Chapter 1: A Contract?

“Thanks, but that filthy tissue of yours won't help to clean up the mess I've made.”

“Trust me, it can't be worse than mine.”

[Crystal]

I never believed myself that I'd really make it here. I've always wanted to come to this place to get away from the life I've always wanted to leave behind.

Including my family.

I took a deep breath to somehow reduce the weight of what I was carrying on my chest.

The only thing that my family knows in New Jersey is that I am only here in Denmark for a three-day vacation.

They never heard my plans of never coming back.

I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't realize I was walking right in front of City Hall.

I lifted my head to see the whole front of it, my eyes widened because of how huge and beautiful this place is. The lights are so bright that they could light up this whole town. 

It's like the moonlight that shines on the road.

I'll probably just sit on the bench in front of this big hall and watch it more closely since it seems like there are no more people and it's so peaceful here.

“Maddison…”

I was shocked when I heard a man speak; I hadn't realized there were other people around.

I searched for where the voice was coming from with my eyes and I found it right in front of City Hall. Have they been there before? How come I didn't notice them and thought I was alone?

Dumb.

The guy is not even all by himself and he's with someone. I assume that's her girlfriend. They were holding hands, so I immediately recognized them as a couple.

The interesting part is that it seems like this is an exclusive live drama for me.

I can't help but stare at them and wait to see what happens next.

I don't think they'll kiss in front of me... Do they?

“Maddison…” I heard the guy call her again.

They have been in silence for so long before the young woman finally lifted her head and turned to look at him.

It was only there that I got a good look on her face. She's so beautiful, her skin looks smooth and porcelain; she also has beautiful dark eyes and a perfectly sharp nose. Her cheeks were also red and her rosy lips matched her white skin that shines as if when she crosses the dark road, it cannot be overcome. Her dark black, short hair makes it even more beautiful. I can say she's perfect.

Who says life isn't unfair?

I can't understand why she looks bothered and unhappy?

The young woman shifted her eyes to the left side and if I base it on her reaction, it seems like she just realized that we are in front of City Hall.

Her eyebrows joined together and it was noticeable that her eyes seemed to have lost emotion at what she just saw.

What is she thinking?

The guy was about to say something when she eventually opened her mouth and talked to him.

“Liam, how have you been lately? I heard what happened to your family from dad. He said that the Spencers could fall into the mud because of how huge this problem is.” He was about to answer but was interrupted when the young woman continued. “What about your father? Does he say something about it?” She said quickly without looking at him as if she didn't want the guy to start talking.

They might be dealing with a major issue right now.

Is this why they have been so quiet? I'm puzzled.

I'm not interfering but I seem to be gradually becoming interested in their story.

“Don't worry, I have already thought of a new plan. I know that this time we will win against those Villareals. And you know my father, he will do everything he can just to save and secure our legacy. Even in a way that is not so good for the others, he will.” He said, trying to look her in the eyes.

But he failed when the woman did not remove her gaze from the floor.

I noticed her forehead furrowed and her eyebrows met as if she was thinking about something so deeply before she looked at him again.

I thought she was gonna say something but she didn't.

“We have been together for 3 years, Maddi." The guy gave her a warm smile before he continued "and you are the one who stays by my side, who supports me, you also know all my troubles... especially with my Dad. And I think if there will be a right time to say this, it's none other than tonight…”

He told her directly while staring intently into her eyes.

She was obviously confused but it was as if she was waiting for him to say something.

“Maddison, I want to marry you.”

My eyes widened as my hands slowly rose to my mouth as if I am the one whom the guy proposed to.

I can't believe what I'm witnessing right now.

I didn't expect it to be a proposal, the free live movie I'm watching is already in the ending part.

This is such a delightful moment.

The guy could hardly contain his happiness, neither did I.

“Liam... will you please stop doing whatever it is you're onto?” The woman exclaimed, a combination of rage and sorrow in her voice.

My mouth dropped and the smiles gradually faded from what the woman had just said.

“You want to marry me? really... or you can just simply say that for the nth time you will use me again in your plan like you always do.” I can see the tears gathering in her eyes from here; she may have been holding it inside her for a long time.

I was taken aback by what I heard; they didn't seem to be a happy couple at first, but I thought the drama I was watching had a happy ending.

So why does it appear so dissimilar to what I was anticipating?

“Maddi, that's not true. This is not related to a plan to save anything. It's just me, it's me who wants to marry you. For real.”

He tried to look sincere but it doesn't seem to work because the woman just shakes her head while she looks sharp and angry at him.

He tried to look sincere, but it didn't seem to work because the woman just shook her head.

“You really expect me to believe that? Do you even remember when you told me you loved me?” The man seems to be dumbfounded and uncertain. “Right, you never did!” she sarcastically exclaimed.

He could not let out a word from what he heard and just looked at her.

“Okay, you know what? I'm tired. I'm sick of this thing. If you want to save your father then go save him. But don't use me. Ever. Again.”

