Asher waves a hand. "Consider it taken care of."
"What does that mean?" I ask, tugging my bottom lip between my teeth. Asher's eyes find where I'm chewing on it, lingering there for a moment before answering me.
“I’ll handle all your bills,” Asher says, his voice firm. “You'll also have a card to put any of your expenses on. And once we’re engaged, you’ll move in.”
My breath catches in my throat. “Move in?”
His eyes lock onto mine, leaving no room for argument. “It’s crucial for appearances, Grace. We need to maintain the image that we’re deeply in love.”
Suddenly, I can feel the weight of the decision pressing down on me. “What if I want to keep my place? Just in case things get… difficult?”
Asher’s expression softens, just a fraction. “If that makes you feel more comfortable, I can continue paying your rent as well. But you’ll need to spend the majority of your time at my place. Otherwise, this arrangement won’t be too convincing.”
I exhale slowly, nodding as I absorb his words. This is happening so fast, but the promise of financial security and a chance at my dreams pushes me forward.
“Okay,” I whisper.
Asher pulls open one of the desk drawers, lifting out a manila folder that he lays on in front of me, lifting the top to reveal a stack of crisp white documents.
The first page reads: Marriage Contract.
I swallow the lump of anxiety that's building in my throat.
Am I really doing this?
"You should read the contract." He nods at the papers.
Hesitantly, and with shaking fingers, I lift the contract. It's multiple pages long, resembling something I’d sign at a bank or a lawyer’s office.
It has today’s date and lists Asher's full name (Asher Evern Caine) with mine, stating that we'll be referred to as Party A and Party B, respectively. It reads that we'll enter into a lawful marriage until the conditions of the contract are met.
The marriage shall commence upon legal filing and shall continue for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of marriage, unless terminated earlier as provided herein.
Upon completion of the term, parties agree to file for divorce on amicable grounds.
Party A shall pay Party B the sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) upon successful completion of the twelve-month term.
The dollar amount written out in plain text makes my heart pound harder. This is real. This is really real.
It goes on to say that Asher will cover all living expenses during the marriage and that I'll be required to accompany him to social, professional, and family events.
"Everything okay?" Asher asks when I set the pages down.
Anxiety squeezes my chest, making it impossible to breathe, let alone speak.
Is this a bad idea?
What if I agree to his terms and this all goes badly?
But on the other hand, what if I spend the year writing and querying, and by next year, I'll be published with a large sum of money in my bank account. And then I can finally live my life.
Most people will never get an opportunity like this.
I'm holding anall your dreams come truecard, and all I need to play it is to sign my name.
Without another thought, I grab a pen from the cup on Asher's desk and scribble my name on the line.
Then I drop the pen as if it burned me and look up, finding Asher's eyes on mine. He’s smiling, the corners of his lips tilting up and his white teeth on display. It’s a beautiful sight.
