Contract Marriage with my ex

Chapter 5-A warning

/Amelia’s POV/

“Ding Dong Ding Dong” I sounded the doorbell again a few times after no response came the first couple of times.

I’ve tried to call Layla a few times but there has been no response from her, I’m guessing she’s asleep…I mean, it’s pretty late, but I’m not sure if I’ll be followed again, and with no bodyguards with me, it was dangerous to just walk alone in the middle of the city.

I intentionally did not go out with them in the first place because I didn’t want my uncle to find out about my meeting with Gray, and now I’m not even sure if he hasn’t found out yet.

I reflexively flinched when the digital lock clicked open to reveal Layla in a robe.

Her eyes looked hazy somehow, so I guess I woke her. I mean, she’s got bedlines on her face, and her squeezed eyes quickly gave her away.

She glanced down at Chloe, whom I covered up with my blazer in case someone saw me get off the car with her.

“Lia? What are you doing here?” She glanced around frantically before letting me in, after which she quickly locked the door behind us. “And what the hell are you thinking bringing Chloe here with you? Even if it’s late, you could still be followed,” Layla nagged as she led me in to her sitting room.

“You look cold; I’ll get you some hot coffee,” She offered after she noticed I was shivering. I did use my blazer to cover Chloe up after all.

“Seriously, you wanna tell me why you decided to drop by at 2 in the morning?” She asked as she ran the coffee maker and made me a cup of hot coffee.

“That house is no longer safe for Chloe,” I replied as I took the cup from her after I’ve gently laid down the sleeping Chloe on the opposite sofa.

“But you just moved house like two months ago?” She reminded me, and I sighed.

“You remember I was supposed to meet up with Grayson today, right?” I asked and she nodded, staring at me with eyes full of concern.

"Well, it didn’t exactly go well. Saying he was mad would be an understatement. I mean, I did break up with him over a note, but it’s the only thing I could write at the time. I didn’t have much time.” I sighed softly and settled my hand around the warm mug.

“So? What exactly were you expecting—a warm reunion?” Layla’s rhetorical question slap me in the face with reality.

Maybe Grayson's reaction was pretty justified, even though some part of me still thinks it’s a little over the top.

“No, but he could have at least given me a couple of minutes to talk before walking out of the restaurant-

“So he left?” Layla asked and I shook my head.

“He couldn’t. because we bumped into Chloe at the restaurant door-

“What?” Layla asked, looking extremely shocked.

“I know it sounds crazy but she was there. I’m sure uncle has something to do with that…I’m guessing this was his way of warning me not to have any ideas. I’m not sure how much he knows but Chloe’s location’s being leaked. I need to find and put her somewhere else-

“That can’t be here. Your uncle knows we’re close; this is probably the first place he’d look if he’s searching for her.” That’s a fair point. I thought before groaning inwardly.

“Yeah, which is why I’m going to be leaving her with Grayson,” I decided and Layla paused and glanced at me like I just said the most crazy thing ever. “I know it sounds insane but I already told him-

“You told him about Chloe?” Confusion marred her features even further.

“Well, the situation didn’t really leave me much of a choice. It was the only way to get his attention. He won’t even talk to me,” I explained in exasperation.

I’m already feeling pretty frustrated resisting my uncle. The moment grandpa collapsed and the content of his will was exposed, my entire life flipped over Now I can’t get a moment of peace.

“I need him to marry me before the end of the week I’m not sure how we’re going to do it but we have to do it. What was grandpa even thinking when he made that a condition to take over the company in case anything happened to him but I don’t really have much of a choice and before my uncle shipped me off to some foreigner, I’ll need to wrap things up quick,” I lamented.

“Well, I’m not sure how you’re going to do that. I mean, you just gave the guy the biggest shock of his life. I should probably take Chloe’s upstairs. The sofa can’t be very comfortable,” Layla stated before standing and walking over to Chloe’s side.

“That old-geezer would definitely find out Chloe’s missing from the house by tomorrow. To him, Chloe’s a card to make you bend and I don’t think he’ll give her up so easily so... you better figure something out by tomorrow but right now, it’s best you get some shut-eye too. You look exhausted.” Layla noticed.

Well, a lot has happened today. I thought to myself as Layla gave me one last look before heading upstairs with Chloe.

