The Billionaire's Bargain

Chapter 5 : Sparks and Secrets

The following morning, Sofia woke up to the sound of light tapping on her bedroom door. Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the soft sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. She sat up groggily, the events of the previous night replaying in her mind.

"Ms. Morales?" a polite voice called from the other side of the door.

"Come in," she replied, yawning.

A young woman in a crisp uniform stepped in, carrying a tray with breakfast. "Good morning. Mr. Blake asked me to bring this to you."

"Breakfast in bed? How thoughtful," Sofia muttered, though her tone was laced with sarcasm. She wasn’t sure whether to feel flattered or suspicious.

The maid placed the tray on the small table by the window and left with a polite nod. Sofia dragged herself out of bed, her curiosity piqued. On the tray was a delicate spread: fresh fruit, a croissant, and a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. Beside it was a small note, written in Alexander’s neat handwriting.

"We have a lot to discuss. Meet me in the library at 9 a.m. — Alexander."

Sofia sighed, setting the note aside. Whatever he wanted to talk about, it was bound to be complicated.

By the time she made her way to the library, dressed in a casual but presentable outfit, Alexander was already there, seated in a leather armchair with a laptop open in front of him.

"You’re punctual," he said, glancing up as she entered.

"Good morning to you, too," Sofia replied, folding her arms. "What’s so urgent that you couldn’t just text me?"

Alexander closed his laptop and gestured for her to sit.

"We need to set ground rules," he said, his tone all business.

"Rules?" Sofia echoed, arching an eyebrow as she sat across from him.

"Yes. Last night went well, but this arrangement needs structure if it’s going to work. We can’t afford to slip up, especially in front of my family or the media."

"Alright," Sofia said, leaning back in her chair. "Lay it on me."

Alexander steepled his fingers, his expression serious. "Rule one: Always maintain the illusion. No matter where we are or who we’re with, we’re a couple. That means public displays of affection when necessary."

Sofia’s cheeks flushed at the thought. "Define 'necessary.'"

"You’ll know when the time comes," he replied smoothly, his lips twitching into a faint smirk.

"Great," Sofia muttered. "What’s next?"

"Rule two: Respect each other’s space. You’re free to roam the house, but don’t snoop where you’re not invited."

"Do I look like the snooping type?" she shot back.

Alexander ignored the comment. "Rule three: Communication. If there’s a problem, you come to me first. No surprises."

Sofia nodded slowly, absorbing his words. "Anything else?"

"Just one more thing," he said, his voice softening slightly. "This may be a business arrangement, but my family doesn’t need to know that. They’re already skeptical, especially Victoria. The more convincing we are, the easier this will be for both of us."

Sofia looked at him, searching his face for any cracks in the mask he always wore. For a moment, she thought she saw something—vulnerability, perhaps—but it was gone just as quickly.

"Fine," she said. "I’ll follow your rules. But don’t expect me to act like some mindless puppet. If you push too hard, I push back."

"Noted," Alexander said with a small nod.

The rest of the day passed quietly. Sofia spent her time exploring the mansion, marveling at the opulent décor and the sheer size of the place. Every room felt like it belonged in a palace, from the grand ballroom to the indoor pool.

It wasn’t until late afternoon that she stumbled upon something unexpected. In a quiet wing of the house, she found a locked door. Unlike the others, which were open or easily accessible, this one seemed off-limits.

Curiosity tugged at her, and before she could stop herself, she reached for the doorknob. It didn’t budge.

"What are you doing here?"

Sofia jumped, spinning around to see Alexander standing behind her, his expression unreadable.

"I was just… exploring," she said, her voice defensive.

His eyes narrowed slightly. "That room is off-limits."

"Why?"

"Because I said so," he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Sofia crossed her arms, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "You don’t trust me, do you?"

"It’s not about trust," he said evenly. "Some things are better left alone."

Before she could press further, he stepped past her and placed a hand on the door, his posture tense.

"Let’s go," he said, his voice softer this time.

Reluctantly, Sofia followed him back down the hallway, her mind racing with questions. What was behind that door? And why was Alexander so determined to keep her away from it?

That evening, as she lay in bed, Sofia couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d stumbled onto something important. Whatever Alexander was hiding, it was big. And though she’d promised to follow his rules, she couldn’t help but feel that this secret might be the key to understanding the man she’d agreed to pretend to love.

Would he ever let her in? Or would the walls he’d built around himself remain impenetrable?

One thing was certain: the longer she stayed, the more complicated things would become.