The Contract

Chapter 172-The Play

I stepped out of the car and glanced up at the building, Empire. Yes, I was here, I was here for answers and there was no other time to get it.

Friday, I was dressed in a black bodycon dress. Flicking the strand off my face, I fixed my shades before walking forward. I walked towards the stairs and the doors opened for me.

Stepping into the grand lobby, I didn't spare anyone a glance as I headed towards the elevator. He was back and he couldn't say otherwise, the papers had ratted him out.

And I confirmed he was staying away from me but that was the least of my problem today. Getting in, I tapped the button and the doors proceeded to slid shut.

I caught a glimpse of someone running to stop it but I did nothing, I just held on a look, my hands crossed over my chest as it shut.

The ride was over after seconds and I stepped out and headed to his office with purposeful strides. I pushed the doors open and stepped in.

There he was, by his desk. He glanced up at me and that was all. I walked in fully. Letting the silence envelope the room for a second, my gaze fixed on him.

He wouldn't speak.

"When were you gonna come back?" I began, my tone firm, staring him down.

“I arrived this morning,” he answered, his voice devoid of hesitation.

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

His eyes slowly met mine, and for a moment, they held a cold, unreadable glint. He pushed the chair backward and got up. My gaze followed him as he walked to the shelf on the other side, completely ignoring me.

I huffed in disbelief. “What’s this? What’s with this behavior, Travis?” I demanded, stepping forward, my frustration rising.

“I don’t owe you answers,” he replied bluntly, his back still to me.

“You owe me! You owe me a lot of answers!” I disagreed, my voice firm and unwavering.

He finally turned to face me, his expression unreadable but his tone icy. “This is neither the time nor the place, Pearl.”

Pearl.

The way he said my name made my heart sink. It felt distant, as though it carried none of the warmth it once did. He walked past me, and I stood there, momentarily dazed.

“You disappeared,” I called after him, my voice harder now. “You left after you promised to—”

“I made no promises,” he interrupted sharply, throwing me completely off balance. His features were rigid, cold, and unrecognizable.

“Why are you acting like this?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He tore his gaze from mine, his dismissal cutting deeper than any words. “As I said, this is not the time nor the place—”

“What’s with the cold shoulder? Why are you acting this way? Why are you being cold to me all of a sudden?!” I exclaimed, taking a bold step toward him.

He exhaled deeply, looking down for a moment before meeting my eyes with that same detached expression. “Pearl—”

"Can you stop acting this way? Can you stop being this dick?!" I lashed, out of breath and he held on that cold look with me.

"Then I should put you out of your misery" he said. "I have to remind you once again what this is... This is a contract"

I felt it directly in my chest, a faint pang. I believe my breath halted for a moment, a split second where I briefly choked.