TTM #1: Devoted to a Contract

Chapter XII || We'll see

Jasmine's P.O.V.

"But I have a few conditions."

If I'm going to sign my life away, I might as well do it my way.

He sighed and continued.

"What are your conditions?"

"1. I want you to make sure no sort of harm would come to my family, and by family, I mean my sister and my friends.

2. I won't accept this absurd idea of producing an heir. I'm not going to have sex with you.

3. I will keep my job. I may not be handling a multibillion company, but that doesn't mean I have to quit mine cause I'm married to a guy who probably does.

4. I will work and go wherever I like.

5. I want you to call off the deal you made with my mother. She shouldn't get a penny from this arrangement. I'm doing this on my account, not hers.

6. I will go out with my friends, and you don't have a say in who I meet and who I don't.

7. I don't need your money. I will be independent.

8. If you decide on keeping an extra-marital affair, then make sure no one knows about it. The last thing I'd need is to be the 'sympathised wife'.

9. And finally, Don't expect me to fall in love with you."

I finished. I probably shouldn't be making demands with my sister's life on the line, but there has to be some restrictions for me to get through this.

"I can accept to all your conditions except for the second one. The whole point of this marriage is for you to produce me an heir. As much as I despise the fact that my children will need to have genes from someone as plain as you, this has to be done."

"I'm not plain."

"You are frankly one of the most unattractive woman I've met before. If my grandmother wasn't so smitten with you I'd never even come near a woman like you."

No, Jas, don't let his words get to you. He's just messing with your head. You are beautiful.

But I guess compared to the models he dated; I was nothing. I can't help but feel a pang of hurt and jealousy.

Jealousy? Where did that come from? You hate this guy, remember.

"Are these all your conditions or are there more?" I asked just to know what I'm getting myself into.

He walked towards where I was sitting and placed both his hands on the armrests of the chair. He leaned forward making me subconsciously move back further into the chair. He stopped when he was literally an inch away from my face and looked straight into my eyes. I could feel his hot breath on my cheeks.

"You have to live in the same house as me. If you try to run away, I would be able to find you within a matter of minutes. You are not to date anyone or see anyone else while bound by the contract. Any man you come in contact with will be in danger. I don't like sharing what's mine Ms.Winters and certainly not my wife."

Possessive much!

Was this guy kidding? Settle with him?

But right now, I have to focus on making sure that Kristen was alright. But my mind refused to think when he was this close to me. Maybe I could trick him into letting me go now and secure Kristen.

"Ok so now that we're done with the conditions, I still need time to process all this. I'll sign the contract tomorrow. I'll take your lea-" I tried getting up nut he was quick and pushed me back making me sit on the chair again.

"Not so fast. You didn't think this foolish plan of yours was going to work. You will leave only after signing the contract. I'll give you 10 mins to read and then sign. In case you don't decide by that time forget seeing your sister alive."

Well, I tried!

I knew that wasn't going to work. I just made it worse. Way to go, Jas! Now just keep your mouth shut and stop thinking of ways to get your sister killed.

"Don't hurt her. Get the contract I'll sign it."

I was becoming weaker with every passing second. I can't let him have his way easily without a fight. I promised myself I wouldn't be the same person I was years ago. So even if I do feel like crying, yelling and giving up, I won't. I won't let him or anyone break me, at least not anymore.

Why does this always happen to me? Why am I constantly put in a position to choose?

Mr Valencian took his phone and told someone to bring the contract. A few minutes later, the door opened behind me, and someone walked in. I was thinking of ways I could possibly get out of this place and make sure Kristen was safe. I needed to stall as long as I can and think.

I didn't turn around to see who came in simply because I wasn't interested. But when the person came into view, to say I was surprised would be an understatement.

"Xavier?" Shock and hurt filled my voice.

"Hi, Jasmine." his voice was stern.

"I can't believe you are involved in this." I said to more myself than to him.

"I'm sorry Jas. I swear I didn't want this to happen this way." he said, but his voice guilt-ridden.

"Sorry doesn't cut what you're doing here. I accepted you as a friend Xavier. You helped me at the party that day so that you could do this to me now. In that case, I could have handled the situation myself. I can't believe Scarlett was right about you."

"Please, Jas. I swear my hands are tied. I want to help, but I can't. I'm really sorry."

"No, an apology isn't going to bring back my trust in you. To think that I did trust you at one point just makes me hate myself." I was fuming, and it was evident. He didn't say anything and just looked at Mr Valencian.

"Nate. This is wrong. Stop this." he spoke, but it wasn't compelling.

"Xavier, you know there is no way out and why this is happening." Mr Valencian said in a dark tone.

"Now give the contract to Ms Winters. You have 10 mins to sign the deal, and then you can leave, and your sister will remain unharmed." he spoke with such elegance it didn't seem like he was threatening me.

I reached out for the contract from Xavier's hands and read through it.

I was stalling, but my luck still hadn't decided to visit me, so I did it.

I signed a contract that bound my life to a stranger.

Total number of words: 1051