THE CONTRACT MARRIAGE

Can we talk

At the office , Loveth walks into the room where her team is prepping for a big runway fashion event,which the company's hosting. She's the project manager, and everyone is counting on her to nail the presentation.

As she dives into the agenda, her mind keeps wandering to yesterday's event,trying to wrap her head around Ethan's sharp reaction. Was I wrong to ask? Did I overstep? Was she someone important to him?

The meeting wraps up. As she was arranging her documents so she could leave , her colleague flagged her. "Hey, Loveth, can you review these documents concerning the Groove's Fashion magazines and awards giving?"

Loveth felt frustration all over her veins ,her hands were begging ,but she calmly responded, "ok,sure."

Loveth dives in, focusing on the task,but her thoughts kept drifting. Why do i even care? I'm over him.

She spends the next few hours reviewing, documenting, and finalizing every task handed to her.

As she was about to break for lunch, her phone buzzed - it's a message from Taylor. "Hey, how's today really going for you?"it reads.

Loveth smiles, grateful for her friends - "Let's meet up at KFC for dinner and a little chat, inform Kira ,no one should miss it. Am, by the way, thanks for asking.

Hours ticked by fast, and in a twinkle of an eye, the day came to an end.

Loveth gathered her things mentally preparing herself for the next day.

The evening air was cool and refreshing, a welcome change from stuffy office space. She hailed a taxi to go home. As she slipped into the back seat,she felt a sense of relief wash over her. Soon, the taxi sped off out of sight.

As the car drove her home, her mind wandered to her encounter with Ethan. Who was she ? Why did he react that way?. She couldn't shake off her curiosity, making her interest piqued more.

She was brought out of thought by the driver's voice.

She had reached her destination.

She quickly highlighted, paid , turned, and left.

When she got home, she started preparing to meet her .She took a cup of tea and connected with her best friends on a video call.

Loveth sipped her tea slowly ,letting the warmth seep into her fingers and chest. The steam curled up, carrying away some off the tension knotting her thoughts.

Loveth dropped the cup, stretched lazily, and went into the bathroom to prepare for her hang out with her friends.

She hadn't seen them physically, for this reunion meant a lot to her.

She dressed carefully, choosing an outfit that was comfortable and presentable. She checked her reflection in the mirror, tilting her look at the image in the mirror. Confident?nervous?curious or probably all three.

Her phone buzzed again. A yext from their group chat asking directions of her whereabout.

She smiled and replied, "I am on my way,about to leave my house,see you girlie's soon."

Taylor coughed slightly. " Since it's our lucky man ,I did my findings. She's his first love who broke things off and disappeared, so maybe that's one of the reasons that contributed to his personality."

"Look, relax, girl. I think he was just being emotional. i don't think it's something that deep, " Kira reassured her.

Loveth smiled ,she felt more relieved , and at least her curiosity had been cleared. "Thank you girls, what would i do without you guys?" she said as they all hugged each other.

They placed their orders, spending the next 2 hours talking, laughing, and catching up on old times. Reminiscing on high school and college memories.

"David, is now hot, i saw him at the mall the other day, and i must say he looked different,"Kira said, blushing, and they all laughed.

David was the high school need. He was always bullied by the school bullies, and no girl wanted him because of his looks.

But recently, he was now the CEO of a prominent tech company and was now every girl's dream man.

Conversation flowed easily among the three, and Loveth found herself laughing and joking with her friends, making her forget the whole drama that had happened between her and her boss.

They chatted for a bit longer,and time started running late into the night.

They decided to call it a day so they could disperse to their various locations.

Loveth got home around 8 pm.

The first thing she did was play some classical, then she headed to the kitchen to get a glass of wine. She started dancing to the rhythm of the song.

She danced for 20 minutes, then she paused the music, and decided to hear to the bathroom .

The next morning, Loveth felt refreshing and determined to tackle today. She rolled off her bed sluggishly, turned on the lights, brushed her teeth, and went to make breakfast.

When she returned, her heart dropped immediately she checked the time.

"Holy s**t, how did i get up this late?" She immediately rushed to take a shower and prepare for work.

She was 30 minutes late, and this particular morning was chaotic .

She picked a simple black dress and silhouette brungdy heels, which matched her red bag.

