The Contract

Laura...

When dad walked me down the aisle to the traditional wedding song, I could hear the chatter of the hundreds of people inside the church.

Was I nervous? Was I excited? Was I going through those feelings that every bride goes through? No, not at all. I felt very cold inside my heart that could eat up all my feelings that were supposed to dispute now.

My dad squeezed my hand softly before he passed my hand to my would-be husband. As he held my hand, I finally looked up at the guy in front of me through the veil that was covering my eyes. He was looking handsome in that black suit with his white bow tie.

There are bunches of guys out there to want to marry me. But among them, I chose him. Even though I know he is useless, I want him to marry me.

Maybe it was my stubbornness to make it unpleasant for my family, marrying a jobless guy who is unqualified and inappropriate for Allen Family. Maybe for me, it was kinda revenge that could please my heart a bit.

I was too adamant that day when we met, maybe because I was drunk, or maybe because of Aaron, I was angry.

It was the day I fought with my grandfather.....

2 weeks ago...

"Since Allen group needs something to highlight it to public, your wedding will be the biggest news. So forget about Aaron, and find someone to get married with." My grandfather Mr Arthur Allen shouted his order at me. He was sitting in his rocking chair in the study room, his eyes fixed on the file that his secretary who was standing beside him has brought just now.

"Choose anyone else on this earth, but not him." He has told me that hundreds of times, still wanted to try it again, I wanted to try to make him understand that I love Aaron.

I bit my lower lip and tried to control the tears that were threatening to fall. "Grandpa..."

"Don't disturb your grandfather." My uncle Mr Peter said with a stern voice who was standing beside my dad.

just like my father, my uncle is a doctor. They were never interested in their father's business. But battle started since we, I mean I and my cousin Rhia were born. The battle of being chosen by our grandparents as the top heir.

"Do as they please," Uncle said again.

I didn't bother him but my dad's gaze ached my heart the most. He was helpless here. Though he was the elder brother, he can't protest anything.

For choosing a model as his wife which doesn't fit with the Allen family, he was my grandparents' least favoured son. He and my mom were always despised by my grandparents and other relatives.

And after all, even if he does, he knows that it will wipe me out from the list of being the top heir and the chance will be given to my cousin Rhia who was studying at university.

I clenched my fists into the garment of my frock and swallowed a gulp as I looked at my grandfather again. "Okay. If you all want this, I will choose anyone except Aaron. But remember, it is not gonna please you as well." With that, I sauntered out of the prison-like mansion.

After I got into my car, I couldn't think about any place but the seaside club I like most. So I drove to the club and made the place for myself in a corner of it. Because it was always silenced at that corner. I disturb no one, and no one disturbs me.

"Here...is your beer, mam." Handling me my order, the waiter left. I grabbed the glass from the cabinet and started drinking like a fish. Suddenly the phone in my purse rang. I took it out from it and glanced at the caller id. I immediately answered the call as I saw Aaron's name on the display. "Aaron."

"Babe, what's up? You said you will talk with your family again." Aaron sounded curious.

My tears started to pool in my eyes. "I failed. I failed to make them understand again. He again told me to marry anyone else except you." I sobbed, clenching my hand around the phone.

There was a brief silence before Aaron spoke again and what he said froze my heart. "Then get married to someone else."

My hand trembled. "What-t are you saying? Are you crazy? How can I marry someone else? I love you. And you know..."

"Yeah. I know that. And I love you too. But there is no way left, Laura. It's not like that you can escape from everyone, marry me. You can't." He cut me off.

I wiped my tears that were streaming down to my cheeks as I nodded my head though no one was noticing. "But... still I can..."

"You can't do anything. Find someone and marry him." And his mouth didn't tremble once to say it loud. "Luara." He called when I didn't respond.

As I couldn't hold myself anymore, I declined the call and got myself busy with the beer only to get drunk and forgot everything for some time. I want peace, I want my mind to be empty.

When I was about to pour another glass of beer for myself, I heard someone's loud voice and that got into my nerves.

"You lost this job too? How can you lose this job, Ryan? You don't have any idea about how hard it was for me to manage this part-time job for you. You are useless. It's a shame to have a best friend like you." The guy who was standing not so far away from me shouted at the guy who was sitting on the chair beside mine.

His face was not visible for the darkness. He buried his face into his palms as he let out with frustration. "I know I am useless. I didn't call you here to complain. I was late today. I will just beg the owner. Now tell me, how is mom?"

The guy who was shouting a while ago sighed. "Her condition is getting worse. You need to manage the money by tomorrow's morning. And I told you, I have managed half of the bill. You need to manage..."

"I am trying my best to. I am doing everything just to save her. No one will even give me a loan. How am I supposed to earn that big amount of money overnight?" The guy named Ryan cut him off, his manly tired voice was shaking a lot, he was trying his best not cry at this moment.

"You can ask for someone's help."

Now he let out a shaky laugh. "Alex, in this world, I only have mom. Who will help me?"

"I will help you. I will pay for all the hospital bills." I didn't know why but I just said what my brain told me to say.

Both of them turned their faces, looking at me, shocked! I was not a foreign figure here. I can tell just by their gaze that they recognised me right away.

"Why do you want to help me?" Ryan asked as he stared into my eyes. His eyes were different from any men I have ever seen. He had the eyes of dove feathers, not the albino kind, but the ones with a hue so softly grey that they could have been pencil drawn. "Do you know me? Do you want something from me as well?" He asked, his friend was just staring at me, dumbfounded.

I nodded. "Yes." I was right, he is smart.

He chuckled. "You already have everything. I don't think I can give you anything else." Quite confident about what he said.

"You can." I asserted.

He raised his brows. "What is that?"

"Marry me," I said, not hesitating a bit. At that time, I couldn't think anything except taking revenge on my grandparents. He will be the best choice for it.

"What?" His friend's mouth dropped open in surprise, but Ryan's expression didn't change. His eyes held a mystery, a cold gaze towards me. "Just marry you? Just being your husband, and that's all? Nothing else, right?" I am quite sure that he already knows that I have a boyfriend.

So I nodded. "Just being my trial husband without any types of rights on me. You won't interfere with my personal life, I won't interfere with your personal life. You will sign a contract for one year regarding my conditions. If you break any of it in this one year, we will be separated. I mean we will sign the divorce paper."