By the time she reached her desk, Marie was overwhelmed with the weight of everything. She slumped into her chair, staring at the pile of paperwork in front of her. The walls of her office seemed to close in on her, the pressure building until she could barely breathe. Needing a break from the suffocating tension, Marie left the office early. She needed space to think, and there was no way she could do that with the looming presence of Welder just a few doors down the hall. She spent the rest of the day at a small café near her apartment, sipping on a hot cup of chamomile tea as she poured over the contract, making notes in the margins, underlining sections she wanted to discuss with her lawyer.
As the evening light began to fade, Marie felt the weight of the decision pressing down on her more than ever. She had spent the weekend grappling with her emotions, trying to make sense of what she was feeling. And now, after hours of reading and re-reading the contract, she realized that her reluctance wasn't just about the business side of things. It was about Welder.
Over the years, Marie had built a professional relationship with Welder based on mutual respect and trust. They worked well together, complementing each other's strengths and weaknesses. But that was the extent of it—or so she had thought. Now, with the prospect of marriage on the table, Marie was forced to confront feelings she had buried deep down, feelings she had never allowed herself to acknowledge. She admired Welder, that much was true. He was a brilliant businessman, a leader who commanded respect, and someone she had learned a great deal from. But did she have deeper feelings for him? Feelings that went beyond the professional? Marie wasn't sure, and the uncertainty frightened her.
If she agreed to this marriage, even knowing it was temporary, how would she keep those feelings in check? How would she separate the act from reality? And what would happen if, after six months, she realized that her feelings for Welder were more than just admiration? Would she be able to walk away, to return to the life she had before? The questions gnawed at her, refusing to let her rest. By the time she returned home, Marie was no closer to an answer. She spent the night tossing and turning, her mind racing with possibilities, each one more complicated than the last.
When morning came, Marie knew she had to make a decision. She couldn't keep dragging this out, couldn't keep tormenting herself with what-ifs. She needed to take control, to make a choice and stick with it. With renewed determination, Marie called her lawyer first thing Monday morning, setting up an appointment to go over the contract. She knew she needed to approach this like any other business decision—with a clear head and a focus on the facts. Emotions had no place in this decision, she told herself. This was about protecting the company, about ensuring her own future. Nothing more.
But as she hung up the phone, Marie couldn't shake the feeling that this was about so much more than that. And that was what scared her the most.
The next few days were a whirlwind of legal consultations and introspection. Marie threw herself into her work, trying to find solace in the familiar routine of her job. She attended meetings, drafted reports, and made decisions with her usual precision, but there was an undercurrent of anxiety that she couldn't shake. Every time she caught a glimpse of Welder in the hallway, or heard his voice on a conference call, she was reminded of the impossible situation she found herself in.
Marie's lawyer, Janine, was a seasoned professional who had seen it all. When Marie explained the situation, carefully omitting the more personal details, Janine didn't bat an eye. She reviewed the contract with the same meticulous attention to detail that Marie had come to expect from her, pointing out a few minor adjustments that needed to be made.
"The contract is solid," Janine said during their second meeting, her tone brisk and efficient. "Welder has covered all the bases. The terms are clear, and your interests are protected. But Marie, are you sure about this? It's a big commitment, even if it's just for six months."
Marie sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I know. I've been going back and forth on it. But the company is in a precarious position right now, and this marriage could really help stabilize things. I don't want to see everything we've worked for fall apart." Janine leaned back in her chair, studying Marie with a critical eye. "You've always been dedicated to your career, Marie, and that's admirable. But this goes beyond a professional commitment. This is your life we're talking about. You need to be sure that you can handle the personal implications of this arrangement."
Marie nodded, knowing Janine was right. The professional aspects of the deal were clear-cut, but it was the personal side that was murky and fraught with potential pitfalls. "I'm trying to keep my emotions out of it," Marie said, her voice quieter now. "I'm trying to think of this as just another business decision." Janine gave her a sympathetic smile. "That's easier said than done, especially when emotions are already involved. Just promise me that you'll take care of yourself in this. Don't let this arrangement consume you."
Marie appreciated Janine's concern, but she couldn't allow herself to dwell on the emotional side of things—not when there was so much at stake. She thanked Janine for her help and left the office with the finalized contract in hand, ready to present it to Welder.
The next day, Marie found herself standing outside Welder's office once more, the signed contract in her bag. She had spent the morning mentally preparing herself for this moment, reminding herself that she was doing this for the good of the company, for her own future. She knocked on the door, and Welder's voice called for her to enter.
He looked up from his desk as she walked in, his expression unreadable. Marie approached, her heart pounding, and handed him the contract. "It's done," she said simply, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
Welder took the contract and glanced over it, nodding as he saw the changes Janine had suggested. "Thank you, Marie. I appreciate your commitment to this."
Marie forced a smile. "I want to make sure everything is in order. I don't want there to be any misunderstandings." "There won't be," Welder assured her. "We're in this together."