CONTRACT MARRIAGE

Chapter 2 • Decision

Mia was walking down the street of Los Angeles, for the second time that day. But she was. Completely oblivious of her environment. She couldn't concentrate. Her mind was going different directions. How could she raise such an amount of money? In such a short time? The doctor had said the earlier she brought the money, the more chances of Asher surviving. Each time she remembered how vulnerable Asher looked in that bed, tears would fall from her eyes all the more.

She sniffed and wiped her tears on the sleeve of her dress. She saw a lounge that was being cleaned out. It was very big. She found herself walking into the lounge.

The bouncers at the door stopped her. She didn't look like she worked there, neither did she look like she was ready to party. She looked like a homeless beggar. She tried to enter in, but they kept on stopping her. Then roughly, one of the men picked her up and threw her down to the ground. Mia groaned in pain as she rolled over to her belly, before slowly getting up.

"Please… just let me in. I just want to work. I promise…" She begged. "Please."

"Get out!" The man bellowed angrily, and made to reach out to her again. "Never want to see the likes of you again."

Mia got up tiredly. She was in mad pain, and she winced whenever she took a step. She could feel the bruises that had formed on her waist side. Notwithstanding, she still stood erect. She wiped her tears on her sleeve again. That was when she bumped into someone before her.

Without raising her head. She apologized softly, sniffing as she spoke.

"I'm sorry I wasn't watching." She apologized again, as she raised her head. The moment she saw who it was, her heart began to race in her chest. She didn't know if it was due to fear or attraction. She cowered back in fright.

"Oh, you dirty little thing!" The man cursed angrily. Mia sniffed at his curses. Was this just because she bumped into him? It certainly takes two people not watching their way to bump.

"I just said I was sorry.. I-"

"Shut your dirty mouth! You dirty little pig. Ugh! How can you not watch your way when you're walking? You disgust me." He spat.

Mia whimpered like a wounded kitten. Staring up at the man, she wondered in her heart why such a good looking man had such a bad mouth. Her tears kept flowing down her eyes. She wiped her face on her sleeve again, wiping the snots as well. Levi gagged internally. Just how disgusting could these poor people get?

"I'm sorry." She begged. "I didn't mean to offend you. It's just… my-"

"I don't care." He cut her in. Then he remembered his promise earlier. He was to marry the first woman he saw. Why must it be this one though?

•••Flashback•••

His assistant, and secretary, Tom Harper walked into his office with a very terrible expression on his face. Levi pretended not to notice, and focused on the message on his computer and screen.

"Mr. Wyatt? You wouldn't believe the news I just got." Tom announced as if on the verge of bursting with anger.

"What has got you so twisted this morning, Harper?"

"I just got a message from the contractors. They said the party that wishes to be awarded the contract must be legally married." Tom read out.

Levi finally paused his movement. He raised his face and his gaze went directly to the mail in Tom's hand. Without having to ask, Tom understory he wanted to see it, and handed it over to him.

Levi read through in his mind. When he was done, he turned his gaze back to the message his girlfriend had just sent to him. He didn't know something like this was coming up, yet he had asked when she would accept to marry him. He narrowed his eyes angrily, and showed it in the way he squeezed the mail in his hand. Where was he going to see a woman to marry and in such a short notice!?

"What are we going to do, Mr. Wyatt?"

"We? What can you possibly do for me?" Levi snapped.

"Perhaps you can ask Miss Laurence?" Tom suggested. "She's been your woman for a long time now, it shouldn't be a problem for her to help you."

Levi sighed tiredly. "Unfortunately, she just told me that she isn't ready to get married."

"Did you tell her about the contract? This is over a hundred billion dollars at stake."

Levi sighed. "Jessica might love me, but she's always about her goal. If it's not in line with her goals, she would outrightly reject it."

Tom stared sadly. "Just try at least. If we did something else and she found out, she might use it against you."

Levi thought about it. He knew how elegantly crazy Jessica could get, so he risked calling her.

"Levi, if this is about your marriage proposal, it's still a no."

"Listen to me firstly, there's a lot at stake right now. When I had asked earlier on, I just wanted you to give me a specific answer. But now, I got word that I must be married unless I can't receive the contract."

Jessica was silent for a few seconds. Then she chuckled. "Levi, you don't think that would change my mind, did you?"

"But, Jessica-"

"Levi, you know me better than this. You have to find a way to go about it." She scoffed.

"What? You don't expect me to go out and marry the first woman I meet in the streets, do you? Especially when I have a woman in my life, no!"

"If you can't, then you had better forget about it as well."

"What?!'

"I'm sorry Levi, perhaps because you're made, you don't understand what it means to work for your own goals. It's my future, if you can't support me, you can as well end it."

"Jessica!" Levi scolded. "Ah." He sighed. "What do you want me to do?"

"It's your contract, find a way around it. I can't be ready for marriage until the next three months."