Chapter 4: Contract
1049words
"I'm here to see Chris Frost," I told the receptionist. "Lara Reed from Reed Corp."
Her eyes widened slightly in recognition. "Do you have an appointment, Ms. Reed?"
"No," I said with a confident smile. "But I believe he'll want to see me."
After a brief phone call, I was escorted to the elevator and whisked up to the executive floor. The elevator doors opened to reveal a sleek reception area. A woman in an impeccable suit greeted me.
"Ms. Reed, Mr. Frost will see you now. Please follow me."
She led me down a corridor lined with modern art to a set of double doors at the end. With a discreet knock, she opened them and announced my presence.
"Ms. Lara Reed to see you, sir."
I stepped into the spacious corner office, prepared to face the monster from my nightmares. But the man who rose from behind the massive desk wasn't what I expected.
Chris Frost was tall and undeniably handsome, just as I remembered. But there was something different about him—something in his eyes. They were the same striking blue, but lacked the cold calculation I remembered.
"Ms. Reed," he said, coming around the desk to greet me. "This is an unexpected pleasure. I didn't realize you were back in New York."
I studied him carefully. "I returned yesterday. I thought we should meet, given your... proposal to my father."
"Straight to the point. I appreciate that." He gestured to a seating area by the floor-to-ceiling windows. "Please, have a seat. Would you like coffee? Water?"
"Water, please," I said, moving to the indicated chair.
Chris poured water from a crystal carafe and handed me a glass before taking the seat opposite mine. "I imagine you think I'm either crazy or incredibly presumptuous."
"The thought had crossed my mind," I replied coolly. "Most men at least buy a woman dinner before proposing marriage."
He laughed. "Fair enough. I apologize for the unorthodox approach."
"Why me?" I asked bluntly. "We've never even met."
Chris smiled, a hint of unexpected shyness crossing his features. "Actually, we almost met. Back in college, at the Kappa mixer. I was hoping to meet you there—I'd heard so much about the brilliant Lara Reed from mutual friends. But you didn't show up that night."
This revelation caught me off guard. "You remember that?"
"I do. I was disappointed." He leaned forward slightly. "I've admired you since our college days. Your reputation for intelligence and determination was well-known even then."
He gestured toward the window, where both our family companies' buildings were visible in the skyline. "Now, with Reed Corp and Frost Group at this critical juncture, it feels like an opportunity that benefits both sides. This arrangement could solve immediate problems for both our companies."
His eyes met mine with unexpected earnestness. "And who knows? If we find we work well together, perhaps after the year is up, we might reconsider the terms. I'm not proposing love at first sight, Ms. Reed, but I am suggesting that mutual respect and compatible goals can be a foundation for something meaningful—professionally, at the very least."
"That doesn't explain why you want to marry me," I pressed.
"I don't," he said simply.
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I don't want to marry you—not in the traditional sense." He set his glass down and leaned forward. "What I'm proposing is a business arrangement. A contract marriage, if you will."
Now I was genuinely confused. "Go on."
"Reed Corp needs capital. The Frost Group needs the Reed family's connections in Asian markets where your father's reputation opens doors mine can't. A marriage between us creates a public alliance that benefits both companies while avoiding the messiness of an actual merger."
"And the terms of this... contract marriage?" I asked.
"One year. We would live together for appearances, but the relationship would be strictly professional. After a year, we amicably divorce, citing irreconcilable differences but maintaining the business relationship between our companies."
I stared at him, searching for the trap. "And what do you get out of this?"
"Besides the Asian market access? Reduced competition. The appearance of stability that comes with aligning with an old-money family like yours. And a cooling of tensions between our companies that have been costly for both sides."
I took a sip of water. "And the funding for Reed Corp?"
"Provided upon completion of the marriage ceremony. The funds will be transferred to Reed Corp as part of our marriage agreement."
"Why should I trust you?" I asked, setting my glass down.
Chris's expression turned serious. "I don't expect blind trust, Ms. Reed. That's why I'd like you to work as my personal assistant. See how I operate. Learn about the Frost Group from the inside."
"As your assistant?"
"Yes. It would give you insight into our operations, and allow you to represent Reed Corp's interests directly in our Asian market initiatives." He reached for a folder on the coffee table and handed it to me. "These are the terms of both arrangements for you to review."
I took the folder, our fingers briefly touching. I fought the urge to recoil.
"I'll need to discuss this with my father," I said, rising from my seat.
Chris stood as well. "Of course." He extended his hand. "I look forward to your answer, Ms. Reed."
I hesitated only briefly before shaking his hand. His grip was firm but not aggressive, his palm warm against mine.
"Until tomorrow, Mr. Frost," I said, withdrawing my hand and turning to leave.
As I walked out of his office, I couldn't help but wonder about this unexpected turn of events. The position as his assistant would give me unprecedented access to his business operations and personal life. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up—not if I wanted to understand what had changed and how to protect my family this time around.
I would use this position to gather intelligence, to find his weaknesses. Whatever game Chris Frost was playing, I intended to win.
