contract.

Anne was determined to resign; she couldn't stay in an environment that pushed her consciousness to the limit. Her nature wouldn't allow her to act any differently. What once seemed like an unshakable duty now felt like a burden, she needed to cast off to find peace. At first, her words might have been nervous, but now she realized she might have been a bit impulsive.

–Stop talking in riddles. – Anne growled. –What do you mean by 'from less to more?'–

--I don't fully understand it either, but Anne, it's a bit illogical to end a relationship based on a feeling. If you think it over a little more, I believe we could find an answer. You're the person in charge of all the affairs at Lux Animation. I can't see you resigning; you love the work you do every morning, -- Billy replied.

–A bit pretentious, don't you think? I hate that job now, – Anne said. Pride was something she lived by, and she wouldn't give it up for anything in the world. She could never stomach swallowing that pride she held so tightly.

–Anne, what do you want from me? There must be something. I'm not smart enough to figure out your thoughts exactly. I'm a mess when it comes to understanding emotions. If you're not direct, we'll both be stuck here for a long time, – Billy admitted. He couldn't quite grasp the issues that led Anne to act this way, but one thing was certain: the blonde only wanted to unburden something she had been holding in her heart.

--Billy, I need a vacation then. I can't keep restraining myself. The freedom a trip would offer might be the best option for me right now. When we consider that most mistakes we make tend to magnify when left unchecked, we, as people, always try to follow a path that gives us some form of satisfaction or at least brings us close to it. The truth is, I want you, Billy. I couldn't be surer that my desire extends to every step, and I can't block the memories that flood me again and again. They vibrate through me, reminding me how foolish I've been, but a fool nonetheless. -- Anne's voice trembled as she spoke.

–Anne, how am I supposed to respond to this? – Billy asked, lost in the words he had just heard. He ran a hand through his blond hair and adjusted his shirt, but something elusive was hiding within him. Why was the world so complicated? He understood that, normally, the right option would be to reject this. Yet deep inside, the pragmatic young man he was held onto the value of Anne. Losing her wouldn't be something he could replace, at least not for a year. He had to be smart, and maybe consider a temporary replacement, but no one came to mind. Everyone capable was on a path with no return, and he distrusted others as much as he distrusted the potential candidates for the position at Lux Animation.

--I think what you're suggesting is a mistake. I'm in a relationship, and I don't want to damage what I've built. Sometimes, letting emotions take over is... maybe the ideal dream you've had is just that, a dream. Reality can be as disappointing as it often is. These personal, private encounters between two people—they're just that. Encounters are stripped of the muse we carry in our minds. We dream of things that, by nature, are only a mistake, a fairy tale turned nightmare, - Billy said.

–It's just the desire I have and what I'm holding onto. Don't downplay these emotions that consume me. I know what I want, and I'm not acting on some silly assumptions... does it hurt to hear the truth? Not hiding behind silence like you do, deceiving your girlfriends or using them? You're a hypocrite, always seeking benefits. Forgetting about love, now you tell me you can't act because it's wrong? You fool, that's what you are. You'll never marry Monica; she's not enough for you. You just keep her around as a shield. That's what makes you different from your father, and that's why I must resign. –Anne's words cut deep, but they didn't shake Billy the way she had hoped. He was only thinking about his company, not about anything else. Love, he thought, was everywhere if one looked for it. He almost sighed at the realization. He was Billy Carson, and he could have anyone he wanted. His mind raced through countless possibilities, but he couldn't quite figure out what to do. Yet doing nothing was still an answer.

–Stop right here. – Billy said, grabbing Anne's arms.

–A contract, let's make a contract, – Billy said.

–What are you talking about? – asked the blonde once again.

"I'll do it, but under contract. Name your terms, and I'll state my conditions. It's the only way we'll get through this," Billy said.

She doubted his words but nodded, realizing that this relationship would be bound by a contract. In her mind, she toyed with the idea, almost as if she were in an erotic novel. Her heart trembled, her body urged her to go through with it, and she had been dreaming of this encounter for months, over and over again.

–Make love to me, just make love to me whenever you can, –Anne stammered, her words stumbling over themselves, though not in a way she enjoyed.

–The contract will stipulate this must remain confidential. If a third party finds out, it's void. – Billy added, already calculating changes in his company.

–I don't care about anything else. – Anne replied.

A flash of something passed through Billy, and with a gesture of affirmation, he took Anne in his arms, with a tenderness he had learned. As much as he could muster, and with delicacy, their tongues entwined. Anne moaned as she felt him, but Billy continued smoothly, step by step, deciding to let his company fade from his thoughts for a moment. Kissing her deeply, he now felt the need for his father to return, if only to help him with the material division of the business. New ideas started forming in his mind.

–You'll obey me in everything I do concerning this. – Billy said, taking a strand of her hair as she nodded, unable to refuse anything more.

–I'll do whatever you say, – Anne whispered, captive to her feelings. Her mind was clear, and she began drafting the contract in her head.

...