Ep5

She dialled the number on his business card, feeling her heart pound in her chest as the phone rang. Suddenly, Ryan picked up, his voice familiar and cold. "You've decided?"

"I'll do it," Bella said, her voice firm despite the nerves flickering in her stomach. There was silence on the other end for a moment, and she could practically hear Ryan smiling.

"Good," Ryan said after a moment, his tone still cool and controlled. "There's just a few things we need to discuss. Can you meet me at my office tomorrow at noon

Ryan's words didn't surprise her. Of course, he would have a lawyer involved in this kind of arrangement. It made sense, and it was a bit of a relief to know that there would be clear, legally binding rules to govern this agreement.

She agreed to meet him at his office the next day, trying to ignore the feeling of nervousness that was building in her stomach. She had agreed to this arrangement, and now there was no turning back. The thought made her a bit nauseous, but she pushed it aside. It was for her family, she told herself. It was for their future.

The next day, Bella arrived outside Ryan's office building, wearing a simple yet striking yellow dress. She looked up at the towering structure, her heart feeling as if it was lodged in her throat. She took a deep breath, smoothed her dress, and stepped through the glass doors.

The lobby was elegantly designed, with gleaming marble floors and tasteful art pieces on the walls. She walked towards the reception desk, her heels clicking on the hard floor. The receptionist looked up as she approached. "Can I help you?"

"I'm here to see Ryan Harper," she replied, her voice betraying a slight tremble. She fidgeted with the strap of her bag, feeling out of place in the sophisticated surroundings.

The receptionist gave her a polite smile. "Please take a seat. Mr. Harper will be with you shortly." She gestured towards a lushly cushioned waiting area, where a few other people were already seated.

Bella settled into one of the waiting chairs, trying to maintain her composure. She could feel the eyes of the other people in the lobby on her, and she wished she could just disappear. She glanced at her watch, the seconds ticking by with excruciating slowness.

As the minutes ticked by, Bella grew more and more anxious. She was second-guessing her decision, wondering if she'd made the right choice. Just as she was about to get up from her seat and leave, a voice called out. "Miss?" She looked up to see a man in a sharp suit standing nearby, waiting for her. "Mr. Harper is ready for you."

She stood up, feeling a rush of nerves as the man in the suit led her down a corridor leading to the back of the building. The closer she got to Ryan's office, the more her heart thumped in her chest. Finally, they arrived at a set of heavy oak doors, marked "Ryan Harper, CEO." The man opened the door for her, gesturing her inside.

Bella stepped into the office, her eyes adjusting to the slightly dimmer lighting after the brightness of the lobby. Ryan was there, sitting behind a large oak desk, looking every bit the successful businessman he was. He looked up as she entered, his gaze sweeping over her in a way that made her feel vulnerable.

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