Chapter 4 I Didn't Know If I Should Show Up For The Date

• When the door of Marius' office opened and the girl entered with that innocent demeanor, he couldn't help but get up from his privileged position behind the desk and walk towards her, trying to calm her down. There was something about that woman that made him want to reassure her, to make her stop fearing him and see that she could trust him and that their relationship could be more than just the contract they were about to sign.
• "Noelia, I haven't stopped thinking about seeing you again since our date yesterday," he said, taking her hand and kissing the back of it before guiding her to the chair in front of the desk, under Matthew's watchful gaze. He had been there to sign similar contracts with at least 5 other girls years ago, and he had never seen Marius lose his cold and authoritative position behind the desk. However, it was also true that none of the previous girls had that expression of a scared puppy in their eyes, begging to be calmed down, and none of them were younger than 25.
• "I was unsure, I didn't know if I should show up for the date," she replied, somewhat timidly. Although visibly blushing, the way she locked her gaze into Marius' gray eyes could only reflect conviction, reflect much more power than she seemed to have at first glance.
• "But here you are, and that's what matters," he remained absorbed in her gaze for a moment until his best friend and lawyer cleared his throat, reminding him that his time was precious, literally. "Well, you're in your second year of law school, so I suppose you know perfectly well how contracts work. You can read it and ask any questions you may have. That's why my lawyer is here, to clarify any doubts you may have."
• It was like being in a dream or worse, being inside an absurd romantic comedy on TV, where the protagonist finally finds the love of her life, who helps her escape poverty and then they are immensely happy together. But she was well aware that in her case, it wouldn't be like that. She only wanted the money she needed, and he only wanted to be the first between her legs. It was a fair deal, she wouldn't waste time fantasizing about more. She only had one stupid question left to answer.
• "Why were all the male protagonists rich?"
• Because undoubtedly her "Sugar Daddy" fit perfectly into those stupid clichés, and the lawyer too, as he would undoubtedly be her confidant, her best friend. She restrained herself from rolling her eyes at her own thoughts. The scriptwriter of her romantic comedy didn't have much imagination and was loaded with clichés.
• "Yes, thank you. Rest assured that I will ask about anything that is not clear to me. As you said, I am studying to become a lawyer, but there are still things that escape me."
• "Please, don't hesitate to ask anything you don't understand."
• The lawyer spoke, not missing a single detail of each of the girl's gestures. She was visibly nervous, he could feel it as well as observe it. He glanced at his friend, who was watching the same girl in a way he had never seen him observe any other girl before. Was she so important to him that her virginity mattered, or was there something else that he had yet to understand? Ever since he mentioned that this time he would try something new, with someone inexperienced.
• "Don't forget to read carefully and mark the boxes on the last pages," Marius leaned towards her without touching her, whispering in her ear. "Everything will be for your enjoyment and pleasure. I want you to understand that I won't hurt you," he assured, letting his breath warm the skin of her neck before pulling away and walking to the seat in front of her.
• Noelia was expecting to be alone with him again, but this time he was accompanied by someone else. It seemed to be her lawyer. Although she was studying law herself, there were still many things she didn't know about contracts, especially the type of contract she was about to sign.
• "Do you have any doubts?" he asked.
• She had several doubts, starting with why a handsome and attractive man like him didn't want a "normal relationship." What was his big flaw? Why couldn't she see it at first glance? It made her even more nervous.
• Another doubt she had was what he really expected from her. Although, of course, none of that was mentioned in the damn contract she was reading, or if it was, she couldn't find it.
• After a couple of minutes, she sat down in one of the chairs without being told to.
• She needed to be calm, and there was nothing wrong with her sitting down, right?
• Just in case, she looked up, searching for any disapproval in the expressions of the two men. No, none that she noticed, at least. So she proceeded to focus again on the papers she had in her hand.
• "No, I don't have any doubts, except for the time. Is it necessary for me to move?" she asked.
• That was her only complaint. She couldn't move. Her mother would have a nervous breakdown if she couldn't explain why she had to move in with a man twice her age.
• Marius let her distance herself from him, sit down, and review the contract calmly. The sooner she signed, the sooner she would be his. He frowned upon hearing her question. It was something he had specified from the very beginning.
• "It's essential, but don't worry, we can come to an agreement after the trial period. Is there anything preventing you from accepting that term?" he asked suspiciously, searching her gaze to try to guess what she was hiding. "If you're completely free and have no commitments with anyone else, what does it matter? Besides, you'll have your own room, your privacy, and someone to take you wherever you want when you need it."
• He tried to calm himself and sat in one of the armchairs. He was lucky he hadn't signed yet because he was dying to punish her after questioning the only thing he made clear from the beginning.
• "I have a mother," she exclaimed finally, looking at both men and questioning with her gaze the only objection she saw in a damn contract that was undoubtedly wrong from beginning to end because it had only committed to a damn fortnight, not half a year.