Contracted Wife: 90-Day Marriage

03. Agreement

Celina: [Come over to my place, I've cooked your favorite chili chicken.]

Five minutes after that message was sent, the doorbell rang continuously. Celina rolled her eyes lazily before getting up to open the door.

Audrey entered while still fiddling with her phone—probably chatting with her boyfriend.

“Perfect timing with your message. If you were a bit late, I would have ordered pecel lele (fried catfish) for dinner,” she said without even glancing at Celina.

“You're in luck, you don't have to spend money and you get to eat at my place.”

A second later, they moved straight to the kitchen. Everything was neatly arranged on the table. Audrey just needed to wash her hands and then sat down to enjoy Celina's cooking.

Just a bit of information, Celina is indeed a good cook. Living alone has made her self-reliant in many ways.

Even though all her ex-husbands were wealthy and there were always assistants at home to help, Celina still used her skills in the kitchen. To her, any form of service and comfort could disappear at any time—and therefore, she must not be complacent, let alone forget herself.

“Put your phone down for a moment, will you? It'll get cold and won't taste good anymore,” grumbled Celina, getting annoyed seeing Audrey still not putting down the thin device. “Ask Adjie to wait while you eat.”

“Okay, just a sec.”

A few seconds later, Audrey finally put her phone in her pajama pocket. She looked up at Celina, giving a cheeky grin.

“Sorry.”

Celina didn't respond, just gave a brief snort. She started scooping rice onto a plate and handed it to Audrey.

“Eat a lot. I cooked this especially for you. I'd be happy if you finish the food.”

“Don't worry, Celina. I'm an expert at finishing food.”

Dinner began. Both Celina and Audrey enjoyed it.

From Audrey's expression, it was clear she was satisfied. Her eyes even closed, her head nodding slightly—a typical habit when she really likes something.

“If I were a man, I'd make you my wife, Celina. Because you're skilled in many things. Cleaning, cooking, and ... in bed, that's for sure.”

Celina burst into laughter. “How do you know I'm great in bed?”

“Well, you have many ex-husbands. Automatically, your skills are honed, your theory is definitely above average. Even though your ex-husbands were only interested in men.”

Celina snorted, shaking her head slowly. She took a sip of water when the spiciness started to fill her tongue, but it didn't stop her. She just took another piece of chicken and ate it without rice.

“Speaking of husbands,” she said while chewing, “I've taken on another job. The last one before I quit.”

Audrey stopped mid-scoop. She looked at Celina in surprise.

"Out of the blue. What's going on?"

"Nothing, just think of this job as a severance package before retirement." She shrugged, looking indifferent.

"But this contract is a bit different. It's short-term, the marriage is only for three months. And the client... isn't gay or anything similar."

"Huh? Then why does he need a contract wife if he's straight? Wouldn't it make more sense to just get married for real?"

"Remember Prince?" Celina asked back instead of answering directly. "My ex from college."

"I remember. The rich guy, right? The one you said broke up amicably because he went abroad for his master's. Although you were kind of depressed after he left."

Celina nodded briefly.

"So, what's the connection with Prince?"

"He's the client."

"No way, seriously?!"

"I swear on the sky, the earth, and everything in it."

Audrey's eyes widened, her mouth half-open. "How's that possible?" she murmured in disbelief. "How did he know about your work? And what's his purpose in having a contract marriage with you?"

Celina took a moment to sigh, then answered one by one.

"It was my sixth ex-husband. He said he's trying to reconcile with his ex-wife. But because their divorce case has become public knowledge, he needs a diversion. So, he has to marry someone else first to divert the issue. I don't understand all the details, but... that's roughly it."

"Reconcile? Ah, wait." Audrey suddenly got up from her chair, jogged to the sink to wash her hands. She paused her meal on purpose because she had something important to show.

A few seconds later, she returned. This time circling the table, approaching Celina while taking out her phone from her pajama pocket.

After a quick internet search, various articles about Prince and Stephanie—his ex-wife—popped up. Celina was silent reading them, while Audrey quietly observed her reaction.

"No wonder Prince needs a diversion," Celina finally murmured. "Because they divorced after his wife was caught cheating in a hotel." She then sighed. "So this news went viral a few months ago, huh? How come I didn't know?"

"You were abroad with your husband on a work trip for a few months back then. It's understandable to miss the info."

