The Contract

Chapter 27- The Charmer

It was the 8th, the wedding is in 22 days, that's the first thought that came into my head once I opened my eyes this morning.

I was staring at those familiar ceiling, I turned to the side to see I was all alone on the bed. So much for been by my side always.

I sighed and sat up. What was I still doing in Italy? Today, I woke up with lots of thoughts in my head.

It even ached from all the stress, my phone on the side table began ringing. I picked it up and answered without checking the contact ID. "Hello"

"So, you flew to Italy and stopped calling me?" I recognized Bella's voice. "Hey Bella" I got off the bed and headed to the one of those doors. "Yeah, it's your sister. How are things going over there"

I leaned on the counter and stared at myself in the mirror. "Great great"

"Of course, it is. Mom told me the date for the wedding have been fixed" she said. "Yeah, the 30th"

"I can't wait, I and Derrick could get a little vacation, we are long overdue" she breathed. "Y'all just got married" I pointed out and she laughed.

"But seriously, I can't wait! How's Travis?"

"He's... good "

"The bachelorette party is gonna be rad"

"Trust me, the girls can't wait" I told her and she chuckled. "Okay, I gotta go now. Talk later lil sis" the call ended and I sighed and dropped the phone.

I was a bit home sick this morning, I just wanna go home and wake up from this nightmare.

What was I doing? How the fuck did I get myself into this shit?

I leaned down in the sink and washed my face. I heard the door open and footsteps. I dried my face and turned to walk to the other side. But there he stood, hands in his navy blue pants pocket.

"Are you okay?"

I rolled my eyes,. "Like you care"

"But I do care" he turned to me and I shot back, hands crossed over my chest. I gave him a once over. "You know, I really just started thinking about it, you spent 3 years here in Italy and still came back and forced me into this deal. Really, what was the reason? And don't even give me that crap about me being different"

"Pearl "

"Is this your way of redemption? Is this how you want me to forgive you?" I asked. "I'm not tryna do any-"

"Of course, you're not! You never apologized!" I yelled, taking a step towards him. "You never said sorry, you never..." I trailed off, letting out a sigh.

"What am I doing? Why did I even agree to do this shit? How the fuck did I get manipulated into doing your biddings again?" I asked myself

What the fuck is wrong with me?

He stared at me emotionlessly, hands still in his pocket. "You signed the contract, I gave you time to think it through"

My eyes shot to him. "You didn't just say that"

"I know I was a bit erratic about my proposition but I too, I'm holding up a bargain here" he justified and I stared at him in disbelief.

"I'm paying you for your work" he paused. "So, you have nothing to loose"

I huffed and took a step back. Oh my gosh! What have I done? "You're still the same" I whispered.

"Let's put history behind for now, the sooner this is over, the sooner we stop seeing each other" he finished, I turned away, hands over my waist in disbelief.