JORDAN JUDE
The car pulled up to my penthouse. Ava stepped out first, her black stilettos clicking against the pavement as she strutted inside like she owned the place. I followed behind, loosening my tie as the tension from the press conference lingered between us.
The silence in the elevator was suffocating. Ava leaned against the mirrored wall, examining her reflection. Her lips curved into a smug smile, as though she were admiring her handiwork. I've never seen someone so proud and self-obsessed.
I ignored her, focusing on the glowing numbers above the elevator doors as they ticked higher. When we reached the top floor, I led her into my penthouse.
"Nice place," she said, letting her eyes wander over the décor.
"Get comfortable," I replied, heading to my study.
I returned moments later with a folder in hand. "Here," I said, tossing it onto the coffee table where she sat.
She raised an eyebrow and opened it, flipping through the pages.
"A contract?"
"Yes," I said, sitting across from her. "This outlines the terms of our arrangement. I suggest you read it carefully. I don't want you to forget the rules and embarrass me in public"
Ava skimmed the document, her eyes narrowing at certain points.
Duration of contract: The contract specifies that their fake marriage will continue until the lies are exposed. There is no set time frame, meaning the arrangement could last indefinitely if the deception is not uncovered.
Behavioral Expectations: Party B must avoid any public behavior or scandal that could harm Party A's reputation. This includes monitoring Party B's public statements, social media activity, and interactions with the press.
No physical intimacy: The contract states that there will be no sexual relationship between Party A and Party B. Any attempt to initiate intimacy will be considered a breach of the agreement.
"I don't leave things to chance," I replied coldly. "This marriage is a business deal, not a romance. Everything is spelled out—how we interact, public appearances, financial compensation, and, most importantly, how and when this ends."
Her gaze flicked to mine, challenging. "Good," she said, closing the folder with a snap. "Because as talented as I am, even I can't fake sexual intercourse with someone who wouldn't enjoy it."
Her bluntness made my jaw clench, but I said nothing.
Then she arched her eyebrow, "Regarding the intimacy clause, it states that there will be no sexual relationship between us. Does this mean I have the freedom to have sex with anyone else? "
I scoffed. "Absolutely not. You never know who the traitor might be. What if you end up in bed with someone who exposes you? Your face has been plastered all over the press — you're widely recognized as my wife now. Imagine the scandal if the wife of a famous billionaire was caught sleeping around. It would ruin everything, and our lie would be exposed. We can't afford to take that risk."
Ava's eyes blazed with frustration. "So let me get this straight — you're telling me I can't sleep with anyone until this so-called contract ends? A contract with no end date? You're taking away a basic human need, James! What exactly do you expect me to do? Pretend I don't have desires or needs, just because it might hurt your image?"
She stepped closer, voice sharp. "Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? It's not like we're in a real marriage, so why should I be forced to act like some virtuous wife while you hold all the control?"
I felt a very bad headache coming up, "This isn't about control, Ava. Do you have any idea how quickly a scandal like that would expose every lie we've told so far?" I paused, letting the weight of my words sink into her thick skull. "One wrong move, and everything falls apart."
I looked at her, my tone hardening. "You agreed to this, Ava. No going back. From the moment you agreed to do as my dad said, you're now involved, one way or another. If we are exposed, you're going down with me."
She gritted her teeth in anger but stood up, smoothing the skirt of her dress as she tucked the folder under her arm. "Where's my room?" she asked.
"Down the hall, second door on the right," I replied.
"Perfect," she said, sauntering off.
As she disappeared down the hallway, I sank back into the couch, inhaling and exhaling.
Later That Night
The penthouse was quiet, save for the occasional hum of the city outside. I sat in the living room, nursing a glass of scotch, my tie now completely undone and draped across the arm of the couch. The events of the day replayed in my mind like a bad movie—Ava's over-the-top performance, the press eating up our lies, and my father's smug satisfaction during his call an hour ago while I tried my very best not to curse at him.
This arrangement wasn't just suffocating—it was infuriating.
From down the hall, I heard the faint creak of a door opening. Moments later, Ava appeared, barefoot and dressed in silk pajamas that clung to her figure. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders.
She leaned against the doorway, her arms crossed. "Can't sleep either?"
I twirled the liquid in the glass, "Yeah, you're right"
"So... Do you just love guys or you fuck them for real" Ava asked curiously and I frowned.
I felt uneasy about where this conversation was headed. The only person I'd ever felt truly comfortable discussing my sexuality with was Mark. Unlike everyone else, he never gave me that judgmental, hateful look that made my skin crawl.
"I fuck them. You don't really expect me to just confess my feelings and kiss them, do you? Or do you think I'm supposed to be the bottom—the one receiving, not giving?" I gritted my teeth, attempting to soften the harshness in my tone.
My words came out harsher than I intended and I couldn't seem to stop them.
Ava raised an eyebrow, her smirk never fading. "No need to get all defensive. Calm down," She said, leaning casually against the doorframe. "I'm just asking."
I shot her a glare, irritated by her annoying smirk. "Yeah, well, I don't exactly appreciate being questioned about my personal life"
She shrugged, unbothered. "Fair enough. But tell me something—have you ever tried to fuck a woman?"
Her bluntness caught me off guard, and for a moment, I was speechless then my mind wandered to countless embarrassing scenes in the past few years.