Special Blood

Marriage Agreement

Okay, so picture this scene in your head. One minute ago, I was crying because scary gangsters wanted to take me away. The next minute, a handsome prince appeared and saved the day. But now... now he is asking me to marry him! Like, what is happening?! Is this real life or did I eat too much chocolate and fall asleep dreaming?!

My brain was spinning around like a washing machine on turbo mode! Wash-wash-wash-spin-spin-spin! I couldn't think straight!

I looked at my parents. They were standing there, looking at me with eyes full of hope, fear, and sadness. My mom was biting her lip, my dad was holding his head. I knew they were begging me with their eyes. Please Ava, do it. Save us.

I looked at Matthew. He was standing there tall and proud, looking like he owned the whole world. His face was cold, his eyes were dark, and he looked like he was used to getting everything he wanted just by asking.

"So..." I said, crossing my arms over my chest and trying to look as brave as a lioness. "Let me get this straight. You want to marry me? Me? Ava? The girl you just met five minutes ago? Is this some kind of joke? Are you playing a prank on me? Because if you are, it is not funny! It is actually very rude!"

Matthew didn't even smile. He just looked at me with those deep eyes that seemed to look right into my soul.

"I do not joke, Ava," he said firmly. His voice was deep and serious. "My time is very precious. I do not waste it playing games. This is a business deal. And it is the only way to save your family."

"Business deal?!" I shouted. "Marriage is not a business deal! It is supposed to be about love and flowers and kissing and stuff! You are treating me like I am a bag of potatoes or a piece of land! It is unfair! It is humiliating! And I..."

"Then let your family lose everything," Matthew said calmly, cutting me off. "Let them go bankrupt. Let them be chased by bad men. It is your choice."

Oh my gosh! This man! He is so cold! His heart is literally made of ice blocks! How can he be so mean?!

I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to throw something at his perfect face. But I couldn't. Because deep down, I knew he was right. I had no choice.

"Fine! Fine! Okay!" I huffed, blowing air out of my cheeks like a pufferfish. "I will do it! I will marry you! But only for one year! And after that, I am free! And you have to promise to protect my parents forever! Deal?"

Matthew nodded slowly. "Deal."

He snapped his fingers, and suddenly one of his men brought a black leather briefcase and opened it on the table. Inside, there were papers. Lots and lots of papers.

"This is the Marriage Contract," Matthew said, taking out the main document. It looked very official, with gold letters and fancy stamps. "Read it carefully, then sign."

I took the paper and started reading. Well, I tried to read. But my goodness! The words were so big and complicated! They sounded like alien language!

"ARTICLE 1: TERM OF AGREEMENT

The parties hereby enter into a matrimonial union for a fixed duration of TWELVE (12) MONTHS, commencing on the date of signing."

Okay, that meant one year. Got it.

"ARTICLE 2: RESIDENCE

The Wife (Ava) shall reside exclusively at the Husband's (Matthew) principal residence. She shall not leave the premises without prior written consent or accompanied security."

"Wait! What?!" I screamed. "I cannot leave the house without permission?! Am I your wife or are you my jailer?! This is s*****y! This is k********g! I want to go shopping! I want to meet my friends! You can't lock me up like a pet bird!"

Matthew sighed deeply, rubbing his temples like I was giving him a headache.

"It is for your own safety, Ava. And for mine. You cannot go running around everywhere. It is dangerous. And you have to behave."

"Behave? I am not a dog!" I grumbled, rolling my eyes. "Okay fine, continue reading."

I went further down.

"ARTICLE 5: DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS

The Wife shall accompany the Husband to all social events, business functions, and public appearances. She shall act in a manner befitting the status of a wife."

"So I have to be your arm candy?" I asked suspiciously. "Like a pretty doll you show off to people? Okay, that's fine! I look good in dresses anyway! But you have to buy me new clothes! I am not wearing old stuff!"

"Agreed," Matthew said instantly. "You will have everything you need."

I kept reading. Most of it was just rules about how I have to be quiet, how I have to listen to him, and how I cannot tell anyone about the real reason we are married.

But then... I stopped at the last page. There was one article that made me stop and frown.

