Contractual Obligation: The Trilogy (11 page)

The plans were coming together. It would be a quick, small affair. Her mother didn’t take the news well, afraid she was moving too fast. She didn’t mention the arrangement, or even how they met. She fudged about those pieces of the puzzle, and just said she knew this was right. She couldn’t wait for them to meet him.

She left out as many details as she possibly could. He was in business for himself, starting something new. He just left a larger company to strike out on his own. Yes, they’d be okay and she supported his choices. No, it would be a small wedding, nothing fancy; and no, Michael wasn’t close to his family. His father would be away and his mother had passed, so they won’t be there. No, she wasn’t sure when his father would be back; he was on a business trip. She left out exactly who they were, not even certain they’d know anyway. It’s not like
Manhattan news made an impact out in the little suburb she grew up in. Yes, she’d love to see her parents, but no, not if they wanted to talk her out of her decision. She loved Michael, and this was a celebration of that love.

Her mother and father agreed to come out and stand with them, though neither thought it made sense to move so quickly. They’d not even heard of the man and suddenly their daughter wanted to marry him. She tried to talk her into slowing down a bit more, but Natalie changed the topic. When it came down to it, she was going to marry Michael whether her parents chose to show or not.

“Did you tell your brother?”

“Not yet.” That was another conversation she wasn’t looking forward to. She’d get an exact repeat of this talk all over again. She was an adult, capable of making her own decisions, and about to be married. A grown woman, dammit, and yet she felt like a small child when it came to her family.

“Here’s the thing, Mom. We’d love to have you here, but if you’re going to bring drama to the day…”

“Drama?” Her mother laughed. “You’re the one marrying someone you barely know, rushing into something, and you’re worried I’ll bring drama?”

“I’m just saying that I want it to be a special day, something to remember for good reasons, not for stressful reasons. Please promise me you’ll just be happy for me.”

“All I want is for you to be happy, but just because you’re happy today, marriage is for life. What do you really know about this man?”

Natalie sighed deeply and then cleared her throat. The tension sat in her shoulders. “I’d love to see you and have you at my wedding, but please, for me, just accept that this is my life, my choice, and I’m happy.”

“You’re right. You’re a grown woman.” Her mother conceded with an exaggerated breath, and finally wished her the best. Yes, they’d be there, and yes, she’d keep her feelings to herself if they weren’t positive at the time. Not that she could help herself, she just wanted what was best for her daughter.

She didn’t even want to hear what her father had to say about it. He’d make his opinion known with one subtle look. Maybe inviting her family wasn’t a good idea after all. But this was her wedding. She was getting married. Her family had to be there…and yet she didn’t want them to take her special moment and leave her with sullen memories instead.

Natalie gave in to the fact that everyone had family issues, and they should at least be there. Somebody needed to be there besides her and Michael, right? The thought of flying to a tropical island and marrying him quietly on the beach with nobody there sounded okay too, but it wasn’t in their budget. Maybe one day they’d honeymoon there, do all of that traditional stuff, but for now with things as they were, her dreams would have to be stifled and shoved in a box.

Marrying Michael would be enough. At least neither of them would be alone in the great big world anymore. There was magic between them, especially when they were bundled under the covers, their bodies tangled together. They’d make it work, she was sure of it…and if he loved her…Natalie’s mind started clicking.

When it came down to it, he certainly didn’t hold up their end of the bargain – that stupid contract. It should honestly be null and void. Besides, they were beyond a paper, right? She’d agreed to marry him. They shared a bond. He’d understand, right?

Natalie knew what she needed more than anything, a wedding gift that would tell her what she needed to know. Why was he truly asking her to marry him? If he loved her, he’d tear up the stupid contract. It was pointless anyway. It’s not like there was even a company or money anymore; everything had been frozen and was being liquidated to pay the back taxes and legal expenses. The paper, that stupid contract that sat over her head, her willingness to sign five years of her life away for money – she wanted it gone.

She cringed realizing what she’d signed up for, how desperate she must have felt that she was willing to trade that much time for money. She convinced herself it was just a high paying job, but she was no more than a hooker when she really looked at it. She was trading herself for cash. If her parents ever found out, they’d be mortified. How could she have stooped to that level?

Michael would understand. He’d know why she needed this. She was his. They belonged together. Fate pulled them together obviously, but that stupid piece of paper…Natalie shook her head.

Natalie’s shoulders dropped. Burying her face in her hands, the grief overwhelmed her. Silence fell over her and washed through her veins. How had she stooped so low? Her stomach clenched.
This wasn’t what she’d planned when she left for New York. She simply wanted to make it on her own, to model, to live her dream – and what she settled for was selling her soul for money.

The shame crowded her mind and she crumpled in a heap onto her bed. She could run away from it all, go back home and start over. She could follow through and do what she said she was going to, marry the man she’d fallen for under odd circumstances. If he loved her, he’d set her free and let her make her own choice, not based on her signature on some document. Right?

Natalie stared at the wall, her eyes wet from the overwhelming sensation of wanting to hide. She wanted to throw the blankets over her head and disappear, make this all go away. Did she truly love Michael or did she convince herself she did to help lessen the sting of being tied to the man for so many years? How could she even second guess that? Of course she loved him. She was almost afraid to look at the equation for fear of the answer.

Pressing her fingers to her temples, Natalie squeezed her eyes shut, wanting it to all go away. Like a small child, she wanted to hide and pretend this wasn’t happening. Shutting down was the only answer, and numbing her mind, she retreated inward. She couldn’t think about this, not now. She was about to be a married woman.

She knew what she had to do. She needed to ask him to set her free. She would enter into the marriage willingly if it was of her own doing; but if he refused to let her go, that changed everything.

