The sound of clinking drinks and laughter filled the warmly illuminated bar. With her heart pounding, Camila entered and looked around the room.
Richard was a man whose reputation preceded him, and she had consented to meet him.
Her gaze landed on him as she walked to the bar. With a clearly identifiable jawline and intense blue eyes that seemed to be hiding a world of secrets, Richard was incredibly attractive.
With broad shoulders that tapered to a trim waist, he had an amazing physique and an unmistakable aura of command.
Richard saw her at once, a self-assured smile lighting up his face.
He got to his feet, dominating the attention of everyone in his vicinity.. He was everything she had heard and more a man who knew what he wanted and how to get it.
"Camila," he greeted, his voice smooth and deep. "I'm glad you could make it."
"Thank you for inviting me," she replied, trying to maintain her composure.
They settled into a secluded booth, the atmosphere around them buzzing with energy. Richard wasted no time in getting to the point. "I understand your sister's medical bills are piling up. I can help with that, but there are rules to this arrangement."
Camila's heart sank. She had hoped for a more straightforward solution, but the weight of her sister's situation pressed heavily on her. "What kind of rules?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Richard leaned in, his gaze intense. "First, you must agree to my terms without question. If you default on any rule, the deal is off. Second, you cannot be seen with another man. This is a business arrangement, and I need to know you're committed."
The gravity of his words hung in the air. Camila felt a mix of desperation and determination. She needed the money for her sister's treatment, and Richard's offer was the lifeline she had been searching for. "I agree," she said, though a part of her hesitated. It wasn't a decision made entirely from her heart, but the urgency of her sister's health overshadowed her doubts.
Richard's expression softened slightly, but the authority in his demeanor remained. "Good. I'll take care of the bills, but remember, this is a partnership. You must uphold your end of the bargain."
As they continued to talk, Camila couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. She had entered into a deal that felt more like a cage than a safety net.
After the long discussion they both had
Richard poured some wine into both of them glasses, "can we make a toast?" he asked.
Her hand were trembling like they just came out from ice as she raised it up to make a toast, Richard's presence alone was authoritative and commanding.
"Come on, don't be scared, a wife shouldn't be terrified of the presence of her husband Camila, or should I just call you Cami?, I think Cami sounds more sexy, my father will love that if he hears it" he said while chuckling.
Time passed, it was getting late, they both have had enough time together, Camila couldn't believe richard could be a little this friendly and nice, after having enough drink and food, he said "it's time for us to leave, I hope to an extent I met up to your expectation"
He drove her off to her apartment, he was really shocked when he saw the kind of place she was living in, "Are you staying in here with your sister for the main while or this is your house" he asked
"This is our house, our father left it for us before he died, and next time it will be good you learn how to speak to a lady appropriately," she said with a cracking voice as she slammed the door of his car and walked toward her apartment.
"Hey Cami", i would be coming to pick you up tomorrow, make sure you get your baggages ready, you will be living with me from then till the contract expires
As the evening went on, Camila was lost in her thoughts until her close friend Sheldrake knocked on their door.
Then she leaped up to embrace him. Without giving him a chance to respond to one of the questions, she asked, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming back to town? I've missed you a lot.
You knew you were the only friend I had yet you vanished, but I'm so glad to see you back."
They decided to go for a walk outside, like they always do when he's still there, because it was hot inside.
With a calm voice, Camila told Sheldrake everything that had been going on in her life lately, asking him to "promise you won't tell anyone about this, if they find out I told you then I may lose this opportunity."
"I swear to keep this a secret, Cami," he said.
Later that evening, after a long stroll with Sheldrake, she arrived home feeling completely worn out.
When her phone buzzed, she got on her bed in an attempt to have a little nap. When she opened the message, she saw a photo sent by Richard of herself and Sheldrake with the caption, "Enjoy your time with him."