Making a Contract

“Justin,” Karina called after Norman had gone to another room to make a contract.

"Hmmm?" Justin asked without looking at Karina. His eyes continued to stare at the screen of his cellphone, even though he had not opened anything since earlier. He just dodged, didn't want to talk or get close to Karina. The situation became a bit awkward.

"Why are you staring at a blank cell phone screen?" Karina asked innocently.

Hearing Karina's question, Justin became embarrassed. He cleared his throat, covering his embarrassment.

"I do what I like. That’s not your problem," he finally answered.

"Ohh, It turns out you're weird too," Karina said again.

"What did you say?!"

"Oi! I just leave you guys for a while, and you start to fight again. What are you? Tom and Jerry?" said Norman, who suddenly came out of Justin's office.

"What are you doing out here again?" Justin asked.

"So, I can't disturb the cat and mouse who are alone together?" joked Norman.

"I'm really going to kill you..." Justin said emotionally.

Norman laughed instead and Karina couldn't help but laugh too.

"Chill, bro. I'm here because you'd better come to the office. I'm currently making a list of what points we should include to the contract," said Norman.

"Yeah, come on," Karina replied as she stood up.

Justin rolled his eyes, but in the end he also went into his office. Norman sat in front of the laptop, while Justin took the seat farthest from Karina.

"So, Karina's conditions are to pay her father's debt, how much is it?" asked Norman.

"Two hundred million won," Karina replied.

"Hah? That's a lot!” Justin protested.

"If there aren't many, there's no way I'd be forced to marry an old man. If it's only a bit, my dad can pay it off," Karina replied.

"That's right, Justin. You don't have to be stingy. Twenty million for you is just doing one project," said Norman.

Justin snorted as he rolled his eyes, but he couldn't say anything else. Justin slams himself into the back of the chair in annoyance.

"So, you want to be paid monthly too, huh? How much salary do you want?” asked Norman.

“I want to open my own business, so I need more money. How about two million a month," Karina replied.

"Hey! You are crazy! You didn't do anything and you want two million a month!" Justin protested again, widening his eyes.

"If you want to do anything to me, I'm willing to do it. We become real husband and wife," Karina replied with a smile.

Justin was now really hitting his forehead real hard, while Norman was laughing heartily. Now there's someone who can really make a cold and curt Justin Kim powerless.

"Karina, are you sure you want to be Justin's real wife? He's colder than an iceberg, you know!” cried Norman.

"But I have been a big fan of Justin for a long time," Karina answered honestly.

"Good grief! You're sick, you know that?" Justin asked.

Karina just kept silent while pouting. Her red lips were brought forward, making her face look cute. Justin turned his face away.

“Enough you guys… OK, I'll write it all here, okay? Now, Justin, what are your conditions?" asked Norman.

"She can't touch me. If she is sitting or standing, she must keep a distance of at least one meter. She can't ask personal questions. She can't sleep in the same room as me. If she violates, she must return all the money I spent," said Justin.

“Okay… Karina agrees, right?” asked Norman as he typed.

"OK. You'll see, you'll definitely fall in love with me!” Karina exclaimed.

"Hey!!” Justin exclaimed.

Norman just shook his head as he typed his contract.

"Well, that's a deal. I continue to print and you can put your signature on each paper. I also ask for a photocopy of your ID, Karina, for the purposes of the contract. You also have to maintain the confidentiality of this marriage contract, okay? No one can know. Understand?" asked Norman.

"Understood, Norman," Karina replied.

"If that's the case, we can meet Karina's dad now. Ask for his blessing and solve the debt problem," said Norman.

"Now?" Justin asked. He was not ready to meet anyone's parents and ask for their blessing. Not now. Everything was too sudden.

"Of course now! Her father is waiting, maybe he will have a heart attack, seeing his daughter's face on national TV, in the bush with a guy like you," said Norman.

Karina nodded behind Norman, making Justin glared sharply.

"Why are you so chill, Rina? Aren't you worried that your family’s good name will be tarnished?" Justin asked curiously.

"I am happy, because I don't have to marry that old bastard. At least, this is a way out for me," she answered.

"Then you don't have to ask for a big salary!" Justin exclaimed.

"If you don't agree, I will go to the media to spread this scandal. Look at my clothes, it is tor..." Karina said as she was about to open the jacket she was wearing.

"Do not open it! Alright… Alright, I will pay two million a month!” said Justin.

"She's not wearing clothes?" asked Norman.

"Don't even think about it!" Justin exclaimed angrily.

“But, I need new clothes. It's impossible for me to come home wearing clothes like this," Karina said.

"Don't worry, I'll buy it for you. After that, we will go straight to your house. Okay?" asked Norman.

"Thanks, Norman," Karina said with a smile.

***

An hour later, the three of them were already in the car heading to Karina's father's house. Karina had changed into long jeans and a bright blue shirt. Justin was also wearing a neat shirt and cloth pants, just like he was going to propose. Justin's face sour all the way looking out the window.

"Are you ready, bro?" asked Norman who was driving.

"Ready? Are you kidding me? I don't know what to say," Justin replied.

"Just say, Sir, we are very sorry, but I love your daughter. I want to marry her with your permission. But I will tell the media crew that both of us are already married, so we won't be embarrassed. It’s not that hard," said Norman.

"Hey! You think it's easy? I'd rather be working from morning until morning again instead of talking like this," Justin replied.

"Who told you to make problems like this," said Norman.

"My dad will not make a scene with you, Justin. He only loves money. So as long as you give him money, you will be safe," Karina said.

Hearing Karina's words, Justin suddenly fell silent. From the sentence he said, Justin could guess how lonely Karina was. He may not get the parental love he deserves. However, Justin immediately turned his face away. He didn't want to sympathize with any woman.

"Where is your mother, Rina?" asked Norman as he drove.

"My mother died when I was still in middle school. Rina is an only child. So I live only with my dad. But he is always busy, so Rina mostly left alone if not with the maid. When I graduated from college, I got a job and stayed in a boarding house near the office," Karina replied.

Justin pretended not to listen by looking out the window, but actually his ears caught all of Karina's story.