Her face was bare because there was no time for a makeup session.

In less than 20 minutes, she was done. She decided to use her car to work since she was running late, and there was no time for ordering a ride.

She turned on her car and zoomed out of her compound. Leaving traces of dust behind.

"Excuse me," she kept saying, like as if she rehearsed it all night long.

Loveth squeezed her herself through the crowd, rushing for the elevator. Immediately, she stepped in , and she breathed. She was trying to catch her breath when she heard a deep voice. "You're late today, dear secretary ." She slowly turned to see Ethan looking at her with his brows raised.

She nodded, apologizing to Ethan .

Ethan was not satisfied with her quietness . From expression on his face, he clearly wanted to engage in a conversation with her, but he wasn't ready to let down his pride and strike a conversation first.

Five minutes passed by, and when he saw no conversation between them, he gave up on thought of hearing from her.

The elevator pinged and the door opened to the 11th floor . She quietly stepped out of the elevator without looking back, she walked in to her office.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ethan asked particularly nobody. He walked into his office in a bad mood.

He got settled down but his mind was far from him today. He was thinking about Loveth, her graced steps ,even without her makeup she was beautiful, he couldn't get his mind off her.

Was wrong with me? He snapped

out of his thoughts, shaking his head.

He took a deep breath, opening his eyes slowly.

He dived into work and just few minutes he had a knock on the door.

"It's me sir. Am here to show you the outline for the upcoming event " Loveth's feminine voice said from outside.

Ethan couldn't contain his joy. He smirked and said "come in ".

Loveth twisted the door knob and immediately she walked in, it felt like the world stopped.

Loveth cleared her throat once she figured out Ethan was not paying close attention.

"Sir here is the outline," she said drpping it on the table.

Ethan nodded , took the documents and started studying it.

Loveth caught him multiple times stealing glances at her.

After waiting for ten minutes, Ethan looked up and she I will get back to you when am done.

She smiled calmly, walking away.

"You look pretty today "Ethan said in a whisper, but she heard every single word.

She left the door smiling and grinning.

She felt her face turning red,that make her shy so she diverted to the bathroom.

She washed her faves, tapping her cheeks. When she felt a little relieved, she worked into her team's office.

"Hey Loveth, we need to an outline on how to go about the guests, campaign and advertisment process" Gabriel told her politely.

"Alright, bring them to my office please " she turned and left, Gabriel running after her.

She smiled softly taking the documents from Gabriel.

Loveth carefully scanned the documents, determination etched on her face .

That whole atmosphere was destroyed by a single notification sound that came from her hand.

She looked at the screen and saw 'my boss' .

Curiously, she opened the message, it read, "Could you be bring a coffee for me ." She could not hide the annoyance on her face.

She sighed and went to attend to the task.

She got the coffee and knocked on the door. After getting a signal to come in , she said, "Your coffee, sir ."

Ethan looked up at her and smiled , taking the coffee from her and playfully leaving invisible lines on the back of her palm, and in a cute way, he said, "Thank you dear."

Loveth smiled back and walked away.

When she got to her office, she put her phone on airplane mode .

She didn't need any distractions. Her focus was at its peak , her creativity flowing as she drafted an outline that would blow her team's expectations out of the waters.

The clock ticked as hours passed , and it was finally time to go home.

Loveth removed her phone from airplane mode .

The next minute, a notification popped up . It was a message from Ethan, it read "can we talk?."

Lovethed couldn't help but hiss.

She got to her boss's office, and she's met him at the door.

"You called sir, any problem?." Loveth asked.

Ethan took two steps forward, cracked his voice, and said, "I am sorry for shouting at you the other night, I know it was bad of me, and I let my emotions get the best of me. That's why I decided to apologize."

Loveth smiled. "It's okay sir, besides I wasn't emotionally smart, so I also have a fault, but it's fine now."

"Okay, if you say so. Can we have dinner tomorrow? Please don't say no, " Ethan asked.

Loveth could see the sincerity in his eyes. She wanted to decline, but she didn't want to hurt his feelings, so she smiled and said, "Text me time and address, I will be there, goodnight, sir."

Ethan nodded, waving her goodbyes as he walked out.

As soon as she left, Ethan was all smiles , grinning from ear to ear .

Loveth got into her car and sped off.