When Pain Runs Bone-Deep

★★★

“The value of this deal is $40 million. I currently have my signature on the pages. We have one year to fulfill this deal before we part ways. Once you have this money, you can go anywhere, but until then, you cannot tell anyone about it,” William told Monica in a flat voice.

She, wearing a white bridal dress and bearing a heavy heart that was causing her the most anguish of her life, held the paper in her hand and muttered, “I understand; I too want my marriage to remain discreet." She let out a long breath and raised her teary eyes to William.

William glanced over his shoulder at his guards. They were there to provide security till the marriage ended. William knew what he was about to undertake was a huge step for his life and future, but he had no choice.

“I guarantee you that you will not be in any problems during this one year and that your life will be protected at all costs. However, you will never assert any rights over me for any reason; everything else you need to know is stated in the contract. Now it's time. I trust your actions do not violate the contract," William said this while staring straight into Monica's eyes, where her anguish was obvious but William had no reason to care.

“Will you still be indifferent if I tell you one day that I am madly in love with you?"

Monica said softly as if it was her heart rather than her voice that wanted to know if there was a place for her in William's heart.

“You will eventually find yourself in despair, so try not to let it get any deeper. You already know the reason for this marriage, therefore, you shouldn't attach any emotional weight to this. But, you still have the opportunity to avoid this situation. Once we are married, you cannot do anything for a year, no matter how hard you hit the wall,” William spoke cautiously. Even though it was an urgent step, he was concerned about her feelings because he was unable to offer them back.

“I guess I am a greedy person,” a dry chuckle left Monica's lips, continuing, "I have no desire to want to sabotage my makeup, so let's go,” Monica said with a soft smile then shifted her head to the marriage bureau, where they were ready to officially tie the knot. Indeed no priest or relatives came to witness, yet they would be lawfully husband and wife from now on.

William took Monica's icy palm in his hand and started walking towards the marriage bureau.

One month ago, Monica got a call from the man she was dying to talk to. A great part of her happiness vanished with him the day he left. She discovered how utterly, irrationally, and passionately she had fallen in love with him after losing him.

For a while, she thought Ben knew who she was. He recalled those times together that had been the happiest and most loved times of their lives.

But Ben was long gone; William was the one who called and asked her for a one-year marriage. She knew that accepting this was not the best decision she would ever make, but she harbored the hope that she could convince him that they were in love if she stayed with him.

Monica was clear that Ben had a strong affection for her, even though neither of them acknowledged it. She sighed, regretting that she had not expressed her love for Ben when she had the opportunity; now the repercussions were that the same guy told her not to hang around on these sentiments since he could not reciprocate them.

Monica smiled as she signed the marriage certificate, and William followed suit. After their nuptials, a man with a camera snapped their photos.

“Would you two kindly hold each other by the waist? By this, I mean that she will put her hand on your chest and you will grip her waist while maintaining eye contact. This way you two appear more in love, you know," The cameraman said reluctantly because offering Mr.Mackenzie a suggestion required a great deal of strength. He did not know that he was required to take a photo of the famous William Mackenzie, who was known as a hungry lion in the country. Everywhere he went, he ruled.

After being lost for seven years and presumed to have been murdered by his opponent, he returned one year ago and sparked a blazing sensation once more.

The cameraman was trembling, worried about what may happen if William Mackenzie was not pleased with the photographs. However, his confidence was increased when he discovered that Mr. Mackenzie was willing to collaborate with his words. He then snapped a tonne of photos of them together, but for some reason, he thought that their marriage lacked the sweetness that usually existed in a union. However, since this man was unusual and the marriage unusual as well, the less he put his mind to it, the better off he would be.

William wrapped his strong arms around Monica, resting them on her tiny waist, and enveloped her in the heady, yeasty aroma of Guinness and champagne. She looked at his face and saw that the man before her had changed, albeit the beautiful blue eyes remained the same.

"kiss!” The cameraman shouted when he realized the picture was lacking a kiss.

With a fierce look, William addressed the cameraman, whose heart jumped up like a deer when it saw the Lion. He felt that taking a picture of them kissing would be good for them both, but he was unaware that this could put him in danger.

“We are now husband and wife. He is asking what he considers to be reasonable. And it's only a kiss," Monica whispered in an attempt to dissuade William from frightening the man who was doing his job without knowing the truth about their marriage.

When Monica told him they were husband and wife, William turned to face her and gave her a stern look. He was hesitant to kiss her, but for the sake of the picture, he gave in. Slowly lowering his head, he caught Monica's painted, soft lips and witnessed her shutting her eyes.

After snapping their photos, the cameraman finally exhaled with peace and made the mental decision that he was never going to attend any shoot with Mr. Mackenzie.

Monica made herself comfortable in a Royal Royce, and William sat next to her; they remained silent. While William fiddled with his phone, Monica glanced out the window at the cold Edinburgh street, which was both beautiful and lonely.

“Sir, we have arrived!” the driver announced when the car halted in front of Mackenzie's mansion.