Vivian leaned forward, her eyes locked intensely on Ryder's. "Now, let's discuss the details of our arrangement, Ryder. The contract will be for a period of five years, during which time you will be my personal companion, attending to my every need."
Ryder's mind raced as he processed the length of the contract. Five years was a long time to be tied to this woman, to be her puppet. He thought about his mother, about the surgery she needed, and his heart ached with desperation.
"What exactly do you mean by 'attending to your every need'?" Ryder asked, stalling for time.
Vivian's smile grew wider, her eyes showing amusement. "Oh, Ryder. I think you know exactly what I mean. You'll be my escort, my confidant, my lover. You'll do what I say, when I say it, without question."
Ryder's gut distorted with unease as he thought about the implications. He would have to surrender his freedom, his autonomy, to this woman. He would have to become her slave, her plaything.
"And what about the other men I met on my way in?" Ryder asked, trying to distract himself from the fear building inside him.
Vivian chuckled, a low, deep sound. "Ah, yes. Marcus, Alex, and the others. They are all my contract husbands, Ryder. And I've paid them handsomely well for their services."
Ryder's eyes widened as he thought about the men he had met. They had all seemed so... submissive, so eager to please Vivian. He realized now that they were all trapped, just like he was about to be.
"You mean, they're all...?" Ryder's voice trailed off as he struggled to comprehend the situation.
Vivian nodded, her smile growing even wider. "Yes, Ryder. They are all my contract husbands. But you, my dear, will be different. You will be my personal companion, my favorite. I had a keen interest in you the moment I saw you."
Ryder felt a shudder in his spine as Vivian's eyes seemed to bore into his soul. He thought about his mother, about the surgery she needed, and his heart ached with desperation. He knew he had no choice, but the thought of being Vivian's puppet made his skin sicken
"I... I need time to think," Ryder stammered,
Vivian's expression turned cold, her voice cold. "Ah, but Ryder, you have no time. Your mother's surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. And if you don't sign this contract, she'll die. It's that simple."
Ryder's mind raced as he thought about the consequences of not signing the contract. His mother would die, and he would be responsible. He thought about the life he would have to lead, the things he would have to do, and his heart ached with despair.
Just as Vivian's words hung in the air, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the hallway. Vivian's daughter, Sophia, walked into the room, her eyes scanning the space until they landed on Ryder. She stopped suddenly, her mouth agape, as she took in the sight of him.
Sophia was a stunning young woman in her mid-twenties, with long, curly brown hair and bright green eyes. She had a small, long nose and full lips that curled into a constant smile. Her skin was a radiant, porcelain-like complexion, and her slender figure was highlighted by the fitted white dress she wore.
As she gazed at Ryder, Sophia's inner thoughts went into overdrive. Who was this handsome creature sitting in their sitting room? She couldn't help but notice the strong features, the bright blue eyes, and the strong jawline. Her heart skipped a beat, and her mind went blank.
What is he doing here? Sophia thought to herself, her eyes fixed on Ryder. He looks like a model, or a movie star. I've never seen anyone so... so... captivating.
As she stood there, stunned, Sophia's eyes darted to her mother, and a sudden thought struck her. Could he be...? No, it can't be. Mother wouldn't... would she?
Sophia's eyes snapped back to Ryder, and she felt disappointed. She couldn't bear the thought of this stunning creature being her mother's new contract husband. The idea made her stomach twist with unease.
Vivian's voice broke the silence, and Sophia's eyes snapped back to her mother. "Sophia, darling, come meet Ryder. He's... ah... a new acquaintance."
Sophia's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. What did her mother mean by "acquaintance"? Was he really just a friend, or was there something more to it?
As Sophia turned to leave, Vivian's voice called out to her, echoing through the hallway like a stern command. "Sophia, darling, why are you behaving so coldly? Didn't you hear me introduce Ryder?"
Sophia stopped, her anger and frustration boiling over like a mix of emotions. She couldn't bear the thought of her mother's intentions with Ryder, the way Vivian's eyes seemed to devour him like a predator sensing prey.
Vivian's voice followed her, dripping with sweetness. "Sophia, come back here and sit down. I want to introduce you properly to Ryder."
Sophia reluctantly returned, her eyes fixed on the floor like a rebellious child, her heart racing with a mix of emotions. She couldn't look at Ryder, couldn't bear the thought of him being her mother's next conquest.
Vivian's introduction was like a rehearsed play, her words dripping with insincerity. "Ryder, this is my daughter Sophia. Sophia, darling, Ryder is... ah... a new acquaintance."
Sophia's gaze flickered to Ryder, her eyes flashing with a cold, dismissive look. She couldn't hide her disdain, her revulsion at the thought of her mother's plans.
Vivian seemed taken aback by Sophia's behavior. But she quickly recovered, her voice dripping with condescension. "Excuse her, Ryder. She's just tired. Sophia, darling, why don't you go upstairs and take a shower? You look like you could use it."
Sophia didn't need to be told twice. She turned and fled the room, leaving Vivian and Ryder alone in the oppressive silence.
Vivian's voice turned to Ryder, her tone calculating. "Think carefully about my offer, Ryder. You have limited time. I have many men at my beck and call, and I could get any man I wish at the snap of my finger. But I want to help you. I have more money than I could ever spend, enough to last until my last generation. But I don't give it away freely. You'll have to work for it."
Ryder nodded, his mind racing wih confusing thoughts. He couldn't believe the audacity of Vivian, trying to buy him like a commodity, a tool in her game of power and control. But he needed the money, desperately. He thought about his mother, about the surgery she needed, about the life she would lead without it. He thought about the contract, about the five years of his life he would have to give up, like a sacrifice to the gods of fate.
