The Lying Agreement

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"How would that even work? Being paid to be someone's wife? That's ridiculous."

"Since we both have no other out in this unless we die, I'd like to propose an agreement. You'll be compensated for the duration that we’re married. Like a monthly wage. Or salary.”

Samara didn't care about the conversation but she tried to listen. He was right. The only way out was to die because if she flees, they can just find them like they did the first time.

"Don't think of it as a sham marriage. Of course, there should be no invasion of each others' personal boundaries. Unless you want to..."

She glared at him.

"Well, then. Think of it as a business deal. Equally beneficial to both of us. You will pay your debt, and we'll please the old man."

"It could just be a couple of years. We don't even have to live together. And when the term's done, we'll just have to say that we tried to make it work and get divorced."

Samara shivered. A couple of years? A long time to be fake married to someone. Also, never once did she plan on having a divorce if she ever got married. Because she though that when she finally marries, it'd be to the perfect man.

Not as a payment to a debt she took no part of.

"Do you agree to the terms? You can revise and add yours."

"I'll read it and add mine. Like I have a choice." She shrugged.

"Alright. That's fair. Do you have anything else to say?"

Samara shook her head. What could she possibly have to say to her stranger fiancé?

"I guess I'll see you. I'm going to need your revisions by the end of the week. We'll see each other, then." Samara couldn't keep her mouth closed.

He just walked out and left. An attendant came to her and asked if she needed anything else and that it was all paid for.

"For a British gentleman, there's not so much of it!" She couldn't believe the guy she was going to marry.

She went home and decided what to do about the contract. Then, she called up her best friend and finally tell her more about her about her impending engagement.

"A phone call isn't enough. Let's meet up tomorrow and talk to me all about it." Her closest best friend, Rachel Leone-Clement.

Rachel's been her friend even before they became women. She's rich, pretty, elegant, and most of all, she's already a wife at 26, only a year older than her. How and why? Because of her parent’s orders.

Samara couldn't be thankful that her best friend shares her misery.

"I've not seen you in so long! I missed you." The two best friends greeted each other and as usual, Rachel had two bodyguards accompanying her to the table inside the cute café they’re in.

"Still can't get used." Samara pointed at the two stoic men behind her.

"I know. I wanted to escape and so it'll just be the two of us. But you know Mr. Clement. Always insists on them because 'you never know!'" She rolled her eyes as she mentioned her husband.

"You can't possibly still call him that? I thought you two are civil now?" Samara recalled her friend telling her how the couple were warming up to each other.

"Yeah. I think we're almost at a pretty normal point now. Well, he's been very protective lately but I don't know. I still wish if I'd marry, it'd be to someone I chose and truly love. But, oh well. My husband's pretty cool. He's hot and rich. What should I complain?"

Samara almost grimaced at her friend. She was no longer the same Rachel who screamed frustration a year ago everytime she thought about getting married.

"I don't think you should be saying that in front of them..?" I asked after gesturing at the two guys.

"That's fine. Marc and Dwayne's pretty much well-aware of everything. Oh, I hope it’s alright that I kind of let it slip up to Tommy that you're about to be off the market?" Samara almost gasped.

"What?! Nobody's supposed to know about this. This was just a blip... A tiny rock on my life." Samara exclaimed. "And to Thomas? My God. What would he think?"

"Don't be surprised if he suddenly arrives in the country one of these days." Rachel said.

Tommy—Thomas Stanley were one of her closest friends. And yes, she once felt something for him. But she thought he was way out of her league and didn't want to bother him with her personal struggles. So, she never confessed. He also probably was too busy with all the women flocking to him.

"Sam, you're getting married! That's not a small thing. Besides, he's going to know. Most of the people we know will know. It's the Huntingtons, for God's sake. You really think the old guy's not gonna broadcast that his oldest grandson—and one of his only remaining heirs is getting married? You're actually going to be a billionaire's wife."

Samara coughed on her drink.

"No, no, I'm not. You know why?" She pulled her closer and whispered to her. "Because we're going to get divorced after a year. We aren't even going to live apart."

"Yeah, right. Your fiancé looks like he could be a Skarsgård brother or a... Ralph Lauren model. Sure you can keep your hands off of that?" Samara rolled her eyes on her.

"All I'm saying is, just make the most of it. Act like the perfect wife while you can and don't make things hard for them to clean up when and if you choose to leave. God knows how much I tried and failed everytime." Rachel murmured the last part as she tried on her drink.

"I just... I never pictured myself to be in the same situation as you." Samara looks at her, empathic.

"I could be in a much worse situation, Sam. These days, I can actually feel safe and alone in my large mansion."

"No. You live apart?" Rachel shrugged.

"He visits. He's out of the country most of the time. It's much better that way."

"I though you were in a better place?"

"Yeah. Better. We're apart and civil. I said we were civil, not that we're 'together.' You guys might work out differently than us. Like my parents. You don't know that yet." Rachel said.

"That's not really my intention. Based on what I know, he's pretty much a recluse. Unlike all other eligible guys his age, women don't seem to flock him. We all know why."

"Why? Is he gay? No way. He doesn't seem gay. I don't think he is. I haven't heard it from any of the posh girls."

"Calm down. Stop rambling. What I meant is, he might be a huge prick. You know, shags women and uses them solely for pleasure. Then never rings them again."

"Then, you're safe. I don't think you'll sleep with him." She quieted her friend down when she started running her mouth.

"Why?! We're of age. I know we're in public but people wouldn't eavesdrop. What I'm saying is, if you plan on doing so, be careful. His family's actually richer than my husband's where they don't control the media, they're the media." Samara hadn't really thought about how rich the Huntingtons actually are.

"And when you actually do your plans, be careful. Who knows how what they might do to you. You saw what happened to Lady Di. Richer, powerful, and influential husband orders younger, less influential, and powerless wife to be eliminated. Like you and I."

"He probably wouldn't do that. His grandfather sounds nice. He doesn't seem too bad, either." Samara says objectively based on what she heard from their lawyer and after meeting the grandson himself.

"That sounds nice. Like I said, just be careful and always look out for yourself. It’s very easy it is to feel so isolated. Specially in a marriage. I only hope the best for you my sweet, naïve friend." Rachel massaged her hand as a form of comfort.

"When all preparation is done, I'm almost positive you'll receive some invitations pretty soon." Samara breathes an exhale of defeat.

The both stare outside, into a far distance.

"I can't believe I'm getting married to a stranger."

"Neither do I. Are you sure really don't want me to loan you the money?" Rachel says.

"Shut up. I'm not dragging you into my mess."

"Fine. But always know I'm ready to help you out with whatever you need. A shelter, a sister, protection, whatever you need."

"I just need you to be my maid-of-honour." Samara almost spewed at the thought of being a bride.

"Oh, you might want to send Tommy one. He'll reach out to you soon."

"Ugh." Samara groans.