Inside the elevator with Valerie and Lukas, Julian kept silent. They exited the building and crossed into the neighboring tower, stepping into another elevator. After the doors opened again they reached their destination.

A refined restaurant came into view, occupying the entire floor. Sunlight spilled through wide windows, and not a single other customer was in sight.

They walked to a table by the window. As Valerie was about to sit, Julian quickly stepped forward and pulled the chair out for her. She paused, looking at him for a brief second, then sat. He took the seat across from her.

Lukas placed two folders beside Valerie before excusing himself and leaving.

A server approached and handed them the menus. After ordering, Valerie wiped her hands with the warm towel provided. Only then did she speak.

“Did you decide?”

Julian set the towel aside. “Yes. I accept the offer. A contract marriage with a beautiful, successful woman, and money on top, does not sound like anything less than a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

She met his gaze, calm and assessing. “There are still things to consider.”

She opened the folder.

“Julian Gill. Orphan. Recently working as a freelance graphic designer. Living on the west side of the city with a roommate. Were in the hospital yesterday to visit a friend." Her eyes lifted back to him. “What else should I know?”

Julian adjusted his position and sat up straight. With a serious tone, he said, "Well, I am loyal, smart, and handsome, as you can see. I exercise regularly, can cook, don’t smoke or drink… All of this makes me think I am qualified for the position of your husband."

Valerie, amused by his deadpan delivery as if he were in a job interview, nodded approvingly. She decided to play along. "When can you start, Mr. Gill?"

He grinned. "Today."

The server brought their meals, and they began eating while discussing the contract. At one point, Julian nearly choked on his water. "So let me get this straight. I marry you, we live together, I accompany you to events sometimes, and you pay me… how much? One million?! A month?!"

Valerie stayed expressionless. "That is correct. Most importantly, no relationships outside the marriage. I’ll have my eyes on you. One mistake, and you pay dearly." She added in her mind that the husband of the CEO of M&Y Group cheating would hurt the company’s image, even if the PR team could manage the fallout. Marriage is a commitment. Even if it’s contractual, it still holds meaning for her.

Julian nodded. "That’s a given. I already said I’m loyal. If you find anything on me, it’s up to you to decide what to do—but make sure it’s true. I’ve seen dramas where jealous people try to ruin perfectly loving relationships by accusing one of the couple of cheating."

Valerie sighed, remembering how he assumed she wanted him to sell himself. "You should stop watching those shows. Your already dramatic brain can’t take more."

Julian mumbled, "Who’s talking? The one who proposed a contract marriage?"

Valerie ignored him. "This is the contract and the prenup agreement. Go through it today. Tomorrow, someone will pick you up at 9 a.m. We’re going to the civil registry. Pack what you need to move in with me."

As Julian walked Valerie back, he suddenly realized that he had been so focused on the contract earlier that he had forgotten something. "Wait, I forgot to pay! I’m going back. See you tomorrow—"

Before he could turn, she said, unbothered, "I invited you. It’s only natural that I pay."

On his way home, Julian’s mind raced. Wait… I didn’t see her pay. Does she own the restaurant? Of course—he was marrying a billionaire. She could buy the place if she wanted to.

Reading the contract at home, he realized it was simple. His role was simple too: living with Valerie in the same apartment but in different rooms at first, allowing closeness to grow at a measured pace. He was required to attend important events and family meetings, and to avoid drugs, relationships, or anything that could hurt the group’s image.

The contract lasted for a year. If he did anything that breached its terms, he would face unknown consequences. If both parties found the relationship satisfactory, they could continue until one of them chose otherwise. If he met someone he wanted to be in a relationship with, he had to inform Party A immediately and avoid any ambiguous interaction with that person. If he remained firm in his choice after a month, they could end the contract with no consequences. Valerie also had to abide by the same rules.

After signing both the contract and the prenup, he got up to pack his things. He only packed clothes, electronics, and a few belongings. He did not plan on moving out entirely, so he would still have a place to go back to, especially since his lease with his roommate was still ongoing.

Seeing him packing, his roommate Liam questioned him.

Julian said he was in a relationship and would be staying with his partner in the future, though he would still come by occasionally. He did not want to mention the marriage, since Valerie was not a regular partner.

Liam stared at him in shock. “You? In a relationship? Weren’t you hung up on a certain girl? You found her already?”

Julian avoided his gaze. “You’ll know more once things stabilize. What matters is that I’m very happy with my choice.”

He ended up sleeping late, shifting in bed with excitement after placing the necessary documents on his desk and ironing his outfit.

The next day, after a quick breakfast, Julian stood in front of the long mirror, adjusting his tie. His phone buzzed with a new message from an unknown number. The sender introduced himself as the driver and informed him that he had arrived.

Julian saved the number, grabbed his luggage, and stepped outside. A black car, unmistakably expensive, waited by the front door. A man stood beside it and greeted him politely before taking the luggage and placing it in the trunk.

They arrived at the civil registry shortly after. The building was almost empty, with only a few people scattered inside. Valerie stood out immediately. Julian walked toward her with hasty steps.

Less than an hour later, the prenup was notarized and the marriage certificate obtained. Julian was still in a daze as he watched Lukas place the documents neatly into his briefcase.

"I have to go to work now," Valerie said calmly. "The driver will take you to the apartment. No entry to the office is allowed. We’ll talk about meeting my grandmother when I get home tonight."

Julian waved as her car drove away. Before getting into his own ride, he paused to take a selfie with the civil registry building behind him, wearing the widest smile of his life.

The apartment door unlocked with the code Lukas had sent him by message. Inside, Julian nodded in approval. Beige, black, and white dominated the space, minimalist and immaculate. It was perfectly fitting for a cold CEO. Following the instructions he had received, he went straight to the first room on the second floor.

Lying on the large, impossibly comfortable bed, Julian let out a long sigh. Woah… this feels like a dream.
The room had already been stocked with essentials. He changed his clothes, then headed downstairs to the spacious living room and started working on a project.

Around lunchtime, he wandered into the open kitchen and opened the fridge. To his surprise, it was filled with actual food, not just rows of bottled water like in the movies. Preprepared meals were neatly organized alongside fresh ingredients. After eating a delicious dish that was almost certainly made by a high rated personal chef, he returned to his work.

In the evening, he messaged Valerie, asking when she would be coming back.

In a meeting room in M&Y Group, Valerie sat expressionless, her gaze fixed on the presentation slides analyzing next quarter’s investments. The manager presenting spoke nonstop, as if his life depended on it. He stopped abruptly when several message notifications broke the silence.

Everyone glanced around.

Valerie calmly picked up her phone. The manager used the pause to sip some water, his eyes flicking nervously as Valerie read Julian’s messages.

When are you coming back?
I’m planning on making dinner so we can get more familiar.
Do you have any food restrictions?

After replying briefly, Valerie motioned for the employee to continue.

Later that day, the group chats exploded. Employees whispered about what could have made the CEO leave her phone unsilenced. Some mentioned the man who had appeared the day before with a bouquet. One anonymous employee swore they had seen the same flowers arranged in a vase inside Valerie’s office.