"Oh yes, that's right." Celina nodded, just remembering.

"Rum, who knew the love life of a conglomerate's kid could be so complicated? I didn't expect to get involved."

"You're kind of strange for accepting it." Audrey looked at Celina for a long time. "Admit it, you accepted this offer... because there's still some leftover feelings from the past, right?"

Celina winced. "A little," she replied softly.

"See! I could tell," Audrey said.

"But don't worry, I'm professional. Feelings are just history. Now, money is what matters. Besides, the pay is tempting."

Audrey snorted. Celina just grinned.

"Such a money-hungry person!" she grumbled.

Audrey went back to her seat and continued the dinner that had been interrupted.

"Hm, Celina... I think I get why Prince went for a contract marriage before getting back with Stephanie," she said while chewing.

"What is it?" Celina asked, licking the remaining chili sauce off her fingers. Audrey immediately grimaced in disgust at the sight.

"Maybe he's trying to teach her a lesson. His wife cheated, so... he can also 'see someone else.' Even if the method is different."

"Ah, that makes sense!"

"Right? A smart guy like him, even if he's lovesick, still thinks logically. Plus, he's a guy."

Celina nodded in agreement. She knew that side of Prince well. That's why she felt Audrey's assumption was ninety-nine percent valid.

"Now, since you're the contract wife, I have just one piece of advice."

"What is it?"

"Don't go falling back in love. That could ruin your plan to move abroad."

"Oh, come on, as if!" Celina immediately snorted and tossed a grain of rice at Audrey.

Meanwhile, Audrey cracked up at her own words and Celina's response.

***

Their second meeting took place in a private room of a five-star hotel in Jakarta. This time, Prince also came alone—without a secretary, assistant, or even his lawyer.

While waiting for their lunch order to be delivered, Prince handed over the unsigned contract documents to Celina, signaling her to read them immediately.

"The contract duration is ninety days, or in short, three months," Prince explained, just as Celina read the first point.

"During our marriage, we must appear together at my mom's birthday and other family events, the company's new product launch, and a gala dinner."

He added in a flat tone, "Of course, we have to live together to maintain the image. So everything looks real—not just a pretense or a diversion. And one important thing: you must not have a relationship with anyone else while the contract is in effect. For the sake of an ideal couple's image."

Celina nodded briefly. "Anything else?" she asked, glancing from under her eyelashes.

"That's all from me."

"Alright. Now it's my turn."

Celina placed the documents she had finished reading, then gently pushed them toward Prince.

"I know this might sound silly, but let me make it clear: First, no touching or emotional involvement. Second, there must be boundaries for privacy—including separate rooms and personal time. Lastly, payment will be made half upfront and the rest upon completion, with a penalty if the contract is terminated unilaterally."

Prince's lips curled into a crooked smile. "Sure," he replied briefly. "Just tell me the amount. I'll pay it."

"One million dollars."

"Tell me your account number."

Celina raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised by his quick response, but soon returned to a neutral expression and recited a series of numbers.

A few seconds later, the phone in Celina's bag vibrated. Prince gestured with his chin, instructing her to check it.

Celina immediately focused on the phone screen as a notification appeared—a transfer of one hundred million rupiah had been received.

With a brief nod, she returned the phone to her bag, then looked at Prince.

"When does the contract start?"

"In two weeks. And on that day, we will get married," Prince replied. "In the meantime, I'll arrange for you to meet the Dalton family. Be ready to answer their questions."

"Alright."

"As an additional condition," Prince continued, "I want you to act a bit warmer in front of my parents. And I might need you to play the part of a loving couple if there are media or other family members around."

"Of course." Celina nodded firmly.

A few moments later, there was a knock on the door. Two waiters entered, bringing their orders.

While the waiters arranged the dishes on the table, neither of them spoke. They exchanged a gaze—flat, deep, and lingering too long to be mere coincidence.

"Enjoy your meal," said one of the waiters, then they withdrew.

Once the door closed, Prince was the first to break the silence.

"You've really changed, Celina. You weren't this strong before."

Celina's expression immediately stiffened.

"I used to have a heart," she said flatly. "Now, I only have a price."

Prince paused upon hearing that. After a brief pause, he only nodded slowly, not intending to inquire further about the meaning of her words, then invited Celina to enjoy her meal.