Taming The Billionaire-He was never meant to fall for her, She was paid to destroy him

(Malia's POV)

The moment I stepped back into Ivy's apartment, the weight of the folder in my hand felt heavier than my entire body. I closed the door behind me, leaning against it for a second, my head tilted back, breathing like I'd just run ten blocks

Ivy poked her head out of the kitchen, still holding the same apple from earlier, though it was now only a core. "You look like you saw a ghost."

"Worse," I muttered, raising the folder. "I saw a contract."

Her eyes went wide. She walked closer, the apple forgotten. "Already?"

I set the folder on the counter and rubbed my temples. "He didn't waste time. A job. A trip. Milan. He wants me to shadow him for a gala."

Ivy's jaw dropped. "Milan? As in Italy-Milan?"

"Yes, Ivy, not Texas-Milan."

She snatched up the folder, flipping through the neat stack of papers with lawyer-level precision. Her face paled the further she read. "Oh my God. This is moving fast. Too fast."

I flopped onto the couch, burying my face in the throw pillow. "Tell me about it.

She set the papers down gently, like they might explode. "Malia... this isn't some casual flirtation or part-time gig. He's pulling you into his orbit. Kieth Williams doesn't invite people into his orbit unless he intends to use them."

"Thanks for the pep talk," I mumbled into the pillow.

Her eyes softened, but her voice stayed firm. "I'm serious. If you sign this, you're stepping into something you can't easily walk out of. He's not just a man - he's a machine. Contracts, clauses, rules. And you know Andrew..."

The mention of his name made my stomach twist.

As if summoned, my phone buzzed on the coffee table. Private number.

Ivy and I locked eyes. She nodded toward the phone. "Answer."

I picked it up, pressing it to my ear. "Hello?"

Andrew's voice came sharp, cutting. "Well?"

I swallowed. "He offered me a job. Milan. There's a contract."

Silence stretched for a second. Then, "Perfect. That's exactly what we needed."

"I'm not sure-"

"Malia." His tone snapped like a whip. "Do not hesitate. This is the opportunity we've been waiting for. You'll have access to his travel schedule, his files, his contacts. You can't buy this kind of proximity."

My chest tightened. "It's happening too fast."

"Good," he said smoothly. "Fast means he's intrigued. Fast means he's letting his guard down. Do you understand what that means? It means he's vulnerable. And when a man like Kieth Williams is vulnerable, we win."

I glanced at Ivy. Her arms were crossed, worry etched into every line of her face.

"What if he suspects something?" I asked softly.

"Then you smile. You play the role. You do what you're good at. And remember..." His voice dipped lower, dangerous. "Ivy's life is tied to yours. If you slip, if you hesitate, if you think for one second that you can back out, she pays for it. Not you."

Ivy's face drained of color. She shook her head violently, mouthing, Don't listen.

My throat felt like it was closing. "I'll think about it," I whispered.

Andrew's voice hardened. "No. You'll sign it. Now. Put the pen to the paper, Malia. You're already in his cage. Don't forget who holds the key."

The line went dead.

I dropped the phone like it burned me. My hands shook.

Ivy rushed over, gripping my shoulders. "Don't do it. Don't let him scare you into this. You still have a choice."

"A choice?" I laughed bitterly. "Ivy, if I don't do this, you're the one who gets hurt. He made that clear."

Her lips trembled, but she held my gaze. "And if you do this? What then? You think Kieth won't see through you? You think Andrew will suddenly let us go? You're walking into fire either way."

I closed my eyes, breathing through the storm inside me. She was right. But Andrew's words echoed in my head, louder than reason. Ivy pays for it. Not you.

I couldn't let that happen.

I pulled the folder toward me, my hands still trembling. I flipped to the signature page. Ivy grabbed my wrist. "Malia. Please. Once you sign, there's no undoing this."

I looked at her - my best friend, my sister in everything but blood. The girl who had pulled me out of more messes than I could count. The girl who had always believed in me.

And I thought of Andrew's voice, cold and merciless.

I forced my hand free.

The pen felt heavier than iron. My name looked strange as I scratched it onto the line, shaky, almost unreadable.

When I dropped the pen, the sound echoed too loud in the quiet room.

Ivy's eyes filled with tears. "It's done."

I pressed the folder closed, sliding it away from me like I couldn't bear to touch it. My whole body felt hollow.

Ivy sat down beside me, pulling my hand into hers. "We'll figure it out," she whispered. "Somehow, we'll figure it out."

But I didn't answer.

Because deep down, I knew.

I wasn't just signing a contract.

I was signing my way into a cage.

And the worst part?

The man holding the lock wasn't Andrew.

It was Kieth Williams.