Michael was excited. He was certain life was turning around. After the embarrassment and shame of his father’s actions, the crumbling of their company, and his own downfall from powerful moneymaker to a man starting over, Michael knew his life was only going to get better. With Natalie by his side, a new outlook, and ideas to build a new business, Michael would come back stronger than ever; be wealthier, more powerful, and get back the control in his life. Nobody would stop him from getting to the top. He’d have it all.

Humming to himself, Michael grabbed his phone, ready to send a message to Natalie. He hadn’t even noticed it blinking. He must have turned it to vibrate without even realizing. He’d missed her call.

“Can we talk?” Her voice sounded sullen.

He knew she’d be telling her parents about their wedding plans. By the tone of her voice, he guessed it didn’t go over so well. Poor girl was probably all stressed out after her folks heard the news.

Dialing Natalie’s number, he smiled on hearing her voice. He loved the woman, really loved her. She’d changed his life. With Natalie, life felt possible again
and he knew he could take on the world. Being with her, feeling her naked body against his own… his mind drifted to their last encounter.

“Sure.
” He pulled himself from the distraction of the sexy image in his brain. “You don’t sound so good. Did it not go well with your parents?”

“That’s another topic in itself. I haven’t even called my brother yet,” she sighed. “The thing is that I wanted to talk to you first. I’ve been thinking…” She paused and stopped.

“Those are dangerous words,” he teased, having no concept of where this was going.

“Do you love me? You love me, right?”

“Of course I love you. I wouldn’t be marrying you if I didn’t.” It felt weird saying those words out loud. In all honestly, he was going to marry her previously without love involved. It was an arrangement, business, but things had changed.

The words felt slick, odd. He was going to marry her – it was how they met. And now, well, things were different.

“Michael,” she fought to get the words out, “I need you to trust me.”

“I do trust you. What is this about? Sweetie, what’s bothering you?”

She didn’t know how to say it. She wanted to, it was clear in her mind, but the words wouldn’t come out. “Michael…” Again she paused. Natalie exhaled deeply and finally spoke. “The contract.” It was half a whisper. “So much has changed. Can we put that behind us? Just shred it? It doesn’t matter now; we have each other.”

Michael’s heart raced on hearing the words. Of course he loved her, of course he trusted her, but he also feared being alone more than anything. What if he gave her the freedom to walk away? Was this a clever ploy? Would she leave? He almost didn’t want to know the answer.

“What does that have to do with anything? The company isn’t even functioning – it’s spiraling into bankruptcy, assets are frozen, and it’s not relevant.” He didn’t want to state the obvious. There were massive size loopholes there, but there was also the security that she would be his – that she’d promised herself to him for the next five years – and without that paper, she just might change her mind.

“Right, so there’s no reason to keep it intact. Can we get it voided, rip it up, and let it go?”

There was silence.

“Michael?”

He didn’t know what to say. It was silly, this fear of his. He was a grown man. Women had thrown themselves at him for years, and yet he was still lonely before he met Natalie. With Natalie, he finally felt like he was a part of something special. Together, they were a wonder. Without her, he’d be back to square one. He wanted to agree. He wanted to jump in and be chivalrous, saying of course they’d void the contract, but he couldn’t find the words.

“Michael?”

“Don’t you want to marry me?”

“I do, but because I love you. Not because some piece of paper says I have to.”

“The paper means nothing to me. It’s irrelevant. Why even bring it up? We’re in love.”

She said it before she could take it back. She had to; it meant her freedom. “Michael…” Her voice quavered, and with a deep breath, she forced herself to finish. “If you don’t tear up the contract, I’m leaving. If you do, I promise you I’ll follow through, but I don’t want to start our lives with this hanging over my head.”

His chest tightened. The empty threat crushed him, and yet anger welled up quicker in his voice. “Already you’re talking about leaving. I thought you loved me. How could you just walk away?”

“It’s not about that. I want you to prove you love me enough to trust me. Let it go, Michael.
Tear it up.”

His mind clouded.
He never thought…this wasn’t the conversation he expected. They were in love. She was going to marry him, and now this – some crazy threat that if he didn’t void something she willingly signed, she’d walk away. Who did she think she was? He was in charge of this. She was the one who took the job. She was the one that was willing to trade her soul for cash…Michael grew hard, his mind frosting over, and his heart cooling down. He wouldn’t be threatened in this manner. It was ridiculous. If she loved him, she wouldn’t be pulling this crap on him. Not now, so close to their wedding.

He kept his voice in check, though there was ice in it. “I don’t appreciate ultimatums.”

Natalie jumped to the defensive. This wasn’t what she planned. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. He was supposed to say of course he loves her and trusts her, and would happily shred the document, telling her she was free. She promised to follow through. She told him…and now this.

She didn’t know she was pregnant. She didn’t learn until the following week – a week after the conversation that ended in a stalemate. Natalie knew she had to tell him, but she didn’t know what to say. She wouldn’t marry the man until he voided that contract, carrying his child or not. The ball was in his court now. If he wanted her, wanted a family, he’d need to give her the freedom she requested; otherwise she’d be raising their child alone. It was the only way. She’d hold out until he agreed.

She’d ask again. She’d ask him to end the contract. If he said yes, she’d tell him of his child. If he said no, there was nothing to discuss. She wouldn’t marry the man because she was forced to – not anymore. She was taking her dignity back, and if he couldn’t offer the mother of his child that one precious gift, he didn’t need to know about the precious gift she was carrying. Not yet.

He didn’t know. She hadn’t told him. This was his doing; he’d made his decision. When Michael showed up at her door, heart in hand, he told her what she needed to hear. She had her freedom. He’d cut her lose from the contract.