Marriage contract

Kaylar stood there in shock.

So her boss was the guest her grandparents were expecting.

She wondered if she was meant to be worried about her grandparents' discussion or the fact that her boss was at her grandparents' house.

She had a bad prenotion about his visit.

She quickly composed herself and called out again.

"Mr Frenando! What a pleasant surprise I didn't expect to see you here"

Kaylar plastered a smile on her face.

Wayne was in the least surprised, he had gotten the full gist before his visit.

He glanced at Kaylar for a brief second before shifting his gaze to the door.

"Are they inside?" He asked calmly.

Kaylar nodded as she opened the door.

Inside the room.

The old couple heard the exchange between Kaylar and Wayne as they quickly changed their topic of discussion.

"Wayne, you are here." Kaylar's grandfather welcomed Wayne and asked him to take a seat.

Wayne took a seat near the window as he looked at the old couple unreservedly.

Kaylar, who stood at the side, was baffled by her grandparent's demeanour.

She sat down next to her grandmother, who looked a bit flustered.

The room was oddly quiet and only their breaths sounded.

"I learnt about the arrangement between our families from my grandfather." Wayne broke the silence, and then he continued, "The Frenando family will still go through with the arrangement, I came here today to ask if the Harper's are keeping their side of the agreement"

"Since we've agreed the Harper's have no reason to back down now," Kaylar's grandfather said with a hesitant tone as he glanced at his wife occasionally.

This was the first time he felt nervous.

He felt as if he betrayed his beloved granddaughter, but he had no choice as the saying goes a deal is a deal and he had to keep his side of the deal.

He took a peek at Kaylar's confused expression and sighed dejectedly.

"That's good to know, Has a date been fixed for the wedding?"

Wayne asked with an unruffled tone.

He wanted to get it over and done with to satisfy his grandparents.

He scoffed inwardly at the thought of getting married to his secretary.

He threw a disgusted glance at Kaylar and tsked silently.

Kaylar observed everyone's expression, her grandparents looked troubled and uneasy while her boss looked rather calm and collected as if he was facing a business partner.

'Whose wedding? I bet it's Asherly" Kaylar concluded.

Her thoughts were caught off when she heard her grandfather's words.

"Kaylar dear, it's like this… You are betrothed to Wayne" Her grandfather narrated the basis of the agreement to Kaylar.

He wasn't giving her a choice; he already made the decision.

Kaylar looked at her boss.

When? Why wasn't she involved?

She couldn't do what her grandfather told her, how could she get married to her boss?

She couldn't picture herself getting married especially not to her boss.

Her chain of rationality was on the verge of breaking as she stared alternatively between her grandparents and her boss.

'There's no way this is happening' Kaylar murmured endlessly.

"I'll convey your message to my grandparents" Wayne paused then continued. "With that being settled I'll take my leave now, thank you for hosting me."

Wayne stood up and headed for the door without looking back.

Kaylar watched him disappear into the corridors before chasing after him.

She needed to clarify things with him.

Her only concern was if she could keep her job.

By the time she got to the front yard, Wayne had driven off already.

Kaylar stood there motionlessly.

…….

Wayne quickened his steps towards his car, he did not have anything to say to Kaylar so he decided to leave immediately.

He felt repulsed at the thought of getting married to her, how could he?

His thought went back to the early hours of the day when his grandfather told him about the agreement.

He was shocked at first.

The only reason why he visited the old couple was because of his grandparents, his grandmother to be precise.

She threatened him with her poor health and persuaded him to give the marriage a chance.

Although he agreed, he still wouldn't accept Kaylar as his wife.

Shortly after his phone rang out.

He connected the call to the car system and answered it.

"Son, did you visit the old couple?" Wayne's grandfather inquired as soon as the call got connected.

"I did, They agreed to the marriage" Wayne casually stated.

