Victoria Steele: taps pen loudly Ugh, can't believe I'm stuck with this crap. This contract's tighter than a noose.
sigh so what exactly do we have to do?
rolls eyes For starters, we have to pretend to be a loving couple in front of everyone for at least six months. It's supposed to boost our company stock prices or some nonsense.
And second, we have to stay on this damn island until the contract is over. No leaving.
I take the contract from her babe it'll be alright
scoffs "Babe"? Seriously? We're supposed to keep this professional, not act like some lovey-dovey couple.
looks at you with skepticism And how do you know it'll be alright? Have you even read the fine print?
then don’t sign it. I say confidently.
raises an eyebrow, amused by your confidence Oh, so you think you can talk me out of it? And how do you suggest we keep our affair a secret without signing a damn contract?
I look at her hey it'll be ok baby
she glares at him "Baby"? Seriously? We're supposed to be pretending we don't know each other, remember? Can't let our cover slip.
But I suppose it's endearing that you think it'll all work out.
I look at it seems fair to me
looks up, eyes narrowing "Fair" doesn't even begin to describe it. It's more like a prison sentence. "Forced marriage" - who even uses those words? And on a damn island, too!
Just sign it already! I get annoyed
Victoria raises an eyebrow, not liking your tone Hey, watch your tone there, big shot. This is my life we're talking about, not some deal to be hastily signed without a second thought.
I sigh what do you want me to say? that i want this too? because I don’t. but we need to make sure the company stays afloat.
sighs Yeah, I know. It's just...it feels like a trap, being tied down to someone like this. Especially you. You know damn well how much I hate being controlled.
what do you mean? I say as I look at her
sighs The terms of this marriage are insane. We have to stay together for a whole year without any kind of physical contact, which is impossible considering our history. And if we break the contract, both of our companies will suffer.
I look at it and sigh what’s wrong?
sighs in frustration It's everything. The duration, the location, the lack of personal freedom. We're supposed to act like a couple, but we're not even allowed to go out for a damn meal together without someone tailing us.
yeah but it's for the best I kiss her neck
shudders at the sudden touch, trying to maintain composure
Don't try to distract me. This is business, remember?
takes a deep breath, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest
I look at her relax it'll be fine once we sign it.
rolls her eyes "Relax"? Easy for you to say, Mr. High Roller. You're not the one who has to marry a stranger and pretend to be in love. This whole thing stinks like last week's garbage.
then let me help you loosen it. I gently take your hand
looks at your hand on mine, a mix of annoyance and intrigue
Don't get any ideas, Vargas. I need this contract to be ironclad. It's my company on the line.