MARRIAGE UNDER CONTRACT

UNRAVELING SECRETS

Adrian’s POV

When I got to the workplace, it was empty except for something odd. It felt to me in the air, a disturbing tension that seemed to build with every moment. Samantha had been slinking recently, sidestepped and disinterested. Not when Harrison Global was this near to closing the contract, did I have time for it.

Slung back in my chair, I fixed my gaze on the metropolitan skyline. Late it was, and she hadn't shown yet. I used to not be used to waiting. Samantha had always been dependable and keen. But something about her today was different. She had started to be remote and secretive. She was not telling me something, and I was growing weary of trying not to pay attention.

There was buzz on my phone. correspondence from an old friend. I opened it and a smile pulled at my mouth. Information seems to find me no matter how hard people try to keep it hidden.

Jared Hawthorne is once more in town. Thought you ought to be aware of*.

I stopped, the grin withering from my face. Jared here. That name kept coming back to me, drawing memories I would much prefer forgetfulness. I hadn't given him any thought in years; I hadn't needed to. That changed things, though, if he were returning. And should Samantha know as well?

I was still processing when the door opened. Her face pallid, her eyes glistened with something I had not seen before, she entered. Anxiety.

"Adrian," she murmured with a faltering voice. "You were here to see me?"

"Close the door," I said, my voice colder than I meant.

She paused briefly, her fingers lingering above the doorknob, then she turned to face. Watching her every action, I tried to fit the jigsaw that had become Samantha. Now her steps were softer, more cautious, as if she were strolling over eggshells around me. Between us, those were not the times of things.

I said, "Sit," pointing to the chair before my desk.

She sat down, her hands folded on her lap, gazing away from mine. Though slight, I could see it. She started to avoid looking straight at me, and that meant something.

Leaning forward, I said, "Samantha," a quiet, deliberate voice. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

She straightened, her shoulders tight, but she did not glance at me. She responded softly, almost too fast, "No."

"No," I repeated, raising an eyebrow archer. Are you absolutely certain about that?

Her silence was instructive, but I was not one to press too much. Not quite yet. She needed to come to me voluntarily, to trust me with whatever she was hiding. But trust was something else entirely between us.

"I've seen you seem distracted," I added, intently examining her responses. Samantha, your head is not playing in the game recently. Right now is the moment to talk about anything you need.

She swallowed, her throat bobbing gently as she battled to remain calm. Her voice a little above a whisper, she replied, "I've just been under a lot of stress." "Nothing is it." I'll be great.

She wasn't reporting the whole truth, hence I didn't have to be a mind reader. Though not from me, she was skilled at hiding things. I have read people for too long trying to decipher the minute changes in their behavior. I was not about to let Samantha slide; she was hiding something from me.

My patience fraying, I responded, "I have time for nothing except games." "You have to notify me if something seems odd. Just now.

Her eyes locked with mine at last, and for the first time in weeks I sensed a flutter of rebellion there. She was not going to break, not readily. But I had no need for her. I knew it was sufficient already.

"I'm handling it," she said, her voice steady now. "You have no need for concern."

I slanted back, crossing my chest with my arms. "You're lying.."

She opened her lips to object, but I cut her short as the color washed from her face.

Watching her closely, I continued, "I know about Jared." I am aware he is back.

The reaction happens right away. Her body stiffened like she had been hit, her face contorted in astonishment. Her eyes sparkled with anxiety once more, only this time it was more intense.

She began, then her voice faded, unable to shape the words.

"That's not important," I responded coolly, even though I could feel the strain rising between us. "What's crucial is that you kept me in the dark. Samantha, you have been stifling information from me. Playing that is a risky game.

She turned aside once more, her hands shaking in her lap. "I didn't think it mattered," she said softly.

"didn't matter?" I laughed and raised my voice. "You didn't think it mattered? Jared Hawthorne is dangerous."

She flinched, and for a moment I felt bad about calling attention. But this was too vital to let slip. Jared threatened more than just a little annoyance. And I wanted to know why Samantha would have been handling him behind my back.

Her voice shaking, she said, "I had no choice." "He's threatening me, Adrian."

Her admission came harder than I had anticipated. Under threat to her? Although Jared had always been merciless, to pursue her aggressively? My teeth clenched, resentment seething under the surface.

"Why didn't you approach me?" My voice softer now, I asked.

She shook her head, tears rising in her eyes. "I doubt whether I could rely on you."

That stung more than I would want to let anyone know. She didn't trust me? She still questioned me after everything we had gone through together and after all the times I had had her back.

Quietly leaning forward, I said, "Samantha." "I have no interest in past events. Jared is a threat to me if he is a threat to you. You ought to have dropped by me.

She sought emotional control by wiping at her eyes. Her voice almost above a whisper, she added, "I didn't want to involve you." "This is my mess; I have to tidy it."

I shook my head, annoyed. You need not accomplish this by yourself. I am here to help you.

She stared at me, actually looked at me, for a split second and I could see the struggle in her eyes. Though something was stopping her, she wanted to trust me. Something more than mere Jared's threats.

"What's actually going on here, Samantha?” My voice was quiet but forceful, I asked. "There's more to this than simply Jared, isn't there?"

She stopped, biting her lip as though she was deciding whether to tell me the truth. Her phone buzzed then, just when I thought she may at last open.

She looked at the TV, her eyes going white with terror.

She responded sharply, rising from the chair: "I have to go." "I have to go, Adrian; I'm sorry."

Samantha—”

She said fast, "I'll explain everything later," then grabbed her suitcase and turned to leave.

I was not about to let her dash off that readily, though. Not from this time. Getting up, I moved to block her way. NO. You're not leaving till you let me know what's happening.

Her eyes flicked with urgency, and for a moment I feared she might pass right by. She then stopped, her shoulders dropping in defeat, rather unexpectedly.

"I'll come back," she replied, her voice gentle, like begging. "Just let me have some time.".

My thoughts whirling with questions and doubts, I watched her go. Whatever it was, Samantha was being pulled farther into a perilous spiral as something was breaking around her.

Though I had no idea what Jared wanted or why he was focusing on her now, I would find out.

And when I did, our secret would no longer exist.

There are no more falsehoods.