“You can use the last room on the hallway; it’s closer to mine,” Layla offered.

“Thanks Layla…I wouldn’t know what I'd do without you.” I sighed softly as I dropped the empty mug of coffee and headed towards the room she suggested I use.

I’ve used the room a couple of times before since it’s not my first time staying over in her house.

After having a warm shower, I changed into the only thing available in the room closet.

A baggy T-shirt I always use anytime I come around. Sprawling on the bed, I laid there staring into the ceiling, going over everything that’s happened during the day.

I probably came on too strong at Grayson; I never really thought I’d see him again.

We came from two different worlds, so I thought it was best not to drag him into mine. Leaving him was the worst thing I’d ever had to do. I guess that’s why I couldn’t abort Chloe even when I had the chance to.

"Agh,” I let out, feeling my strength slowly leave me.

It’s been such a crazy day. I have to convince Grayson to marry me somehow; it’ll legitimize Chloe’s existence, and I can fulfill Grandpa’s condition and also stop my uncle, but I guess it won’t be so easy.

I hope I won’t have to settle for any of the other candidates on my list, I thought as I slowly closed my eyes and welcomed the darkness of the night.

"Addy,” I tossed as Gray’s gentle voice reverberated in my ear. His sweet touch trailed down my arm.

"Addy.” He called again so softly. It’s not my first time having this dream, but the Gray in it has changed.

I guess seeing the older Gray changed the content of my dreams too. It wasn’t the same Gray I knew when we were 8 years younger.

The years haven’t been kind to either me or Gray, but Gray still looks amazing; his youthful spark had given way to his rugged sophistication, phasing his formally boyish appearance into a commanding, mature presence.

His gaze was no different; the boyish twinkle in his eyes had morphed into a piercing masculine gaze that has the ability to render anyone helpless in seconds.

I didn’t think being back in his presence again would have this much effect on me.

“That’s…not my name,” I mumbled as his wet lips trailed down my neck while he continued whispering the fake name I once used.

“Mmmgn,” I moaned softly as he continued to leave a trail of wet kisses down my neck to my chest.

“Addy-

“Don’t call me that,” I grumbled.

“Morning sunshine!” My sweet fantasy was shattered into pieces when Layla’s voice echoed through the entire room.

I groaned and turned to the other side of the bed. I still feel very tired; I definitely haven’t slept for long.

“You need to leave before the sun rises. It’s too dangerous for you to remain here.” Layla’s voice had me forcing my eyes open.

“It’s a little past 6 in the morning; it’s the perfect time to sneak out. The entire town is curious about how you’re doing right now, so before you know it, the paparazzi are going to start trolling you, and I’m sure the last thing you want is Chloe’s face on the news, not when you’re not married.” She paused as she laid down a change of clothes for me while I rose from bed.

“Scandal isn’t what you need right now; your uncle is already winning over the board, claiming you’re too immature to handle the company; Chloe’s existence will be a solid proof of that. So, whether you marry that Andrija guy or not, he’s already got you playing in the palm of his hand. You know it too. Your chances of winning are slim, but if you don’t fight, you can kiss the company bye-bye, and also, you’d never be able to uncover what really happened to your parents,” Layla stated while I rose from bed and walked silently to the bathroom.

I wish Layla was at least wrong about the reality that confronts me, but she wasn’t wrong; if I want to survive, if I want to protect Chloe and the company, I need to fight, even if the chances of winning are slim.

I sighed after splashing some cold water to my face. Yeah, I don’t have even a second to spare. I thought, rushing through my bath.

Before seven, I was already on my way to Gray’s apartment with Chloe. Like I thought, he wasn’t home, so I sat at his door with the still-sleeping Chloe in my arms and dialled his number. He didn’t pick the first couple of rings, but he eventually did.

“Where are you, Gray? Please, let’s talk.” I sniffled, feeling overwhelmed all of a sudden. This is very unlike me; I thought, cleaning the single tear that trailed down my cheek, I couldn’t look weak.

While I was only able to drop Gray a few words since I didn’t want him to hear my voice c***k.

He was in front of me five minutes later, looking scattered and dishevelled, a contrast to his mature, confident appearance I’d seen a day before.

Now, he just looked pretty anxious. f**k! I thought as something inside me told me, that’s why it needs to be him...it can’t be anyone else but him.

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