CHAPTER 4: A contract sealed with a kiss

AUDREY

“Hey, what's up?” Richard smiled the moment I opened the door, rubbing his palms together, "You called me,"

"I did," I returned the smile as he walked past me.

“Umm, I've been thinking about our chat a few days ago,” I said, handing him the documents I was holding, “So I got this.”

Richard raised a brow at me, “What's this?” He chortled, taking the documents from my hand.

“It's a contract for our wedding.” I replied, waving the pen at him, “I brought it from the court, but no one else knows about this except us.”

“Fascinating,” Richard smiled, his eyes glued to the papers as he read their content.

“I just felt that since our marriage is temporary, we should have a signed contract in case of anything,” I added quickly as I approached him.

“I understand,” Richard nodded, taking the pen from my fingers and began to read out, "We shall live as married couples from the time of our wedding, till the next time your father travels out of the country.”

Richard paused for a moment and sighed before raising his eyes to me.

“…And we shall not be intimate with each other, unless we decide to make it… permanent?”

Richard sighed again before closing the document and handing it to me. I felt cold dread crawling up my arms as he read the final sentence.

“Hmm, I wonder what the court meant by ‘permanent’.” He sneered.

“I… don't know, either.” I stuttered, signing on my spot, “I guess we may never find out.”

At that moment, a knock came on the door. Richard went to get it, while I arranged the document and put them back in my drawer. But when Richard opened the door, a familiar but unpleasant voice echoed in my ears—Kevin's.

“Uhh… who are you, and what are you doing in my fiancée's room?” Kevin asked, his voice cracking with shock.

“I should be asking you that question, man,” Richard replied, his voice firm and solid.

“Where's Audrey?” Kevin growled, furious, “I said where—”

Before Kevin could finish speaking, I stormed to the door and stood in front of Richard, my cold eyes fixed on Kevin. He was holding a bunch of roses in both hands. They smelled good, but I was unfazed.

“What are you doing here, Kevin?” I thundered, crossing my arms in disgust. Kevin sighed and tried to come in but I blocked his way.

“Baby, please just hear me out—” Kevin began but I instantly cut him off.

“Don't ever call me that again!” I barked at the top of my voice, “How dare you show your miserable face here, after what you did to me?”

“I'm sorry, Audrey,” Kevin said with guilt in his eyes, “It was an accident. I would never hurt you on purpose, my love.”

“Wait, wait… Is this the jerk you called your fiancé?” Richard scoffed, bursting into brief laughter.

I chortled back, “Yeah, unfortunately.”

Kevin's eyes burned with rage as he switched his glare to Richard, “Did you just call me a jerk? Wait, Audrey who the fuck is this guy?”

“He's my boyfriend.” I replied coldly, “And guess what? …we're getting married this Saturday!”

Kevin's eyes flung wide open and his lips fell apart. He turned his face to Richard, then back to me.

“What?” He mumbled, letting out a silent chortle, “You can't be serious! I was only gone for a few days and you've already moved on?”

“Of course, I moved on, Kevin!” I snapped back, "You think I'm gonna spend the rest of my life crying for you? I loved you Kevin, and you betrayed me.”

“And I'm sorry, Audrey." Kevin persisted, stretching the roses to my face, "How can I make it up to you?"

“You can make it up by getting the hell out of my life!” I said, pushing his hand to the side, “I told you I don't want to see you ever again.”

As soon as I said this, I tried to close the door but Kevin blocked me. “Please forgive me, my love. I'll do anything—”

“I believe she made herself clear, man.", Richard said, staring coldly at Kevin as he took a step closer.

“Hey, watch it, boy!” Kevin bellowed, straightening up as he stared directly into Richard's eyes, “I was talking to my girl—”

Before Kevin could finish, I whirled Richard around and seized him by the collar, pressing my lips hard against his.

For a heartbeat, Richard was stiff as his eyes flung wide but then, he lowered his lids as he curled his fingers around my waist, pulling me closer.

Kevin's muscles stiffened in place as he watched, letting the roses slip from his fingers and crash. His jaw clenched instantly, a mixture of shame and rage.

“So this is how it is, huh?” Kevin smirked, “You tryna make me jealous or what?”

“I already told you that Richard and I are getting married,” I spat, shoving the door in his face, “so you can do yourself a favour and get the fuck out of my house.”

“Fine.” Kevin exhaled with a sneer, "I'll leave, but I'm not gone—not yet!”

Kevin then stormed out toward the exit, leaving the roses on the ground.

“He really is a jerk after all," Richard said. Instantly, I realised I was still holding onto him and I quickly let go.

“I'm sorry… for that,” I whispered, jamming the door shut, “I just wanted to make him jealous.”

“I know,” Richard said, “And I played along.”

I smiled at him as I bit my lower lip, followed by a long, awkward silence. But then, I turned my face away from him, still feeling his taste on his lips.

“I'm gonna go deal with other things,” Richard smiled, breaking the silence. My shoulders sagged slightly as I nodded with a smile, almost completely heated up.

“Audrey," Richard turned, just before he stepped outside,

“I know Kevin must have cheated on you and I understand that you hate him.” Richard began as I stopped. “But if our contract expires and we go our separate ways, will you accept him if he comes back?”

I froze, swallowing hard. My chest tightened as a single drop of sweat trailed down my neck,

“What?... Fuck no! Why would you think…” My voice trebled as I tried to piece the words together, a bit offended.

“You know what, that was a dumb question, I'm sorry.” Richard chortled, scratching his scalp. “I'll see you later?”

“Sure,” I forced a smile as he left the room.

At that moment, the question resurfaced again, burying me completely in thoughts.

My father could travel back out of the country anytime. When he does, Richard goes his own way, then what?

I loved Kevin, but I can't let him back into my life, after what he did to me, can I?