Contract marriage between two imperfect souls

Chapter One At the rim of the large office is a comfortable couch, neatly arranged with a glass table in front of it. A glass of half-full wine is placed between two bottles of expensive wine. The place smelled riches no doubt. With no stress, you can also see another table with two personal computers, the curtains serve as a demarcation for the big working space. Perfectly lost in the computers is Richard Height, his fingers are working magic on the keyboard, he raised his face to display his sexy blue eyes which also have a mixture of brown, one will be confused about which planet he is from. Running his left hand through his hair which is curly and well-styled, he sat for a second, inspecting the screen of his monitor. The telephone call jerked him to reality, coming to terms with his recent environment, he picked up the telephone and placed it gently on his left ear. "Yes Harry, go on," he muttered with a voice that could be placed for that of an archangel. "I know, thanks for reminding me. By the way, why are you calling using the office line? Anything wrong with your phone?" He inquired with a spark in his eyes as he smiled widely at whatever answer the caller was giving him. "p*****t, get off", he yelled with a little laughter, placing the telephone back in its position.  With the smile still lingering on his lips, he returned to his work, eyes fixed on the screen and hands on the keyboard. No sooner than he got engrossed once again in his job when a gentle knock is heard on the door. "Come in," Richard answered without looking away from his screen. "Really sorry for disturbing you Mr. Height, I have urgent information for you," Sandy said, glancing at Richard with a seductive smile.  She has been dreaming of him for many years now, the very reason she worked her transfer from Height's World of technology in Houston to New York City, where she can get to see him all day. "What is it, Sandy?" Richard responded this time with his eyes on her. She blushed, bite her lower lips, and looked away like a twelve-year-old who just stumbled upon her crush. "Are you just going to stand there?" He reminded, bringing back her senses. "Ohhh, yeah. S .o.o this inform..a..ti..o.n," she stuttered, searching through her notebook while trying so hard to compose herself. She cussed within. It's been a year plus since she started working for him and she still stutters at his presence, she hates herself for always messing up in front of him. She is his personal assistant and was expected to always be around him. Sandy took a glance at Richard and back at her notebook before sitting down in the chair opposite him. "Go ahead", he urged with his head raised at her. "The annual tech world conference is here Sir and you are expected to be there as always," Sandy finally found her voice after what seemed like an eternity. "And how many times will I keep correcting you, Miss Jones..." "I'm so sorry Mr. Height, that was an un- conscious mistake," she blurted out at once. "It's okay. Where and when is the conference taking place?" "At China. They are pleased to organize this global technology conference for the year, and their greatest dream is to have the world-famous and youngest technological incline person like you speak at the conference," Sandy spoke charmingly, her eyes scamming Richard who was paying half attention to her. "That will be great then, you know I can't refuse," he gave his concert. "Thanks, Mr. Height, I will speak with Harry and the management team. We should get ready to leave for Shanghai in three days," "What? Three days?"  "Three days Mr. Height, see you. Have a great day" "But...." He was about protesting but she was already out of the office. He sighs, hitting his fist on the table in front of him. "Do they think I'm a Superman?" He questioned no one in particular, giving out a beautiful angry expression. Sandy closed Richard's office door behind her and lean on it, she wrapped her hands across her chest and let out a deep breath, one of satisfaction. She succeeded in pissing him off and ran away just in time. She closed her eyes and smiled to herself, still leaning on the door. "Yo, someone is daydreaming again, isn't right uhhn?"   The voice registered in her brain as she opened her eyes immediately, she knows who exactly the person is and wasn't ready for it.  She was about to dash away when he grabbed her soft wrist. "Must we always do this?" She inquired, turning to face Harry who was now looking directly into her eyes. "You know you can't resist my darling," he teased, releasing her hand. "I'm not... "Shhhhhh," she was about to protest but stopped halfway, looking at him with a finger on his lips, signaling her to keep silent. "We have a conference to plan", she said, trying to wade off the awkward silence between them by discussing something more business related. "We always have one, isn't it?" He mimicked with a sigh. "I'm going to see Richard, see you later my darling," he whispered to her, blowing out a kiss with his hand. "And one more thing, stop daydreaming," he teased while she shrugged, walking away to her office. Harry watched her leave for some seconds with a smile on his face, he chuckled at her warning glance as she took the next turn of the hallway which took her out of his sight. Without warning, he swerve the door knob and the door gives way for him, he entered the office and closed the door gently behind him. "Who are you talking to man?" He yelled, walking closer to Richard's working arena. With a wink, Richard gave him a signal to keep shut and he obeyed immediately, sitting on the chair opposite him, the same one Sandy was minutes ago. "Hey man, who was that?" Harry inquired as Richard dropped the call. "Do I need to answer that