The Sign

Chapter 3: The Marriage Contract

Both Jax and Ava could believe what they had just heard. Jax reviewed all the papers and contacted another lawyer to verify them for him. Ava's soul was separated from her all throughout the day. She just walked from the university to his apartment which is around 6-7 kilometers away. Arrived at her apartment, she opened the door and saw Kyla inside.

KYLA: I've been calling you, somebody is looking for you.

AVA: --- (Still not herself)

KYLA: HEY! Ava! I said I called you and somebody is here to see you!

AVA: (Looked at Kyla) Oh? Uhhm. I wasn't able to pass by a*****e and buy some dinner. I'll just go to the convenience store. What do you --- (Someone approached her) Who -- who are you?

ATTY. JANG: I am Atty. Jang, the lawyer of Mr. Jax Leon Kim.

KYLA: Ava? What have you done this time? And -- really to THE JAX KIM?

AVA: (Stressed) What is happening? Why is -- everything about --

ATTY. JANG: Mr. Kim wants to see you tomorrow at the company, to discuss your marriage with him.

KYLA: MARRIAGE?! WHAT? (Looked at Ava)

AVA: --- The marriage? So, is it really true?

ATTY. JANG: Ohh? I think you knew about it. Yes, it's legal and -- true. We had already verified everything and we found out that it was really true. The witness will be there tomorrow.

AVA: Witness? ---

ATTY. JANG: Yes, Ms. Patricia Lim, I heard you worked for her.

KYLA: Ms. Patty?

ATTY. JANG: Yes. She also signed the marriage contract as a witness together with Mr. Jax Kim's father.

AVA: --- (Took a very deep breath) Wait a minute, how come I -- was able to sign the marriage contract? I never signed it really.

ATTY. JANG: Maybe by accident. We verified your signature and it was not forged.

AVA: What? Not forged? But, I never signed it.

ATTY. JANG: Mr. Jax Kim is also in the same situation.

AVA: So -- So you mean he didn't also know?

ATTY. JANG: Yes. That's why everything will be discussed tomorrow.

AVA: Fine, I'll go. Also, there will be a signing of the divorce ---

ATTY. JANG: There will be no divorce papers.

AVA: What? No div --

ATTY. JANG: Yes, it was stated by Mr. Kim on his will. Don't worry, everything will be explained to you tomorrow. Also, since few of us already knew about it, Mr. Jax wants to keep everything confidential, so I hope nothing will come out unless it is Mr. Jax approves it. I'll go ahead. I will see you tomorrow.

KYLA: (Sent Atty. Jang out) Ava!? What was that all about? Are you already married? And to JAX KIM?

AVA: You heard it right, both me and him didn't know about this. I don't know if -- there are just pulling a prank on me -- OMG! What if -- it's really a prank? That person didn't install any hidden camera here, right? Ohhh, turn on the TV, Blind Match is airing, right? What if --

KYLA: A marriage prank with JAX KIM? A young businessman, who would dare to do that?

AVA: -- Then, what is this? Why is this happening to me?

KYLA: You will get the answer tomorrow. And -- I'll be there with you, so you don't have to worry.

AVA: You're not mad at me anymore?

KYLA: I didn't get mad at you. It's just -- I don't know, I want you to also focus on yourself, to have time for yourself and to enjoy your life.

AVA: Ky, it's only you and me now. Of course, I cannot just enjoy myself without you. We've been partners in crime since we were young.

KYLA: But, it feels like -- I am a burden to you.

AVA: A burden? Ky, you are not. Again, we only have each other, so through ups and downs, we must experience it together.

KYLA: (Tears fell) I'm sorry. I am really sorry.

AVA: (Smiled and hugged Kyla)

KYLA: (Clears her throat) Wait, you're wrong.

AVA: (Let go of the hug) Huh?

KYLA: You are already married to Jax Kim, it's supposed to be "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part" with Jax Kim and not "through ups and downs, we must experience it together."

AVA: YAHHHH!

KYLA: (Laughs) I am just joking.

---

Jax arrived home and checked all the papers that his father had prepared. He scanned everything and they all planned. He couldn't believe that his own father registered his marriage to an unknown woman. Jax wondered and called his lawyer.

JAX: Atty. Jang, have you met her?

ATTY. JANG: Yes, Mr. Jax. I met her earlier. But unlike what we expected, she is -- not from a rich family. She is just an ordinary girl, she is living with her best friend, attending her final year in college at a university.

JAX: Living with her best friend? How about her family?

ATTY. JANG: I have tried looking for it now and I have come to know that she doesn't know her parents. She lives with her grandfather who has already died and, thereafter, lives with her best friend. She has a lot of different jobs. She is a student assistant at her university, she is a magician and a performer at a carnival, she even works in some restaurants, and a cashier in a convenience store.

JAX: Then -- how come -- my Dad knows her?

ATTY. JANG: I still don't know the answer to that, Mr. Jax. But, don't worry, one of the witnesses who signed your marriage contract will be there tomorrow. Maybe she knew something.

JAX: Look further. I don't trust that girl. What if she just forces my Dad to do it in order to acquire our money and properties.

ATTY. JANG: Well, it could be, but I learned earlier that she also didn't know about the marriage contract.

JAX: Well, it's easy to act. What if she is a con artist? You mentioned she has a lot of jobs, she is dangerous.

(Call ended)

- To be continued -