The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 53

She caught sight of Dylan and, for a split second, surprise flickered in her eyes. Was Dylan some kind of offbeat, alternative guy?

Swallowing nervously, she tried her best to appear unfazed.

“So, you’re Dylan?”

Rebecca’s lips twitched, though her voice managed to sound gentle and polite.

Dylan sat down, awkwardly running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, that’s me.”

Rebecca flipped her fiery red hair over her shoulder and grinned, offering her hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m… well, you can call me Becky, or Rebecca, whichever you prefer.”

Dylan glanced briefly at her hair, then at her outstretched hand, before looking away.

Unbothered, Rebecca withdrew her hand and studied him with open curiosity. “You’ve got quite a unique style. Is this what’s trending these days?”

Dylan’s mouth twitched in discomfort. He took a sip of coffee. “I suppose you could say that.”

He’d assumed his look would scare Rebecca off, maybe even make her reconsider the whole arranged engagement, but she didn’t seem the least bit fazed. In fact, he had to admit he was a little impressed by her composure.

“Mr. Austin, who would’ve thought we’d have such similar tastes?” Rebecca teased, her lips curling in a half-smile.

Dylan replied coolly, “Yeah, I wouldn’t have guessed either.”

They both smiled politely, but under the table, their fists were balled tight.

Rebecca tried to get a good look at Dylan’s face, but his fringe covered half of it, and the huge black sunglasses hid any real expression. She couldn’t make out his features at all.

But that didn’t matter. If he didn’t want her to see, she wouldn’t force it.

“Mr. Austin, I think I know why you showed up looking like this,” Rebecca said suddenly, her eyes full of understanding.

“Ms. Thomson, this is the prenuptial agreement I drafted. Take a look and let me know if you have any concerns.” His tone was as businesslike as if he were discussing a corporate merger.

Rebecca took the document and began reading carefully. Most of it was standard, but one clause caught her attention.

Dylan was requesting a private marriage, and had set a three-year contractual term.

“Mr. Austin, could you clarify this part about keeping the marriage private?” Rebecca looked up, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.

Dylan explained, “The reason I suggested a private marriage is I don’t want my personal life to become a public spectacle. I’d rather keep things low-key, away from the media and everyone else.”

Rebecca was silent for a moment, understanding his concerns. With someone of Dylan’s status, privacy was a luxury, and any news about his marriage would be headline material across the Oriensia region.

“And what about the three-year contract?” she pressed.