Twelve Dates of Christmas

The Fine Print

"Next time you two decide to have a lover's quarrel, please keep it off the road," Officer Thomas said, his lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line as he gave me a pointed look.

I didn’t dignify him with a response. Instead, I turned on my heel and marched out of the station, determined to own my walk of shame. The officers’ stares followed me like a spotlight, each one practically screaming psychopath.

"I'll take you home," Theodore called after me as he followed me out.

"I can go myself," I snapped, my voice sharp as I tried to regain some semblance of control.

That argument didn’t last long. My purse was missing, which meant no phone, no money, and no way to get home. Swallowing my pride like a bitter pill, I slid into the back seat of his car, resigned to the fact that his lawyer was going to drive me to my apartment.

"Did you tell her about the breach of contract clause?" Theodore asked suddenly, his tone far too casual for the dagger he’d just thrown.

"I went through the entire contract with her," Joe replied smoothly. "She read all the clauses and signed everything after careful review."

I, in fact, had not read the breach of contract clause. I’d skimmed through enough to assume I’d just have to cough up a hefty sum if I breached it, but I couldn’t remember the specifics. What I had checked thoroughly was the NDA clause. It was there, unfortunately, but only valid for the duration of our contract. Once the deal was up, I could spill whatever secrets I wanted to whoever I wanted.

"So she knows that if she tries to break the contract, she'll have to pay with her life?"

"I what?" I blurted, nearly choking on my own disbelief.

The lawyer didn’t flinch, but Theodore’s maddening smirk deepened as he turned to me, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

"Metaphorical, of course," he said smoothly, his voice dripping with amusement. "But if you can’t pay up, your life will be mine—to do with as I please."

I didn’t respond, but the tension in the car was suffocating—so thick that it could have been sliced with a knife.

The moment we reached my apartment, I flung the door open and practically bolted, eager to put as much distance as I could between us.

"Delilah."

I froze, my heart racing as I turned toward him, only to realise he was standing impossibly close. His towering frame shadowed mine, his eyes smouldering with an intensity that pinned me to the spot.

"I’m going to let it go today," he murmured, his voice a low growl, and his breath grazing my ear and sending shivers down my neck. "But if you ever pull a stunt like that again, I won’t be as merciful."

His words weren’t a threat—they were a promise.

Before I could respond, he turned and disappeared into the night, leaving me rooted to the spot. A chill ran down my spine, and I swallowed hard. There was something about the way he spoke—primal, dangerous, and utterly commanding. It wasn’t just fear that gripped me, but something darker and something more thrilling.

Instead of taking his words as a warning, I took them as a dare. If he thought hitting his precious cars was bad? Oh, that was just the warm-up. I’d show him exactly what I was capable of. Besides, what was the worst he could do?

Back in my apartment, I kicked off my heels and flopped down with an exhausted groan. Theodore’s words still echoed in my mind, laced with that dark, almost predatory tone: “Your life will be mine—to do with as I please.”

He was bluffing. He had to be.

Still, my stomach twisted with unease, so I grabbed the contract from the coffee table. I needed to know exactly what I’d signed up for. I flipped through the dense pages, my eyes darting over the neatly typed clauses. Most of it was the usual legal jargon—appearances, confidentiality, non-disclosure. And then I saw it.

Clause 17: Breach of Contract – Personal Remedy

“In the event of a breach, the undersigned party agrees to legally and publicly bind themselves to the principal party in an irrevocable union, effective immediately. Duration of union to be determined at the discretion of the principal party.”

My blood froze. I stared at the words, my mind racing to process what I’d just read.

An irrevocable union?

I flipped to the appendix for clarification, and there it was, in bold letters: Marriage.

Marriage.

Theodore hadn’t just drafted a contract to protect his reputation; he’d built a trap. If I broke the deal or backed out, I wouldn’t just lose my freedom. I’d become his wife.

My pulse thundered as I dropped the contract onto the table, panic bubbling in my chest. Theodore’s words back at the station took on a horrifying new meaning: "Your life will be mine—to do with as I please."

A knock at my door snapped me out of my spiralling thoughts. My breath hitched. It was almost midnight—too late for visitors.

I crept toward the door and peeked through the peephole. It was the front desk manager. It was a bit strange to see him here so late, but knowing he wasn't a danger, I opened the door.

"Sorry to bother you so late," Michael smiled at me. "Your belongings were left at the front desk. We were asked to bring them up to you immediately."

"Thanks, Mike." I smiled before taking my purse from him. Then, I sighed in relief when I saw my mobile phone.

As soon as Mike left, I called the number of my worst nightmare.

"Marriage?" I shouted into the phone the moment he picked up. "How does that make sense?"

"You should have read it before you signed it," he responded nonchalantly.

"f**k you!"

"Careful, darling. Say it like that, and I might think it’s an invitation."

My jaw dropped. For once in my life, I was stunned into silence. What was happening?

"We have our first date tomorrow," he added as if he hadn't just made the most suggestive comment moments earlier. "It'll be our first public appearance as a couple. Dress appropriately."

I swallowed hard before hanging up on his face.

This was war, and I would make sure he never saw victory.