Chapter 5: Legally hitched.

In Mantha Oil Limited's top floor,

Magnus had just entered the biggest office in the building. Patrick, who was resting with both eyes shut, opened an eye and glanced at his assistant lazily. “What is it?”

“I have news on EC,” Magnus announced.

Patrick leaned forward and raised a brow, curiosity piqued. “Okay?”

“We can get it in about eight months.”

Patrick paused to think for a moment before he spoke. “Thought as much. Her daughter's birthday?”

Magnus nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Hmm…” Patrick pressed his head against the cool leather chair, fingers running on the smooth mahogany desk. “What do you think we should do?”

“I think we should wait till then. Get our hands on it, then—”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” Patrick cut in. “Still thinking like a boy.”

“Sir?”

“Say…” Patrick began, reaching for a pen and fiddling with it. "For some reason, her daughter isn't available to access it then. What happens?” Before Magnus could answer, Patrick continued, “It’ll remain unaccessible, right?”

Magnus clasped his hands in front of him and nodded. “I guess so.”

“Good.” Patrick sighed, dropping the pen. “Handle it then.”

“Sir?” Magnus’ eyes widened in alarm. “Like you mean… actually handle it?? But she's—”

“Do you think I'm being unreasonable?” Patrick reached for the pen again, fingers tightening around it until his knuckles turned white. “Do you think there's a better way?”

Magnus opened his mouth but then swallowed his words when he saw the look on Patrick's face. “No, sir. You took the best route.”

Patrick stood up, moved to where Magnus was standing, and then gave his shoulder a light pat. “I'm counting on you.”

Magnus clenched his fists to stop himself from trembling. "Yes, sir.”

Halfway back to his seat, Patrick paused. “Cancel my Friday meeting. We're meeting the new investors tonight. Tell my wife I'll be back this weekend. We'll have a small family dinner then.”

**************************

Lyra woke up in her bed feeling more refreshed than she had in days. She was discharged from the hospital last night, and today? She was getting married.

Tyson stood by an open car door when she went outside. Seeing him in a cream-colored suit and fresh haircut, he looked even more handsome. The prospect of getting married to him made her belly churn with anxiety and uncertainty and... excitement?

“Mrs. Wilson?” he called.

She swallowed. Mrs. Wilson? “Yes, thank you,” she murmured instead and entered the car.

They exchanged brief pleasantries before the car sank into silence. Lyra kept rethinking her decision on the way. Was she too rash? I mean, marriage is a big deal. But each time, she somehow managed to convince herself. It was a contract marriage that'll benefit her a lot, and it'll only last for a year. She was doing it for her mother.

Act first. Think later.

When they arrived, Dale handed Lyra the contract and a Montblanc pen. It stated the duration—'One year, but subject to change under certain circumstances.’

Stated the benefits — how much she'll be paid, her position at the office, the shares. Their living arrangement. Public behavior. Intimacy clause. Exit clause—If any of the parties decides to exit before the stipulated time or is caught cheating, they will pay a fine of ten million dollars.

“Ten million?” she echoed.

He nodded. “You're not planning to have sugar boys now, are you?”

“Sugar boys?” She frowned. “No.”

“Then you have nothing to worry about, right?” He raised a brow, his lips stretching into a smirk, eyes glinting with a silent dare.

She huffed and picked up the pen. Holding his gaze, she scribbled her signature on the paper. When Lyra was done, she held onto the paper and stared blankly. “So one year of celibacy?” she murmured to no one in particular.

Tyson watched her for a moment, his eyes darkening at her comment. “Is it that hard? Having second thoughts?” Then he shrugged. “You should back out now, while you still have the chance.”

“Hmm…” she hummed thoughtfully. “Shall I?”

“Nope.” He took the paper and pen from her. “Too late already.” Then he drew his signature beside hers.

The formalities in the courthouse went by swiftly. Soon, Lyra and Tyson were standing outside, legally hitched. Daphne would totally freak out when she comes for sleepover tonight.

Daphne had booked a flight back immediately after she saw the news about Lyra’s wedding. Initially, she'd taken a rain check on Lyra’s wedding. Said she had an important business trip in China—or maybe she just couldn't stand the sight of her friend getting married to a dickhead. Lyra understood because the wedding date had been set impromptu.

