His contracted wife

The contract

Rachel texted the CEO the same night before going to bed.

She had dinner with her dad with a smile on her face.

The CEO responded right away.

“I’ll see you in my cabin tomorrow at 11 sharp. Don’t be late.”

“Got it.”

“Goodnight.”

She became a bit surprised that he said goodnight to her.

She also texted goodnight back.

Then stared down at the ceiling feeling a bit confused.

“My life…..has taken a 360-degree turn.”

She heaved a sigh.

“Hope nothing bad happens tomorrow.”

The next day at the office.

Rachel stood in front of his cabin at 10:58. She made sure to check the time every few seconds.

“He told me to come on time. Where is he now?”.

She glanced sideways, watching the people pass by.

“I never thought he’d be late. He’s mostly punctual as long as I can remember, though they are mostly from other people.”

“Should I call him?”.

All of a sudden, someone pulled at her hand.

She became startled and stared at the person to see Ivan peeking at her with the door open, grabbing her by the wrists.

“What are you doing outside?” he fretted.

“Come in.”

She nodded and headed inside.

He still held onto her hand though.

He pulled away his hand and placed his hand in his pockets.

“You were inside all these while?” Rachel asked, feeling puzzled.

He nodded. “I called you at 11. Then, I should arrive before that, shouldn’t I?”.

“Uh…yeah…”.

“You are right.”

Rachel stared down at her hand.

“He held my hand just now. Why’s this giving me goosebumps?”.

“Go and take a seat, we can talk after that,” he instructs, sitting down on his seat.

Rachel went up to his side and sat right in front of him.

He took out a file and went through the pages before handing them over to her.

“These are the contents of the contract. Read them and sign them if you feel like it.”

“Though,” Ivan smirked.

“You have nowhere to go even if you don’t like the contents, right?”.

Rachel gulped and stared down at the file.

She reached out her hand and took it in her hands.

She flipped through the pages one by one.

“Take as much time as you want,” Ivan added.

“I have no more work for the day.”

He sat relaxed in his chair. A few minutes passed by.

“You’ll be staying with me for one year. Sounds good considering you are taking 10 million from my side, right?”.

Rachel put down the file and looked at Ivan.

“I’ve gone through the important details. I don’t need to see anything else further.”

Ivan smiled. “Is that so? Then go ahead and sign. I’ll sign after you.”

She picked up the pen and wrote down her signature.

Then handed the file to him.

He took it and scanned her signature, observing it closely.

“Your handwriting is pretty,” he added, smiling a bit.

“Was that a compliment?” Rachel felt something pulling at her heart.

He signed and closed the file.

“Oh, and the money.”

He took out a cheque filled it with the number and signed it.

“Here you go.”

“You can withdraw it today, or do whatever you want with it.”

She took it and held it in her hands.

Those numbers on the cheque were enough to bring tears to her eyes.

“The wedding is in two days. Be prepared.”

“It’ll be held at our mansion.”

“I already informed my family about it, but there’s a problem.”

“Problem?” Rachel looked up at him.

He heaved a sigh, running fingers through his silky hair.

“You see, my family doubts whether I like you or not. They believe I’m only doing it to get the properties. That’s why they aren’t approving of the marriage soon.”

“Then, how can you arrange the marriage when they aren’t approving it?”.

He gave a stern look to her.

“And that’s where you come into the picture.”

“What?”.

He crossed his arms.

“You need to come with me to my house this afternoon for lunch. My family members want to see you, and talk with you.”

“Most probably they want to see if we are doing this marriage out of love.”

“So, that’s why.” He gazed at her with a concerned face.

“You need to act as if you are in love with me, and I need to do the same. You had to do all this after marriage but you have to start from today.”

“Sorry about that, but can you make it work?”.

Rachel stared at the cheque in hand.

“You mean….acting like couples, right?”.

He nods. “Exactly.”

“Well…I have no problem.” She replied right away.

“After all, you did pay me the money as you said you would.”

“I have no reason not to help you out.”

Ivan seemed to be a bit impressed.

“That’s great, I highly appreciate it.”

“Have you finished your work for the day?”.

“Uh…not yet. I have some work till the afternoon till-“.

“Cancel all of that,” he stated.

“Yes?”.

“You heard it right. Cancel all of that.”

“I’ll take care of it, you have half an hour to finish the rest of the work at hand.”

He got up on his feet.

“Then, you’ll be coming with me for shopping, and-“.

“Shopping? Buying clothes for you?”.

He clicked his tongue out of irritation.

“Why would I buy it for me? Of course, it would be for you.”

“But, why? I don’t-“.

“Look at your office attire. Do you plan to see my parents wearing that? Are you going for a business meeting or something?”.

Rachel glances at her clothes.

“You are right.”

“That’s why you are coming to buy a dress or whatever that might suit you then to a beautician to do something about your looks and then go have lunch.”

Rachel seemed to be a bit puzzled.

“But, all of this will cost money.”

“Why do you need to spend so much when you have already paid me?”.

He sat down heaving a sigh.

“You fool!”.

“To achieve a property worth billions I need to make an effort this much, don’t I?”.

“Billions?” Rachel started counting numbers in her hands.

“Anyway, do as I said. Go and finish work. I’ll be waiting outside your department.”

“What?”.

And just as he said, he was waiting outside the department she worked in making everyone confused.

Rachel finished her work as early as she could not wanting to make him wait for too long.