Love and Lust in Contract Marriage

Chapter 14

"Where do you want to have dinner?" Liam asked after fastening his seat belt. Well, finally, he walked out of Joanna's boutique after hours spent trying on suits for his wedding, and waiting for Kate, that's for sure. Women do need more time when it comes to appearance issues.

"I never said I would have dinner with you," Kate replied flatly while following Liam's movements—putting on his seat belt.

"Then?"

"So what?"

"You don't want to have dinner together? Romantic dinner, maybe?”

“No. I want to go home and have dinner at home."

Liam nodded at Kate's answer. He no longer contradicted her, but instead took out his cell phone and started voice calling someone.

"Hi, Howard." Liam's greeting immediately made Kate turn to him.

Hi Liam. How about the fitting of your wedding dress? Everything went well, didn't it?" Liam deliberately switched their phones to speaker mode so the woman sitting beside him could hear their conversation.

“Sure. Kate looked so pretty earlier.” Oh, Liam is a master at winning other people's hearts. Not just women, but also a father who would obviously melt hearing someone praise his daughter.

"Of course. She's my daughter." There was a note of pride in his voice. Apparently, Kate needs to learn to be sweet like Liam. "Then, what's the call?" he asked then.

Liam glances at Kate. The woman looked straight ahead, but he could tell her ears were also focused on their conversation. “I was planning to take Kate out for dinner. But, since Kate refuses and wants to go straight home, may I join you for dinner?” This is Liam's real goal. He realized he wasn't going to get permission from Kate, so he changed tack by calling Howard.

“Just come. My house is always open to you.”

See? Howard was definitely friendlier than the princess whose ego was as high as the sky. The old man can accept Liam without making as many direct or indirect protests or sarcasm as Kate often throws at him. So, he's going to use Howard as his shield because that's the only man who can beat Kate's stone head. Great tactic, right?

“Thank you, Howard. I will definitely deliver your daughter safely home.”

A light chuckle was heard from the other side, responding to his future son-in-law's jokes. "Leave it if he refuses to come home with you," he said still with that laugh. "I'll wait for you at home." Howard said one last time before their call was cut off.

"You cheat." Kate said that low grunt as her last attempt to protest Liam's behavior. Well, even though he was sure that his words would not have any impact on the man, or on their unhealthy relationship. Perhaps, it was his karma to have to be paired with someone who was similar to him—both of them liked to do whatever they wanted.

“Cheating?” Liam parroted. The accusation, it seems, is exaggerated. He's just looking for another way to get closer to his future wife. If Kate always keeps her away, then don't blame her if she uses other methods that women call 'cheating'.

“You used Dad to get your way.” Kate further clarifies her accusations. And the reality is like that. Liam did do what the woman accused him of.

Liam fell silent. He started his black SUV and started driving it to join the other vehicles on the road which was quite busy at night. "Aren't you also using me for your benefit?" His voice was so calm when he said it. An undeniable real fact which is also the reason behind their absurd relationship. You say business partners—their marriage is like a business deal—but it's definitely more than that because their lives are at stake, as well as the future of both of them and the future baby that will be present between them. Regarding the latter, just imagining it made him wince. He felt guilty having to present 'it' in a situation that only benefited his parents.

"You're not at a disadvantage in our deal," Kate argued, not to be outdone.

“The agreement was created for mutual benefit. You should know more about that." Yes, as a businessman, Kate should know that no one wants to be harmed in a deal. Otherwise, Kate wouldn't be offering him tempting promises in return for what you know.

“Okay. You win.”

Liam's big smile smirked knowing Kate's defeat. No. It's not that Liam is happy to have cornered her with a truth that can no longer be denied—well, it's okay to be proud of himself—but once in a while Kate's ego really needs to be flicked so that she realizes that life isn't all about her and her exorbitant ego that she upholds ggi-high. There are other people that he should respect the existence of.

The atmosphere changed silent. There was no longer any debate between them. Liam chose to drive his car in silence, while Kate was busy turning her head and observing the street they were passing.

“This weekend, take your time.” Kate suddenly spoke in a low voice and broke the brief calm that had been created. It seems that the talk of their exciting debate will start again.

"What for?" asked Liam keeping his focus on the long road ahead of him.

“To the doctor. We need to check ourselves and consult about which fertilization procedure is-“

"Wait a minute," Liam interjects quickly. His smart brain worked immediately by guessing where their conversation was headed. "Don't tell me you want to do artificial insemination, or IVF." Doubtful, he spoke. He half couldn't believe the thoughts that crossed his mind. That can't be happening, can it? The conclusion must be wrong.

"Yeah, Liam. That is the only way to simplify and speed up the process of pregnancy, "Kate answered, confirming all the assumptions of her interlocutor.

Liam fell silent. The news, frankly, quite shock him. It's great that Kate thought about it this far. Liam thinks that after marriage, there is only one problem left that he must solve immediately. Getting Kate pregnant. In fact, the woman chose to take the troublesome path to get what she wanted. "You forgot? There are still other ways to do it.” He said in the calm he deliberately maintained.

Kate bit her lower lip. Apparently, he realized what the man meant. "No, Liam," she said in a low voice. He closed his eyes, trying to banish the image of the passionate scene that had entered his mind without permission.

"The natural pregnancy process is much more enjoyable than having to follow a series of tiring procedures from a doctor." Liam continues, not caring about Kate's reaction to his words.

"No, Liam," Kate said, this time more firmly rejecting the man's idea. He wouldn't agree to it. Whether it's Liam, or a better man than her, she stands her ground.

"Then, we're done. Married without s*x… Are you kidding me? I'm also a normal man, Kate, with biological needs that must be channeled. Well, unless you let me sleep with other women out there.”