Chapter 2

FIONA

Knowing that the marriage registration would take time, I swiftly got into my boss's car as he carefully opened the car door for me to sit in the front seat. This was the first time I'd be riding with my boss.

His tobacco scent surrounded me like a warm blanket, and I bit my lower lip.

Once Rowan shut the car door, he walked over to the other side and sat in the driver's seat.

“Fiona, are you sure you agree to this contract marriage? I'll have my lawyer draft the contract. Once we divorce, I'll settle you with a 20% share in my company. I believe that by then, Carson Groups will have developed more than it has,” Rowan said. My cheeks flushed as I listened to his deep voice.

The naïve me nodded as I avoided meeting his sharp blue eyes.

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

“Mmm.” Rowan pursed his lips as I peered at his face. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he looked away.

“Remember the rules, Fiona. No love attached. You should guard your heart firmly and know that I'm only doing this to claim my grandpa's assets before they go to the orphanage homes,” Rowan reminded me, before adding, “Fasten your seat belt.”

“Alright, sir,” I replied, lowering my head and biting my lower lip once more.

I took my phone to distract myself as I was already sweating in the car. Despite the air conditioning, I was already aroused, sitting in the same car as my boss and breathing the same air he breathed.

I didn't look at his face. Instead, I texted Mary.

Me: Hi, Mary. I'm getting married to my boss today.

Mary: What? Are you serious, Fiona? You're marrying Rowan Carson? He's way out of your league, and he has a fiancée.

I smiled, doubting whether I was telling her the truth.

Sliding my phone down as Rowan kept his gaze on the road, I lowered my phone screen and captured a snapshot of his well-defined profile.

Me: Yeah. Have a look. We're on our way to the marriage registry. Though he says it's only a contract marriage, we'll be married on paper for two years.

I briefed Mary, and she shrieked, sending me a shocked emoji.

Mary: What???

Me: True. I'll chat with you later. We've arrived at the marriage registry.

Mary: Are you sure you'll be able to do this? I can't believe you're getting married to a billionaire for two years. This is risky, Fiona. Won't you have sex with him?”

My heart raced as my cheeks flushed.

Me: 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.

My face fell typing that.

Mary: Fine. I just hope you'll be able to let him go when that time comes.

Though my heart ached at her words, I forced a tight smile.

Me: Of course. I will.

After my chat with Mary ended, I saw Rowan had arrived at the marriage affairs building and was looking at me as he sat in the driver's seat.

“Who are you chatting with that makes your face red and has you blushing to yourself?” Rowan asked, his deep voice cold and his eyes laced with suspicion.

Wanting to keep my phone in my bag, I told him, “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, holding out his hand for my phone. Though I frowned because he didn't trust me, I swallowed the pang of pain in my heart and handed my phone to him with a trembling hand.

“Unlock the chat and let me see,” Rowan inquired. “You should know that part of our marriage agreement says you won't cheat on me while we're married. You'll be married to me alone, Fiona. I hope you can abide by this clause.”

I collected my phone, entered my phone password, and handed it to him.

“I will. You should abide by the clause too,” I replied with a challenging gaze.

“Sure.” Rowan smiled. His cold demeanour softened as he read my chat with Mary.

“Must you read my private chat? I don't have access to your phone or know who you chat with. Don't you think it's inappropriate for you to read my messages?” I asked him as his brows furrowed while he read my silly chat with Mary. He also saw the short video of the two of us in his car.

Turning off my phone's screen, Rowan handed it back to me and cleared his throat as he met my nervous gaze.

“Fiona, you can't have access to my phone. Don't forget, I'm your boss, and I'm still in love with Sage. The only thing is that you'll be with me for these two years until Sage returns. Once she's back, we'll end our contract marriage. You don't expect me not to chat with Sage, do you?” he asked coldly.

My heart ached violently, and I eagerly asked him, “So, that means I can have a secret boyfriend too, right?”

“What? No, Fiona. No boyfriend. Do you have a boyfriend? You have to break up with him during the course of our two-year marriage,” Rowan replied, his tone firm, and my face fell as I lowered my head.

“Fiona,” Rowan called my name sternly, as he always did in his office.

“Yes, sir,” I replied, though my eyes were filled with tears. I raised my head to meet his gaze.

“Why are you crying? Do you want to back out? I told you, no relationships for you and no sex with other men during our marriage. You'll be my wife only at home and accompany me to family events. But you won't post about our marriage publicly or tell anyone apart from your family and a few close friends that you're my contract wife. You're not my main wife or true love.”

Blinking away my tears, I looked away and replied, “Got it.”

“Fiona, are you sure you can do this? If it's too hard, I'll get another woman,” Rowan asked me softly.

“I can. I've already arrived here, so let's get the marriage registration done,” I told him, and he nodded.

“That's fine. My lawyer, Albert Paulson, is here.” Rowan gestured towards his friend, and I recognised Albert as our company's lawyer.

When Albert saw me getting out of Rowan's car, his eyes widened in shock, and he frowned.

“Fiona, are you sure you want this contract marriage? You should be aware that Rowan has a lover and is still in love with Sage Andrews. Are you sure you want this contract marriage? Haven't you thought about the possibility that another man might like you?” Albert demanded.

“Albert, what's that supposed to mean?” Rowan asked, his jaw tightened. “We're already here, so do your job and stop asking Fiona ridiculous questions. Or are you interested in marrying her?”

Rowan was clearly annoyed that his best friend and lawyer was asking me personal questions.

As we stood beside Rowan's black car, the sun bathed us, and Albert replied, “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's too pretty and humble to be used and dumped by you,” he retorted.

Rowan's jaw tightened as he shifted his gaze to look at my face. I lowered my head, avoiding the two men's gazes.

“Go on and answer his questions, Fiona. Do you want to marry me or not?” Rowan asked, his voice laced with irritation. He crossed his ankles, leaning beside his car.

I met Rowan's gaze and then Albert's as they both waited to hear my response for the umpteenth time.

I drew a deep breath and replied with trembling lips, “I will marry you.”

“Fiona, you don't have to do this,” Albert snapped, his voice cold, and I shuddered.

“Albert, if you don't want to draft the contract terms, that's fine. I'll get another lawyer to do it,” Rowan said coldly. His hand reached for his phone in his trousers pocket.

Albert glared at me and replied, “Fine. I'll draft the contract since it's what Fiona wants. I hope she doesn't regret it in the end.”

Albert breathed out hotly and walked away.

Rowan looked at me and said, “Let's go. You shouldn't worry about Albert's behaviour. He has mood swings sometimes, like a pregnant woman.”

“Alright.” I replied with a smile. My brows furrowed as I lowered my head with my cheeks flushed.

A part of me knew Albert was concerned because I was getting into a loveless marriage. But I hadn't realised that Albert might have feelings for me.

I nervously followed Rowan into the marriage affairs building.