Chapter 5: Marriage Contract

THE next day, the day I need to go back to my condo. Dumiretso na agad ako sa coffee shop na malapit lang sa building na tinitirhan ko. As soon as I opened the door of the coffee shop, a mysterious amber eyes trained on me. Seryoso iyon at walang ibang emosyon.

I took a sigh and walked toward his table, hiding my dread. "Did you wait for too long?" I asked softly as my eyes fixed on the food on the table.

There's a chocolate milkshake for me and a mug of coffee for him on the round marble table. There are also two slices of chocolate crepe cake for both of us. Not bad.

He shook his head, and one of the corners of his lips lifted before taking his steps toward me. "Half an hour is nothing compared to the eleven years I waited for you." He paused and pulled a chair for me. "Have a seat, wife,"

"Thanks," My eyes narrowed as my cheeks burned in his sudden move.

"I don't know what cake and drink you like, so I ordered what I think will suit your tastebuds," he stated as he placed a folder above my table. Kumunot noo ako habang nakatitig doon.

"Thank you but you don't need to do it," mahinahon na ani ko.

One of the corners of his lips lifted. "I don't want my wife to starve. Come, dig in and open the folder." He commanded. "This is the proof you've been waiting for," dugtong niya.

Napalunok ako at nanginginig ang mga kamay kong binuksan ang folder para tignan ang nilalaman kahit may ideya na ako. I read the font with the familiar words I've read eleven years ago.

It was a marriage certificate.

And it was under out name with our signatures.

Nanigas ako sa kinauupuan ko dahil sa nabasa. I was in complete shock. No way!

"Do you believe me now, wife?" His thick accent got my attention.

"We should file an annulment," My voice trembled.

He just stared at me, not even look surprised with what I said na parang alam niya na sasabihin ko 'yon. His lips rose, and in a second, his manly chuckle ascended.

"Why are you laughing? Walang nakakatawa sa sitwasyon natin! We should file an annulment, Mr. Roschefort," I complained.

"As far as I remember, We can't file an annulment nor divorce," He stated and snatched the folder to me, flipping it to the next page. "Read, wife."

Kaagad ko namang binasa ang nakasulat at halos manlaki ang mga mata ko noong mabasa ang nakasaad sa papel. I can't believe this! Is this even possible?!

"H-How..." Halos manghina ako habang patuloy ako sa pagbabasa.

I saw his lips formed into a devilish grin, pakiramdam ko ay nawalan ng dugo ang buong katawan ko.

"I told you, didn't I? If you find out the truth, I will never let you go. You'll be stuck with me forever," He uttered, full of seriousness and authority in his voice.

Napalunok ako at hindi pa rin makagalaw dahil sa nabasa ko. What will happened now? To me? To my normal life? To us? I feel shitty right now.

Bumaba ulit ang paningin ko sa nakasaad doon. It was written with clauses, and a contract between us stated that we were not allowed to divorce or even annul each other. The only thing we can do to make our marriage void is if one of us died, which I doubt. I have my signature and even my fingerprint thumb, making it legit.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, massaging my temples. How am I going to escape this loveless marriage if I can't even divorce or file an annulment without one of us being dead? Alangan naman hintayin ko siyang mamatay. Ang masamang damo, matagal mamatay suddenly carve inside my brain.

"What are we going to do now?" Nanghihina kong tanong. "I don't have a boyfriend, nor suitors, and if people find out I am married, they will be doomed."

"We'll go tell them that you're married," he paused, then his eyes darted at mine as the corner of his lips lifted up, forming a grin. "To me."

My face crumpled. "No way!"

"Yes way, wife." His lips quirked. "I already endured eleven years without you by my side, babawiin ko na ang mga panahong wala ka sa tabi ko." He said with a finality in his voice.

I sighed and bowed, closing my eyes. "Fine," I raised my head, trying to meet his intense gaze. "You're right. We should work out our marriage, but we must make some terms and conditions."

A muscle feathered in his jaw. "Another contract?"

"Yes,"

He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a sigh. "Bien. Let's make another contract," he paused for a second to sip his drink, and so did I. "By the way, I want us to live together," he uttered firmly.

I choked on my drink. "What?!"

He looked amused, slightly shaking his head. "You. And. I." He paused. "We will live together in my house."

My eyes narrowed as my cheeks burn in embarrassment and disbelief. "I have my own house, Mr. Roschefort! At mas malapit sa hospital na pinagtatrabauhan ko ang condo ko."

He increases his eyebrows at me, obviously mocking me. "Then, I don't have choice but to live with you," he uttered.

My jaw clenched. "What?! No! You can't live in my place!" Irritation ascended in my head.

"Yes, I can." I blinked when his red lips slowly formed into a naughty grin. "I will also pay for the electricity, water bill, wifi, groceries, and everything."

I shoot daggers at him. "I have money, Reeve! I'm a surgeon!" sambit ko dahil nainsulto ako sa sinabi niya.

His demeanor changed when I uttered his name but it was a second before he went back to his cold, mysterious atmosphere.

He cleared his throat, and shrugged. "I'm a chef."

"Then, I earned more than you do," I said mockingly, trying to downgrade his ego.

He leaned forward, causing me to be startled, and leaned backward. "No," he paused. "I owned restaurants. And I'm telling you, my wife, that my restaurant is not a simple diner. My main branch is in new york, and the branch here in the Philippines is just my second out of fifteen branches of Zuriel's." His voice took on a familiar cocky lilt.

My lips parted. "Z-Zuriels? You mean the Zuriel in Taguig?"

"Yes, Zuriel's Lés Arômes is owned by me. And I'm also a high-rank French Army. Lieutenant colonel Roschefort." He smirked in a playful manner, crossing his muscular arms against his broad chest.

I chewed my bottom lip out of embarrassment. "You're an army. . . It means you won't stay here for so long, right?" I flashed a brittle smile.

His gaze suddenly became darkened. "I'm planning to resign this year to focus on Zuriel's... and on you," He stared at me, and I was taken aback when he held my chin as he slowly leaned closer.

My eyes widened when I felt his lips on the side of my lips. "Why did you..." Halos hindi na ako humihinga noong lumayo siya sa'kin. I was so shocked that I can't even move a muscle. "Kiss me?"

"Because you're so pretty, wife." He was eyeing me with a pompous grin on his lips that I badly wanted to wipe off.

Napakurap ako, "L-Lame!"

The corner of his lips rose, forming a cocky smirk. "I want five children from you, my pretty wife, and that's not lame."

What the hell?! I choke with my own saliva!