Chapter Thirty
Author's Pov
Picasso, still deeply in love with Rico, devised a plan to ensure they would be bound together for a year. He knew that Rico had a strong sense of commitment and structure, so he decided to trick him into signing a dating contract. Picasso believed that this contract would give him the opportunity to win Rico's heart back.
Picasso carefully crafted the dating contract, outlining the terms and conditions that would bind him and Rico together for a year. The contract stipulated that they would go on regular dates, spend quality time together, and work on rebuilding their relationship. Picasso was convinced that this contract would give him the chance to prove his love and dedication to Rico.
Picasso took a deep breath, looking at the paper in his hands. He had signed a lot of business deals with bigger businessmen and did it confidently, but right now he could not help the way his hands shake and his feet turn cold. He was very nervous.
In a few minutes, his future with Rico will be determined. This paper was either going to fully break it or make it, and either way, he wasn't planning to give up on Rico.
He tapped his hands against the wooden door, his heart beating nervously. He closed his eyes, blowing some air out of his mouth to calm himself down.
"Come in." A melodious voice sounded on the other side of the door.
Picasso twisted the door knob, pushing the door open and stepping into the room.
"Rico," he called out softly.
Rico raised his head, looking surprised, before quickly switching his expression to a bored one.
"What do you want, Picasso? I don't have much energy to fight you today." He said the bored expression was not leaving his face.
Picasso furrowed his brows, wondering what was wrong with him.
"Is everything alright?" He asked with concern laced in his voice for his lover.
" Wow! The former me will be smiling like a fool at the sound of this voice. This is great; it just reminds me that I've changed a lot. " He said he was giving him a huge fake smile.
"Just talk Picasso. Say whatever you want and leave."" He concluded.
Picasso took a deep breath, his eyes pleading with Rico for understanding. "Rico, I know it may be hard to believe, but I do still love you a lot. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you completely, so I made you sign a contract, without your knowledge, actually."
Rico's expression softened slightly, curiosity mingling with his anger and confusion. "A contract? What kind of contract?"
Picasso reached in from behind and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "This," he said, unfolding it and handing it to Rico.
"It's a dating contract; it's the paper you signed awhile back at Alfonso's place. It states that you would work for me for one year, but in return, I would give you your freedom and hopefully erase all the painful memories I caused."
Rico's eyes scanned the contract, his brows furrowing in disbelief. "You thought a contract could erase the hurt? Picasso, you can't just erase the past like that. Just when I thought, Look, this jerk is changing, boom! You come up with another idea to fill my misery." He screamed, glaring daggers at him.
He placed his hand into his hair, gripping it hard. He couldn't believe this was happening to him again. Just like before, he was stuck with this piece of crap again.
Picasso nodded, his voice filled with remorse and fear. "I know, I know Rico. I was foolish to think that a contract could fix everything. But I wanted to keep you close to make amends for the pain I caused. I wanted to show you that I still cared, even if it was in a twisted way."
Rico looked up from the contract, his gaze meeting Picasso's. "And what happens after this year? Will you let me go?"
Picasso took a step closer, his voice filled with sincerity. Yes, I will." He whispered.
When Picasso presented the dating contract to Rico, he was initially hesitant. Rico questioned the need for such a contract, feeling uneasy about the idea of being bound to Picasso for a specific period of time.
However, Picasso assured Rico that the contract was merely for a year, and a part of him decided to go with him and show him the same amount of pain she caused him; it was an opportunity to make his heart flourish in peace again.
After much contemplation, Rico reluctantly agreed to the signed dating contract. He may not fully trust Picasso, but he believed that this was a necessary step towards erasing the pain in his heart and getting back at him.
Little did Rico know that Picasso had ulterior motives, using the contract as a means to not only manipulate but also control their relationship.
As the weeks passed, Picasso meticulously planned their dates and outings, making sure to adhere to the terms of the contract. On the surface, it seemed like progress was being made and their relationship was slowly improving.
However, Picasso couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, sensing that Rico's actions were driven more by the contract than genuine love.
It was almost like Rico was toying with his heart and feelings. One moment he was acting like they were on good terms, and the next moment he was bossing him around.
He sat down in his study with his head in between his hands, contemplating what next he could do as his plan to win Rico over was definitely not working.
He opened the drawer next to the wooden caramel-colored table in his office, pulling out the original copy of the contract Rico had signed.
His eyes lingered on a clause on the paper, and his mind drifted to different ideas he could use to use that clause to his advantage.
What was stopping him exactly were flashes of Rico's dad's eyes going through his mind.
He doesn't want to hurt him again, but he refuses to lose him.
He held the paper up, thinking of what to do next.