Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Chapter 43

i brushed my fingers gently over the rich mauve petals. They smelled fresh and crisp, reminding me of spring mornings after rain.

I was honestly surprised he remembered my favorite flowers at all.

I spun the card gently on my table as I dialled Beck’s line.

“Nia.” Beck answered after a few rings, his voice warm and familiar.

“Beck, Hi” I twirled a loose tendril around my index finger, “Thank you very much for the flowers, I really love them”

“You’re welcome Nia. You’ve always loved Tulips” I could hear the smile in his voice, “I’m so sorry about my Dad”

“It’s alright Beck, there’s no reason for you to be sorry for him” I said,

“I knew you’ll say that, but there’s a lot of things you do not understand” He sighed,

“You keep saying things like that, Beck. You said something similar when we talked about the warehouse manager.”

“Hmmm” He paused for a while, “Why don’t we discuss this over dinner tonight,”

“Dinner?” I asked surprised,

“Yes Nia, I promised I was going to cook you a meal didn’t I?” Beck said,

“I didn’t think you were serious about it though, if I’m being very honest” I replied,

“I’m serious Nia, let me fulfil my promise,” He said lightly, “I’ll send you my address. Is 7pm okay?”

“Yeah it is.” I answered,

“Any allergies or food preferences?” he asked.

“Nah, I’m not a picky eater,” I answered.

“I’ll be expecting you Nia” he said, dropping a message with his address,

“See you later, Beck,”

I took a deep breath and stared at the flowers as I dropped the call.

I’m still wondering why Beck is speaking cryptically. First it was the manager and now his dad. Rich people really did live completely different lives from ordinary middle-class people.

It’s crazy how my perspective has begun to change, simply from hanging out with them. Their relationships both platonic and romantic are carefully curated to support their image, almost nothing is left to chance.

I can’t help but wonder how many other celebrities, athletes and influential people basically are in contracted relationships like me and Maddox.

Or worse, forced into loveless relationships like Bella and Maddox; solely because of a business deal.

Although their case is a little bit different because Bella is in love with Maddox; obsessed with him maybe. It has to be an obsession, that chick is crazy. Did Maddox ever love her though?

He sounded really hurt when he told her off, but he still showed up with her later that same day. He probably loves her. It

Chapter 43

was strange imagining someone like Maddox genuinely in love with anyone.

Maddox and Bella are a match made in heaven, they go perfectly well together. I just hope that Victor Kane will be patient enough for my contract with his son to expire before he forces him to get married to Bella.

It was finally the end of the workday. There’s something very depressing about Mondays that I can’t even explain. It’s always a drag, no matter how positive or productive I am.

I grabbed my bag, my oversized bouquet and was out the door. I called mom as I walked to my car,

“Good evening Mom,” I greeted as she picked up.

“How are you doing Dear?” she asked shuffling around,

“I’m doing okay, I won’t be home tonight. I’ll call the babysitter to help out with Zara,” I said to her,

“Okay? Hope there isn’t any issue?” She asked quizzically,

“No Mom, everything is alright.” I tried to reassure her,

“Okay then, take care,” I bid her goodbye and ended the call.

I parked in front of the condo building and walked into my apartment humming a light tune to myself.

I kicked off my shoes, placed the flowers in a vase, took off my clothes and hopped into the shower. At least dinner at Beck’s saved me from stressing over what to cook tonight.

I did my skincare and make-up, then stood confused in front of my closet. Do I wear a dress? Will it be too formal if I wear a dress to his house?

I finally settled on a burgundy satin skirt paired with a fitted beige baby tee and matching purse. I grabbed my burgundy mules, put my hair up in a low bun and was out the door.

I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a bottle of wine. I settled on Pinot noir and continued my drive. Beck’s house was surprisingly still in downtown Vancouver.

I alighted from my car and walked into the condo building. The building stretched high into the Vancouver skyline, sleek and expensive-looking. His apartment was on the last floor.

I stepped out of the elevator and rang the bell,

“Just a moment please,” his voice called from inside. I could hear him shuffling around, “Nia, welcome,”

“Thank you for having me,” I said as I stepped in,

“You’re very much welcome” he said, pulling me into a hug as I handed him the bottle of wine.

I slid off my heels and put on the comfy inside shoes he gave me, “Your home is beautiful”

The apartment was minimalist in the most beautiful way, with a lot of wood work; Gray walls, warm wood accents, silk curtains, and plush cream couches made the space feel calm and expensive. Even the place smelled good-clean linen mixed with whatever Beck was cooking.

“Thank you” he said smiling, “Hope you’re hungry”

“I definitely am.” I chuckled. He led me to the kitchen and gestured I take a seat,

“Here” he said, as he poured me a steaming mug of chamomile tea, “How has work been?”

Chapter 43

55 vouche

“I know.” He laughed under his breath, shaking his head. “But you’ve been carrying so much lately, Nia. Maddox, the media, work… everything.” His eyes searched mine. “I didn’t want you to feel pressured.”

The sincerity in his voice made my chest ache.

He reached out slowly and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers brushed my skin lightly, sending warmth crawling down my spine.

“I missed you,” he admitted.

My breath caught. There was something dangerously intimate about the way he said it. Not casually. Not like an old friend Like a man trying very hard not to cross a line.

“Beck…” I whispered.

He looked away briefly and rubbed the back of his neck.

“You know what the crazy part is?” he said with a soft laugh. “I told myself I wouldn’t do this.”

“Do what?”

“Fall for you again.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify