Aria had just finished arranging her books when a knock echoed through the apartment. She wasn't expecting anyone. Curious and cautious, she moved to the door and looked through the peephole.
There he was—Mr. Woods. Calm, collected, and intimidatingly handsome in a black shirt with sleeves slightly rolled to his elbow
She opened the door slowly. "Mr. Woods?"
"May I come in?" he asked, voice low but firm.
She hesitated, then stepped aside. "Sure."
He walked in and placed a sleek briefcase on her table. The room felt suddenly smaller with him in it. Aria stood back, watching him as he opened the case and turned it to face her.
"These are documents transferring seventy-five percent of Sterling Enterprises to you," he said plainly.
Aria blinked. "What?"
"You're now the major shareholder. The board will have no choice but to respect your position."
She stood frozen, trying to process it. "Why would you do this?"
Mr. Woods looked at her with calm eyes. "Because the show isn't over, Aria. It's just begun."
Her name sounded strange from him—soft, almost personal. But her brows still drew together.
"What do you want in return?"
He didn't flinch. "Be my contract fiancée. For one year."
Her heart skipped.
She slowly sat down, overwhelmed. "You're not joking."
"No," he said, stepping closer. "You're sharp, you're quiet, and you don't play games. I need someone like you. And you… have a score to settle."
Aria's lips parted slightly. Her mind was spinning, but his offer was clear.
And the game had truly begun.
The silence in the room stretched between them, a heavy tension hanging in the air. Aria held the contract in her hands, her fingers running lightly over the edges of the paper, as though the words themselves might shift if she waited long enough. Damien, standing opposite her, observed her closely, his expression unreadable. She had expected a deal, but the scope of what he was offering, and the way he presented it, left her both intrigued and cautious.
Finally, Aria looked up, her gaze meeting his. "So, Mr. Woods," she began, her voice calm but edged with curiosity, "what are the exact terms of this... proposal?"
Damien smiled, though there was a hardness to it, something that suggested he wasn't simply doing this out of generosity. He leaned back slightly, his posture casual, but the intensity in his eyes never wavered.
"The terms are simple," Damien began. "You'll be my fiancée for one year. It'll be a public engagement, and you'll take on the role as my fiancée in every aspect—personally and professionally. You'll attend events, make public appearances, and live as though we're a real couple. In return, I'll provide for you generously."
Aria's heart skipped a beat. She had assumed there would be something to gain from the deal, but a public engagement, a year-long commitment? She could feel the weight of what that meant.
Damien continued, sensing her surprise. "You'll be provided with a monthly stipend—more than enough to cover your needs. You won't have to worry about your expenses, and you'll be able to live comfortably, without the constraints that come with relying on the Sterling fortune."
Aria didn't speak. She simply listened as Damien outlined the rest of the terms, his words sinking in slowly.
"And once the year is up," Damien added, "you'll walk away with more than enough. I'll provide you with a luxury car of your choice, along with a few properties—those will be yours to keep. Plus, I'll give you $20 million in cash when the contract ends. It's a one-year deal, but the rewards are substantial."
Aria's thoughts raced. A year of pretending to be Damien's fiancée. A year of attending high-profile events, being photographed at his side, living in the public eye. And all for the promise of so much more—luxury, freedom, and financial independence. It seemed like an easy decision on the surface, but she wasn't naïve. She knew there was something more beneath his smooth words, a hidden agenda. But the deal itself... it was more than anyone could turn down.
"But there's more," Damien added, his voice taking on a slightly more serious tone. "Upon the completion of the contract, you'll also receive a five percent stake in Woods Enterprises. I'm giving you something of real value, Aria. This isn't just about making you rich—it's about giving you the tools to build your own empire."
Aria's eyes flicked to Damien's face, surprised by the offer. Five percent of his company was no small thing. That kind of equity could open doors she hadn't even dreamed of.
He watched her intently, waiting for her to process it all. "And if you break the contract," he added casually, as though the thought of it had just occurred to him, "you'll still keep the 75 percent shares in Sterling Enterprises that you've acquired. You'll also keep the $20 million I've promised you. But you won't get the luxury car, the properties, or the 5 percent shares in Woods Enterprises."
