Love Under Contract

Episode Two

I wake up with a start, breathing so hard, someone would think my chest was about to burst open. I swipe my face only to find it wet with tears, I haven't been sleeping still and when I finally do, a nightmare intrudes, I weakly get up and head for the bathroom to wash my face, I stare at my pale reflection. I've been stressed since dinner with my father. And the worst part is, regardless of how much I do not want to care, I keep seeing his fear, his pleading helpless face, filled with tears begging me.

I hate it, and I hate him for making me feel this way, I can't even get my way and remain in peace, my father has never asked me for anything before, no much begging, but I'm still so mad at him, so mad, how important are this people to him because I know he's not doing this for me, I'll never believe that, everyone has a motive, a reason for everything.

After two long weeks of pressure, I call my

father,

"I'll meet him," I hear him release a breath.

"I do not guarantee you that I will agree to this, but this entire thing will go according to the way I want it to go," I strain to say making my point clear. "and you will ask my permission before choosing to make another life altering decision for me. Are we clear?" he winces and clears his throat.

"I understand sweetheart."

"I'll be free on Friday."

"Okay, thank you, Rina." My Father breathes out.

I end the call and release a breath too.

I stand in front of the mirror, I don't recognize the girl staring back at me. It's Friday, and I'm getting ready to meet my supposed fiancee.I didn't even try to dress up much and yet I know I still look good, I've never been one to think too hard about what I wear.

I tie my bright red hair into a neat low ponytail and straighten my hands over my wine-colored, knee-length dress. I walk out of my quarters and nod at the driver beside my car already waiting outside.

We both get in, and showing him my phone with the address of where we are headed. my dad must have given this guy my number, since he texted me with the address of where we are meeting, this morning.

After about 15 mins, we arrive at right in front of an elegant restaurant, the exterior design is beautiful, it has like flowers and roots all over the wall all the way up the tall building. I get out the car and I exhale loudly. I hope this won't be long.

I climb through the stairs as my 4-inch heels click on the marble floor. I stop at the counter when I get in. If he picked this place himself, he has good taste. The place is simple as well as elegant. The interior is so much more beautiful.

It's filled with dull colors and flowers which actually goes well and looks nice. It's not crowded and even has cozy corners.

The lady at the counter's desk directs me to a table at one of the cozy corners at the end of the restaurant after I tell her, "I'm here for the Andersons' reservation."

I walk towards the table, trying my best to keep a straight face despite feeling a bit winded with all this, I do not enjoy conversations.

The man sitting at the table with his back to me has black curly hair on top of his head. I approach him, and he lifts his head from his phone. He pulled that curly hair a lot better than most. He stands to greet me.

"Hi, Sabrina," he takes my hand kissing it softly, I try hard not to flinch or jerk my hand out of his hold. Okay that move was unexpected but he didn't do it in a creepy way.

"Yes, please sit," he gestures, and his voice matches his size. I've heard about him a few times, but I never bothered to find out what he looked like until now.

He maintains eye contact, his eyes are glowing blue, it's blinding. He takes me in and I access him.

He clears his throat " It's nice to finally meet you." he tells me attempting a small smile. "I hope you like the place" he starts with a small smile, and I'm grateful for that. "I do," I answer looking away and around the area.

A waiters comes to take our orders.

I order just sparkling water and he orders some specialty cocktails.

Our drinks arrive minutes later.

"I do not want to get married." I announced after taking a sip of my drink.

"Why?" he justs asks calmly, not appearing shocked.

I shrug

"I have other priorities, and marriage is not on my top ten list."

He nods nonchalantly, just mumbling "fair enough".

I'm confused so I ask, "why did you propose my hand in marriage to my father?"

He stares at me intently again, "I didn't." he says pointedly. I'm even more confused.

"my mother did, she insisted actually." he continues

"you were forced too?" I can't help but be internally surprised, but I maintain a blank expression. he was forced, from the little I know about him, he's now the ceo of his father's company and he has other companies and businesses on the side, he's a made man, he has no reason whatsoever to do his parents bidding.

"No." he laughs, "I wasn't forced but I didn't quite have much choice in the matter, you can't exactly say no to my mother." he says fully smiling at me now, I didn't see before, it's so small, you'll barely notice, he has a lip piercing, just right beside his lip.

I look away not wanting to be caught staring too long.

"why would she want her son to marry someone she barely knows?" I ask

I'm exhausted already.

"Everyone knows you, Sabrina." I look at him pointedly.

"she does know you, she's known you since you were a kid." he says after.

My muscles go tense

"oh, okay." I trail off.

"I do not know her, or you. Why would you want to marry someone you do not know or like." I decide to ask him instead.

"I do like you." he says quietly instead staring again like I'm all he sees in the room.

I do not know what to say to do that.

"Did your father tell you I was once married before?" he throws at me.

"No," I say not caring.

"And that I have kids, two actually."

I begin to rub my forehead tired, that was a lot. He looks at me amusedly.

"Look, you are a beautiful woman, any man in his right senses would be attracted to you. you are probably the only woman who won't come into my life and act like a leech to my wealth or harm my kids."

"how do you know?" I ask him quietly.

"you have it all, fame, money and your father's told us a lot about you."

I want to ask him how he knows I won't harm his kids one day but keep quiet.

"This entire Idea of marriage is all built on benefits." I tell him.

"it was built on a mothers concern and love for her son's future. Do you plan on meeting and falling in love at first sight, or finding love before marriage?"

I ponder on it, realizing it, I've never really thought about it. I just never bothered to think about it, but I want to love someone someday but with my current status and up to me, I'll never give anyone that chance on my own. Not when I don't deserve it, no one willing deserves to be stuck with me.

"you don't need to be a mother to my kids or like me instantly, you just have to be my wife in your own words and terms, give it a chance."

He tells me, this big man who'll probably have a long endless line of girls begging for just his attention, is sitting here, trying really hard, his expression looks like he's never begged a woman in his life.

I do not know what to say so I lightly joke surprising myself.

"Did your mother tell you to make sure to convince me to say yes?" I ask curiously.

"She threatened me actually." he corrects and I wait for him laugh and when he doesn't, I'm so surprised that I burst out laughing, like a real laugh, this night is filled with surprises.

He's staring at me, watching my every expression smiling, I catch myself and stop laughing immediately.

He stops laughing too, I clear my throat.

I stare at him this time for awhile.

"Okay, let's see where this goes, see you next time Mr. Lician." I say to him before standing

and walking out the smiling.

That did not go the way I had initially expected it to go. Maybe this won't be bad at all.