The Alpha's Contractual Human Mate

Past Life

Ariella Crimson had just arrived at work as a creative writer in a publishing company when she was greeted warmly by her colleagues. She looked at them with wide eyes. This is not a normal day for her. In daily, she's walking in and out of the company like air.

"Congratulations, Ariella!"

"Best wishes and congratulations!"

She heard, and someone hugged her. She thanked everyone while frowning, with the fact that she had no idea what was going on but she acted nicely at them and thanked everyone.

After the greetings subsided and she managed to breath again, she adjusted her thick glasses before heading to her own cubicle.

"Maybe my last article was successful!" she mentally concluded while smiling and her heart was relieved.

After a while, a woman of her same age came in her direction. She is Fria, an editor and Ariella's best friend.

"Hey, Ariella! Why didn't you even tell me what's happening in your life?! We even talked last night on the phone but you didn't even say anything!”

Ariella's forehead furrowed and confusion is visible on her face. She took the coffee she bought from a well-known coffee shop that she liked to walk by every morning. "What are you talking about? I don't even know why they congratulated me." She shrugged her shoulder bringing the cup of coffee in her mouth. “Did my article, won? Or, am I promoted?”

"This is not about work, Ariella! Damn, you are so naive as always.” Fria slapped her forehead lightly and then stared at her for a while. “Why didn't you say you were getting married!?" Ariella spilled the coffee she was drinking right in front of Fria out of shock. Her eyes widened and she almost defeaned of what she heard. She hardly coughed and tried to ease when she choked from her coffee.

"What are you saying, Fria?! Drake and I, have no plans to get married...yet.” she clarified. Drake Allegre is her long time boyfriend who is a CEO of a luxurious hotel.

“That playboy boyfriend of yours? Ha! I'll definitely stop your wedding if it was him.” Fria suddenly burst out loudly with anger in her voice. Ariella stopped her and covered her mouth. “—But your twin sister told us, you are going to marry another guy and it was not Drake.”

“Alisa told everyone that?!” she huffed. “Who the hell she got to put shame on my name?” she asked her bestfriend with curiosity killing her.

At first, she thought it was just a gossip but things didn't sided in her luck. It's getting out of hand.

“She mentioned about Matt...something or sounds like that? I am shocked hearing those but I can't blame you looking for another man” she replied to her thinking deeply.

Ariella mind wander from whom her bestfriend mentioned but she always ended up with the same guy. She only knew one guy named Matt.

“Dion Davis”, Ariella mumbled, turning her shocked eyes to Fria.

“That's the name!” Fria exclaimed excitedly but Ariella expression changed into shock and almost sunk in her chair. Blood almost dried in her own body.

Dion Davis, her twin sister Elisa Crimson's arranged husband. Her brother-in-law who despises by her family except her. She's happy living and thinking Drake as his 'the one' and she don't have time colluded with he rfsmily to bully the guy.

“What?! I will never marry my twin sister's husband!!” Ariella frantically pulled her messy, curly hair and fixed her big eye glasses. She sighed deeply, closing her eyes to calm down.

No, I won't be marrying that guy. There's a mistake here. Yes, probably a mistake. She mentally talked to herself just to calm down a bit. But she seemed to be on the verge of exploding. All her life, she never felt as one of them. She's the outcast, the least favorite and sometimes excluded in parties her family held saying that their visitors might be disgusted with her.

“You are not going out your room! You might make something that bring shame to our family!” her mother's words replayed in her mind. She followed her family's wishes all her life and she lived with her twin's shadow. But this time, she won't allow them pick whoever man they want for her.

Ariella quickly grabbed her bag and cellphone before running and leaving Fria confused.

She hailed taxi coming back to their house.

She ran inside after paying the cab, doubling her pace more than she had in her entire life.

I won't be marrying anyone unless it's Drake! She puts in her mind while running inside.

Just when she arrived, they were all in the garden. She ran there panting and she can hear everyone's laughter from afar.

“Elisa”, she called lowly in between of her heavy breaths.

“Oh, the bride is here.” Elisa clapped her hands smiling and look at her smirking.

“Why are you spreading that I'm going to marry your husband?!” she asked slowly, glaring at her.

“Well, me and the whole family decided that you and that useless Dion Davis fit together.” She shrugged casually sipping on her orange juice in a fancy glass.

“He's your husband.” Ariella pointed out. She looked at everyone but they are just minding their own business and enjoying the scene.

“Elisa will divorce that beggar and you will marry him instead.” Their mother said raising her brows. Her mother and her grandmother is the in Crimson's house. Whatever they say must be followed.

