**Chapter 9: Co-Habitation**

 The contract was signed and the gossip had begun to subside. There were still tensions between Ellie and Lucas, and with each foray into the office, Ellie would still feel like she was treading on thin ice. One time while Ellie was prepping Lucas's schedule, Clara came up to her desk. Her sharp expression did not ease when she approached. "Miss White," she pointed out in a clipped voice, "Mr. Hunter has asked me to inform you he wants to see you in his office." Ellie's heart beat erratically, but she nodded and walked with Clara to Lucas's office. In the office, Lucas was sitting with a blank note at his computer, and the look on his face was as harsh as the rest of the room. "Miss White," he stated in a cool and detached voice. "Sit down." She sat, fidgeting with her hands clasped on her lap. Lucas sat back, staring at her for a moment before continuing, "The gossip surrounding us has deeply affected the reputation of the business, and, of course, the standing of my family. This needs to stop." Ellie nodded, her heart racing. "It makes total sense, Mr. Hunter. You don't have to worry, I have been trying by all means..." "I will stop you right there and tell you it is not enough," he interjected. "I will say it again; we have to take extreme actions." 

While her mind scrambled, Ellie's stomach twisted, but she managed to keep herself together. 

"What do you suggest?" 

Lucas advanced, his gaze fixated on hers. "We are going to cohabitate." 

Ellie blinked repeatedly, utterly convinced that she had misheard. "What?" 

"You will come into my Space," he replied, his tone cold and expressionless. "It is the only way to manage the scandals effectively and to silence the rumours." 

Ellie scrambled to collect her dazed thoughts. "Mr. Hunter, I wish you would reconsider…" 

"I don't care if I'm appearing twisted. I only care about what needs to be done," he interjected, his tone slashing and furious. "You will do as I instructed and accept the position. Alternatively, you can be let go." 

He cut the Agreement without hesitation: "Mr. Hunter, I'll do it." 

His nod was a sharp jerk, and without wasting time, he shifted a page toward her. 

The document trembled in Ellie's hands as she bravely reached for it. She was acutely aware of how the contract, detailed and picturesque, laid down each part of their living arrangement and the repercussions for defying the terms. 

Nonetheless, one particular clause stood out. 

**"The signatories shall ensure that any form of interaction that borders on being personal shall not occur at any given time. Breach of this clause or restriction shall result in termination of contract without notice and court prosecution."** 

Ellie's throat constricted severely upon reading the words. 

She never indeed had the intention of breaching boundaries with Lucas. However, that he felt the need to document it in writing stung.

Yet, the choice was not with her no matter how hard she tried to exert some control. 

Her hands twitched as she scribbled her name and took the pen before her. 

She kept her gaze averted as she handed it back to Lucas. 

Without a word, he took it from her grasp and waved his hand, dismissing her. 

Ellie felt a wave of anger and frustration wash over her as she walked out of his office. 

Fighting accusations was a strenuous battle that she had to deal with, but in the end, she was not the one at fault. 

And yet, she wasn't going to let that shatter her, that's for sure. 

That was far too weak for her. 

The shaking in her hands intensified, but the rest of her day was manageable. Ellie always managed to pull her focus when she needed to. 

She couldn't do anything to sway Lucas' opinion of her, so the best approach that she could think of was to try and control her emotions. 

She was adamant that she had to overcome that situation. 

All said and done, Friday rolled around. The exhaustion lingered around her for far too long but Ellie did feel relief wash over. 

At long last, the day she had long awaited for arrived and all she wanted to do was stride into the weekend. 

But as she readied to saunter out, she got another call from Lucas. 

"Miss White," he said, his voice devoid of any emotion. 

Stepping in easily made her heart race, "What is it, Mr. Hunter?," she managed.

"You managed the situational context... I would say, effectively, this week." 

Ellie blinked, unable to formulate an adequate response to the clause. "Thank you, Mr. Hunter." 

He acknowledged her with a slight nod before waving her off. 

While exiting the office, Ellie allowed herself a small smile. 

That wasn't quite grace, but that's the closest thing to an appreciation she had received from him within the confines of a week. 

And for any further outbursts, this was more than sufficient. 

Contract stage is over. 

I managed from start to finish and from now on, I will face anything that comes next.