They gathered in the living room. The towering window almost reached the second story. Book racks were across both walls, and in the middle were two white sofas and a black table. Helle sat opposite the Attorney and Orion.
From the rustic brown briefcase, Mr. Snow took out a file and placed it at the table. It was the original contract. Then, from another file, he distributed a copy to Helle and another to Orion.
"This is the final draft of the contract, and if there are any complaints or questions, please ask me, as after signing, this contract will not be redrafted as per Mr. Lennox's request." Mr. Snow was a man in his late thirties and had a commanding presence.
While skimming through the contract, there were several clauses and bullet points mentioned, but a few were highlighted. Lasting to about six pages, it was a thorough contract.
"So, as you can see. This agreement will not lead to an actual marriage. Secondly, all the financial burdens will be curated by Mr. Lennox. As for the compensation, it depends on what you demand, but it must be under a certain budget that Mr. Lennox has kept. Lastly, it's a secret. Apart from the high society, no one else is allowed to know about this engagement. Are there any questions?"
"What happens if someone spreads the news? Will I still be the one blamed? Also, what do you mean by I will need to show my presence at any time demanded?"?
"Well, in such a case where the fake engagement is brought to light... perhaps you might need to compensate everything back." Mr. Snow said with a straight and stern face, while Orion had his lips curved down.
"She was too poor for that! Helle could only focus on the monetary part. How will she pay such a huge sum? The frown on her face tingled some humour in Orion's body as he had a hard time keeping his composure.
"And there are many times when Mr. Lennox would need you to be his partner, so you cannot deny his requests. Please rest assured, any form of sexual act is prohibited."
Once Mr. Snow cleared the terms and conditions, she signed the contract, feeling as if she had sold her soul to the devil!
"The engagement event is in two weeks, Helle. You will be assigned Donovan to prepare you tomorrow. If you have any disturbances, just inform Martha about it."
With that said, both Orion and Mr. Snow walked upstairs to Orion's workroom, while Helle gathered the file and walked to her room.
~
"So, you mean that Chief Garfield has been murdered and Anton Sylvian has committed suicide? It all happened in less than 24 hours of Helle's departure."
"Yes. I also suspect that Lorraine Chevalier might be the next target." Mr. Snow had his forehead wrinkled. The situation in a small town was more than it met the eye. The monopoly of a family that only had a few stores and factories. A man who died in an accident. A group of relatives who fought for the useless piece of land.
"Did Anton meet anyone suspicious before his suicide? Tsk, tsk, there are a lot of loose ends." Orion clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
"Nothing has been reported, but I shall find out after visiting Miss Lorraine." Mr. Snow kept it short and packed up the files that were opened at the table.
The workroom was soundproof, so they need not be chary. Liam Snow was friends with Orion ever since his university days. Being on the same soccer team, they had spent years together, so the sudden news about the fake engagement made Liam astounded.
"Why did you choose Miss Helle? I'm sure Selah would have been more than happy to take this role." Liam asked, this time not as an attorney but as a friend. The files were organized in order, and he started to place them inside his briefcase.
There was no response from Orion. He quietly read the copy of the article about the murder and suicide. Once Liam was done, Orion tore his gaze away from the papers.
"Because Helle is the connection between two deaths now." He explained.
Liam had his eyes narrowed at his friend. Why was he telling only the partial truth? But again, he couldn't poke the answer out of a stubborn man.
"That is not a proper explanation, and I'm sure everyone is extremely surprised and suspicious of your engagement, so be careful." Wishing his friend the best Liam Snow left the house, which was in the sub-urban area of the capital.
Orion, who was alone in his room too, had his thoughts drawn to his soon-to-be fiancé, Helle. There was no particular reason he took her. It was perhaps the look of survival. Or maybe the different parts of her he saw. The way her actions boldly said, "There is more to a person than it meets the eye," without ever conveying her words.
~
At the room, there were many more items kept compared to a few hours prior. While carrying the door with her left hand and opening the door with her right, a sudden gust of cold, freezing air blew. Walking over the rug, Helle went to the study table, where a few boxes were kept.
'Um? Did Martha keep them here?' Taking a closer look at the boxes, she unwrapped the cardboard. Inside was a new phone with a golden sunset back. Next to it were its cover's headphones.
"Wow," Helle couldn't believe her eyes. Stunned by its beauty, she carefully placed the cover. The cute design made the phone more personalised and cute! Squeaking over the new gadget, she also opened the next box, which contained a laptop.
"Wow!" Am I being spoiled!?
Helle couldn't believe her eyes. All the things provided to her were top-notch and expensive, but she was more grateful to even have them; after all, it took her a long time to acquire her first phone.