The Quiet Contract

THE END - YES - NO

Debating myself if I need to create epilogue or something lol, Feels like bitin LOL

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NARRATOR

Sitting at her desk, Jennie stared blankly at the folder containing the project's details. Her heart was heavy, her mind racing. She felt like she was standing at the edge of a cliff, unsure whether to step back or take a leap. The weight of the situation bore down on her, and her usually confident demeanor wavered.

She couldn't deny the importance of this project. It wasn't just about her reputation as a CEO; it was about the hundreds, maybe thousands, of jobs this project would create. Families who depended on opportunities like these. The French partners were notoriously particular, valuing personal trust and long-standing partnerships over anything else. Jennie was the bridge, the reason they had agreed to move forward in the first place. Without her presence, everything they had built could crumble.

Her father's words from the meeting echoed in her mind.

"This is your project, Jennie. You've nurtured it from the start. Your presence is crucial—it's a testament to the trust we've established."

Yet, another voice fought for dominance in her head—Lisa's voice, filled with hurt and betrayal from the night before.

"If you go, we're done."

The thought of losing Lisa made her stomach churn. Lisa wasn't just her partner; she was her safe haven, the person who could make Jennie feel human in a world that demanded perfection. Jennie couldn't imagine coming home to an empty house or waking up without Lisa's sleepy smile.

"But can I risk disappointing my dad? The board? The workers? Everyone?" Jennie whispered to herself, tears stinging her eyes. She pushed her chair back and paced the office, trying to think clearly.

She wanted to call Lisa, to hear her voice and find reassurance. But she knew Lisa wouldn't relent. Lisa had already made her feelings clear—this wasn't about control; it was about boundaries and trust. Jennie understood that.

Jennie's gaze fell on a picture of her and Lisa on her desk, taken during their last trip together. Lisa's arms were wrapped around her, her smile radiant and full of love.

"This project means nothing if I lose her," Jennie thought. "But if I drop it, am I letting everyone else down?"

Her chest tightened as she considered the possibility of Lisa walking away. She thought about the times Lisa had stayed up waiting for her, the quiet reassurance she offered even when Jennie's work consumed her. She thought about Lisa's laughter, her goofy jokes, her unshakable loyalty.

Finally, Jennie sank back into her chair, running a hand through her hair. Her heart and her mind were at war, and for the first time in her life, she didn't know which to follow.

Jennie leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes as the weight of her responsibilities pressed down on her. She took a deep breath, hoping to clear her mind, but the whirlwind of conflicting thoughts refused to settle.

Reputation.

Her name wasn't just her own anymore—it represented the company, the years of trust she'd built with clients, and the legacy her father had worked tirelessly to establish. If she didn't go to Paris, what would the French partners think? They'd see it as a lack of commitment, a breach of the personal rapport she'd worked so hard to nurture. Her absence could make the entire deal fall apart.