In His Grasp: Contract Wife

Friends' Farewell

"What hotel did you say you stayed at, girl? You seem as not sleeping at all last night." Looking at Alice driving her chili red Mini Cooper dexterously through The Royal Borough of Kensington, Leila pondered what to answer. She couldn't stop yawning.

Alice probably asked that question only out of plain curiosity, not suspecting anything. Inventing a little white lie wouldn't harm anyone.

"Some three stars hotel in Holborn. I can't remember the name. I bet your bed is much comfier," Leila graciously returned with a smile. Still, it didn't feel right to lie to Alice like that.

But what other choice did she have?

Saying she was at the Rosewood hotel was out of the question, knowing how expensive that place was. And that would include mentioning that man's name. Also, his stupid contract she tore up earlier.

But even without saying it, Leila still had problems, not able to stop herself from thinking about Nate Hill. He was handsome as sin but double that arrogant, making last night torture for her.

She couldn't wait to hit the bed, get some sleep, and forget his lips kissing hers once for all.

"You could have called me. I would have picked you up. My parents know you're staying with me. They said you only have to ask if you need something." Alice said, unlocking her home's entrance door.

She lived alone in her old family's three-bedroom house in the heart of Kensington, one of London's most sought-out and expensive neighborhoods. It's no wonder people flock to live here, with the fantastic scenery of Kensington Gardens and some of London's top museums just around the corner. Alice's parents bought a new, more spacious place a few years ago and just two streets away, wanting to stay close to their daughter.

"Ooh, I'm so tired. Dying for a bath." Leila yawned again, feeling a lot sleepy and a little jealous.

Alice's parents were everything Leila's father and stepmother weren't. They would never even dream of arranging a marriage for their child.

Right then, her phone rang, but Leila refused to answer, seeing it had been her father calling her. She was so mad at him and therefore ignored his calls.

She won't do what he asked of her, marrying a stranger so he could save his company, his business. He never allowed her to participate in that same business, so why should she help him?

Selling herself for money Lilly Greece would be spending?

"Your father?" Alice asked, seeing her upset, but knowing the answer already, she continued without waiting for Leila to respond. "I was thinking..., I can help you, fund your trip back to Paris, and lend you some money to start fresh."

"You would do that? I mean, can you?" Leila gaped at Alice, leaving her phone on the sofa. She didn't expect that offer.

"Sure I can. I wouldn't offer it if I couldn't," Alice smiled, and Leila hugged her, feeling lucky to have such a good friend, if not a family. All that time, the phone only continued to ring.

Her father kept on calling her, but knowing what he wanted, she didn't bother picking it up, not once.

"Ok, Let's do it!" Leila agreed, her heart threatening to burst with gratitude and love for her best friend. Alice knew, with that pretty face and clever brain, plus her two diplomas, one in Economics, another in Fashion design, Leila's future in Paris had to be promising. She believed in her friend. And she would kill to help her if needed.

Leila didn't need her father's credit cards to make her living. She should easily find a new job and an apartment. All she needed was a bit of financial injection.

The girls turned on Alice's laptop, booking Leila's flight to Paris for tomorrow.

"Our farewell deserves the best possible meal and the best atmosphere," Alice said, making a reservation for their dinner tonight. So she booked the best restaurant she could think of, existing in central London, without revealing to Leila where that was.

With everything cleared out, Alice left the house. Leila showered first and then turned to the bed, desperately needing sleep. Her mind was at peace, thinking she was going back to Paris, her city, and she would live her life like she always wanted.

Free from her family's influence.

It was late afternoon when Leila woke up to her phone's alarm. First, she peered at the screen, seeing a bunch of missed calls from her father. His stubborn methods annoyed her. She was not succumbing to it, determined not to call him back.

And then, she saw this one, single text message from a phone number unknown to her.

"Waiting for the contract, love!" It said. How did that damned Nate Hill find her number? If she only hadn't kissed him!

Not letting it spoil her good mood, Leila deleted the text. It wasn't important how he found out. Tomorrow, she would be back in Paris, and both her father and this arrogant male wouldn't be able to bother or find her there.

Leila put on her disguise again. Maybe she wouldn't look pretty as a tomboy, but at least she would be safe in case her father decided to pop up with her stepmother. Lily Greece enjoyed visiting all those posh places, no matter restaurants, shops, or theaters, and Bob Greece was famous for granting every wish his wife had.

If he only would care half that much about his daughter, Leila sighed sadly, painting the orange freckles all over her cheeks. This time she picked up a dark blue shirt from Leila's father's old wardrobe.

"No chance he would recognize me!" She exclaimed, seeing her own reflection in the mirror.

It was time to meet Alice and enjoy their first and last dinner in London this time. Next time, she would pay for it when taking a vacation from her future job in Paris, she hoped. She would repay Alice for all the help she was getting now.

"I heard of this place!" Leila cheerfully tweeted, seeing where Alice had brought her for dinner.

"Sure you have. I love this place!" Alice smiled, taking Leila by the hand, leading her inside the restaurant. The Sketch was famous for Michelin-starred food, served in absolutely breathtaking surroundings. The decor here was another level, with every room in a different theme.

Alice reserved the Glade for their dinner, the room imagined as a mythical forest, with a fluffy carpet designed to look like a forest floor. But there was something strange.

"This is funny," Leila said, looking around. There were only two guests inside the always fully occupied restaurant.

"I don't care. Maybe people canceled. Not our business," Alice added nonchalantly, not suspecting anything weird might happen.

The girls had a few cocktails to begin their night.

The sea bass with onion rings aside was delicious, the wine they shared was exquisite, and the staff was friendly and helpful.

"Excuse me for a minute. Time to visit the lady's room. Wanna come with me?" Alice stood up, but Leila declined her invitation. When they were young, going together to the bathroom was a must. But they were not teenage girls anymore. They were adult women now.

So, she waited for Alice to come back, playing with her phone.

"You're so naughty, love! Eating out without me," a deep, masculine voice startled her, speaking right into her ear. Leila jumped from her seat in complete shock. His lips grazed her earlobe, giving her shivers.

"How the hell did you find me? What are you doing here?" She ousted, glancing at him, but then it occurred to her. She should run away.

But before she could even try making that move, Nate Hill already had her lifted over his shoulder, her eyes facing the floor.

"The right question is, how dare you let me wait for that signature?" He angrily murmured, striding toward the exit. She hit his back, feeling his hand touching her ass.

"Help me! Please, help me! Call the police!" Leila shouted over to the waiters passing by, but they ignored her cries for help. She saw two men following Nate. They were both funny and dangerous looking, dressed like that, all black.

Nate Hill threw Leila on the backseat of his car like she was nothing more than a potato sack.

"OMG, not again! You asshole!" Leila shouted, pouting. Nate shut the door with a loud bang ...