AVA'S POV
The silence that followed Gabriel's ultimatum was deafening. I stood frozen in the doorway, clutching my box like it was a life preserver, while his words echoed in my head.
If you leave, I'll take the money back. Can you give me that?
The answer was no. I couldn't give him back money that was already gone, already used to save my sister's life. We both knew it, and that knowledge hung between us like a noose.
Slowly, I walked back into the living room and set my box down on the floor with a heavy thud. The sound seemed to echo forever in the expensive space. Gabriel remained on the sofa, watching me with those dark eyes that missed nothing.
"Good choice," he said quietly.
I wanted to scream at him, to tell him exactly what I thought of his manipulation and his threats. But the words died in my throat when I looked at his face. He wasn't gloating or smug. He looked... relieved.
"Sit here." His voice carried the same tone he used in the lecture hall when he wanted absolute attention. He gestured to the armchair across from him, the one that faced the sofa directly.
I remained standing. "I don't want to sit."
"I wasn't asking what you wanted." His voice was calm, but there was steel underneath it. "I was giving you an instruction."
"You're not my professor right now," I said, even though my voice came out smaller than I intended.
"Aren't I?" He leaned forward slightly, his eyes never leaving mine. "You work for me now, Ava. In every capacity that matters."
The way he said my name made something flutter in my stomach. I hated that reaction, hated that even when I was furious with him, he still affected me.
"Sit," he repeated.
This time, I did. The leather chair was soft and expensive, but it felt like a trap.
Gabriel reached for a manila folder that had been sitting on the coffee table. I hadn't noticed it before, but now it seemed to dominate the space between us. He opened it carefully and pulled out a thick stack of papers.
"Read this aloud," he said, holding the documents out to me.
I took them with trembling hands. The first page was clearly marked: CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT - ADDENDUM
"You want me to read a contract out loud?" I asked, confused.
"I want you to understand exactly what you're agreeing to." His voice was professorial now, the same tone he used when explaining complex literary theories. "Every word, every clause, every stipulation."
I looked down at the papers and began to read the first paragraph silently.
"Aloud, Ava."
I cleared my throat. "This addendum serves to clarify and expand upon the terms of employment between Gabriel Thorne, hereafter referred to as 'Employer,' and Ava Moreau, hereafter referred to as 'Employee.'"
"Continue."
"The Employee agrees to maintain absolute confidentiality regarding all aspects of this arrangement. This includes but is not limited to living arrangements, professional duties, and any personal interactions with the Employer."
My voice caught as I realized what I was reading. This wasn't just an employment contract. It was a comprehensive document that seemed to govern every aspect of my life.
"Keep going."
"The Employee will be available for professional duties at all times, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. The Employee agrees to reside in accommodations provided by the Employer and to inform the Employer of any changes to personal schedule or—"
I stopped reading and looked up at him. "This is insane. You're basically saying I can't have a life outside of working for you."
Gabriel raised his hand, palm facing me. The gesture was so commanding, so absolute, that I immediately fell silent.
"Do not speak unless spoken to," he said quietly.
The words hit me like a physical blow. Not because they were harsh, but because of the way he said them. There was something almost ritualistic about it, like we were playing out a scene that had been written long before I walked into this apartment.
"Continue reading," he said.
I wanted to argue, wanted to throw the papers in his face and storm out. But I couldn't leave. We both knew that. So I kept reading.
"The Employee agrees to maintain appropriate conduct and appearance at all times. The Employee will not engage in romantic or sexual relationships without explicit approval from the Employer."
"What?" The word escaped before I could stop it.
Gabriel's eyes sharpened. "Did I give you permission to speak?"
"You can't control who I date!" I said, my voice rising.
"I can, and I will." His voice remained perfectly calm. "You signed a contract, Ava. You took my money. You agreed to my terms."
"Those weren't the terms I agreed to!"
"Read further."
I looked back at the papers, my hands shaking with anger and something else I didn't want to name. The personal stipulations section was extensive, covering everything from my social media presence to my class schedule to my living arrangements.
"The Employee acknowledges that failure to comply with any aspect of this agreement will result in immediate termination and full repayment of all compensation received."
The room felt cold suddenly. Not just the temperature, but the atmosphere itself. Gabriel sat perfectly still, watching me with those dark eyes that seemed to see everything.
"I can't pay you back," I whispered.
"I know."
"You're trapping me."
"I'm protecting you."
"From what?"
"From making choices you'll regret." He leaned forward, his voice dropping lower. "From people who would hurt you. From a world you don't understand."
I wanted to argue, but something in his tone stopped me. There was something underneath the control, something that almost sounded like... concern?
"Finish reading," he said.
The final section outlined my specific duties as his research assistant, which seemed normal enough. But buried in the middle was a clause that made my blood run cold.
"The Employee agrees to accompany the Employer to social and professional events as required, presenting as his companion in all respects."
"Companion?" I looked up at him.
"In public, you will appear to be my girlfriend." His voice was matter-of-fact. "It provides cover for our arrangement and protects both of our reputations."
"Fake girlfriend."
"If you prefer that term."
I stared at the signature line at the bottom of the last page. My name was already typed there, waiting for my handwritten signature to make it official.
Gabriel reached into his jacket and pulled out an expensive-looking pen. He set it on the coffee table between us.
"Sign it, Ava."
"What if I refuse?"
"Then you can pack your things and leave. But the money comes with me."
I thought about Elise, safe now because of that money. About the dangerous people who would have hurt her if I hadn't found a way to pay them back. About the choice that wasn't really a choice at all.
I picked up the pen. It was heavy, solid, the kind of pen that cost more than most people spent on groceries.
"You understand what you're signing?" Gabriel asked.
"I understand that I don't have a choice."
"You always have a choice, Ava. You're choosing to stay."
I looked at him then, really looked at him. He was watching me with an intensity that made my skin feel too tight. There was something in his expression I couldn't read, something that went deeper than control or manipulation.
"Why?" I asked quietly. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because I can."
It wasn't the answer I'd expected, but it was honest. Brutal and honest.
I signed my name at the bottom of the contract, each letter feeling like a small surrender. When I was finished, Gabriel took the papers and filed them away in the folder.
"Good girl," he said quietly.
The words sent a shiver through me that I absolutely did not want to examine.