Ryan's POV
It sounds ridiculous.
A contract marriage? What for?
I laugh for a very long time, wishing it will piss her off but the lady in front of me isn't ready to be mad at anything I do at the moment.
She is smiling with a determined look on her face. That sort of I- know-what-I-am-doing look makes me sober up immediately.
"Are you done laughing?" She leans forward, her stupid makeup in clear view.
I do not reply to her. I just wish I didn't propose this meeting. I hope this will just end soon.
Is it this psycho I am getting married to? Why will she even propose a contract marriage?
As if hearing my thoughts, she comments. "The last time I checked, I had a boyfriend and I was asked to break up with him simply because I have been betrothed to some man. The last time I checked, we don't like each other a bit, so tell me what the hell you are thinking about? What the hell is stopping you from agreeing to this? You want us to be married forever?"
I am tempted to let out a loud NO. I am tempted to forbid it. I can't imagine spending forever with this dramatic woman.
No.
This should be for a while. We are going to get divorced as soon as possible. We just need to act as if our parents have succeeded in their plans for us to be in love and married for life.
Come to think of it, the contract seems like a good idea.
I guess it just sounded ridiculous since it was coming from her.
We don't need to be contracted. We are adults and all we need to do is get divorced after some years of being married.
Why the hell is she bringing up the issue of a contract?
She tilts her head sideways with a frown. Then she fakes a gasp, her right hand clamping her mouth. "Are you falling in love with me already?"
In response, I sneer.
Fall in love, my foot!
"You want to be married for life?"
I slam my fist on the table in anger. This is what she wants. She wants to provoke me to say something about her stupid idea.
"Shut the fuck up, woman!"
"Shut the fuck up, man!" She yells back, startled. "Who do you think you are to yell at me that way? Do I look like some girl who will bend to your wishes just because you want them? Do I look like someone you can order around? I know you need this marriage more than I do. I can decide to go back home right now and tell them I am not getting married to you and that's final. I am doing you a favor so you better tell me if you agree with the idea or not."
I am surprised at the outburst. I never expected it.
It almost made me lost for words but I brace myself up. "Who do you think you are to bring rules…"
"You need me."
"What?!"
"Yes."
"So you don't need me?" I question back in anger. The last time I checked, her father was the one who came over to the house for a partnership. He reminded my dad about the betrothal just because of the partnership.
We fucking need each other.
"Nope. I don't. But my parents do. And you need me, not your parents."
My anger is at its peak. I am angry that I have to get married to this woman whether I like it or not. And I am angry at her calmness. She doesn't look a bit threatened or intimidated by me.
I guess the contract should be the best idea. I can't live with this maniac for many years.
"Tell me why you think the idea of a contract marriage isn't nice?" She demands her elbow on the table and a smirk on her face. Before I can answer, she chips in. "Do you want to fall in love with me?"
"Tell me why you think a contract marriage is the best idea", I ask back sharply, my tone a bit raised.
What is the essence of raising it to the peak when it won't have any effect on her?
She smiles and then leans backward, her legs crossed. "A contract marriage is the best because no one would be able to stop us from getting divorced according to the contract. Not even our parents. They will no longer have a say. Don't you get it?"
"Why do we have to involve a contract when we can make such decisions on our own?"
"Simply because marriage is legal and a contract is legal too. A contract will annul the marriage without any hassle. We don't even need to sign the divorce papers."
"Who told you that?"
"Do we need to?"
I hiss.
"Why do you want to go ahead with the marriage?" I find myself asking in a low tone. "It is obvious you have the power to go against it as you mentioned clearly to my ears with a raised shoulder, so tell me. What do you stand to gain apart from the benefits your parents stand to gain from this? You don't even sound like you want to help them or you are helping them."
"Why do you want to know? You think I trust you enough to tell you?" She scoffs, turning her head away and making me view the sides of her face.
The shape makes it look like those of models. Maybe if she hadn't gotten this ridiculous makeup on her face, I would have admired her a little but the first impression they say lasts forever.
Even if she doesn't wear any stupid makeup next time, I will still view her this way.
A clown.
An unfashionable, unsophisticated woman.
