Return From Prison

Contract Marriage

Inside a luxurious villa, a stunning woman stood before a grand mirror, carefully perfecting her makeup. Her striking black eyes reflected an air of elegance, while her soft black hair cascaded down her back in waves. As she applied the final touch of lipstick, her phone buzzed, and the name Evil Aunt flashed on the screen.

She sighed, her graceful features shifting into a slight grimace. Despite her annoyance, she answered the call in a polite tone.

"Hello, Aunt," she greeted.

"Ren, where are you? Hurry up and come to Deluxe Royale Bistro, we're waiting for you!" her aunt demanded from the other end.

Ren rolled her eyes in exasperation, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Fine, I'll be there soon," she replied, forcing herself to sound agreeable before ending the call.

Turning back to the mirror, she gave herself a once-over and smiled faintly, her irritation masked by a composed demeanor. Grabbing her handbag, she strode out of the room and into the sprawling courtyard of the villa.

Before her stood a sleek sports car and an unassuming e-bike. She paused, weighing her options. A mischievous smile graced her lips as she chose the e-bike, gracefully mounting it and riding off toward the restaurant.

At Deluxe Royale Bistro, three individuals sat in a private dining area. A couple, exuding wealth and refinement, chatted with a young man who radiated arrogance. He was impeccably dressed, his posture relaxed but self-assured, with a playful smirk that screamed privilege. This man is well-known as a notorious playboy from a prominent family here in Baguio City.

"You're a fine young man," the woman said, her tone dripping with flattery. "Our niece is sure to fall for your charms!"

"Indeed," the man beside her added. "She's lucky to have someone as dashing and accomplished as you. We couldn't have chosen better."

The man leaned back, smirking smugly. "Well, you both know I've been after her for years. She's the only woman I want," he said confidently.

The couple exchanged pleased looks, the woman chuckling lightly. "We're glad to hear that. She's on her way as we speak."

The door of the restaurant swung open, and all eyes turned as a breathtaking figure entered. She carried herself with poise. Her black eyes seemed to pierce through the very souls of those who gazed upon her, while her flowing black hair and pristine white dress highlighted her unmatched beauty and grace. Conversations hushed as patrons admired her, captivated by her natural elegance.

"There she is!" the woman exclaimed, rising to greet her. She hurried to the stunning woman's side, taking her hand and guiding her to their table.

"Ren, over here," the woman said with a sugary smile.

Ren glanced at her watch, her tone impatient. "Aunt, please make this quick. I have somewhere to be."

Unbothered by her niece's curt demeanor, the aunt smiled brightly before turning to the arrogant man. "Master Daren, here is my niece, Ren, Serenity Heavenwood," she said, her tone dripping with pride.

She then turned to Ren with the same eager smile. "Ren, this is Mr. Daren Whitlock from the Whitlock family. Your uncle and I have arranged for him to be your husband."

Ren's gaze landed on Daren, and her stomach churned. Of course, she knew who he was—a notorious playboy infamous for his endless pursuits of women, and unfortunately, one of them had been her. She suppressed a shudder, her expression remaining calm.

Daren stood confidently, a smug grin on his face as he nodded at Ren. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Serenity," he said, his voice oozing with self-importance.

Ren's sharp black eyes darted between her aunt and Daren, her lips curving into a tight, forced smile. "No thanks, Aunt. I already have a boyfriend, and I'm actually on my way to pick up our marriage certificate."

Her aunt and uncle froze, their jaws dropping in disbelief. "What? You're getting married?" her uncle sputtered, his voice rising.

Ren nodded, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Yes. We've been dating for quite some time. Surely, I don't need to inform you of every detail of my private life?"

Her aunt opened her mouth to protest, but Ren cut her off with an elegant wave of her hand. "If that's all, I'll take my leave now. My fiancé is waiting for me."

Without sparing another glance at Daren or her bewildered relatives, Ren turned on her heel and walked out, her every step a statement of confidence and independence.

Daren sat frozen, his smirk wiped clean as her words echoed in his mind. 'Marriage certificate? Fiancé?' The woman he had longed for, the woman he thought he could win over so easily, had slipped away.

He turned a sharp glare toward the couple, his voice cold. "Care to explain this?"

The aunt and uncle shifted nervously, suddenly at a loss for words, their earlier smugness evaporating under his icy gaze.

....

...

As Ren stepped out of the restaurant, she let out a deep sigh and closed her eyes for a moment, replaying the scene in her head. 'What have I done?' she thought, shaking her head. Under her breath, she muttered to herself, "Why on earth did I say I have a fiancé and that I'm picking up our marriage certificate today? What a mess."

She sighed again, rubbing her temples. "Where am I even supposed to find someone to marry temporarily?" she wondered, frustration evident on her face.

Looking up to distract herself, her gaze landed on a massive Christmas tree in the distance. A small smile tugged at her lips. "It's almost December," she murmured. "Christmas is just around the corner."

Pushing her thoughts aside, Ren hopped on her e-bike and rode toward the tree. She parked and walked leisurely, taking in the festive decorations. Her steps slowed as she noticed a striking man seated on a bench near the base of the towering tree.

He had an unassuming yet magnetic aura, his sharp features framed by a casual outfit that made him seem approachable. Ren paused, observing him from a distance. Her mind started whirring as an idea began to form.