"ARTICLE 10: SPECIAL PROVISION

The Wife acknowledges that the Husband has specific health requirements and biological needs. The Wife agrees to provide full access and cooperation regarding these needs, including but not limited to... Vital Energy Exchange."

I looked up at Matthew, my eyes wide and confused.

"Wait a minute! What is this? 'Vital Energy Exchange'? What does that mean? Is he a doctor? Is he going to take my blood for tests? Or is he some kind of weirdo who likes to do weird things at night?!"

"Hey! You!" I pointed my finger at him. "Explain this right now! What do you mean 'take what you need from me'? Are you planning to hurt me? Are you going to use me for experiments? Because I tell you now, I hate needles! I scream very loud if you try to poke me!"

Matthew’s face changed slightly. His ears looked a little bit pink? Or maybe it was just the light. He cleared his throat, looking a little bit uncomfortable for the first time.

"It means... exactly what it says," he said, his voice lower than before. "I have a... condition. I need certain things to stay healthy and strong. And you... you are special, Ava. Your body, your energy... it is perfect for me."

"Perfect for you?" I was getting more scared and suspicious. "What does that mean?! Am I a battery?! Are you a robot?! Or are you a vampire who wants to drink my blood?!"

I joked. I was just joking! But Matthew didn't laugh. He just looked at me with a very serious face.

"Let us just say... I need you to be healthy. Very healthy. And I promise... it will not hurt. Much."

"MUCH?!" I screamed again. "What do you mean 'much'?! That sounds painful! You are scary! You are weird! I don't know if I can do this!"

"Ava..." my mom touched my arm softly. "Please... just sign it. He saved us. He will not hurt you. I can feel it. He is a good man."

I looked at my parents. They were counting on me. I was their only hope. If I didn't sign, they would lose everything. They would be sad and poor forever.

I took a deep breath. Whoosh... I filled my lungs with air.

"Okay! Okay! Fine! I will sign!" I grabbed the fancy gold pen he gave me. "But listen here, Matthew! I am signing this paper. I am giving you one year of my life. I am being your wife. But you have to promise me three things right now!"

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "You are making conditions? After I am saving your whole life?"

"Yes! Because I am not a slave! I am a human being with feelings!" I said bravely. "Number One: You cannot shout at me. I hate shouting. It gives me anxiety. Number Two: You have to buy me delicious food! I love eating! And Number Three: If I miss my parents, you have to bring me to visit them or bring them to visit me! Is that clear?!"

I stared at him waiting for an answer.

Matthew looked at me for a long time. His eyes were softening just a tiny little bit. Like ice starting to melt.

"All conditions accepted," he said finally. "As long as you behave."

"Good! Then here we go!"

I signed my name. AVA.

I wrote it big, curly, and fancy! I pressed so hard the pen almost broke the paper! It felt like I was signing my life away. And maybe I was.

Matthew took the paper and signed his name too. His writing was sharp, strong, and perfect. MATTHEW.

As soon as he finished, the air in the room felt different. Heavy. Like magic or something invisible just tied us together.

"It is done," Matthew said, putting the paper away safely. "We are legally bound now."

He walked closer to me. So close I had to look up, up, up.

"You are mine now, Ava," he whispered softly. "In the eyes of the law... and in every other way."

I felt shivers run down my whole body! It was scary, but also... weirdly exciting? My heart was beating fast again!

"Okay okay! Stop looking at me like that!" I stepped back, pretending to be cool and sassy. "We are married on paper only! That does NOT mean you can kiss me or hug me whenever you want! That is NOT in the contract! Got it?!"

Matthew smirked. That annoying, handsome smirk.

"Do not worry," he said coldly. "I have no interest in kissing you right now. You smell... too sweet. Like too much sugar. It gives me a headache."

"HEY!!!" I was so angry I wanted to kick his shin! "I smell like flowers and sunshine! You are just weird! You have no taste! You are an Ice Man! Brrr!"

I stuck my tongue out at him. Even though he was scary, I couldn't help myself. I am Ava! I am sassy! I don't care how rich or powerful he is!

But inside, my heart was beating like crazy. I had made a deal with a mysterious stranger. I was going to live in his house. I was going to be his wife.

And I had absolutely no idea what kind of crazy, scary, and amazing life was waiting for me.