Contract

(Camilla’s POV) It was a rainy afternoon in my office when my door suddenly sprung open, revealing my secretary who is radiating a frenetic energy. I arched my brows at her confusedly. She gave me a big smile. My team has always been comfortable around me. I treat them like family, that's why they don't feel the need to filter their emotions when they're with me. Transparency has always been my guide on handling my employees. “A sponsor has funded our project, Miss Camilla!” she chirped, her face alight with excitement. I perched on my sleek, black leather chair. As a billionaire, I know I have the resources to fund the project myself, but the news still sent a thrill through me. It wasn't just about the money, but the validation, the recognition of my genius. It’s not everyday that the world is blessed with a smart woman with a pretty face. “Who is it?” I asked, interested to hear the name of the person who appreciated our effort to create a project that promises to revolutionize the world. I’m not going to lie. He made the right choice. "Ms. Camilla," my assistant, a young woman with a sharp wit and an even sharper eye for detail, announced, "Mr. Kalel is here." My eyebrows shot up. At that moment, I had already gotten the answer to my question. Who else would be richer than me? It was no other than the trillionaire, Kalel Agravante, who has the power to turn anything he touches to gold. "Show him in," I instructed, my voice betraying no hint of surprise or anticipation. Kalel entered my office with a confident aura. He was tall, with piercing blue eyes and a jawline that could cut diamonds. He was wearing another luxury suit that made him look expensive. He’s not tired of flaunting his wealth to me, yes? "My fiancée," he greeted, his voice a deep baritone that sent a shiver down my spine. "Congratulations on securing the funding. A brilliant project, I must say." The two women inside my office giggled to themselves upon hearing how he addressed me. I narrowed my eyes on them. “Give us some privacy,” I dismissed them. They immediately left the office, leaving only the two of us in my office. I diverted my attention to him as soon as I heard the door shut. "Thank you, Mr. Agravante," I replied, extending a hand in a gesture of polite formality. "I appreciate your support." He smirked, kissing my hand instead of shaking it, which made my cheeks heated. I immediately withdrew my hand from him in embarrassment. "Call me Kalel," he said, his gaze holding hers with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. "Or you can call me baby if you like?” I gave him a sarcastic smile. “What am I? Your mother?” I felt a flicker of unease in his presence. There’s something about him that crumbles my poise. It is not my first time to see a guy this handsome, but something about his dominance tames me. Maybe it’s his undefying confidence and dominance to own me like I’m really his. "I made a formal contract," Kalel continued, his voice smooth as silk. "It outlines the terms of our agreement, the details of our conditions, and…" he paused, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint, "a few other stipulations." He handed me a slim, leather-bound folder. I stared at it for a few seconds before opening it. I carefully scan the meticulously crafted document. The legal jargons present in the document was a testament of the meticulousness of his team. But what really caught my attention amongst the clauses and subclauses was a clause in the latter part that sent a jolt of shock and confusion through me. "This…" I began, my voice laced with disbelief, "This clause states that we are to act as a couple…" "For the next hundred days," Kalel finished, his voice a low rumble. "My grandmother is looking forward to meeting her future granddaughter-in-law." Future granddaughter-in-law? Last time I checked it was a fake engagement. I stared at him, my mind reeling. "Your grandmother?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. "She wants to meet your… fiancée?" "Yes," Kalel confirmed, his lips curving into a smile that was both charming and unsettling. "She's convinced I'm about to settle down, and she's eager to meet the lucky woman. She's even invited us to spend a few weeks with her in the province, a lovely little cottage by the lake." I felt a wave of panic wash over me. It’s like telling me to collaborate with him in lying to his innocent grandmother who genuinely wants to meet her grandson’s lover. I don't think I can do that. "I…" I began, my voice catching in my throat. "I'm not sure I understand." "It's simple, Camilla," Kalel said, his voice smooth and persuasive. "We'll act as a couple, for the sake of my grandmother. We'll go on dates, attend social events, and pretend to be madly in love. It's all for show, a performance." "But…" I protested, my voice rising with a hint of desperation. "I'm not comfortable with this. I don't want to pretend to be your fiancée to your grandmother.” He arched his brows. “But you want me to pretend to be your fiancée for your ex-husband?” he countered. I heaved a deep sigh. “That's a different story. They deserve a lie because they did me wrong, but your grandmother genuinely wants to meet your fiancée. Why lie to her?” I explained, a hint of concern in my voice. He smiled. “I want to make her happy.” I rolled my eyes. “Then, just find a woman, date her, and marry her.” His smile widened. “I did…” he replied meaningfully. “But I don't think she’s ready for marriage yet. We're engaged though.” I scoffed in disbelief. Why did I think I could talk to him seriously? "I understand what you want to say, Camilla," Kalel said, his gaze serious now. "But it's a small price to pay for my effort in playing my part. And besides," he added, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper, "it could be rather fun." I felt a shiver run down my spine. He knows when to attack me with his attempt to seduce me. It's not going to work though… right? "Alright," I yielded, my voice firm. "I'll do it. But on my terms." "Your terms?" Kalel questioned, his eyebrows raised in amusement. "And what might those be?" "First," I said, narrowing my eyes at him, "there will be no physical intimacy. I will not be under the covers with you in bed." "Understood," Kalel replied, his smile widening. "A perfectly reasonable request." "Second," I continued, my eyes meeting his with a steely gaze, "I will not be your puppet. I will not be forced to play your games. I will play my part, but I will not be your pawn." "I respect that.” "Third," I said, looking serious, "I will have a physical copy of this contract, a document that clearly outlines the terms of our agreement, including your grandmother's request, and my conditions. No loopholes, no ambiguity." "Of course," Kalel replied, his eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and respect. "You're a woman who knows what she wants, and I admire that." I can't believe I’m doing this, but what choice do I have? The world already knows that we’re engaged. I can't say no to pretending for his grandmother’s sake now. I have to play my part in this mutual agreement. “By the way…” he said, taking out something from his pocket. It was a small box with a rare diamond set in a band of pure gold. “I don't want anyone looking at your hand and seeing no symbol of our engagement.” “I don't need that. I can buy my—” I wasn't able to finish what I was saying because he had already pulled my hand to insert the ring on my finger. “I love you, fiancée.”