Chapter 2 _ Friend's Refusal

**Fiona’s POV**

I knew the marriage registration would take time, so I nervously got into my boss's car as he carefully opened the door for me. This was the first time I had ever ridden with him. His tobacco scent surrounded me like a blanket, and I swallowed hard. Once he shut the door, Mr. Carson walked around to the driver's side and got in.

"Are you sure you agree to this contract marriage, Fiona? I will have my lawyer draft the agreement. Once we divorce, I will settle you with a twenty percent share of my company. I believe the Carson Group will have grown significantly by then."

My cheeks flushed at the sound of his voice. The naive me nodded, avoiding his eyes.

"I agree, sir. Even if it's just to be your wife on paper for one year, I want to be with you."

"Mmm." Mr. Carson pursed his lips. I peeked at him; his Adam's apple bobbed as he looked away.

"Remember the rules, Fiona. No attachments. You must guard your heart and know I am only doing this to secure my grandfather's assets before they go to the orphanage," he replied before reminding me to fasten my seatbelt.

"Alright, sir," I replied, sealing my lips.

I grabbed my phone to distract myself, already sweating despite the air conditioning.

Sitting this close to my boss, breathing the same air, made my heart race. Instead of looking at him, I texted Mary: *I am getting married to my boss today.*

*What?* Mary gasped, replying instantly. *Are you serious, Fiona? You are marrying Rowan Carson? He is way out of your league, and he has a fiancee!*

Glancing sideways, I noticed Rowan focused on the road. I lowered my phone screen and snapped a quick photo of his well-defined profile.

*Yeah. Have a look, we are on our way to the marriage registry. Though he says it's only a contract marriage. We will be married on paper for two years,* I briefed Mary, and she shrieked, sending shocked emojis.

*True. I will chat with you later. We have arrived at the marriage registry,* I informed her.

*Are you sure you can do this? I cannot believe you're marrying a billionaire for two years. This is risky, Fiona. Won't you have sex with him?* Mary asked.

My heart raced and my cheeks flushed. *I can do it. It's just a short-term marriage. Since I know he has a woman, I won't fall in love with him,* I quickly replied.

*Fine. I just hope you can let go when the time comes,* she warned.

Though her words ached, I forced a tight smile and replied, *Of course.*

As I finished texting Mary, I caught Rowan looking at me from the driver's seat. "Who are you chatting with that has your face all flushed and blushing?" he asked, his voice cold and laced with suspicion.

Wanting to hide my phone, I answered, "My best friend."

"A man or a woman?"

"What?" My eyes widened at his inquiry.

"A woman," I quickly replied.

"Let me see the chat." Rowan demanded my phone. Frowning at his lack of trust, I swallowed the pain in my chest and handed it over with trembling hands.

"Unlock the chat, let me see. You should know that part of our agreement states you will not cheat on me while we are married. You are married to me alone, Fiona. I hope you can keep up with this clause?" he asked as I input my password.

"I will. You should keep up with your clauses, too," I replied with a challenging gaze.

"Sure." Rowan smiled, his cold demeanor easing slightly as he read through my chat with Mary. He even spotted the short video I had taken of us in the car.

Locking the screen, Rowan handed the phone back and cleared his throat, meeting my nervous gaze. "You cannot expect access to my phone. Don't forget, I am your boss and I am still in love with Sage. You are only with me for these two years until she returns. Once she is back, we end our marriage. You surely don't expect me to cut ties with Sage?" he asked coldly.

My heart hurt. I asked eagerly, "Does that mean I can have a secret boyfriend, too?"

"No, Fiona. No boyfriends. If you have one, you have to break up with him during our marriage," Rowan replied.

My face fell, and I lowered my head.

"Fiona," Rowan called my name just like he did at the office.

"Yes, sir," I replied, my eyes stinging with tears as I looked up to meet his gaze.

"Why are you crying? Do you want to back out? I told you: no outside relationships and no sex with other men during our marriage. You will be my wife at home and accompany me to family events, but you cannot post about our marriage publicly or tell anyone outside of your family and a few close friends that you are my contract wife—not my true love."

Blinking back my tears, I looked away. "Got it."

"Fiona, are you sure you can do this? If it's too hard, I'll find another woman," Rowan asked softly.

"I can. I am already here, so let's just get the marriage registration done," I told him.

He nodded. "That's fine. My lawyer, Albert Paulson, is here."

Rowan gestured toward a man I recognized as our company's lawyer. When Albert saw me step out of Rowan's car, his eyes widened in shock and he frowned.

"Fiona, are you sure you want this contract marriage? You are aware Rowan has a lover and is still in love with Sage Andrews, right? Haven't you considered the possibility that another man might actually like you?"

"Albert, what is that supposed to mean? We are already here, so do your job and stop asking Fiona ridiculous questions. Or are you interested in marrying her yourself?" Rowan snapped, clearly annoyed.

Standing beside the car under the warm sun, Albert retorted, "Rowan, I have to be sure this is what Fiona wants. Whether I have feelings for her or not has nothing to do with this, but she is too pretty and humble to be used and dumped by you."

Rowan's jaw clenched as he shifted his gaze to me. I lowered my head, avoiding both of their stares.

"Go on and answer his question, Fiona. Do you want to marry me or not?" Rowan demanded, his voice laced with irritation.

Caught between Rowan and Albert as they waited for my response, I took a deep breath and replied with trembling lips, "I will marry you."

"Fiona, you don't have to do this," Albert said coldly, making me shudder.

"Albert, if you don't want to draft the contract, fine. I will hire another lawyer," Rowan said coldly.

Albert glared at me. "Fine. I'll draft the contract since it's what Fiona wants. I just hope she doesn't regret it in the end." He exhaled sharply and walked away.

Rowan looked down at me. "Let's go. Don't worry about Albert. He gets mood swings sometimes, like a pregnant woman."

"Alright," I smiled nervously, lowering my head as my cheeks flushed. Part of me knew Albert was genuinely concerned about me entering a loveless marriage, though I had never suspected Albert harbored feelings for me.

I nervously followed Rowan into the marriage registry building.