Aria's eyes narrowed. "So you're telling me that if I break the contract, I still walk away with the $20 million and the Sterling shares?"
Damien smiled. "Exactly. The 75 percent shares in Sterling are yours regardless. But if you break the contract, you won't get the rewards I promised. No car, no properties, no equity in Woods Enterprises."
Aria felt her chest tighten. The terms were clear, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this deal than met the eye. Damien was playing a long game, and she was just one of his pieces.
"Why are you doing this?" Aria asked, her voice soft but demanding. "Why offer me all of this?"
Damien leaned closer, his gaze unwavering. "Because I need someone like you. Someone sharp, someone capable of taking control when the time comes. And because, Aria," he added, a slight smile tugging at his lips, "I think we can help each other. You need what I'm offering just as much as I need you."
Aria met his gaze, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. This wasn't just a business deal. There was a deeper connection between their motivations, even if it was unspoken. Damien wasn't just handing her a gift; he was giving her the means to take control of her future, and possibly his as well.
"What happens after the contract ends?" she asked, the question hanging in the air.
Damien's smile deepened, and for the first time, a flicker of something warmer shone in his eyes. "You'll have everything you need to build your own empire. What happens after is up to you. But I'll have made my mark, and you'll have made yours."
Aria's heart raced. She was on the brink of something much bigger than herself, but she didn't know if she was ready for it.
"And if I don't accept?" she asked, testing him.
Damien didn't hesitate. "If you don't accept, you'll be left with nothing. You'll return to the Sterling mansion and continue playing their game. You'll stay in their shadow forever."
Aria took a deep breath, her mind churning with everything Damien had said. He had given her the opportunity to take control, to carve her own path. The question was: could she trust him enough to follow through with it?
"Well then," she said, folding the contract in half and sliding it across the table toward him. "I think we have a deal, Mr. Woods."
Damien picked up the paper, his smile widening as he signed the contract with a flourish. "We do indeed, Aria," he said softly. "We do indeed."
Damien leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Aria as he waited for her response. The deal had been set, and for a moment, there was nothing but a lingering silence between them. Aria folded her arms, her thoughts racing as she tried to make sense of everything Damien had said.
"Call me when you're ready to move in," Damien finally said, his tone casual but still full of authority. "We'll arrange everything from there. Your place, your car, everything will be set up. You just have to let me know when you're ready."
Aria nodded, her mind still processing the terms. It was a lot to take in, but there was no denying the opportunity that was laid out in front of her. She wasn't sure if she fully trusted Damien yet, but she couldn't deny the pull of what he was offering.
"Thanks," Aria replied after a beat, her voice calm but firm. She rose from her seat, walking over to the door. Her heart thudded in her chest as she reached for the doorknob, but she turned back to face him, a final thought racing through her mind.
"Actually," she began, her voice sharp with determination, "I do have one condition."
Damien paused, his hand resting on the door, his eyes locking onto hers. He didn't seem surprised—he'd expected it. "What condition?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, his gaze sharp but curious.
Aria stood tall, not backing down. "My private time will not be restricted," she stated firmly. "When it comes to me, there will be no interference in how I spend my personal time. This contract is about business and the public eye, but in private, you won't have control over my life."
Damien's expression softened slightly, though his eyes still held that calculating edge. He took a step forward, clearly considering her words. After a long pause, he nodded slowly. "Alright," he said, his tone steady. "I can accept that. But one thing is clear—you will be mine in public, Aria. No exceptions. When we step into the spotlight, we're a couple. You won't be able to hide behind that private life of yours. We'll live this out in the open."
Aria didn't flinch at his words. She had expected as much. In public, they would be the perfect couple—the doting fiancée by his side. But in private, she would have the freedom she needed to navigate her own path.
"I can live with that," she replied, her voice steady, meeting his gaze head-on.
Damien smiled, a glimmer of something unreadable in his eyes. "Good," he said, his voice smooth. "I'll see you soon then, Aria."
He turned to leave, but as he stepped out the door, Aria watched him go. She could already feel the weight of the decision she had just made pressing on her shoulders. This wasn't just a business arrangement anymore. Something told her that, no matter how carefully she played her cards, Damien Woods wasn't someone she could easily escape from.