"That's great, Your grandmother and I will pay them a visit to discuss the wedding date" Wayne's grandfather sounded excited. "The marriage would be held as soon as possible. By now you ought to be familiar with that child Kaylar, she has been your secretary for over two years now" Wayne's grandfather added enthusiastically.

He was okay with Kaylar becoming his granddaughter, he had observed her for quite some time and she seemed befitting to become the young madam of the Frenando household.

Wayne released a low grunt as he massaged his temple.

After exchanging a few words with his old man he ended the call and drove back to the company.

……..

The next day.

Kaylar did not get a wink of sleep, she looked haggard and dispirited.

She got ready and left for work, she hoped to have a good discussion with her boss.

When she got to the corporation she packed her car and got down before heading for the elevator.

Kaylar wanted to be as professional as she could, she didn't want her personal affairs to affect the quality of her work.

With that, she took a deep breath before knocking on Wayne's door.

After receiving his signal she entered his office.

All the defence and mental training she worked on shattered the moment she laid eyes on Wayne.

She walked towards his table cautiously. "Good morning CEO Wayne" Kaylar struggled to greet.

"Miss. Harper." Wayne glanced at her before making a gesture for her to take a seat.

Kaylar gulped nervously as she took a seat, she tried calming her nerves but to no avail.

"Have a look at it and tell me what you think" Wayne slid a folder towards Kaylar.

She picked it up and carefully read the word 'Marriage Contract' which was boldly written on the front cover.

She slowly flipped through the pages and then read it with bulging eyes.

She opened her mouth to say something but ended up closing it.

All this while Wayne stared at Kaylar amusingly, he found the different expressions that flashed through her face cute.

He cleared his throat to get her attention.

"I presume you've gone through the contract" he gestured toward the folder. "Is there any clause that's unclear?"

Kaylar felt shivers run down her spine as she heard his words.

But firstly she had to ask the most important question. "Is my job as your secretary still secured after our marriage ?" Kaylar questioned.

"Our marriage does not affect your job" Wayne answered. "Let's start with the important details then," He took in a breath and then continued, "The contract lasts for a year, and within that period you shouldn't nurture feelings for me"

"We aren't sharing the same room, we would also stay out of each other's business from the beginning to the end of the marriage." He paused and then looked at Kaylar whose face was twisted at that point.

"There's a clause that states that we would also act lovey-dovey in front of our families, that involves being in intimate positions with each other when necessary"

Wayne continued in a stern voice, "And also you are not obliged to perform your conjugal rights but I'm not against the idea if you insist" A small smile played on his lips.

'Shameless' Kaylar muttered under her breath. With each word that came out of Wayne's mouth, Kaylar felt infuriated, who did he think he was?

Wayne didn't miss Kaylar's word. "Miss. Harper these are the major rules in the contract and I hope you will abide by them"

Her nervousness had long vanished the moment she read the contract, she locked eyes with Wayne.

"Mr Frenando, how sure are you that you wouldn't fall in love with me instead? I mean who wouldn't? And as for the conjugal right, rest assured I won't uphold any of it"

Kaylar voice came out lightly as she teased with a smirk plastered on her face.

The smug look that was plastered on Wayne's face was instantly wiped away as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"Miss Harper, let's not get the wrong idea here. I'm not in the slightest bit interested in you, and I don't think it will change in the future."

After what seemed like forever of endless provocation and banter they finally agreed to their different terms and Kaylar signed the contract.

"You can keep it, I have another copy" Wayne nonchalantly said.

Kaylar wondered how her life could suddenly take a three-sixty turn for the worse. She took deep breaths and exhaled quietly.

"CEO Wayne, I should take my leave now," Kaylar said as she stood up and held the folder securely.

"Would you mind getting me a cup of coffee" he requested before turning his attention away from her.

Kaylar felt a fire burning in her chest. To her, the whole marriage thing was like selling herself to the devil himself. She wondered how she would survive.

With that, she turned around and left the office. After she left Wayne dropped his pen as a smile unknowingly appeared on his face.