The Ceo’s Contract Lover

Pain radiated through Nina’s body as she hit the road, the gravel biting into her palms.

Nina attempted to pull herself up, but she was too exhausted to even lift a finger. She tried again, but the throbbing ache in her limbs screamed in protest.

Every breath was a struggle, every heartbeat a reminder of the danger closing in.

She fought against the darkness that threatened to consume her, but her body refused to cooperate.

In the silence that followed, the footsteps of the thugs closed in.

The world around Nina blurred, and her consciousness slipped away.

The thugs stopped when they spotted Nina on the road. Laughing, they blew a whistle at her. “Why aren’t you running anymore, huh?” The thug advanced and attempted to grab her.

Just as he neared Nina, a sharp object was hurled in his direction.

The block of wood struck his back, causing him to fall backward.

Jayden had arrived.

His dark gaze seemed to size them up, like a lion assessing its prey before going in for the kill.

Sensing the danger, the thugs lunged at Jayden with their weapons, but the latter dodged and weaved around them with ease, his movements fluid and calculated.

He took down the thugs one by one, with swift and powerful blows that left them groaning on the ground.

As the last thug fell, Jayden ran towards Nina, his footsteps muffled by the sound of the pouring rain.

He could feel his heart breaking into a million pieces at the sight of her.

Nina had already fainted and her breath came in short gasps.

Without wasting a moment, he knelt beside her, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her close.

He could feel the rain soaking through his clothes, but he didn’t care.

Nina’s body, once full of life, now felt as light as a feather in Jayden’s arms.

She was covered in blood and wounds, the sinister marks a painful reminder of the violence she endured.

His eyes turned bloodshot red, stinging at the intensity of her injuries. He reached out, feeling her trembling body, and rubbed her back.

“It’s alright. I’m here,” he hugged her tightly.

It was only when he held her in his arms that he felt a sense of relief as if he had just recovered something he thought was lost forever.

With an aching heart, he held Nina close, their bodies pressed together. “It’s okay,” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of the rain. “You’re safe now.”

—

At the hospital.

Nina lay on the bed, her eyes vacant and distant as the snow-white ward faded into her eyes.

She could smell the strong and familiar antiseptic smell of the hospital.

She attempted to move, but a sharp pain shot through her. It felt as though her entire body had been hit by a truck and cold beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

A pair of sturdy arms immediately encircled her, preventing her from moving recklessly. “Don’t move too much! You have a few stitches,”

“D-Don’t touch me!” The words escaped Nina’s lips involuntarily, a reflex born from the shadows that still clung to her consciousness.

Jayden froze at her reaction.

His hands hung in the air, unsure of how to breach the wall she had built around herself.

Nina’s gaze remained guarded, protecting the wounds he couldn’t see.

It wasn’t about him; it was the lingering nightmares of a past that still haunted her.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “Don’t be afraid. It’s me.”

Nina’s eyes flickered, but she didn’t respond as her gaze remained guarded.

Jayden did not touch her again and called the doctor over.

The doctor entered the VIP ward and checked on Nina.

“She’s heavily traumatized,” the doctor explained, her tone somber. “The incident has left deep scars on her psyche. The physical injuries will heal in a few days. As for her mental trauma, you need to take better care of her.”

The doctor sighed, her eyes reflecting both empathy and concern. “She needs a support system, someone she can trust. Reassure her, be patient. It’s a slow process of healing from trauma. Professional help is necessary, too, so consider counseling.”

Jayden’s jaw clenched, and he nodded, absorbing the doctor’s words.

After recuperating in the hospital for a week, he took Nina back to the Meadow Residence.

The days stretched on, each one heavier than the last, but Nina’s condition remained the same.

Jayden felt a growing sense of helplessness, unsure of how to comfort her in the depths of her despair.

He stood by her side 24/7, but the distance between them still felt insurmountable.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Nora came to visit Nina.

A lump formed in her throat when she noticed Nina alone on the spacious balcony.

The person who always radiated a positive energy, the one who always challenged the world with her confidence, was now afraid of her own silhouette.

“Nina,” Nora placed her hand on her shoulder, her voice carrying a warmth that seemed to cut through the despondency in the room, “We can’t let this darkness swallow you whole. Let me take you outside, just for a little while.”

Nina did not reply.

The outside world seemed daunting, reminding her of the pain she sought to escape.

“Please,” Nora pleaded, her hand reaching out, “Let me help you find a moment of peace. We’ll take it one step at a time, okay?”

After a moment of contemplation, Nina nodded slowly.

With Nora’s assistance, she rose from the bed.

Nora led Nina outside, into the gentle embrace of nature.

The sun bathed them in its warm glow, and a soft breeze whispered through the air. The change in surroundings seemed to have a subtle effect on Nina.