“But mom, I have a boyfriend!” Ariella cried out.

“Drake? He'll marrying your sister.” her mother mocked her and Ariella world collapsed. She don't want to believe what they are saying.

“Oh, so my future husband hasn't told you yet?” Elisa chuckled victoriously.

Ariella swallowed bitterly while her palms forming a fist. “Mom”, she tried convincing her but her faced numbed. She surprisingly looked at who slapped her cheeks and she saw her grandmother.

“Follow your mother's decision! This is for your own good! Besides, you two looks good together. A pathetic need and worthless man. My granddaughter Elisa deserves to be married to Drake! Allegre's are rich and wanted to have a decent, gorgeous and classy woman UNLIKE you.” her grandmother spitted that made Ariella eyes welled up.

“By the way, Dion is here.” Her mother revealed while she looked at the table. Dion is sitting in his wheelchair while staring at nowhere. Both his legs are paralyzed because of an accident before he married her sister.

Elisa was forced to marry Dion because that was the agreement of their grandfather to his old friend which happened to be Dion's grandfather too. Of course, her sister won't accept such if she don't benefit from them or from that marriage. Based from her grandmother, Dion's grandfather is just a poor man but left two billion dollars and a small house in their hometown to be given to his grandson Matt and his wife after the marriage. Her sister immidiately agreed and sign a civil wedding for the both of them. No celebration. No consumation.

Since Matt fell into the accident before they got married, it made him crippled. He can't talk nor stand, they didn't gave a single penny to him after that. Her sister get it all and let her husband sleep on a small room in the maids quarter.

“Bring him in his room. We don't want to see your face and his face. Useless brats!” Her mother gestured them to go away.

Ariella gulped once more and slowly walked on to Matt's direction. She heard them cursing and telling how they despise her and Dion. She pushed the wheelchair and bring him in his room.

It's not huge. It's a narrowed room with a thin bedsheet and foam. Napailing na lang si Ariella. She looked at Dion who also looked at her. This is the first time she saw his face in such a proximity. He's absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking! His green eyes, pointed nose, and heart shaped lips compliments his curly hair.

Ariella turned her eyesight somewhere else and sighed deeply. Her eyes roamed the place and her tears started to welled up again.

“What will happen to us?” she asked him eventhough she knows he won't answer. She sat on his bed while he's still in his wheelchair so they could be in level.

He groaned and inaudible noise came from his mouth. Ariella almost jumped on her feet and fast like a flash went to his side. She continuously asked him what's happening and what does he feel but he can't answer.

After few minutes, his tantrums subsided and Ariella decided to lift him up on his bed so he could rest first.

Due to her tiredness taking care of Dion in few minutes of him being attacked by his sicknes, she decided to sit on his wheelchair first until she don't know that she fell asleep while leaning her forehead in the edge of the bed.

Meanwhile, Matt's hands reached for her curly hair and touched it carefully intending not to awaken her. His hand went down to her face and he caress her soft cheeks. His eyes landed on her lips and he couldn't think anymore. The faint light flickered in the old lamp residing in his simple study tsble. He raised up half of his body sitting in the bed. He stared at blankly yet his eyes mirrored a strange feeling. He lowered his head to meet her face until his lips touches hers.

……..

Ariella woke up from her long nap and raised her head. She was surprised to the environment so she stand carelessly forgetting where she was. She sighed when she remembered everything. Her eyes searched for Dion in his bed and he's there. Laying peacefully.

She prepared to go out but when she tried to open the door, it was locked.

“Mom?! Dad?! Elisa?!” she half whispered, half shouted worrying to waken up Matt with her voice.

She tried the handle to turn but it can't be open. She tried and tried and get tired of trying and exerting too much effort and energy. She looked back to his cabinets and find anything that might help them get out until she stumbled to an envelope. She opened it and a signed divorce papers bombarded in her eyes. She gulped. The process of their divorce are already finished. Elisa and Dion are already divorced.

Matt groaned and when she turned to his direction, he's mumbling something. Ariella put back the papers on its original place realizing that Matt don't want to see it.

She helped him move to his wheelchair and Ariella worriedly looked for a way but also failed.

After an hour, a brown envelope slides under the small space of the door.

“What's that?” She asked and then walked on it.

“You and that useless crippled man won't get out of there if you don't sign that marriage contract!” her mother kicked the door and left.

Ariella stared at the content of the envelope and looked at Dion once more. Her tears welled up and walk towards him.

