Chapter 4 The Covenant

• The incessant ringing of the doorbell disturbed a man relaxing in the bathtub. Reluctantly, the man, Bryan, got up and wrapped a kimono towel around himself. Droplets of water trickled down his wet hair as he made his way to the door. He glanced at the monitor and saw a woman he recognized.
• Bryan furrowed his brow and checked the wall clock, which showed it was ten minutes past ten at night. The woman looked pale, much like the first time they had met. Bryan unlocked the gate and let Angeline into his house.
• Angeline stood at the door and waited for Bryan to open it. After a few seconds, Bryan, now dressed in a black t-shirt and black sweatpants, opened the door.
• "Come on in," Bryan said without asking. Angeline entered and sat down in the living room.
• "Tea? Coffee?" Bryan asked and Angeline shook her head.
• "Just some hot tea, please. Thank you," she replied.
• Bryan continued to make tea for Angeline. Although she had intended to refuse, her answer came too late as Bryan was already on his way to the kitchen.
• While Angeline waited, she looked around the room. Only now did she realize that there was no security or even a guard in the house. Everything was automated and incredibly sophisticated. It was indeed different from the homes of the wealthy, she thought.
• Soon Bryan returned with two cups of hot tea and several slices of warm bread. Angeline sipped her tea, keeping her head down as she nibbled at the fragrant bread.
• "My time is precious, so what do you want to say that brought you here at this late hour, after you rejected my offer?" Bryan asked, not beating around the bush. He hated wasting time.
• Angeline put down her tea cup, swallowed the bread in her mouth and looked at Bryan with swollen eyes.
• "Can you get me a job, something other than what you mentioned before?" Angeline asked with hope in her voice.
• "No," Bryan answered without hesitation.
• "I'll do anything; I need a substantial amount of money. But I thought your previous offer was too difficult for me," Angeline said, holding back her tears.
• "How much do you need? I'll give it to you, consider it... an act of charity," Bryan said with an arrogant and conceited tone, showing no empathy whatsoever.
• Angeline continued to hold back her tears and emotions. Her lips trembled as she felt offended by Bryan's latest words.
• "I'm sorry; it seems I was wrong to come here. My mind is a mess and I can't see what's right or wrong anymore. Excuse me," Angeline rose from her seat and started to leave.
• "A hundred million?" Bryan said, causing Angeline to stop in her tracks.
• "Two hundred? Five hundred? A billion? I will give it to you. With one condition, no, two conditions. Not just money, I can give you anything you want," Bryan continued.
• Angeline couldn't stand it anymore. She turned around and stared at Bryan, tears running down her cheeks.
• "Is it so easy for you to pay someone to fulfill your desires? Why should it be me? I thought there were plenty of women out there who would do it for free. I just need a job, not charity," Angeline said emotionally.
• "If I ask another woman to do it without conditions, it would be difficult for me to control her. You owe me, so I believe you'll do anything to repay your debt. You know, I'm just a businessman who still thinks about the profit and loss of making a deal with you."
• "Are you just trying to take advantage of my vulnerability?"
• "Hmm... I'm just thinking about what would be beneficial for both of us. You need money, so I'll give it to you, no matter how much. And I, I just want you to bear my child. Of course, with a legally recognized marital status."
• Angeline fell silent, her head bowed with many thoughts. She knew this was an opportunity that wouldn't come around twice. If she refused again, Bryan might not offer it a third time.
• This urgent situation left Angeline deeply conflicted. She was truly torn. On the one hand, she desperately wanted to free her brother and help her mother. But on the other hand, she felt her self-esteem was being trampled because she needed money.
• "Your name is Angeline Felicia, right?" Bryan asked, surprising Angeline. She lifted her face to look at Bryan, who had been watching her expressionless the whole time.
• "I know your brother is in jail and you need money to get him out. Today your mother had to undergo an operation because her condition has worsened," Bryan continued, sipping his tea very casually.
• "How... how did you know?"
• "Do you think I would randomly choose who would be the mother of my child? At least you have a pretty face and a good education. You got a scholarship for your bachelor's degree, right? That means you're smart, or at least a diligent student. You also don't have any serious illnesses, except for anemia due to fatigue. I've been gathering information about you since you left that night.
• Bryan set down his teacup, remembering the moment he had called his driver immediately after dropping him off and asked for Angeline's phone number. He had also instructed his secretary to gather information about Angeline up to that point.
• "I even know that you tried to commit suicide two hours ago. Do you think that if you die, your mother will immediately recover? Or that your brother will be released immediately? They will blame you for running away and wanting to die peacefully. Your brother will resent you while he's in prison. And your mother... she will die in pain because she can't have the operation.
• Bryan picked up a document and approached Angeline, handing it to her.
• "If you're willing to work with me, read this document. If you agree with what I'm offering, sign it. Then your mother will have the operation tomorrow, and your brother will be released immediately. Two problems will be solved even before you become my wife. How about it?"
• Bryan looked at her, his aura was arrogant and full of confidence, which annoyed Angeline. Her eyes showed anger and resentment towards Bryan because he had discovered her vulnerability and knew what Angeline wanted most.
• Angeline had no choice. This was the only way to save her mother and brother. Without a word, she took the document, not even bothering to read it, and signed it.
• "You're not reading it? I could be deceiving you," Bryan asked in surprise.
• "You said you needed me to become your wife and bear your child, right? I trust you won't deceive me. Just make sure you keep your promise," Angeline said, feeling completely defeated.
• "All right, you can go home and be with your mother. I'll give you a week to spend time with your family before we start our contract."
• "One more condition," Bryan added, causing Angeline to furrow her brow.
• "Stop calling me 'sir.' Just use my name, Bryan."