When the new couple arrived at Lyra's house, Lyra came down. Tyson followed.

Lyra cleared her throat when she noticed Tyson heading for her apartment. “Where are you going?”

“To get your things,” Tyson replied, a little confused.

“Uhm… My things?” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Like, right now?”

Tyson's brows furrowed. “Yes. We're married, remember?”

“I mean… we're not really married. It's just a con—”

“You read it, didn't you? The contact.” he cut in.

“Uh, yeah. Just didn't think the moving part would happen immediately.” She sighed, “Fine. I need like a week here to sort out some things.”

“Two days,” Tyson said. “Dale here will help you with whatever. You just need to ask.”

“Four days,” Lyra insisted.

Tyson nodded. Lyra smiled and then began walking to her house.

“And um, Mrs. Wilson?” Tyson called.

Instinctively, Lyra looked behind her—as though trying to find this ‘Mrs. Wilson'—and then at him. “Yes, Uncle Tyson?”

“‘Uncle’ Tyson? Is your relative missing?” He stepped closer and removed a stray hair from her face. “Lyra, I'm not your uncle. You should get used to calling me my first name or something else.”

Lyra opened her mouth to say something, then swallowed.

“I see it'll take a while before you get used to being my wife. I have something to help with that.” He dipped his hand inside his pocket, then fetched a small velvet box. Inside it sat the most beautiful almond-shaped diamond ring. Bigger than that stupid silver band that Alex had used to engage her.

She gasped in awe. But before she had time to bask in the moment, Tyson moved and slipped it on her finger.

Then he ruffled her hair and pinched her cheek. “See you in two days.”

A spark of weird warmth spread through Lyra's belly. She wasn't expecting the gesture. Yes, she remembered Tyson being teasing back when she was in high school, but a lot had changed since then. By the time she got herself back, Tyson was already entering his black Maybach.

“Four days!” She called out after him.

“Yeah, four,” he acknowledged before the car moved.

Lyra bit her lower lip as she watched him disappear.

In Alex’s home,

Alex and Nadine lay side by side, panting. “Did you cum?” Alex asked.

“Yes.” Then Nadine rolled to her side, facing him, her body glistening with sweat. “How long are we going to keep being apart?”

Alex sighed softly. “I told you already… The marriage will only last a couple of months. Enough time to get what I need.”

Nadine shrugged. "Yeah, I know. It's just so annoying to see Lyra acting like you're hers.”

“You know that's not true.” Alex kissed her neck before standing. “I’m all yours.”

Nadine blushed at the sound of that.

“Now, wear something.” He grabbed her orange dress lying on the floor and tossed it at her. “We have a problem to fix.”

Nadine caught the dress and frowned. “A problem?”

“Uh… Not quite.” He corrected himself with a cocky grin. “Getting Lyra to forgive me would be a walk in the park.”

“Are you sure? I'd say she looked quite…” Nadine paused, searching for the right word. “Done. At the wedding. She even slapped you, remember?”

Alex gritted his teeth at the memory of that slap. Lyra had actually hit him, wasn't that a bit too harsh?

Nadine disappeared into the bathroom to wash up. She came out fully dressed a few minutes later. Alex was dressed too.

“She was just pissed. And rightfully so, but Lyra can never be done with me.” Alex continued with an arrogant smirk. “When we get there, just trust me. I'll do the talking, while you just apologize when I tell you to.”

Nadine crossed her arms in defiance and pouted. “Why do I need to apologize?”

Just then her phone beeped. She walked over to the table and picked it up.

“We need her. It's the only way I'll get the upper hand against Uncle Tyson,” Alex explained with a sneer, the words tasting bitter in his mouth.

“My God!” Nadine cried. Her phone slipped from her hand and landed on the ground with a clattering sound. “Oh God, oh God, Alex.” Nadine sank to the floor, running a palm across her face.

Alex immediately rushed over to her side. He picked up her phone, jaw clenching as he stared at the screen. “What the fuck?!" He pulled off his shirt and sat, his blood boiling as he reached for his phone. “I have to call Mother."