Chapter 1: The Contract.

Despite the sun shining brightly through the Magus Mansion's magnificent arched windows and gold-colored marble floors, Alexander Maglus felt nothing but hope on his back. He moved through the grand dining room, his gleaming shoes echoing in the walls covered with family pictures.'

Every portrait represented the lineage of the Magus dynasty, who had created empires with their respective states, each more prosperous than the previous one.'". Despite being the next in line for a multi-billion-dollar fortune, Alexander felt like he was stuck in 'a ghostly dream' among his peers.

He sensed a familiar tightness in his chest as he remembered his therapist's advice to avoid relationships. He gazed at the gilded clock above the fireplace, aware that his grandfather would be back in town for breakfast. He was a determined man who had no choice but to prioritize the future of his family, and Alex was the final puzzle. Why? He ingested deeply, hoping to escape the mansion's overwhelming demands and the women who appeared to be attracted to him.

Moment of silence: He paused to take in the scent of a young woman entering his room as her footsteps interrupted his thoughts. Melissa Bahamas, the fresh maid sported a laid-back disposition, her dark hair neatly tied in comb and uniform clean. Despite being new to the job, she was unaware of the invisible walls that held him back. He looked at her with a soft, beaming smile as she laid bare 'eggs and toast' in front of him and then for.

A remarkable thing happened as she gently brushed her fingertips against his hand. The tightness in his chest softened, and he noticed that no rashes had formed on his skin for years. Alex was unable to breath and his throat stuck open. "What's the matter?".

The hazel eyes of Melissa caught her breath as she gazed up, unsure whether to ask for salt or not. "Is everything alright?".

With his head bowed in confusion, the speaker swallowed and expressed gratitude. "Just say thank you." He wondered whether she was the cause of his lifelong suffering.

Later that afternoon he was sitting in the sterile office of his therapist, who is as wise-than-aging as anyone. Despite the scent of antiseptic, it was Melissa's touch that brought him back to reality. "I touched her, and nothing happened,” he said, lacing his voice in disbelief.

Dr. McCarthy lowered his eyebrow, his pen on a notepad. "What's your emotional state?".

“Surprised.

Feeling helpless, Alex leaped into his chair. He had no desire to be near anyone. I can't.”.

“Or perhaps,” Dr. McCarthy gently remarked that not every woman is comparable to your mother. You may need to confront your fears, Alex. Your body's response to her may indicate that your mind is unconsciously preparing for a new outcome.

The weight of his grandfather's expectations was heavier on him once he returned home. Despite everything, the man was determined to see Alex get comfortable enough and carry on with Magus' legacy. He'd enticed numerous capable females into Alex's domain, each more remarkable than the other. Even so, a typical girl had unknowingly entered the heavy curtains of Alex's solitude as if to prostrate himself.

As the sun set beneath the horizon, and the sky was painted in deep orange, he sat at a mahogany desk that evening, with an idea still bubbling within him. Despite the desperate decision, desperation can lead to opportunity. He wrote with a clear intention, creating binds that would rid them of his fear and give Melissa the means to have her brother undergo the operation.

A voice inside the doorway inquired, "What's he up to?".

With a skeptical expression, his grandfather was present. "Don't tell me you're interested in any other woman.".

Then Alex looked up with an unwavering expression. "No, Grandfather," he replied. I'm proposing something entirely different.”.

Two million dollars per child. The contract he provided in writing was to guarantee her payment for carrying his children, which was part of the surrogacy agreement. He was aware that his family might not approve of combining their heritage with a maid, but it was an uncomplicated solution to reinvigorate life without the fear that had previously troubled him.

Alex waited for Melissa to finish her tasks as the clock struck midnight. The upcoming days would test not only their resolve but also the very foundations of trust and love, concepts he had long forgotten. He was unaware that the excitement of independence mingled with romantic conjecture would soon spill over from what seemed unthinkable.

He didn't realize that by accepting the proposal, they were both joining a rapid transformation that would shake fragile hearts and impact futures in ways they never thought possible.

As midnight approached, Alex sat on the mahogany desk, the desk lamp emitting a soft glow, his contract suspended in place. He gazed at the document, with a mix of excitement and fear swirling in his stomach. Were Melissa not a maid? What did she do? A momentary pause in his thinking led him to contemplate the possibility of rejecting his proposal. His fear was akin to being alone once again, trapped in the gilded cage of the Magus Mansion. It made him feel uneasy.

He was captivated by the gentle crack of the door, and then Melissa appeared, her gaze as bright and comforting as the sound of dawn. Her hands held a tray, but her often flashy eyes gave way as they approached his. "You're inquiring to talk?” she asked, gesturing to him while placing the tray on the desk.

With a firm, unwavering voice, his first words were "Yes, Melissa," with heightened urgency. "I've proposed …I have arranged for you." He gestured for her to sit quietly, trying not to be bothered by the speed of his heartbeat.

She hesitated before sitting down, her hands tightly in her lap. "What about this proposal?".

During that moment, he felt as though his family's expectations had taken over him like a weighty blanket. "I am in need of your help to have children.". It's a convoluted scenario, according to him. He looked into her eyes for any indication of understanding. “I suppose we can all benefit from this one." "Yes," he said. Each child will receive a payment of two million dollars from me.