw you two and you didn't look like a married couple wanting a divorce! So what's the point of the contract? What's the point of me being there? I'm just a stranger! You didn't even like the way I introduced myself to her, even though that was your instruction!" she vented angrily, breathing heavily before turning away. "Sorry..."

"Sorry..." Greyson sighed, biting his lower lip for a moment. "This was unexpected. I mean... I didn't know she would come, and... and the situation turned out so bad," he explained nervously.

Alexis looked at Greyson again and noticed the worry in his eyes.

"I already explained to her about us," Greyson said hesitantly. "She said... She said she's not ready to face a divorce..."

"Now I understand I'm not needed!" She exclaimed before he could finish his sentence.

"What do you mean?"

"She doesn't want a divorce, and she looks happy around you!" She insisted, sighing. "Sorry... I didn't mean to get angry... I shouldn't be angry. I'm just a stranger..." She smiled faintly and turned away.

He stood still, thinking about Clara's current situation.

"Don't worry. Even if the contract is canceled, I'll return the money you used for my father's treatment," she said, bowing her head anxiously. "But... I'll pay it back in installments," she added hopefully.

"You don't need to do that," he replied.

"Why?"

"Because I sincerely wanted to help you... I won't bring it up again, but give me a chance," he said, reaching for her hands.

She froze, her mouth slightly open, staring at her small hands held by his firm grip.

"The contract is void because it's no longer needed... But that doesn't mean I'm not divorcing Clara," he said with hesitation. "I'll still divorce her when the situation improves... And then you'll be my partner."

"What?" She pulled her hands back immediately.

"Yes... I want you!" He grabbed her hands again. "I've never felt this way before... I mean... I was so afraid of not seeing you again. Since I saved you, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. You completely turned my world upside down... I think this is love... I do care about Clara, especially since she's struggling after her boyfriend's death, but that doesn't mean I'll keep our marriage... No... I don't want to be her last choice just because she lost her boyfriend..." He paused, swallowing hard.

She stayed silent, her heart pounding and her hands starting to sweat.

"Give me a chance to get to know you better... Let me love you, and I hope you'll learn to love me too," he pleaded anxiously, but she suddenly pulled her hands away.

"That means I'd be your mistress!" She said sharply, her breath ragged as she stepped back. "How could you think that, huh? I don't want to be your contractual mistress, and now you want me to be your actual mistress? Are you insane?"

"Miss Reed..." He shook his head, trying to reach for her hands, but she crossed her arms defensively.

"No!" She said firmly. "I know you've helped me a lot, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to be your mistress!"

He sighed.

"The previous agreement was because I wanted a divorce from Clara, and then you'd be free... That was just temporary," he explained nervously, reaching for her hand again. "But now, it's because of love... I want you with me as my future, not just temporarily!"

"Love?" She squinted her eyes.

"Yes..." He nodded firmly. "I think I've fallen in love with you, Miss Reed..." he whispered, smiling.

She swallowed hard, his intense gaze and sweet smile leaving her frozen, her heart beating uncontrollably.

'What is this? Am I dreaming? Greyson Whitmore in love with me?'