The double doors clicked shut behind her.
Mila stopped, pressed her chest so hard.
"What did I just do?" Her heart was beating so fast she could hear it.
"Did I just sign my name to a fake marriage?"
"What did I get myself into?"
She pushed herself to move.
One step. Then another.
As she pressed the elevator button, her phone vibrated.
"Ding..ding."
She pulled it out fast.
Unknown number.
"Be careful with Adrian Cole. Your parents' accident wasn't random, walk away now."
Mila stared at the screen. Her heart skipped as she typed back, "Who is this?" But no reply came.
She deleted the text in one swipe and stepped out of the building.
Just as Adrian told her, a black car was packed outside.
The driver came out and opened the back door for her.
"Miss Hart? Mr. Cole sent it to you." He brought out a small envelope. "Keys to the company apartment and instructions."
"Thank you."
Mila took it. Inside were keys and a note "Pack essentials. The car returns in two hours."
They drove out immediately.
At her small apartment, Nana was sitting in her chair, knitting. "Back so soon, dear?"
"I got the job, Nana. A good one in that matter." Mila hugged her grandmother with a smile.
"Oh my, that's amazing! Tell me all about it."
"Not now, I have to pack. They're moving me to a better place tonight."
"Moving? So sudden?" Nana frowned.
"Nana, it's part of the job, personal assistant to a big boss. Including housing, don't worry I'll be fine."
She hurried to her room, put in clothes, old pictures, and Nana's list of medicines. Then her phone buzzed again.
Same unknown number: "Cole knows more about the crash. Don't sign anything."
Mila felt her hands shaking. "This can't be right," she whispered. My parents' car accident was years ago caused by bad weather."
She zipped the suitcase.
"Need help, Mila?" Nana asked.
"No, I'm okay."
"The medical bills will be taken care of by tomorrow morning." Full coverage starts now." She told her grandmother.
"How? This job must be very important." Nana looked surprised.
Mila nodded. "It is. I will pay you a visit tomorrow okay?" She kissed Nana's forehead and left.
The driver loaded her bag, drove quietly to a tall building in town.
"We are here, ma'am. Penthouse level. Mr. Cole's Head of Executive Staffing will meet you."
Vivian was already waiting for her to arrive as instructed by Adrian.
"Miss Hart. Follow me." Vivian took her through double doors into a massive apartment.
"Bedroom here. Kitchen stocked. Bathroom with essentials. Mr. Cole expects you to be at the office by 8 AM sharp."
"Understood." Mila responded.
Alone, Mila explored her new home.
Just as she fell on the bed, her phone rang.
Adrian's name on the screen.
"Huhhh… why is he calling?"
"Hello?"
"Settled in?" His voice was firm.
"Yes. It's... nice. The hospital called. Bills paid. Coverage active."
"Good. Tomorrow we handle the rest. Contracts will be officially signed at my lawyer's office. 9 AM sharp."
Mila hesitated. "About the terms... six months, one million?"
Adrian cleared his throat. "Change of plan. Lawyers advised longer to avoid suspicion. Two years now. Payout five million at the end."
"Two years? That's different."
"It has to be strong, public eyes are on me. A short marriage looks fake. All medical treatment will still be covered for."
She thought of Nana. The texts.
"Why did you change it?"
"Believe me, it's better this way. Or you back out now." His tone sharpened.
"No, I'm in."
"See you tomorrow." He hung up.
"Two years as Mrs. Cole. No feelings. Just business Mila." She said to herself.
Morning came fast, she got prepared, and the driver took her to the office.
Adrian was in the lobby. "Ready?" He wore a sharp suit, no smile.
"Yes." They rode up together.
They sat quietly, but it felt uncomfortable.
Inside his office, a man wearing glasses was standing beside the desk. "Mr. Cole, Miss Hart. I'm the notary, Mr. Ellis."
Adrian handed over a thick folder. "Revised contract. "Read it."
Mila opened it. The marriage was well detailed in each page.
Two years minimum. Public events as needed. Separate lives, private.
"No intimacy required, clause here. Violation voids the deal." Adrian said.
Mila kept reading. Five million payout after divorce. Grandmother's care is covered fully. Non-disclosure is strict.
"Sounds fair," but she was bothered by the text.
Adrian leaned in. "Questions?"
"Why two years? You said six months yesterday."
"Grandfather's will has loopholes, my cousin could challenge short marriage. Two years solidifies it." He explained.
Mila nodded. "Okay."
"Sign where marked." Ellis instructed both of them.
Mila picked up the pen and signed page after page.
Adrian signed next. Quick strokes.
Ellis stamped each. "Notarized. Official."
Adrian collected the copies. "One for you." He gave Mila a set.
"Thank you," she said.
"Now, the marriage." Adrian checked his watch. "City hall. Today."
"Today? I thought we were supposed to have a plan for that?" She asked surprised.
"Everything has been put in place. Fastest way."
They left the office and drove to city hall.
Inside, a clerk waited. Vivian and a security guard as witnesses.
"Do you, Adrian Cole, take Mila Hart as your wife?" The officiant read plainly.
"I do." Adrian voiced.
"And you, Mila Hart, take Adrian Cole as your husband?"
Mila swallowed.
Her eyes were steady looking at Adrian.
"I do."
Rings exchanged. Simple bands. No kisses.
"Pronounced husband and wife." Papers signed again.
Outside, Adrian looked at her. "Done, you're now Mrs Cole. You have to accept it."
He handed her more keys. "To the estate. Main house outside the city. Move in tomorrow."
Mila nodded. "Okay."
"The car will take you back. Settle in." He walked to his own car.
Mila returned to the apartment. Packed her few things again. The place felt temporary already.
The next morning, the driver arrived. "To the estate, ma'am."
There, a housekeeper met her. "Mrs. Cole? I'm Mrs. Reyes. Welcome."
"Thank you." Mila followed inside. Grand hall, chandeliers.
"Your rooms upstairs." Mrs Reyes showed her the way. "Mr. Cole stays on the other side."
The room looked fancy.
"If you need help, call me." Mrs. Reyes left.
Mila quickly unpacked.
At night, she showered and changed into her pajamas.
As she lay down, she felt something under the pillow.
An unmarked envelope lay there. Plain white. No writing.
Mila froze for a moment. Her heart was pounding.
"What is this?"