Chapter 9 - Boundaries

Adams pretended not to have heard what she said, then walked out of the room, leaving her to conclude whatever she felt like believing. Anna hissed loudly, jumping on the bed. "Not like it's my business or something; he should go ahead and do whatever he feels like doing. I'm just his contract fiancée. What was I even thinking? He would change his lifestyle for my sake? Hell no!" Anna shrugged, covering herself with the duvet.

Adams made his way towards the kitchen, possibly to grab a drink, when Vivian showed up from God knows where, blocking his path. Adams' gaze darkened as he glared at her. "What's the meaning of this?" he demanded. Vivian, who had been with him for three years, knew him well enough. She could boldly brag that Adams would never do anything to hurt her or even sack her since she had always believed she occupied a space in his heart. But with him bringing his fiancée home, he only proved her wrong. But then again, she wasn't ready to back down in her mission to make Adams Winthrop hers. "Was I not good enough for you? Is she prettier than me? Why did you choose her over me?" Vivian lamented, her voice broken. "I'm not in the mood for your drama, Vivian! I warned you! I told you I would never settle for less. From the first day you offered yourself to me, I made it clear we would never go beyond sex, and you agreed, so why all this shit?" 

"Is she better than me? For three years, I have been with only you! I waited patiently for the day you would see me as someone special, but what did I get? You choose a whore over me! You chose that gold-digging bitch over me!" 

"Enough! I won't stand and watch you call my fiancée names! This should be the last time you ever talk shit about her. The next time you try this, I swear you won't like the outcome! And one more thing!" Adams paused, smiling. "I deflowered her. I met her a virgin! I know I shouldn't be telling you this, but I need to correct your instincts so you wouldn't have to embarrass yourself the next time you try picking a quarrel. Come on, I'm done talking with you. Go to sleep." 

Adams began walking away. "What if she turns out to be like Clara?" Adams grabbed her neck before she could complete her statement. "Don't you dare mention her name!" Vivian hissed in pain. "What? Are you scared to hear the truth? Go ahead, kill me!" Vivian struggled to free herself from his tight grip on her neck. "You know I can fucking end your life, and nothing would happen! The next time you mention her name, I swear I will kill you! Read my lips!" Adams loosened his grip, pushing her roughly. She landed on her butt on the floor with a loud thud, and a tear slipped down her cheeks. "I'm sorry," she apologized, but he was already out of sight.

NEXT MORNING 

Adams walked in to meet Anna's deadly glare. Anna stretched out her hands, handing him the document she was holding. He reluctantly took it, wondering what she was up to. He turned his gaze to the document, then back at Anna. It dawned on him that it was the same document he had given her on the first day they met; it was the contract document, her own copy of it. But what was she doing with it? "There, read the rules I want us to follow, the do's and don'ts. I don't think I can continue with this fake lovey-dovey stuff." Adams reluctantly nodded his head. He signed tiredly as his eyes scanned through the document. Was he dreaming when he wrote all this shit? The second point stated that Party A and B should not get attached or involve themselves in any sort of romantic relationship. "You wrote that, remember? Forget whatever might have happened; let's stick to the contract from now onward. In front of the world, we are lovers, but inside we are strangers. That's exactly what you wanted, right? I only agreed to this because I was helpless then, but not anymore. Stay in your boundaries, Mr. Adams!" Anna grabbed the document from him, then stormed out of the room.

WINTHROP'S EMPIRE 

"Boss, your brother is outside. He's threatening to barge in if we don't grant him access to you," the receptionist spoke from the phone. 

"Which of them?" Adams inquired. 

"Mr. Arnold." Adams ruffled his hair in frustration. Arnold showing up in the office at this time of the day only signified one thing: problem. He was already going through a lot at home; why was Arnold here to add to his problems? If he didn't grant him access, he would make sure to ruin the rest of the day, not just for him but for the staff as well, and he was not giving him that opportunity—definitely not this time around. "Tell him to wait; I will come meet him." Adams stood up, adjusted his glasses, then walked out of his office to meet him.

"There he comes, talk of the devil," Arnold blurted, smiling sheepishly. "What do you want? Be fast with whatever you want to say; I don't have much time to spare." Adams ignored his remark. 

"No way! Not with your staff moping sheepishly at me; let's go somewhere private," Arnold requested.

"I'm going nowhere. You either say it here, or I ask my men to drag your ass out!" 

"Fine! I'm here to warn you. I don't care how you managed to plot this out, but I advise you to give up the idea! Give up the idea of having Dad's wealth all to yourself. Baby or no baby, you won't have it all." Adams chuckled. "You came all the way here to tell me this? That's the door over there; leave when you're tired." 

"When I'm done dealing with your little bitch, you will be forced to stay out of my way!" 

"Call her that once again and watch me ruin your ugly face!" Adams threatened. 

"She's worse than a whore! There's nothing you can do..." His sentence was interrupted by a heavy punch to his face, sending him to the floor.