“What we will gonna do?” She asked at him. “—It's not that I don't want you but” she sighed deeply. The lump started to pain. She pulled out the paper but it was thick. She soon realized that there are photos inside.

Millions of needles pierced her heart. It was photos of Drake and Elisa together. Dates are included in the photo that made her sit on the edge of bed. They are dating for months now! And they didn't even told her! All she thought that Drake is the person she'll end up in the aisle but he's been cheating all along.

He's cheating with her twin sister.

She went to Matt's drawer and picked up a pen. She signed the contract and went to his side. She put his right thumb to an ink and print it on the paper.

They are now married. She tried to stop her tears, appearing brave and walk in the door. She kicked the door loudly and banged it until a maid open the door. She slamped the envelope on their faces but then, her mother popped out of nowhere.

“And where do you think you are going?” She asked indifferently. She chuckled in sarcasm and face her.

“I'll go on my work.” She raised her voice. Her mother raised her brows not wanting how she replied at her.

“You are not going to your workplace.” her mother said.

“And what do you want me to do here, mom?!” she desperately asked. She wanted to get out of their house for quite some time so she could think and let her pain free. Just a moment. She begged.

“You are going to that man's house”, her mother pointed Dion's direction which is now being pushed by a maid in his wheelchair.

She narrowed her eyes, “what do you mean”.

“You are not living in my house! Elisa don't want to see you here neither that crippled man. She also felt awkward if you are still here when my daughter and Drake married each other and live here.”

“Why am I going to adjust, always?! Why me, mom?! You never treated me as your daughter! You and everyone in this family are always by her side. You all like "Elisa...", "Oh, Elisa is gorgeous", “Elisa deserves this" and damn Elisa got what she wanted since birth! While me?” Ariella pointed herself as her tears streamed down her face. “—I am always the least favorite. The one that deserves less. The outcast and never been part of YOUR family! I should do this...I should do that… just for Elisa! How about me, mom? When are you going to give me importance?”

“How dare you question the way I raised the both of you! See, who you are blaming right now. Me? HAHAHAHA, Ariella! Your twin sister is much and more better than you. Can't you accept that? That's the reason we are keeping her! She's going to marry Drake and his family is rich with a lot of connections in the business world.” her mother shouted angrily. She get the bags from the maids and throw it outside. “If you can't be thankful, then go away and never come back! Don't think that you are still my daughter because I DISOWN you right at this moment! Go! And leave with your useless husband! You are just eating here for free!”

Ariella went to her husband back and pushed his wheelchair out of the house. She hang the bags on her arms that keeps falling everytime she pushes him.

They hailed a cab and travel to the house Dion inherited from his grandfather for marrying Elisa. It is located away from the city that took them almost two hours.

It's already dark when they arrived. There's no light so Ariella pulled out her phone to use as flashlight. It was a small farm that has a small wooden gate a little bit far from the small house.

They came inside that are full of spider webs and dust. She immidiately get a clean fabric to cover Matt's nose before he could caught a cold. She roamed the whole house to find a switch or any lamp. She found a lamp on the old table and she used a match to light it up.

“Let's go to your grandpa's room.” She invited after they ate their dinner which she brought in the street while they are still on the cab.

Ariella slept on the couch while Dion slept on the bed. She's afraid that the bed is too small for them and she might hurt him if they slept together.

The next morning, Ariella woke up early in the morning to cook to them. She brought a few groceries from nearby sari-sari store and there she got a time to wander the streets and look for their house's environment. It was a small house located under the foot of a small mountain. And she loved the view of the green grasses there!

“Uhm, M-matt”, she stuttered while she feed him with the soup and fruits.

“I'm going to the office to the office to request if I can work from home but”, she heaved a sigh before continuing. “-It will took me four hours back and forth.”

Ariella wanted to take him with her but she's afraid that he's body will tire more.

“I already talked to someone this morning and she'll look for you today. I will pay for her time, just be okay and be good, okay? ” Ariella crouches to make them level and Matt didn't respond but he looked at her with a light face.

The woman soon arrived. She's in her mid-fifty's whom Ariella talked earlier in the store she bought in.

After the breakfast, Ariella left and went to her workplace travelling almost 3 hours in total. She came back home almost late at night with he good news that the company she's working agreed her request for a work from home but she still needed to submit articles on time and report every now and then.

“You are already here, Mrs. Ariella.” the woman named Greta greeted.

“Did Matt already slept?” she inquired but Greta looked inside and there Matt still sitting on his wheelchair. Ariella looked shock and went to his direction.

