LOVE RESTART

CONTRACTED TO LOVE YOU

Matthew stood awkwardly by the bedroom doorway. He noticed the tablet on Allison's lap and wondered why she had come to his room.

“What do you want?”

Matthew realized too late how his words came out harshly. He saw how Allison’s expressions quickly became sour. He looked away and apologized before he wheeled Allison’s chair inside. Then he carried her to the couch near the sliding glass door of the balcony.

“How do you feel now?” He sat beside Allison and studied her quietly.

“I am feeling better. Don’t worry about me.” Allison’s voice was a little coarse.

Something seemed to be different about her. Allison’s aura had always seemed to be dark and gloomy whenever she was around him. But now, although her skin still looks a little pale, she appears to be rather radiant. He wondered if something had happened to change her mood.

She explained something about the terms and agreement of their marriage, but his attention was caught by her lips. Matthew did not realize when he raised his hand and cupped her cheek, his thumb gently caressing the side of her mouth.

“W-what are you doing?” Allison grabbed Matthew’s hand, startling him. Her cheeks were a little flushed.

“H-huh?” Matthew took his hands away. “I am wiping away the drool from your mouth.”

Allison furrowed her brows. Then she wiped her mouth with her hand. Matthew’s tone had been condescending since she got into his room. Allison wondered if she had made the right decision in coming to him. But she couldn’t sleep after the phone call that she had with her brother, and she was determined to turn her phone off. She does not want to be bothered by the phone calls from both Yvonne and Marco. Just thinking about the two makes her blood boil.

She had been thinking a lot about the past and what she could change so that she wouldn’t end up as Yvonne’s prey again. Allison realized that since her marriage with Matthew, she had been so focused on divorcing him, so she could be with Marco. As a result, she never really put much effort into making their relationship work. Although they have lived together under the same roof for two and a half years, both of them lived their separate lives.

To her knowledge, they are in a contracted marriage. But neither of them has defined the condition of their marriage. And now that she has thought about it, she can’t rest until she has discussed it with Matthew.

Allison has already drafted her terms. Now she is ready to hear Matthew’s opinion and compromise if he has a different view. She confidently handed the tablet to Matthew where she stipulated her conditions.

Matthew still looked confused, but he accepted the tablet anyway. Allison thought he saw him smile as soon as he started reading. She leaned closer to him and wondered which of the terms she had written made him react that way. Matthew tilted the tablet away from her view, and then he nodded his head at her, asking her to scoot over.

Matthew read the document out loud, gave side comments, and crossed out some parts of the terms and agreements.

“Both parties are entitled to live their private lives, but they should be mindful of the dignity and well-being of the other party?” Matthew glanced at Allison and asked, “What do you mean?”

Allison hesitated before she answered, “Hmm… How do I say this.” She licked her lips and then said, “You can meet and date other women, but discreetly.”

“I am not interested in women.” Matthew dismissed the idea instantly.

He’s not interested in women? Was that the reason why he bought me to marry him? Is he using me as a font to disguise his gender preferences?

“Or… men?…” Allison mumbled to herself.

“What did you say?” Matthew looked at her in disbelief. His eyes were laughing, but he kept his mouth shut.

Allison covered her mouth when she realized she said it loud enough for him to hear. “Nothing. Forget it.”

“Allison, I am not interested in OTHER women, and no, my romantic interest does NOT include men.” He said, emphasizing the words other and not. “Did you put this here for me or you and Marco?”

“No, no! Of course not! I will not dare meet him again!” Allison said defiantly, and continued more calmly, “We’re married. It would be wrong for me to meet with him.”

Matthew squinted his eyes as if trying to gauge the truth in what she said. Then he leaned in closer to her, their lips about an inch away from each other. “Do you want me to show my interest in one particular woman?”

Allison was taken aback, she didn't know how to respond. She tried to move away, but Matthew’s hand grabbed her nape, pulling their faces so close she could smell his aftershave. She felt Matthew’s lips briefly brushing with hers. Allison closed her eyes anticipating the kiss, but instead, Matthew softly chuckled.

“Are you sure you wanted to kiss me?” Matthew asked, his voice a little husky.

Allison pushed him away. The sound of his laughter teased her. He straightened his back and crossed his legs. He smiled as he glanced at Allison, then he continued crossing and mumbled, “Party A should allow Party B to continue working and should respect her financial independence.”

Matthew knew that Allison had always wanted to become an actress. However, since she started in show business, she has only managed to secure minor roles and commercial deals for lesser-known brands. He still couldn’t understand why she wanted to cross from the modeling world to show business when she was doing much better as a model.

He looked at Allison and his eyes fell on the burn marks on her left arm. He shook his head and decided that he should support Allison regardless of her reason. After all, the modeling world is becoming more diverse and inclusive.

He smiled at Allison. “Sure. That’s reasonable. But I would like to add that Party B should be open and willing to accept any assistance from Party A to help her further advance her career.”

Allison hesitated. She knew Matthew understood the career that she wanted to pursue. But if she makes it to the top, she does not want people saying she did it because of someone else. However, that’s not realistic in the film industry. She learned it the hard way when the supposed first lead role that she auditioned and worked hard for was suddenly snatched and taken away from her overnight. Like what they say, it is not what you know that matters. It's who you know. Allison let out a deep sigh. Feeling resigned, she nodded her head to agree.

“Good.” Matthew seemed to be satisfied with her answer. Then his attention went back to the tablet. Allison suddenly felt embarrassed when she realized what part of the contract he was reading.

“Ignore that one. You don’t have to read that!” She tried to snatch the tablet from his hand.

Matthew had a quicker reflex than her. He held the tablet up with his right hand and used the other to push Allison’s forehead away. “Huh? What’s wrong with it? It’s the one I agree with the most.”

Allison pushed Matthew’s hand away and tried harder to reach for the tablet until she fell on top of him. Matthew wrapped one of his arms around her waist and laughed. He put her gently on the side of the couch, half of her side against the soft backrest.

Allison’s eyes blinked as rapidly as her heartbeat. Matthew’s arm is now under her nape while the hand is still holding the tablet. She did not know how it happened, but her hand had somehow found his firm chest. Allison bit her lower lip as she removed her hand and placed it gently on her side, tugging the hem of her skirt that slightly slid up her thigh. Then she slowly turned halfway so that she could also face the tablet screen.

“Stop moving or we'll both fall.”