The Marriage Contract

**LIA** #Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane...# The familiar holiday tune played softly in my headphones, transporting me to a festive world despite my current surroundings. I closed my eyes, eagerly anticipating my journey back home. I was on a plane, en route to Singapore to reunite with my mom and sister, marking the beginning of a much-needed break from school. It had been a long time since I had been home, and I was determined to make this Christmas special. As the plane continued its steady course, I couldn't help but think about the vast distance I was traveling and my deep-seated fear of flying, especially over the open sea. This fear had haunted me ever since I lost Brett, and every flight was a test of my resolve. My mom had made it clear that I should only return when I could afford a substantial break - a month at the very least - or not bother coming at all, she feared for me. This year, I had worked hard to meet her expectation

**LIA** "Who is she?!" The lady, who appeared to be on her way out, asked the cute guy with a frown, directing her question at me. "Jessica, you need to calm down. I met her here. She said she wanted to meet a friend, and I assumed the friend was you," he explained, trying to mediate the situation. "I'm sorry, it's my fault," I confessed, deciding it was time to reveal the truth. "Actually, I got my passport switched with this guy's, and this was the address written there." I handed her the passport. She took the passport from me and opened it, gasping when she saw the picture. "Drex?" "Jesse, I thought I had you to myself today," the guy next to me complained, leaving me confused. "You do. I promise, I didn't know he was going to come with school and everything," Jesse assured him. She then turned to me. "You," she said, addressing me. "Me?" I asked, uncertain of what was happening. "Yes, can you stay here and wait for him, the guy in the passport? He'll be here soon, I know

**LIA** "But I got here first; you can't do this to me," I whined with mock indignation. Drex chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I get dibs on the bed because... I paid most," he stated, his tone almost teasing, and he held his head high in mock triumph. "No fair," I protested, pretending to pout as I stood up and dramatically stepped out of the bedroom. Drex couldn't help but smile proudly, his eyes dancing with amusement, as if he'd just won a playful contest. I heard the bedroom door close behind me. How could he treat a lady this way? I playfully muttered to myself that I should be the one enjoying the comfort of that bed right now. Resigned to the couch, I checked my phone once more – it was already 8:50 PM. Closing my eyes, I attempted to find solace in sleep, but it remained frustratingly elusive. Checking my phone again, it displayed 9:30 PM. Why couldn't I sleep? My mind seemed to be racing with thoughts, and the minutes dragged on slowly. After battling with my

**LIA** "What are you doing here?" Drex's voice was tinged with confusion as he peered through the bed covers, quickly realizing the situation. Panic etched across his face as he looked back at me. "I'm pretty sure I slept on the couch! So what am I doing here?! Did you bring me here?" I shouted, wrapping the bed cover around myself, desperately hoping he hadn't seen anything. "Why are we naked?" Both of us questioned in unison. "My gosh! What did we do?" I stood up, clutching the entire bed cover around me, accidentally leaving Drex exposed. My eyes widened involuntarily, not knowing where to look. "Ahh!" he yelped, promptly grabbing his boxers to shield his modesty. I felt my face flush with embarrassment and turned away, averting my gaze. "Well, don't look at me!" he yelled again. "We'll need to talk about what happened, but after we get dressed," I mumbled, my face still burning with embarrassment. "I'm sorry I stared!" I called back to him as I retreated from the room. Wh

*ONE YEAR LATER* **DREX** The room buzzed with excitement as everyone chanted, "Cut the cake!" Yes, that's right, it was my birthday, and today was also the day of my engagement ceremony to the love of my life, Jessica. She was the woman I had once tried to surprise on her birthday, but that attempt had gone horribly wrong due to a situation with... someone else. After successfully cutting the cake, a strange, unfamiliar voice suddenly pierced the celebratory atmosphere. "Hold it right there!" The voice belonged to a young woman holding a baby wrapped in a white flannel. Her arrival drew collective gasps of surprise and attention. She pointed directly at me. "You," she exclaimed. I was bewildered by the sudden intrusion. "Me?" I asked, my confusion evident. "Why are you here, and who are you? I don't remember inviting this person," my father said, positioning himself between me and the woman, trying to shield me from her view. "This is your grandchild!" she declared, causing a