“Why didn't you sleep early?” she intonwd vocally while putting her groceries in the sink.

“He refused to sleep early. He's waiting for you.” Ariella looked at him with shock. She can't digest the fact that he's waiting for her. She seemed speechless.

“It's late, I should go now.” Greta bid her goodbye and let the two of them have a moment.

Ariella heart thumped violently and her insides are having butterflies in her stomach. She never felt this way before for Drake. It's because she's always the one making time and put effort on their relationship. Drake is only buying flowers and valuable things that she knows that he's not the one who chose them.

They slept with the same set-up but this time, Ariella smile remains in her heart-shaped lips.

…..

After a week, Ariella and Dion seems sit be used to their new house and they are already adjusted in their new home.

“Cut ties with Allegre's right in time...Yes...yes... don't make any actions without my cues”

Ariella woke up with a baritone voice she heard. She dizzily roamed her eyes on the whole room but she found Dion sleeping soundly in his bed.

She raised up from her newly bought bed and shake off the strange feeling.

Am I dreaming? But I'm sure I heard someone? Is it Dion? But he still can't speak let alone he can't move. He can't use a cellphone. Ariella looked at Dion who's sleeping peacefully. She gulped and turned away her sight suddenly feeling shy.

And that's the moment when a mailman decided it's his perfect time to interrupt her.

“Mails! There's a mail for Mr and Mrs. Davis!” The mailman shouted.

Ariella comb her hair with her hand and use a robe to cover her thin clothes and walk outside the house. She went to the gate and signed to get the mail.

It was indeed for the both of them. There's something stirred within her seeing her name together with Dion's surename.

She thanked the mailman and walked back to their house. She carelessly ripped the mail and her heart cries in pain.

It is an invitation!

Invitation of Elisa Crimson and Drake Allegre's wedding in a luxurious hotel owned by Drake's family.

She was about to throw it in the trash can when a small paper fell in the ground. Her brows narrowed and pick it up.

“Attend my wedding wether you like it or not. Or else, I'll make your supervisor and manager fire you in your job!” She reads with Elisa's name on the bottom.

The date is already the exact same day the mail arrived. They only have few hours to look what to wear and to travel. Even if she don't want to witness it, she can't afford to lose her job which is flexible and the only left source of their income.

Ariella tried to prepare but failed miserably. She only has old used clothes of Elisa. They are almost faded. The clothes her mother packed were almost unable to use.

She picked a simple black strapless cocktail dress and paired it with her simple silver heels that she had received from her grandfather when she and Elisa turned 18.

But she got one problem...Dion suddenly felt sick. He's coughing hardly and driedly. He also look tired and refused to get up. He looks like a lame vegetable. So Ariella decided to go by herself and prepare herself from shaming and bullying she might get from them. As always.

…..

Ariella arrived in front of the luxurious hotel named “Aleggre's Great Hotel”. She went into a small salon and made them fix her hair before coming in the venue.

Visitors in the entrance looked at her with disgust after seeing her dress and the the taxi she came out.

“I haven't know that they are inviting beggars here”, a girl laughs with her companion.

“She looks pathetic and cheap.”

“There's a resemblance between her and Elisa...Oh my gosh. Don't tell me, she's Elisa's twin sister!” a girl who wears a branded and cunning dress commented that added the fire of gossips to everyone.

“No wonder they are not including her in their occasions”.

“I heard that she married a crippled loser.”

“Oh my gosh. She's so unlucky unlike Elisa who's marrying with the hottest Drake Allegre who has a silver spoon since birth.”

Ariella shakes off her anger and went inside without bothering to look at them. For her, she wanted to make an appearance and then she'll go back home immediately. After all, Matt is waiting and she knows he won't sleep without her coming back safely.

“Ouch”, she groaned after she bumped into a beautiful woman on the way inside with a red carpet.

“I'm sorry. I'm really really sorry.” The woman felt sorry and keeps asking for forgiveness. Ariella can't help but to stare to the woman's long gown made of silk. It is shining that perfectly fits the woman.

“It's fine. I'm okay.” Ariella finally said. Their scene attracts a few murmurs around and Ariella felt uncomfortable. The woman noticed it and she instantly tend to her.

“By the way, I'm Suzhy Lao.” she extended her hand to shake their hands.

“I'm Ariella...Ariella Cri—Davis. Ariella Davis.” she almost choke in her saliva almost mistakenly gives her maiden surename.

“Nice to meet you Ariella.” Suzhy commented until she was called by someone and she left her with a toast.