As he took his leave, Ryder felt a sense of unease, like a man walking on quicksand. He knew he was playing with fire, dealing with Vivian. But he had no choice. He had to think about his mother, about her future, about the life she deserved.
As he walked out of the mansion, Ryder felt a sense of trepidation, like a man stepping into the unknown. What had he just gotten himself into?
Ryder walked through the street, dazed from the encounter with Vivian. As he turned a corner, he noticed a magnificent house with a signboard beside it. The house was a grand, two-story mansion with large gardens and a fountain in the front yard. The signboard read: "Housekeeper Wanted".
Ryder's heart skipped a beat as he read the sign. This could be the answer to his prayers. He approached the gate, still processing the information, when it swung open and a man emerged.
"Can I help you?" the man asked, eyeing Ryder curiously.
"I saw the signboard," Ryder replied. "I'm interested in the housekeeper position."
The man nodded. "Ah, yes. Well, I'm afraid we've already found someone. I was just about to remove the signboard."
Ryder's heart sank, but he refused to give up. "Please, I'll do anything. Even if it's not as a housekeeper. I'll work as a gardener, or a handyman. Just please, give me a chance."
The gatekeeper shook his head. "I'm sorry, young man. We don't need anyone for the moment. Maybe try somewhere else."
Ryder felt a wave of disappointment wash over him. He thought about his mother, about the surgery she needed. He thought about Vivian's offer, and how he had to make a decision soon.
As he walked away, Ryder couldn't shake off the feeling of desperation. He had to find a way to save his mother, but every door he tried seemed to be closing in his face. Vivian's words echoed in his mind: "You have limited time. I have many men at my beck and call..."
Ryder quickened his pace, his mind racing with thoughts of losing his mother if he didn't agree to Vivian's terms. He felt like he was running out of options, like the clock was ticking away.
_Shopia's Suite_
Meanwhile, Sophia sat in her bedroom, surrounded by the lavish furnishings and extravagant decor that seemed to suffocate her. The soft, golden light of the setting sun passed through through the windows, glowing warmly. But despite the peaceful atmosphere, Sophia's thoughts were a turmoil of emotions.
Her mind was consumed by Ryder, his piercing blue eyes and strong features etched in her memory like a masterpiece. She couldn't explain why she felt this way about him. She had never believed in love at first sight, but there was something about Ryder that drew her in with an strong force. She felt a flutter in her chest as she thought about him, a sensation she hadn't experienced in a long time.
As she delved deeper into her thoughts, Sophia's mind wandered back to a memory from a few months ago. She had met a man named Alex at the supermarket, and they had struck up a conversation. His warm smile and kind eyes had put her at ease, and they had spent hours talking, laughing, and getting to know each other. Sophia had felt a connection with him, a spark that she thought could ignite into something beautiful.
But that spark was extinguished the day she saw Alex sitting in her mother's sitting room, signing a contract to become Vivian's newest husband. Sophia's heart had shattered into a million pieces that day, and she had vowed never to let herself fall for anyone again. The pain of that betrayal still lingered, a painful memory that refused to fade.
Now, as she thought about Ryder, Sophia felt a pang of guilt. She couldn't fall in love with her mother's husband. It was wrong, immoral, and impossible. But she couldn't shake off the feeling that Ryder was different. There was something about him that seemed genuine, something that made her want to trust him.
As she pondered her situation, Sophia's thoughts turned to her mother. Why was Vivian like this? Why couldn't she let young men go? Didn't she care about the pain she caused? Sophia's mind felt heavy with the weight of her thoughts, like a burden she couldn't shake off.
But then a plan began to form, a plan that was both devious and desperate. Sophia would make life a living hell for Ryder throughout his stay. She would be cold, distant, and unforgiving. She would make him regret ever signing that contract.
And when he finally dissolved the contract, frustrated and exhausted, Sophia would be waiting. She would be the one to pick up the pieces, to comfort him, and to love him.
A sly smile spread across Sophia's face as she thought about her plan. It was a risk, but it was worth it. She would play the villain, and Ryder would be her reward.
"I'll make him mine," Sophia whispered to herself, a determination burning in her heart like a wildfire.
Amid her thoughts, Vivian stormed into Sophia's room, her face red with anger, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. "What is wrong with you, Sophia? You've been acting strange all day, and now you're being rude to Ryder, the man I've chosen to be my next contract husband. Can't you see that this union will benefit our family?"
Sophia let out her frustration, her words tumbling out like a pent-up flood. "Why do you need to add another contract husband, Mother? Why does it have to be an innocent man like Ryder? Can't you see you're hurting people, using them for your own gain? You're like a predator, always on the hunt for the next victim. You don't need this, Mother. You don't need another man to control and manipulate."
Vivian's expression turned cold. "It's for my business, Sophia. I need a registered marriage with each of them to sign contracts across the globe. It's the only way to expand my empire, to secure my legacy. And Ryder is the perfect candidate - young, handsome, and naive."
Sophia's anger turned to disgust. "But why Ryder, Mother? Why does it have to be him? Can't you find someone else to be your puppet? Someone who is willing to sell their soul to you?"
Vivian's eyes seemed sinister. "The moment I saw Ryder, I felt an urge to have him around me, to feel like a queen by his side, to have him at my beck and call. I love to see handsome men like Ryder as my slaves, it makes me feel the effects of my wealth, it makes me feel like a goddess. And Ryder is different, Sophia. He has a fire in his eyes, a spark that I can fan into a flame."
Sophia's voice trembled with rage. "You're destroying lives, Mother. Can't you see that? Can't you see the pain you're causing?"
Vivian's face turned icy. "I'm done with this conversation, Sophia. I will not be questioned by my own daughter. You will do as I say, and you will accept Ryder as my contract husband."
With that, Vivian opened the door and swept out of the room, leaving Sophia feeling frustrated, helpless, and trapped.