"Just tell me already. It's not like I can use that against you."
"Why do you want to know?"
I almost curse at her. What the hell are the questions for? Can't she just tell me?
She laughs shortly. "I want to take revenge on my boyfriend and my best friend."
This is when I remember she said something about her boyfriend earlier. So she has a boyfriend.
Why does she want to take revenge on him? Did he cheat on her? Who wouldn't cheat on a crazy girl like this?
I see no reason why I should ask her any more questions so I keep mute.
"I need you but I don't need you the way you need me. I can still get my revenge without you." She states and I nod.
Noted.
She wants me to know that she is doing me a favor.
"So what do you say? Are you in?"
She is referring back to the idea of a contract. She still wants us to go ahead and get a contract signed, stating when our marriage will start and end.
That way, we can go our separate ways without any hassle or trouble from our parents.
They won't be able to force us to be together just like they are doing now for us to get married.
Now that I think of it, it doesn't sound like a bad idea. Why?
Because I can make the rules. This agreement should be shared 50%-50%.
She is bringing the idea and I would be making the rules. She wants her revenge back on her boyfriend and best friend and I can do the same to her for being stubborn with me.
If I make the rules, then I won't have any difficulties dealing with her because these rules will limit her capabilities and silliness.
This way, I will be in control not her. And our limited marriage life will be spent in peace and not in pieces.
Carefully taking note of the expression on her face, I remark. "The answer to that would be yes, only if I will be the one to make the rules guiding the contract."
Her eyes beam with happiness. Without thinking, she concurs. "Great."
She stretches her right hand towards me for a handshake as I would do to a business partner who came for a business meeting.
Glad at the fact that she didn't give my condition much thought, I smirk proudly and stand up to take the exit without taking her hand.
A MONTH LATERValerie's POVLife is about turning on different roads and choosing to either face the rock of reality or not.This is reality.That was the word I wrote down in the dressing room before coming out here to face my reality.This isn't what I have always dreamt of. This is the opposite of what I want for myself and my future.I am a strong believer in love, probably because I have experienced love in beautiful souls. I never believed in getting married out of love but here I am doing that one thing I never believed in or never knew existed.Dazed, I let the sound of applause get drowned in my head as I approach the arbor where the groom of the day is awaiting me.His name is Ryan and I am going to be his bride today. Not because we love each other but for different reasons and goals.I want my father to be back on his feet. I want him to return to that confident, strong man he used to be and I also want my revenge on Fred and Brenda.I am not doing this because I want our
Ryan's POVThe door is locked.My hand is on the doorknob still. Then I turn it again but it won't budge.It has been locked from the inside. Without thinking of a single reason why the woman I just got married to a few hours ago is locking me outside my own bedroom, I raise my hand to knock.The knock is loud enough to wake the dead. She can't possibly tell me that she locked the door and slept off. I only spent thirty minutes outside trying to let everything sink into my head and also to think of what to do after this damn thing is over.I have been trying to get over how she ridiculed me at the church wedding. She didn't let me kiss her on the lips. Isn't that part of the pretense? We are to make believe that we are real and beginning to like each other, isn't this what she said?I felt humiliated. What if someone had seen that?Fortunately, no one was quick to observe anything between us. Not even the tension and despise we feel for each other.There is no answer."Valerie, open t
Valerie's POVDetermined to get on his nerves tonight, I lay sprawled on the bed fully clothed. The moment the shower goes off, I close my eyes to pretend that I am asleep.I can't let him sleep with me on the same bed. We can't share the same bed.I love my privacy and space. I never had any reason to share a bed with anyone, except Fred and I am not ready to get to that stage with Ryan.I know we are supposed to sign the contract tonight but I am seriously not going to give him the chance to sweet-talk me into letting him sleep here tonight.The bathroom door opens and I imagine him coming out of the bathroom with a bare chest trailing with water from his wet hair and a towel wrapped around his waist.I imagine the glare he will throw my way when he notices I'm already asleep on the bed, sprawled with my legs apart to prevent him from getting into bed with me.Today is our first night as a couple and I want us to stick to the rules of the contract to ease the whole period we will be