Ariella felt outcast again. She Stan on the farthest corner, holding a wine glass and looking from afar. The celebration already started but the newly wed are still not showing.

She looked at her watch again for the nth time and it was already 7. She's sure that she'll go home late.

After a while, there's someone approached her. “Ma'am, Adelia Crimson request you to help us serve the guest tonight.” said by a waitress to her. Other people from their side look at her and gossips started again. She followed the girl at the huge kitchen of the hotel. It was near the venue hall making it short to cross. Her mother never failed to bully her.

Ariella sighed and she tied her ponytail in a bun before changing into the waitress clothes. She's used to it because they made her serve them (her families) in the house. They treated her as their maid all these years and they didn't heard any complain from her.

“And let's give a round of applause, to our newly wedded couple! Mr. and Mrs. Allegre!” the hall bombarded with claps as they walk in the stage while photos being together is shown in the background… Flashes of camera blinded her. The newlywed came down after their speech and everyone cheered, wishing happiness even a bountiful life.

Ariella gulped while holding a tray of wines. She's ordered to give it to them. She walked anxiously, sweating heavily while praying that they might have mercy left their bodies so they could spare her this day.

“What the hell!” Elisa shouted when Ariella unintentionally tripped over someone's feet and the liquid content poured into the bride. Elisa's nose smoked in anger and their mother immidiately went their direction to see what happened.

“How dare you b***h!” she angrily wipes off her expensive dress, getting the glass of juice in their table and pour it on Ariella head. People gasped and everyone's eyes are on them. Drake tried to stop his wife but it was late.

“Did you planned to do this? Huh?! Everyone loves you Ariella but do you need to pretend to be a waitress and ruin my wedding celebration?” Elsia fakely cried loudly. Trying to get the sympathy of others. Visitors started to gossip and everyone's asking who she is.

“Mom treated both of us but why did you grow up like this? Why are always envied me even when mom always favor your side?” Elisa dramatically intoned vocally her memorized speech. Ariella stayed stoic in her place. She's shocked being framed up by her relatives. It's obvious that they planned this. And she fell into their trap as she came out to be the villain.

“Is she the twin sister of Elisa?”

“Oh my gosh, I understand how why they don't want to allow her in the parties and events of the family.”

“Isn't she the twin sister of Elisa that married a crippled man?” another voice from afar revealed.

“It's karma why she ended up with a useless man. I'm sure they are poor right now that's why she's throwing her unluckiness to her twin sister.” another visitor commented.

“Am I really the one raised being the brat? We both know who between us described that word a lot!” Ariella counterattacked looking at them with sadness and anger, combined with both.

“And you?! How dare you called my husband a curse?! He isn't useless like what you think! And I am not punished nor being karma in my life because it's a blessing that I ended up marrying him!” She shouted, roaming her eyes around. “Do you know and want to know the truth?!” she dared. Everyone felt silent including the music on the background. All eyes are on them, watching.

“Shut up , Ariella! Your mouth are full of lies. Please stop this, this is me and my husband's wedding celebration and you are ruining it. I know you and Dion didn't have any proper reception but it's not the right mind to envy us and do this.” Elisa choked on her soft voice, pretending to be one but if it was for me, she might not even won in a workshop.

“Don't coax and pretend you are an angel Elisa! It's too much! You know...we and our family know that Drake is my boyfriend yet you dated him while we're still in relationship!” Her tears started to drop on her cheeks but she wiped it away immidiately. She doesn't want to appear weak in front of them, again.

People watching are now in opinion chaos. They are now halfed.

“Stop this, Ariella!” Elisa half shouted half whispered to her twin. She firmly looked at her trying to feel her authority but Ariella seemed to be used to it. She didn't even flinch.

“Why don't you speak Drake?” Ariella stared at him and she saw how his adams apple move when he swallowed his saliva.

“Stop making a scene!” Drake gritted his teeth, grabbing Ariella hand to get out of the seen.

“Don't touch me!” Ariella snatched her arms back her side and glared at him. They are now having battle of stares but Ariella couragely speak up. This time she's not the weak. She's not going to accept every words they throw at her. “You know what?! You disgust me. Cheating with my own twin sister? Ha, you really can't be satisfied?”

“Stop it Ariella! Guards! Please dragged her out of this place.” Elisa shouted and tried looking for their men.

“Stop it or else I'll make you lose your job so that you and your s**t useless husband will die in hunger.” Drake dared to her. Instead of backing out, Ariella raised her hand and it landed in his face.