005: contract marriage

Anastasia POV

“Get ready for your marriage. I will be arriving in a few hours with your in-laws!”

SayIng that, he hung up the call, leavIng me confused. I ran my fingers through my curls and murmured, “What does he mean by ‘get ready’? Are the groom’s parents arriving wIth my dad?”

Before I could thInk about escapIng, someone knocked on my door. I opened It to my worst fear. My mom and head maId, Alina, stood there with big boxes. It wasn’t surprising; my mom always kept a keen eye on me.

“Should I give up and see what my husband is like? If he’s handsome then I might consider getting married,” I thought as Alina and my mom did my hair and makeup.

“Hey Ana, can you please keep a smiling face when your in-laws arrive?” my mom requested after seeing me sigh and frown continuously.

“Okay mom, I will. But if my future husband is ugly, I’m not getting married.”

I said it clearly—no confusion, no manipulation. It’s not like I’m short on money and would marry someone extremely old or ugly.

“You’re being picky.”

“Because I’m your daughter. You chose dad because he was handsome and had a great body…”

“Oh, indeed you’re like me,” my mother laughed and whispered softly, “Worry not. Your fiancé is very good looking.”

At least that is what my mom saId, but what If he looks much younger than me. I sat in the living room beside my dad; two men sat across from me.

One introduced himself as Chairman Ken Lukers. His brown hair was perfectly set and his hazel eyes were sharp. He appeared to be In hIs forties yet still had a strong build and commanding presence.

“He’s going to be my father-in-law? Not bad,” I thought.

Then I shifted my gaze to the quiet man. He looked a year or two older than me and had a young appearance—jet-black hair and grey eyes, completely different from his father.

“Maybe he Inherited it from his mother,” I thought, scanning Him from head to toe. He had a slender, attractIve body, not muscular. To be honest, I’m not into younger men, but he had a gorgeous face and an idol-shaped figure. I guess I’ll overlook his age this once.

I glanced down at hIs pants, then at hIs groin. “I’m eager to find out His size. Will this man make me forget my one-nIght stand?” I wondered.

“Hi, I’m Erick Lukers. I’m the younger son,” the handsome young man answered.

“Erick Lukers? I think I’ve heard the name from my friends. Is he the famous actor in that movie?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

My dad lightly touched my elbow. “Don’t stare at him like a creep. Introduce yourself,” he whispered.

“Hello, I’m Anastasia Chris.”

After some chat with Erick, his father extended a red file toward my dad. My dad took it and passed it to our lawyer.

“The groom’s name is Japhet Lukers, age unknown here, and he works as CEO of Lukers Corporation Ltd. in America,” the lawyer began reading the marriage contract details of my future husband.

“Who’s this Japhet? Does that mean the man sitting in front of me is his younger brother?” I stared at Erick with annoyance.

“These are the two terms Mr. Japhet Lukers wants: First, no physical relationship with him. Second, never interfere in his personal life,” the lawyer finished reading.

“What does he mean by ‘no physical relationship’? Is he worried I’ll seduce him?” I clenched my fist in rage. This was a big insult. “I can’t believe this Japhet guy! What does he think of himself?”

“Mr. Ken Lukers, I never thought your elder son was this stubborn,” my dad chuckled.

“I apologize for my son’s rudeness, but it will be over if they live together,” Chairman Ken said, smiling slyly.

Damn. What is so funny? My blood boiled to kill that rude man, and these two old men laughed at each other’s jokes.

I stood abruptly. “I don’t want this marriage.”

Awkward silence. Everyone stopped and looked at me. Hear me loud and clear: I don’t want this paper marriage.

I thought at least I’d get to sleep with my husband all night to ease my urges, but now that he set a ‘no physical relationship’ term—no. “I don’t want him as my husband. I’d rather look for another man,” I said, smiling at my dad, and I was about to leave.

I paused In the hallway, fingers trembling on the foyer rail as the house hummed with quiet Servants and dIstant clinking of cups. The chandelier threw scattered light across the marble, each glint feeling like a small accusation. My thoughts spun In a thousand directions—scenes of scandal, late-night headlines, whispers at assembly tables and the awful sharpness of strangers pointing. I pictured tabloids With my face under jagged fonts, ugly photos and cruel captions; the thought sent a cold thrill through me. If he thought a signed Piece of paper could silence me, he dId not know how I worked. I had resources, allies, and patience. I could make a life on my own terms, then drag his reputation through the mud. This was not a game I would lose by quiet acceptance. No, I would play it loud, fast, and with a smile that would make him regret his choices soon.

Suddenly a man in a black suit entered the living room. He was equally handsome with blond hair and blue eyes. Is he the elder brother, Japhet? Now he finally shows up.

“Sir, the young master texted me that if the lady Anastasia refuses to marry him then you don’t need to force it,” the man said as soon as he came in.

Fuck. He’s an assistant working for that rude Japhet.

“What do you mean?” Chairman Ken asked, anxious.

“The young master said he will find a way to deal with French government officials.”

So he’s full of himself—literally challenging me with those ridiculous contract terms. He never wanted this marriage in the first place. Clever, but I’m not letting him succeed. I smirked and snatched the file from our lawyer’s hands. “I changed my mind,” I said, flipping through the marriage contract. My soon-to-be husband had already signed his name.

My dad rose and leaned toward me. “Are you sure? If you don’t want to marry the elder brother you can choose his younger brother.”

“Dad?” I glanced at him. He was more shameless than I am. Now I realize I inherited my personality from my easygoing father.

“I’ll make Japhet Lukers’s life hell. Just wait and watch, Dad,” I murmured, pulling a pen from my dad’s shirt pocket.

I signed the papers without wasting a second. After signing, I threw the file at Chairman Ken Lukers. “Your business is over now. Leave.”

“A-Ana?” My dad might faint witnessing my behavior, but he brought this on himself, and I couldn’t help feeling disgusted.

“Don’t you want to see what your husband looks like?” Chairman Ken asked calmly as he took an envelope from his suit pocket.

“No,” I answered.

“Yeah?” Chairman Ken reacted, shocked, staring at me as if I’d said something unusual. I meant it. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going. Bye, Dad, and don’t call me. I’ll go out tonight.

I walked out of the living room, crushing every slight courtesy and respect for them. I don’t like parents who use their children as bait for their own benefit.

My dad is one of them who agreed to this marriage. He thought he’d get a good son-in-law, but instead he got a rude one who never bothered to greet his soon-to-be wife.

“I will not let this go easily, Japhet. I’ll show you what I’m capable of. I’ll make you disgusted with my affair scandals until one day you come to my mansion yourself,” I cursed under my breath and started the car engine.