The Contract

EPISODE 1

Lily Bennett:

Age: 24

Height: 5'9

Background: A famous actress from a middle-class family who rose to fame after years of struggling. While her on-screen persona is charismatic and approachable, she is deeply private about her personal life.

Education: Studied Performing Arts in a prestigious school but had to quit midway to support her family.

Personality: Passionate, intelligent, emotionally expressive, and highly sensitive, often masking her vulnerabilities with humor and wit.

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Lily Bennett tightened her grip on the stack of documents as she approached the sleek glass door of Kingston Enterprises. The towering building loomed above her, cold and imposing, a perfect reflection of the man she was about to marry. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. This was a step she had to take for her family's survival no matter the personal cost.

"you'll be marrying Evan Kingston," her mother had said that morning, her voice barely more than a whisper. The exhaustion and quiet desperation in her mother's eyes had spoken louder than words.

They had no other choice. Her father's business had collapsed leaving them buried under debt, and her acting career, though promising, wasn't enough to support her family. Evan Kingston, however, came from one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the city.

For her family, an alliance with the Kingston was a lifeline.

"Miss Bennett?" the receptionist's calm, almost mechanical voice pulled Lily from her thoughts.

'Mr. Kingston is waiting for you."

Lily managed a small nod and followed the receptionist to the elevator, her mind a swirl of worry and doubt. She was about to commit two years of her life to a man she barely knew.

She had read enough articles about Evan Kingston to know he was ruthless in business, with a reputation for handling everything with cold efficiency. Even now, she wondered if he saw her as anything more than a convenient solution to a problem.

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding and Lily stepped into an expensive, pristine office. Everything about the space was crisp, modern, and devoid of warmth. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, and behind a large minimalist desk sat Evan Kingston.

He was every bit intimidating in person as he was in photographs. His expression was unreadable, his gaze piercing as he took her in. He didn't stand to greet her, nor did he extend a hand in welcome.

Evan Kingston:

Age: 25

Height: 6'2

Background: The 25-year-old CEO of a multi-billion-dollar tech empire, known for his cold, no-nonsense demeanor. Born to a wealthy family with a prestigious lineage in business, he has always put his career over personal life due to a traumatic experience in love.

Education: Harvard graduate with a degree in Business and Technology.

Personality: Disciplined, focused, emotionally guarded. He struggles to open up, seeing emotions as a distraction.

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"Miss Bennett," he said, his voice low and devoid of emotion. "Sit down."

Lily hesitated for a fraction of a second, feeling his eyes on her as she crossed the room. She sat, willing herself to stay calm to match his icy composure. But it is difficult. She could feel the weight of his presence, the cool distance in his gaze that seemed to strip away her defenses.

Evan slid a thick folder across the desk toward her.

"This is the contract," he said, his tone flat, as though they were discussing nothing more than a business deal.

"Read it carefully. Every clause, every line."

Lily took the folder with a steady hand, though her heart was pounding. She opened it, skimming the pages.

Marriage duration: two years.

Condition: both parties will appear in public together, live under the same roof, and maintain an image fitting for the Kingston.

The details were clear and concise, reducing their marriage to a list of duties and expectations.

"there's a penalty clause," he continued. If either of us breaks the term without a valid cause, there will be consequences. For you, that means no financial support for your family."

Lily's fingers tightened around the edges of the contract. He said it so casually, like it was nothing - like her family's future was a mere bargaining chip.

"What about my career?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Evan's gaze didn't waver. "You may continue your acting as you wish. However, you're expected to avoid any behavior that could damage our image. No scandals, no unnecessary attention. You are, after all, representing the Kingston family now."

Lily swallowed, feeling the walls closed around her. She had worked hard to build her career, to be recognized for her own achievements. And now she would be seen as nothing more than "Mrs. Kingston." any role she took, any performance, would be overshadowed by her title. She'd be giving up her own identity for his convenience.

"And if I refuse?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Evans's expression remained unchanged. "You're free to leave," he said, but his tone made it clear he knew she wouldn't.

"However, I assume the family is in no position to reject an offer like this."

The cold truth in his words struck her like a slap. He knew exactly why she was here, and he didn't care about her reasons or her feelings. She was a tool to him, a means to an end, and nothing more. The realization filled her with a mixture of anger and sadness, but she forced herself to stay composed.

"I'll sign it," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

Evan simply nodded, as if her decision had been a foregone conclusion. He handed her a pen, watching her without a hint of warmth. She could feel the weight of his gaze as she hovered over the dotted line.

For a moment, doubt flickered in her mind. But he thought of her family - their worried faces, the relief this deal would bring them - and she knew there was no turning back.

With a heavy heart, she signed her name, binding herself to this man and the cold, calculated world he represented.

Evan took the contract back, his expression as impassive as ever.

"Welcome to our agreement, Miss Bennett," he said, the words polite but devoid of any real meaning.

The formality stung. She just had committed herself to two years of pretending, of living under his cold, unfeeling gaze, all for the sake of a family he clearly couldn't care less about. But she forced herself to nod, meeting his gaze with as much strength as she could muster.

Evan rose from his chair, his movement smooth and controlled.

"We'll make the announcement in a week," he said. "I expect you to be prepared."

Lily managed a small nod, though her stomach twisted at the thought of the public attention that would soon descend on them. The actress and the CEO, she thought, knowing how the media would spin their story.

She would be painted as the lucky girl who landed the city's most eligible bachelor, while Even would be seen as the perfect, charming CEO. Only she would know the truth - that their marriage was nothing more than a carefully orchestrated show, a performance for the world.

Evan extended his hand, signaling the end of their meeting. She shook it, feeling the cold, impersonal touch of his fingers.

"We'll arrange a place for you to move in by next week," he said. "Until then, refrain from discussing this arrangement with anyone outside your family."

Without another word, he released her hand and turned back to his desk, already engrossed in some document as though she had ceased to exist the moment the contract was signed.

She realized then that it was her future - standing beside a man who would barely acknowledge her, who viewed her more than a business decision.

Lily walked out of his office, the finality of her choice sinking in. She had stepped into that building as herself - Lily Bennett, an actress with dreams and ambitions. But now, she left, she was Evan Kingston's fiancée, bound by contract to a man who saw her as a convenience. She felt a part of herself slipping away, lost in the cold machinery of the Kingston empire.

The cab ride home was silent, her mind racing with everything that had just happened. She thought about the life she'd imagined, the future she had worked so hard to build. In a single meeting, that dream had been crushed, replaced by a new reality she would have to embrace for the sake of her family.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from her mother.

"Did you sign?" She took a deep breath and replied, "yes. It's done."

Another message followed, quick and short. "Thank you, lily. You don't know how much this means to us."

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