Ryan's POVShe practically jumps on me, scaring the shit out of me. I sit up immediately, letting her slide down with a big grin on her face."What was that for?"She shrugs nonchalantly like she hasn't done anything wrong."I need to sleep", I almost add, please. I am already tired of arguing back and forth with her. It is obvious she isn't going to let me be."Please?" She demands, raising her brow. This is when I notice her hand on mine. I yank my hand off immediately.Turning back to the bed, I comment. "Please."Then, I lay down, hoping she will let me be now."I didn't ask you to sleep yet", she jumps down from the bed and drags me up. Now I am more than convinced that she jumps for a living. Why the hell is she jumping like a monkey all over the place? What does she even do for a living?I know I married a stranger but I should have asked her if she had a job so she won't be a complete liability. Having to help her parents is enough."We need to sign the contract first of all…
Valerie's POV My nose twitches and my eyes flick open, the rays of the sun setting on my skin. I sit up and glance around as the memories of yesterday's event come rushing as well as last night. I turn to the curtains to see them open. Did Ryan open them? I look towards the door and it is still locked. Maybe the curtains were drawled to their sides last night. I get out of bed and move towards the door, rubbing my two hands on my eyes to rub off the sleep. I am damn hungry and I could eat a horse right now. I unlock the door and get out. Finding my way to the kitchen, I get to the living room and my eyes fall on Ryan sleeping on the floor with his blanket hanging on his leg, half of it on the couch. Did he fall from the couch or he purposely slept on the floor? I almost chuckle at the sight of him sleeping with his legs apart. I know he might want to go to work since there is no talk of a honeymoon and I really don't want him around for the whole day. Maybe I should wake him
Ryan's POVLike an erupting volcano, I burst into my parent's mansion with anger coursing through me and stormy red eyes.I stalk towards the second living room when no one is in sight the moment I enter, except for the maids whom I do not feel like talking to.The person I want to see is my mother. And dad.They both caused this. If only they didn't try to force me or blackmail me into marrying that crazy woman in the penthouse, maybe I won't be this frustrated, angry, and sad, and I would probably be on my way to work, excited for a new day's challenge.They caused this so they should answer for this.During the wedding yesterday, I realized mother was the one behind it all. She was the one who reminded my dad about it and pushed him to force me into this.This is just unfair. This is unfair.This is sheer wickedness.Just before I get to the living room, Nita appears. When she spots me, she smiles and waves her hand but I shove her away and enter to see mom sitting on her usual cha
Valerie's POVFrederick is the type of man who loves a woman with everything he possesses. He was the exact type of man I wanted; one who loves fiercely and passionately. One who loves me for who I am. One who doesn't criticize my shortcomings but accepts and loves them as well.A man who looks at me and smiles for no reason. A man who loves even my dirtiest moment.That is Fred.This is the exact definition of Fred. He is that man. And it was so hard not to fall deeply in love with him.The way he loves me, the way he smiles at me, and the way he shuts me up with a kiss whenever I am in the mood for an argument always gets me weak in the legs.I keep loving him every single day for loving me despite everything.But one thing is an obstacle.His cheating nature.I doubt if Fred would ever stop doing that. Being with Brenda is what broke the camel's back and I don't ever want to be with him again, even though it hurts.It hurts so much.My heart hurts. It feels like a fire is in my hea
Ryan's POVMy gaze darts outside the car window, watching the rain pattering and the droplets sliding down the window as I ignore the fear consuming my insides.I left the office before the rain began so I could come back to my parent's mansion to see mom or dad.But on second thought, I decided to see Anita instead. Mom will never tell me what it is. Dad must have sworn to secrecy never to tell me either and it's breaking me. Curiosity is killing me.My mother is dying and I didn't even notice a strange thing? Is this how much I have distanced myself from my family?What exactly is happening? Where exactly is it hurting? Why did Anita use the word "dying" instead of sick? Is it something incurable? Mother doesn't even look sick. She looks as healthy as always. She even looks more beautiful recently and the thought of it almost makes me tear up.My mother can't die. No.I will do everything in my power to see to it that she survives this but first I need to know the source of the ai