The bell above the glass door chimed as I stepped into Naughty Daycarr, and the sound was instantly swallowed by barking. Dogs darted across the floor, tails wagging as they played with each other.
Naomi stood behind the counter, holding a squirming golden retriever puppy against her chest as she scolded him.
She looked up and froze.
"Why do you look like that?" she asked immediately.
"Like what?"
"Like you just did something huge."
"We need to talk."
She handed the puppy to a coworker and followed me into the small, cluttered breakroom.
"What's wrong, Bri?"
"I need you to promise me something first."
Naomi narrowed her eyes. "No."
"It's important."
"That means I definitely won't like it."
"There's an NDA involved," I said quietly. "I legally can't talk about it. So, if I tell you anything, you can't repeat it. To anyone. I just need to tell someone."
"What did you sign?"
"I… signed a marriage contract… with Darius Crowne."
There was silence for a moment.
"And am I safe to assume it's the Darius Crowne?" Naomi asked softly. "The CEO?"
"Yes."
"Brielle, are you insane? He's a playboy, and that's not gossip, it's fact. A professional heartbreaker."
"It's just a contract. Just business."
"For him, maybe! But look at you," she grabbed my shoulders, her voice rising. "You're going to get attached because you care about people who don't even ask for it. What do you think is going to happen when you're living with him?"
I didn't answer.
"Why would you tie yourself to him?"
"Because I need this."
"Come stay with me," she said suddenly. "Forget this whole thing. My parents won't even mind. There are already eleven of us, what's one more?"
"I can't."
"Yes, you can," she insisted. "I'll get you a job here or somewhere else. We'll figure it out. You don't need him."
"I do," I said quietly.
"Do you even hear yourself? You don't need a man like that to survive," Naomi yelled.
At the sound of her voice, a dog in the next room barked loudly, breaking the tension.
Naomi's shoulders slumped, her anger melting into sadness.
"I'm sorry," she breathed. "I'm just… I'm looking out for you."
"I know."
"You're about to destroy your mental health over this. That's what scares me."
She reached into her apron, grabbed something, and shoved it into my hand.
I frowned. "Naomi—"
"Take it. Use it in case you need it for something, or for the kids. Don't go there empty-handed."
"I can't."
"You can, and you will."
My throat tightened.
"…Thank you."
I hadn't received the contract allowance yet, so I used Naomi's money to get three boxes of chocolates, a stack of drawing books, and a scruffy, round-eared terrier named Pip.
"Drop him at the corner of 5th when you're done," Naomi had whispered. "He knows the way home."
–+–
The orphanage gates groaned as I pushed through. Within seconds, I was submerged.
"Aunt Brielle!" Emma ran into me, wrapping her arms around my knees.
I laughed softly, crouching to hold her. "Hey, baby."
The twins followed more slowly. Noah stayed a little behind, hands tucked into his pockets, while Lena stood beside him, quiet as always.
"You brought something," Emma said, noticing the bag.
"Of course I did," I said, smiling.
I gave them the chocolates first, and then the drawing books.
"I got these for you," I said, handing them out.
"Thank you," Noah murmured softly.
"You look tired," Lena said. For an eleven-year-old girl, she was very observant.
"I'm fine."
She didn't look convinced.
"Are we leaving soon?" Noah asked quietly.
My chest tightened. "I'm working on it."
Emma tugged my sleeve. "You said that last time."
"I know."
"And the time before that."
"Soon," I said.
"Look what else I brought," I added quickly.
As if waiting for the cue, Pip bounded forward from the box he had been left behind.
Emma screamed in delight, and they all hovered over him, their small hands buried in his fur.
–+–
The weekend flew by, and before I knew it, I was back at my desk on Monday morning.
When I walked in, Darius looked up from his tablet, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing his face.
"You're actually here," he said. "I didn't think you meant continuing your duties as my secretary."
"The contract doesn't say I quit my career."
"Fair enough."
An hour later, the intercom buzzed. "Miss Onyx. Coffee. Three cups. Black."
I walked into his office with the tray. Two investors, Sloan and John, were sprawled in the leather chairs. As I bent to set the cups down, Miller let out a low, predatory whistle.
"Darius, I didn't know the help was looking this good," Miller drawled, his eyes raking over my skirt.
I felt a wave of nausea, my fingers tightening so hard the china clinked. Darius didn't even look up.
"Focus on the numbers, Miller."
The meeting ended, but as the men stood to leave, Miller lingered by the door. He didn't care that I was still there, gathering the empty sugar packets.
"Hey, Crowne," Miller smirked, nodding toward me. "When you're finished with that one… let me know. I'd love a bite of that."
The air in the room turned to ice.
Darius stood up slowly. He didn't look angry; he looked lethal. He walked around the desk, his movements slow and deliberate until he stopped right in front of me.
Without a word, he reached for me and pulled me closer. Before i could process it, his hand settled at the back of my neck, and pulled me flush against his chest and his mouth crashed onto mine.
The kiss tasted like coffee, power, and cold authority. He held me there for what felt like an eternity, his fingers tightening in my hair, forcing the men to watch. A strange shiver ran through me, but I couldn't move and I didn't kiss him back.
He pulled back just an inch, his thumb brushing my lower lip as he looked Miller dead in the eye.
"She's off-limits," Darius rasped, his voice vibrating through my ribs. "And if I ever hear you speak about my wife like she's on the menu again, I'll ensure you never eat in this city again."
He paused letting it settle
"Get out."