question? The answer is No," he responded with a smirk. "Don't be ridiculous man, I'm sure you've been stuck up here since morning. Let's go grab some lunch, it's time," he said, touching Richard's hands that were on the table. "Sure. Lunchtime it is, at least an aroma of good food will make this day worth living," Richard responded and Harry laughed out loud. Richard has always been a lover of food and Harry knows exactly how to get him in the mood, that laughter explained it all. Richard playfully hit his arm when he noticed the look on his face. "Don't you dare start," he warned as they both exited the office giggling at each other. Driving to one of the city's most popular restaurants is Richard and Harry, the restaurant is now one of their favorites. Apart from being familiar with the place and every worker there, the restaurant is also known for cooking the most delicious delicacies in New York. Their cuisine is from different parts of the continent, and they are known for standard and perfect meals. "Put on your face cap Mr. Height," Harry warned as they were about to step out of the car. Richard covered his face cap as they stepped out of the car, to avoid being recognized. "Mr. Height is here.." a loud shout went across the air, signaling others of his presence.  "s**t," Richard cussed, hiding away his face. Harry went behind him as they both hurried inside the main restaurant. "Take care of them," Harry signaled the bodyguards.  The tall black muscled man matched forward to the crowd with his colleague, it was just two of them that followed Richard out today. They are meant to put things in order and that's exactly what they are paid for. Richard and Harry moved straight to the VIP section of the restaurant to avoid further chaos, the VIP section is exclusive and their attendants are strictly different from the other sections. They are warned and taught how to behave with celebrity customers, it's only a few intelligent and favorite persons that get to work in this section of the restaurant. "You're welcome Mr. Height," Mr. Carson, the manager of the restaurant ushered Richard in with a handshake, he took it with a smile. "Thanks, Man," Harry muttered with a touch on Carson's shoulder. "I'll get your order ready in some minutes," Carson announced before walking away. Seated with Harry beside him, Richard took his phone, and sigh before accepting the incoming call. He spoke for some minutes before dropping the phone. "Heard of the tech world conference coming up in Shanghai?" He asked Harry. "Sure, Sandy told me about it," Harry responded, glancing at him. "What's wrong? Don't you want to be there?" He questioned after noticing his mood. "Why won't I? I don't joke when it comes to my career," he reminded and Harry smirked at his words. "Don't you think it's time to take a break? Like, time to plan to settle down. Give one of your crushes a chance" "Coming from a Casanova who has had all my female workers in his bed," Richard teased and Harry shot him a glare. They both laugh and settle in to eat after the waiter finished setting the table with their orders. "I won't be returning to the company, go check out some things, I will be at home," Richard instructed after they were both satisfied with their meals. "To do what exactly in that boring house? Your routine is really boring Mr. Height," Harry mocked but Richard paid less attention as he was busy with his phone. "I have an invitation for you and I don't need your approval, I will come to pick you up when it's time. Just make sure you are ready before 8 p.m.," Harry added. "What..." "No but. I will be on my way to the office, I have a conference to plan with Sandy," Harry said with a smile before leaving Richard in the restaurant, not after smacking his shoulder gently as he walked passed him. Some minutes after Harry's departure from the restaurant, Richard decided to find his way back home. Covering his face like he did when entering, he moved out with one of his guards leading the way while the other was trailing behind. "Home," he mumbled to his driver before he drove off, obeying his instructions. The gate opened by itself as the car approached, and the driver made his way inside the mansion. The mansion is the exact word to describe something magnificent, Richard's home is one of the biggest and most beautiful buildings in the whole city. The beauty isn't just seen on the outside but inside as well, no doubt about it, millions of dollars have been spent to acquire something luxurious as Richard's abode. Parking at the garage, the door of the car is opened as Richard stepped down from the car. He matched his way toward the main building. "Mum?" Richard exclaimed, shocked to see his mother sitting in the living room. "Yes son, what a pleasant surprise this is for you, right?" his mother asked with a smile, pulling him in for a warm embrace. "Sure, it..i..s," he stuttered, trying to hide his disappointment. His mother never stops by his house for nothing, she sees him as Richard, her little boy not the world's Mr. Height. He is feeling sick at the mare thought of it, coming home to rest is not the best option for today, he cussed within. "Mum, how is Dad?" he asked, trying to calm his nerves. "Your Dad is away on a business trip", his mum acknowledged on her way to the kitchen. "I'm making something delicious for you, I'm sure you must be missing my delicious meals" "Yeah. But you don't have to worry because I just finished having lunch with Harry", he defended. Speaking of Harry reminded him of the invitation he was talking about, there can't be a better way of escaping his mother's marriage sermon tonight than to go out with Harry. "Just anywhere, I am in. Deal, I'll be ready before 8 p.m." he texted Harry before heading to his bedroom.