After she let go of those hurtful words, she left.

“Maddi…”

I even heard the man call his name again, but she was gone.

When he regained consciousness, the guy walked in sadness and despair.

Wait, why does he seem to be going in my direction?

Wait WHY!?? I'm panicking and I am literally screaming inside my head right now.

He's here, he's near me!

I was shocked when he suddenly sat next to me.

Perhaps he didn't notice me sitting here, and this guy didn't realize that there was someone here who witnessed everything.

I looked at him and it was as if he wasn't on his own, he was just stunned and looked away deep in thought.

When I noticed that he looked dead but dilated, I made my way.

I lifted my hands to his arm, folded it, and left a finger to poke him to check if he was moving and still alive,

Because if he died in too much sadness and the police see us here, just the two of us, together. Then there is no one to blame other than me.

“Hey…” I whispered to call him as I repeatedly poked him in the arm. “Hello, sir? C-Can you at least m-move? I don't want to end up in prison when the police catch me, hey... Hey!” I could no longer restrain myself from fear so I raised my voice to him.

I think it worked because he seemed to come back to life when he noticed me.

“What do you want?” He asked me with a frown on his face and a disgusted expression in his eyes.

I understand that maybe the reason why he's acting like this is that he's hurting.

I looked for something that I could help so I dug myself and my pocket to find at least a handkerchief and give it to him, but I only found a used tissue.

I don't know if it's okay but I just handed it to him. At least I tried to help the broken-hearted person. Right?

He turned and looked at me first before he shifted his gaze to what I was holding. 

It's my dirty and crumpled tissue. 

He did not accept it and instead, he just looked at me again.

“Thank you, but that filthy tissue of yours won't help clean up the mess I've made.”

Is he that sensitive to not accept my used tissue? I mean, does anyone accept a filthy tissue given by a stranger though?

I was just trying to help but this guy is getting on my nerves.

I know he's really annoying but I'm still trying to be kind to the star of the show I watched earlier.

I wanted to laugh at what I said but I held it and refocused my attention on him.

“Trust me, it can't be worse than mine.” I offered him the tissue again.

It was only then that he gave me another look as if a light had come out of the side of his brain and he had come up with a good idea.

“Hey, are you up for a job?” he asked me as he stared deeply into my eyes, waiting for my response.

Isn't this how they form a syndicate to sell illegal drugs all over the place?

Maybe why they quarreled earlier is because he's involving her in this filthy business.

I even heard that the woman said he was using her in the plan, maybe... he is forcing her to distribute the orders.

I know I need some money, but not in the way that I need to do illegal stuff.

I laughed and shook my head in response.

He changed his position to face me and stare at me even more so he could be more convincing.

He almost grabbed my hands but I avoided it. I can't risk anything, he might suddenly grab me somewhere and kidnap me.

“Even if I pay you a large amount of money?”

I was taken aback by what he said.

As he stared into me I couldn't help but admire the beauty of his eyes. It was like the shade of the sea, his eyes were deep and sharp; he also has long eyelashes and his eyes are in good shape.

I'm staring at his whole face right now; he has solid features, including a finely sculpted nose and lovely red lips. His sharp jaws are tightening now as if all the women who saw him would gladly kneel in front of him. This guy is even far more attractive than I am.

But what made him look more attractive was his eyes that glowed especially when they were hit by light from the city hall. It is like a precious treasure.

He ran his fingers through his hair to fix it. His fluffy hair seemed to be suddenly revived by the passage of his fingers.

“You're such a handsome syndicate,” I whispered unconsciously.

“What did you say?”

I was shocked at what came out of my mouth, fortunately, he didn't seem to hear me. I didn't realize that it was a long time before I answered as if I had fallen into the depths of his eyes and it was even harder for me to get up before I could say my answer to his question.

“Can you... Uh, give me at least a few more details?” I hesitantly asked him.

It was as if he had come to life when he heard my answer.

I even saw his little smile as if he suddenly thought of something.

“It's like you're going to work for me, but not literally working. It's just so you can do something for me.”

“Is it something illegal? because if it is then I'm out.”

He shrugged his shoulders before he continued. “I can pay you two hundred and fifty thousand if you-”

“I'm in!” I shouted back when I heard how much he could pay me.

I truly feel that this probably will end up in my regrets, but not every day I will have that much money, so I should never miss it and grab it right away.

When he heard my consent he suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me upright into City Hall.

With his fast walking pace and large strides, it felt as though he was dragging me behind him.

He's still a big man and I'm not tough enough to break free, so I just let him drag me along with him.

If it weren't for the money he would pay, I wouldn't let myself be dragged by anyone.

When we got inside, he suddenly let out the words that were like a large chunk of ice had fallen on my head.

“You're going to sign a contract with me.”

My heart had dropped and my feet grew cold from what I just heard.

A contract?