Chapter 5: Rumors

Exiting the luxurious apartment in Sterling Heights Residence, Lily made her way to Ink & Brew, a place that had become a sanctuary for her. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the comforting ambiance welcomed her as she stepped inside.

Bella, her dark curly hair framing her expressive face, was already seated at their usual table in the corner. She waved enthusiastically as Lily approached.

"Hey, Lily! You won't believe what I've found," Bella exclaimed, her eyes dancing with excitement.

Lily settled into her chair, eager to hear the news. "You sound like you've uncovered something big. What is it?"

Bella leaned in, her voice hushed. "I've been digging deep into Mr. Sterling's background, and I've come across some intriguing connections. It turns out he has ties to several powerful individuals and organizations. There's even speculation about his involvement in some high-stakes deals."

Lily's journalistic instincts kicked into high gear. "Tell me more. What kind of deals are we talking about?"

Bella glanced around the cafe, ensuring their conversation remained discreet. "Rumors suggest that Mr. Sterling has been quietly supporting various ventures in Opuland City, from art exhibitions to business startups. But here's the kicker—some sources believe he has a hidden agenda, one that goes beyond philanthropy."

Lily furrowed her brow, absorbing the information. "So, he's not just a wealthy benefactor. There's more to his story."

Bella nodded, her expression serious. "Exactly. I've been collecting evidence and gathering information from various sources, and it seems like Mr. Sterling is orchestrating something big. Something that could have far-reaching consequences."

Lily leaned forward, her curiosity intensifying. "Do you have any leads on what this 'something big' might be?"

Bella hesitated for a moment, then leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've heard whispers of a secret society operating in the shadows of Opuland City. It's said to be comprised of influential individuals from various sectors, all with their own motives and agendas. Mr. Sterling's name has come up in connection with this society."

Lily's eyes widened. A secret society? It sounded like something out of a thrilling novel. "Do you think this society has something to do with his proposal to us, the contract marriage?"

Bella shrugged, her expression uncertain. "It's hard to say at this point, but it wouldn't surprise me if there's a connection. We need to tread carefully, though. If Mr. Sterling is indeed involved in something clandestine, we could be stepping into dangerous territory."

Lily nodded in agreement, her mind racing with possibilities. "We should continue investigating, but discreetly. We don't want to alert him or anyone else involved."

Bella gave a determined nod. "Agreed. I'll keep digging, and you continue your role in this contract marriage. We need to gather as much information as possible without raising suspicions."

Back to Alex, who was lost in thought at his newly acquired art gallery. He had been contemplating the grandeur of his surroundings when his phone chimed with an incoming call. He glanced at the screen and saw "Mom" flashing.

With a conflicted heart, he answered, "Hey, Mom."

"Alex, where have you been? You didn't come home last night, and you didn't answer your phone!" Rose's voice was filled with concern.

He sighed, his secret weighing on him. "I'm sorry, Mom. I got caught up with an important client and a big project here in Opuland City. It's going to take some time, maybe two years."

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a sigh of resignation. "Two years? Alex, you didn't even tell me about this. You know how worried I get when I don't hear from you."

Guilt gnawed at him. "I know, Mom, and I'm sorry for not telling you earlier. It was a last-minute opportunity, and I didn't want to burden you with the details."

Rose's tone softened. "Alex, you don't have to go through all of this alone. We're family, and we should be there for each other. Is everything okay? Are you sure you're making the right decision?"

He hesitated, his mind racing. He couldn't reveal the truth about the contract marriage with Lily. "Everything is fine, Mom. This project is a huge deal for my career, and I believe it's the right step. I promise I'll come home whenever I have some free time, okay?"

There was a long pause on the line before Rose finally spoke, her voice filled with motherly concern. "Alright. Just promise me that you'll take care of yourself and that you'll call more often. I miss you, and I worry about you being so far away."

His heart ached. "I promise, Mom. I'll call you regularly, and I'll come home whenever I can. I miss you too."

Tears welled up in Rose's eyes. "I love you, Alex. Just remember that."

"I love you too, Mom," he replied, his voice choked with emotion. He hated lying to her, but he felt it was the only way to protect her from the truth about his contract marriage and the mysterious world of Mr. Sterling.

---

Later that evening, in the opulent Sterling Heights Residence, Alex tried to sound casual as he addressed Lily. "Lily, I have something to tell you."

Lily, engrossed in her work, looked up, her curiosity piqued. "What is it, Alex?"

Excitement radiated from him as he shared, "Mr. Sterling gifted me an entire floor in Sterling Tower as an art gallery. It's a dream come true, Lily."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "An entire floor? That's incredible, Alex! Congratulations!"

Alex's face lit up with gratitude. "I know, right? It's beyond anything I could have imagined. I can create art on a grand scale, and I want you to visit and see it soon."

Lily's initial excitement faded as she remembered the conversation she had with Bella earlier. She hesitated for a moment before finally sharing, "Alex, there's something I need to tell you too. Bella, my best friend, has been digging into Mr. Sterling's background."

Alex frowned, his excitement giving way to concern. "What did she find?"

Lily chose her words carefully. "There are rumors about Mr. Sterling's involvement in various ventures and organizations in Opuland. Some sources even suggest that he might be part of a secret society operating in the shadows."

Alex's expression darkened. "A secret society? That sounds ominous."

Lily nodded, her voice tinged with worry. "It does. Bella thinks there might be more to Mr. Sterling's proposal to us than meets the eye. We need to be cautious and continue investigating discreetly."

Alex felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, he was thrilled about the art gallery gift, but on the other, the mention of a secret society cast a shadow over his excitement. He couldn't help but feel torn.

"So, you think there's a connection between the contract marriage and this secret society?" he asked, his tone serious.

Lily looked at him earnestly. "It's too early to say, but it's possible. We need to gather more information before we can make any definitive connections."

Alex understood the need for caution, but he couldn't help feeling conflicted. "I appreciate your dedication to the investigation, Lily, but I also want to make the most of this incredible gift from Mr. Sterling. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for my art."

Lily sensed his frustration and replied, equally frustrated, "I understand that, Alex, but we can't ignore the possibility of something more sinister happening here. We need to find the truth."

Alex, frustrated by the interruption to his moment of triumph, spoke up. "This was supposed to be a simple arrangement, a way to secure our futures. Now it's turning into something else entirely. I never signed up for this investigation."

Lily, equally agitated, retorted, "And I didn't sign up for this opulent lifestyle, Alex. This isn't what I expected either."

Their voices had risen, and their frustration spilled over into their words. The once-promising camaraderie they had built on their first day now seemed to crumble under the weight of their differences.

Alex stopped pacing, his gaze intense as he locked eyes with Lily. "So, what are we going to do? Are you going to continue this investigation at the cost of everything else? Are we going to be strangers living under the same roof for the next two years?"

Lily bit her lip, struggling to find a middle ground. "I don't have the answers right now. All I know is that I can't ignore this lead. But I also don't want our arrangement to turn sour. We need to find a way to balance both."

Alex sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I just wanted a chance to focus on my art, to make a name for myself, and to provide financial support to my family. I never imagined it would come with all this... complexity."

They sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts, the tension between them escalating.

Finally, Lily broke the silence, her voice softened by a mix of frustration and concern. "Alex, I don't want to undermine your dreams, but we need to find a balance. We can't ignore the investigation, but I don't want to hold you back either."