Chapter 4
1236 Words
Heather:
I could not believe what I planned on doing. Somehow it seemed reckless. Something so bold, and I was willing to go ahead with it.
I put my hair back in a clean bun, readjusting the straps of my dress, thankful that it was now clean and somehow did not end up torn.
I walked into the living room, almost running back when I saw Christian sitting on the sofa but his eyes were already on me, an unreadable expression on his face as he watched me come down the stairs.
I felt awkward, suddenly feeling just how shabby my gown looked and how greasy my hair must be too.
I gave an awkward smile in his direction, going to take another seat at the far end of the room.
" You lost your phone I presume," he asked.
I nodded. I did not realize until now. I was sure I had left it somewhere on the ground where I had fallen but I did not know for sure.
He was about to say something before the maid whose name I found out was Mrs Williams came in.
" Sorry to interrupt but breakfast is ready," she said.
He nodded, getting up as he turned to look at me.
" The lawyer will be here soon but in the meantime, join me for breakfast," he said.
I could feel my stomach growling at me at the mention of food so I obliged, getting up shyly and walking towards the dining area.
The table was filled with a variety of dishes. Bacon, eggs, coffee, tea, bread, pancakes, and also syrups.
I wondered how she had managed to put everything together in so little time.
Regardless, I took a seat, my mouth already watering at the sight of the feast in front of me.
" Please eat," Christian said and that was the only thing I needed to hear before I took a plate of pancakes and eggs.
We both ate in silence, the room enveloped by the calmness and awkward silence that sat in the air.
I could tell that the very same thought running through my head was in his too. Did I want to go into a contract marriage?
" Can I ask you a question?" He asked suddenly, making me pause, dropping my fork and turning to look at me.
His eyes were already on me, those eyes of his doing something to me as I stared into them.
" Yes, you can please," I said.
" Why do you want to be my contract wife? I mean you barely know me." He asked.
I pondered on the answer for a while. Could I tell him that in fact, I was just a broke girl trying to survive in New York City and keep thugs away from my family?
" I do need the money. I have some family issues to sort out and I have plans of opening my gallery" I said to him.
He nodded as he looked at me.
I toyed with the question that lingered in my mind, wondering if I could ask him.
After what felt like an hour, I finally braced myself to ask.
" What about you? Why do you want to get a contract wife?" I asked him.
He paused for a moment before continuing to eat his meal.
“I have the opportunity to become the new chairman after my father but I’m unmarried and the board does not accept unmarried people as their leader,” he said.
He made it sound like it was something so common. Rich people had a way of doing that.
The rest of the breakfast was eaten in silence.
" Sir...your lawyer is here." Mrs Williams said as she came in, giving a small bow before leaving again.
He turned to look at me and my stomach felt queasy.
" If you want to back down now then you can," he said but I shook my head quickly.
" No, I don't want to. We can go and get started now" I said to him, walking ahead of him into the living room where the lawyer sat.
He was a wily man with curly wild hair that looked as though it would take a while to comb through.
He was short, I could tell I was a few inches taller than him. But when he opened his mouth to smile, that smile seemed to make all his imperfections go down the drain.
" Mr Christian! Nice to meet you again. I came as quickly as I could" he said, shaking the hands of Christian.
" And I appreciate that. Please come with me to my study, let's talk business there" he said.
I nodded, walking behind them, my legs wanting to halt on their own accord and stop me from the ridiculous decision I was about to make.
We all got comfortable on the three-seater, the lawyer dropping his briefcase on the table and pulling out a pair of glasses as he picked up a notepad.
" So Mr Christian told me that you both want a contract marriage. If I may ask, what are the terms that you both want to agree to and what terms do you not want to agree to?" He asked.
I thought for a moment.
" She will have to follow me to all the occasions. Parties, galas, and if the need calls for it, conferences" he said.
The lawyer turned to look at me.
" And do you agree to that?" He asked.
I nodded.
" He however will not make whatever advances towards me when we are inside," I said.
A ghost of a smile evaded his face as he calmly nodded to the lawyer.
" When we are outside, however, you have to behave like my loyal wife. And if need be, I may kiss you to prove that you are my wife" he said and I paused, my cheeks lighting up instantly as I tried to look away.
How could he say it so bluntly? Without a single remorse as though it was something so casual?
" Well, but we can't, you know... I want a no-touching contract for when we are inside the house. I don't want him touching me and I won't be divulging him in my matters if it does not legally concern him" I said.
" I can work with that," he said.
The lawyer was jotting it down, his small head bobbing with each word we said.
" Oh and one more thing. When we are in this relationship, you cannot see other men.." He said.
That sparked something in me. How he said it so possessively, almost made me want to act submissive in front of him.
Instead, I cleared my throat and removed the look from my eyes.
" There will be no problem with that. I'm done with men anyways" I said.
It did not take long before the lawyer finally got up to leave, giving the both of us another nod as he made his way out.
" Heather. It's not too late" he said again as I made to go out.
I turned around to look at him, my eyes holding sudden bravery.
" I want to go through with it," I said confidently.
He nodded.
" Fine then. The court wedding will be tomorrow " he said.
- Writer