'He looks simple. No one's approaching him...' A plan sparked in her head, and she couldn't suppress the sly smile that crept across her face.

With newfound determination, Ren walked toward him, stopping just in front of him. She stood there for a moment, her piercing black eyes scanning him, as if sizing him up.

Then, with a confident smile, she spoke, "Would you like to get married?"

Rys blinked, clearly taken aback by the boldness of her question. He stared at her, unsure if she was joking or completely serious. "Excuse me?" he asked, his tone laced with disbelief.

Ren's smile widened slightly, a flicker of amusement dancing in her eyes. "You heard me," she replied, her voice calm but assured. "Do you want to get married?"

Rys looked at Ren and suddenly coughed, feeling caught off guard by her sudden question. Ren stepped closer, concern evident on her face. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine," Rys replied, raising his hand as if to dismiss her concern. Then, with a curious expression, he looked her over. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful and captivating she was. "Are you serious?" he asked, his brow furrowing.

Ren nodded enthusiastically, almost like a mischievous child. Rys glanced around as if looking for a way out. "There are plenty of other people around. Why me?"

Shaking her head firmly, Ren said with a confident smile, "Because you're the only one who's a perfect match for me."

Rys raised an eyebrow, doubt evident on his face. Ren sighed heavily, her expression turning more serious. "Look," she began, "I just need a contract marriage. After one year, we can get a divorce. I only need to do this because I told my Evil aunt and uncle that I'd be getting a marriage certificate today."

Rys let out a short laugh, amused by the absurdity of the situation. "And why exactly did you tell them that?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Scratching her head awkwardly, Ren admitted, "I couldn't think of any other way to get out of their trap."

Rys pondered for a moment, but Ren didn't give him time to fully process the situation. Grabbing his arm, she pulled him up from the bench. "Come on!" she urged, dragging him toward her E-Bike.

Before Rys knew it, they were at the Civil Affairs Bureau. The next thing he knew, he was holding a freshly issued marriage license in his hands. As they walked out of the building, Rys opened the document and stared at the names written on it. "Serenity Heavenwood," he murmured, reading her name aloud.

Ren turned toward him with a cheerful smile. She extended her hand and introduced herself properly. "Serenity Heavenwood, but just call me Ren," she said warmly.

Rys shook her hand and couldn't resist teasing her. "Well, nice to meet you, wife. I'm Emrys Knox Vaughn, but you can call me Rys," he said with a slight smirk.

Still holding the license, Rys frowned slightly. "I should let you know—I'm still looking for a job, and I don't even have a place to stay," he admitted.

Ren grinned as she remembered that Rys was 26 years old. "That's fine. I'm looking for a job too. I have a ride—this trusty E-Bike—and a small house," she replied. Then, with a playful tap on his shoulder, she added, "Oh, and I'm 22. So, I guess I'll be the one to take care of you, huh?"

Rys chuckled but suddenly paused, her last name catching his attention. "Heavenwood?" he asked, his tone cautious. "Are you related to the Heavenwoods?"

Ren stiffened for a brief moment before hesitating. "Uh… a distant branch of the family," she replied vaguely. Not giving him a chance to probe further, she quickly said, "If you don't have anywhere to stay, you can come with me to my house."

Before Rys could respond, Ren grabbed his arm again, pulling him along toward her E-Bike. Moments later, they were on their way to Ren's home.

....

After a short ride on Ren's E-Bike, they arrived in a modest neighborhood. The area wasn't rundown but had an air of simplicity that spoke of hardworking, average people. Without a word, Rys followed Ren into a small apartment complex. She unlocked the door to her unit, revealing a humble yet cozy living space. It consisted of a small living room with a worn but comfortable couch, an adjoining kitchen with basic appliances, a bathroom, and a single bedroom.

Ren paused briefly, remembering something. 'I should have taken him to my other apartment. At least that one has two bedrooms,' she thought, closing her eyes in mild frustration. Turning to Rys, she hesitated, unsure of how to explain the situation. "I... uh... I don't have much. I only have this small apartment, and, well, it only has one bedroom," she admitted, her voice tinged with nervousness.

Rys noticed the conflicted expression on her face and quickly understood her concerns. A teasing grin spread across his face as he set down his small bag. He looked at Ren and, adopting a deliberately suggestive tone, said, "We're married now. Sharing a bedroom shouldn't be a problem."

As he spoke, he lightly cupped Ren's face, causing her heart to race and her cheeks to flush a deep red. She felt stunned, both by his sudden proximity and by how undeniably handsome he was. For a moment, the thought of sharing a bed with someone as striking as Rys sent a mix of nervousness and excitement through her.

Rys chuckled, stepping back before she could react further. "I'm kidding," he said with a lighthearted laugh. "You can have the bedroom. I'll take the couch." He plopped onto the sofa with a playful smirk, watching Ren as she stood frozen in the middle of the room, still processing what had just happened.

"You!" Ren exclaimed, stomping her foot in frustration. She was too flustered to form a proper retort, so she spun around and stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Rys leaned back on the couch, grinning to himself. "Interesting," he murmured under his breath, amused by her reaction.

Pulling out his phone, Rys dialed the number Kevin had given him—the one connected to the company transfer arrangements.