As they strolled through a nearby garden, Nora spoke in soothing tones, sharing snippets of their shared past.

Jayden observed the scene from a distance and heaved a huge sigh of relief.

From that day, Nora would bring Nina out every day to get her out of the web of darkness that surrounded the latter.

One evening, the two women sat under the gazebo.

Nora delicately lifted the porcelain teacup to her lips, savoring the warmth of the herbal infusion.

Her eyes flickered towards Nina, who sat across from her.

The subtle shifts in Nina’s demeanor did not escape Nora’s notice. It looked like the walls Nina had built around herself were gradually giving way.

She opened her mouth wanting to say something but did not know where to begin,

“Is there something on your mind?” Nina inquired.

With a contemplative sigh, Nora placed her teacup on the small table between them.

She chose her words carefully. “I’m returning to Kingstown,” Nora revealed. “My mom wants me to take over the company.”

Nora’s mother, Thalia Shahan, had built an empire in the beauty world, ‘Neveah Cosmetics’.

Having followed her parent’s footsteps, it was time for Nora to step into the role she had been preparing for years.

Nina nodded in understanding.

“Actually,” Nora began, “I want to create something new under Neveah Cosmetics, a fashion brand.”

Nora laid out her business plans. She spoke about intertwining the worlds of beauty and fashion, creating a synergy that would elevate both realms.

A spark of curiosity ignited in Nina’s eyes, prompting Nora to unveil her plans.

“And Nina, I want you to be the head designer for our new project,” Nora said eagerly.

Nina’s eyes widened in surprise, taken aback by the sudden proposal. “Me?”

Nora nodded. “Yes. I know you have an amazing sense of style, and I trust you to take care of the design aspects. I believe that, with our combined skills, we can create something amazing.”

“But, I… I’m not sure I can handle that right now.”

Nora noticed the hesitation lingering in Nina’s eyes. “Is it about Jayden?”

“No. It’s not about Jayden,” Nina shook her head. “He’s always supported me in pursuing my goals and never held me back.”

The truth was, as she processed Nora’s words, she was overwhelmed with insecurity. The scars of her recent battles were fresh in her memories, making her hesitate.

After a brief silence, she took a deep breath and confessed. “Nora, I appreciate your faith in me, I really do. But with everything I’m going through, I don’t think I’ll be able to live up to your expectations.”

Nora squeezed Nina’s hands. “I understand where you’re coming from. Your well-being is our priority. But remember, sometimes, channeling our passion into a creative endeavor can be a healing journey in itself. I’m not asking you to carry the world; I just want you to explore the possibility.”

“And Nina, you’re stronger than you think. What happened in the past doesn’t define who you are. This opportunity is a chance for you to rediscover your strength, to stand tall on your own terms.”

Yet, as the echoes of Nora’s confidence hung in the air, Nina was uncertain.

She didn’t want to become a burden to Nora, especially now when she didn’t even know what lay ahead of her future.

“I’m not sure if I’m ready. I don’t want to hold you back or become a burden.”

Nora met her gaze with a reassuring smile. “Nina, you’re not a burden. We’re a team, remember? If you need time, I understand. But don’t underestimate yourself. You have the talent, the vision, and the strength to make this a success. I believe in you. And so does everyone.”

“It’s a lot to take in. Give me some time to think about it.”

Nora agreed and changed the topic.

The two continued to chat, enjoying their time together at the cozy cafe.

–

Standing in front of the huge, ceiling-to-floor window, Jayden’s deep gaze pierced through the city lights into the vast expanse.

The night sky, shrouded in darkness, mirrored the complexity of his emotions.

Packs of cigarettes scattered on the table beside him spoke of the turmoil that crept through him.

He had never been a heavy smoker, yet he had been smoking continuously for the past one hour.

Stefan noticed the heaviness in the air. He approached Jayden and stood beside him, grabbing a cigarette from the pack.

“Nora wants to return to Kingstown,” Stefan disclosed. After a pause, he added, “She wants Nina to go with her.”

Jayden’s gaze remained fixed on the cityscape, his expression unchanged. “I know. If she wants to, she can go wherever she wants.”

“You won’t stop her?”

Jayden took a drag from his cigarette, the smoke intertwining with the evening breeze.

“Nina has her path to follow. I won’t stand in her way.”

Jayden’s words carried a solemn tone as he continued. “I need time, Stefan. We both do. After everything that has happened, we can’t go back to how things were before. It’s better we take a break and recognize our own paths. If fate allows, perhaps we might meet again.”

The last sentence was not only directed at Stefan but also at himself.

Unbeknownst to them, behind a nearby door, Nina’s fingers tightened around a glass jar as she absorbed the weight of their words.