Love Contract

Chapter 8

Chris’s POV—

“I don’t understand Raina! I thought you liked me!” I sort of complain.

“I like you Chris! Infact, I love you! But you must know that I am married!” She sighed and then said, “I wanted to tell you this and this is what I meant when I said I have a dark past! I have been married to my husband Mr John Thorne who is twenty two years older than me! It was arranged by my step father when I was only eighteen! I lost my parents when I was small and my step father who was a drunk, literally sold me to John! He has only tortured me since our marriage, everyday! He has r***d me and forced me on bed every night! I thought of ending my life someday until I met you! I saw hope, I felt like living again when I met you! I love you Chris and I wish I could have been with you! But my past won’t let that happen!” She said crying and then wiping her face she gave me an apologetic look and said, “I am sorry for all the trouble Mr Chris! Let us go back now! I am really very much ashamed of not telling this earlier. But trust me, I wanted to tell you in person and that was the reason of accepting the date. I never thought you will ask me to be your girlfriend on the very first date! I am sincerely sorry for wasting your time.”

Silence fell once again but after a minute, I spoke breaking it, “Do you really love me and want to be with me Raina?”

She looked with wide eyes and replied sincerely, “Yes Chris! I have never loved anyone! I never got a chance! But I love you! I want to be with you! Even if in exchange of my life there could be a chance to be with you, I would have done that!”

“Then divorce your husband and marry me!” I blurted out what was on my mind!

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James POV—

“What have you got Erick??” I was eagerly waiting for James when the Butler Abraham came and informed me that Erick was here to meet me! Two months have passed that I gave Erick a task but unfortunately Chris was not in London and hence he couldn’t get the information I asked for. But now I hope he has come with something useful!

“You were right Sir! Master Chris is seeing a lady and her name is Raina Thorne! Here are her pictures.” Erick handed over an envelope to me and I took out a bunch of photos from it. I looked at the pictures in details taking my time after gesturing Erick to sit on the chair opposite to my desk!

The lady was really very beautiful, I have to give it to Chris; he has good eyes! Erick quietly waited till I finished checking the photos. I put them back into the envelope and looked at Erick crossing my arms on the desk.

“She looks beautiful and educated. She also seems quite well cultured and decent! But she is intelligent! Good.” I say almost to myself and then hum, “Hmmmm.”

I snap my head at Erick and ask, “Tell me more Erick!”

“Boss! I couldn’t find out much because only today evening I found the lady for the first time when she went on a date with the master! But I have found out this much that she is married to a John Thorne!” Erick said with an expressionless face as usual but I frowned.

“Married??” I gasp and then banging the table I say, “Is Chris out of his damn mind??? Dating a married woman???”

Erick remains quiet sitting with his head bowed and I lean back closing my eyes and raking my hair. This was not expected! He has put his reputation on stake as well as the Company’s!

“Erick!” I sit straight and with a determined face I tell him, “Find out more about the woman. I am giving you a week to do so! I need to know everything about her! Everything!”

“Yes Boss!” Erick replies and taking permission he exits the study, leaving me to my thoughts!

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Chris’s POV—

“Then divorce your husband and marry me!” I blurted out what was on my mind and she frowned looking at me.

“Are you serious? Do you really want a life with me Chris?” She asked.

“Yes Raina! I want to start a life with you!” I replied instantly holding her hands.

She was quiet and didn’t answer to my question making me impatient! What is she thinking? Doesn’t she love me? Doesn’t she want to spend the rest of her life with me? Is she having any dilemma?

When I was just about to have a panic attack, she finally replied, calmly, placing her hand over mine, “Look Chris! I do want to spend my life with you! But since last two months you have been so busy that you didn’t even call me properly! What we are discussing is a life’s decision! If I divorce my husband, I won’t have any place to go! Though my life is a hell with him, still, I have a shelter over my head and I don’t have to worry about my daily needs! But if after few days you feel that we are not working together, I will be left hanging in the middle!”

I opened my mouth to say something but she stopped me!

“Let me finish please?” She asked in her soft melodious voice and I nodded.

“I accept to be your girlfriend, but we have to keep this relationship secret for now! If the news is leaked then I will be in trouble and so will you! Meanwhile, let us spend time together for at least two or three months and in this period, you have to meet me at least fifteen days every month! Let us see how we really feel about each other! If after three months, you still want to be with me, then I will file a divorce!” Raina said and it was logical, so I accepted.

“But there would be one more problem Chris!” She said a bit embarrassed!

“Hey! I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and said softly, “You can talk about anything Raina! You want to be sure about my intentions and I completely understand that! But to me, you are my girlfriend, with whom, I want to spend my life! So, please feel free to talk about anything!”

After my assurance, she opens her mouth and still speaks hesitantly, “If I ask for divorce, John won’t agree! So mutual divorce won’t happen! I have to file divorce and I am not sure how will I hire such a good lawyer! John is rich and he can hire the best lawyer, whereas from the salary I draw, it is not possible for me to hire a good lawyer!”

I in an instant laughed and said, “So? Our Company has the best of lawyers, better than your husband would hire! What is your worry?”

“No!” She frowned and slapped her forehead. Then literally folding her hands, she said, “Thank you so much Chris for being so thoughtful, but I can’t ask that from you because if anyhow someone connects you with a married woman like me, your reputation will be immensely hampered which I can’t let happen!”

I furrowed my eyebrows and stood scratching my chin. She was right! That will be a big issue and even Dad will never accept her then! Also, it might cause a problem with her husband as well.

She sighed deeply and pulled her hair in tension.

I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and said, “Well, there is another solution and …..”

She turned around and narrowed her eyes at me!

“And, you have to accept my solution!” I completed.

She raised an eyebrow and waved her one hand like asking question. I now sat again and pulled her on my lap. I hugged her from the back and kissed her shoulder softly and then her neck and then whispered on her cheek, “You will directly hire a good lawyer and not worry about his expenses! I will pay in cash!”

The moment the words left my mouth, she freaked out completely and turning her head she frowned! “How could you ask me to do that Chris?? What do you think I am? Some gold digger??”

I also frowned and opened my mouth to say that I never meant that, but she continued to scold me!

“I may not have any money of my own but I do have some self-respect! I can find out some way! Maybe I will get a loan or someone can lend me some money!”

She kept on talking throwing her hands in the air and finally she stopped when I interrupted her with a forced rough kiss!

“Mmmm…Mm..eave….me…..Mmmm…”

She complained and struggled but I only pulled back when she calmed down completely! She rested her hands on my chest panting and gasping for air and then faked a glare at me, making me laugh hard!

“Ok. Now listen! Why would you need to borrow money from someone when I can lend you the money? This won’t be disrespecting you! You return the money later whenever you can!" I propose to her and before she could protest, I warned her, “The discussion is closed and if you object again, I will have to shut your mouth again!”