Contract of Fate

4. Emerson

True to my word, I showed up to Blackthorn Contract Services as soon as they opened. The secretary took the application and led me back to the Blackthorn Madam's office. She poured me a cup of coffee and then left, leaving me where I am now. I sip the coffee, looking around at my surroundings. I have been waiting for about ten minutes, but I'll wait all day if I have to. I'm not leaving here without a match. I stand from the leather chair and walk to the window, coffee cup in hand, as I watch the traffic and people walking past the office.

"Mr. Ward, I am so sorry for the delay," a woman's voice says from behind me, causing me to turn around. "It is such a pleasure to meet you. I am the Blackthorn Madam." I shake her hand with a tight smile and a curt nod. "So I hear you are here about a contract marriage." She gestures towards the chairs and I move to sit back down.

"Yes, I am," I reply. "What needs to be done today to make that happen?"

"Well, I have your application, so all that's left is a medical exam and the in-person analysis we do here," she replies. "Would you like to get started?"

"I would."

"Wonderful. Just come stand over here on this platform so I can begin my physical analysis."

I move to the small, circular platform and she begins to circle me like a shark. She barks out various things to her assistant, who takes notes of everything. This goes on for about 45 minutes before she directs me back to the chairs. At that point, she starts asking me questions about my mental health until she deems me ready to go next door for the medical exam. I go next door for the medical portion, returning 2.5 hours later to speak with the Madam.

"I'm not leaving here today without a match," I say with finality. "This is urgent and I need you to work fast."

"What if I guarantee a match by 10pm tonight? I have to wait for your medical paperwork to come back to complete your file and we have to discuss the things you want included in the contract," she says, making me pause for a moment.

"Fine. No later than 10pm."

"You have a deal. Now, the contract," she begins. "Let's talk financial first."

"What's the highest amount being requested that you can think of?

"Just yesterday a young girl was in here and said she needed $700,000 or more for a relative's medical needs."

"Okay, so that much plus whatever your fee is. Money is really no option," I say. "There will be a prenup. If we are married for one full year before divorce, I will give her $1 million. If we have a child at that point, I will give her $2 million plus $50,000 a month. My home, cars, assets, and belongings will stay with me. Any gift or item bought over the course of our marriage will belong to her."

"Will your wife need to provide her own funds while married to you?"

"No. It may be a contract marriage, but I will provide everything she needs and wants."

"You sound like the dream husband." she jokes, smiling at me before looking back at her notepad. "Alright. Let's talk about intimacy next, since you answered pretty much all the other questions about paying for healthcare and such."

"I expect loyalty and monogamy. I am not against having s****l relations with my wife, especially since we need to make an heir and I am not going to turkey baste my way into fatherhood," I say, the Madam stifling a laugh as I finish. "If she cheats, the entire contract becomes void and we will divorce with no severance pay."

"Is one year the time frame for this marriage?"

"That's just the minimum required. I won't be upset if it goes longer, but it has to be at least a year," I explain. She nods and writes a few more notes before looking up at me with a serious look.

"I don't contract these girls out to abusive men, Mr. Ward. Will you be verbally, mentally, emotionally, or physically abusive to whomever you are matched with during your marriage or for the duration of this contract?"

"Absolutely not. I will act like the model husband in public and treat her with respect behind closed doors. I just left my abusive ex-fiance. I won't inflict that on someone else," I say genuinely. "I have seen my parents be awful to each other my whole life and that is not my desire for marriage. Contract or not."

"Okay, Mr. Ward. I think that's all I need right now. I will call you and email you the dossier of your match as soon as I have it put together. No later than 10pm as we agreed," she says, standing from her chair with her hand extended. I reach out and shake her hand, nodding my head.

"I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you, Madam Blackthorn," I reply and turn towards the door. I walk out to my car, pulling my phone out of my pocket and dialing my good friend, Rylan Lane. He owns the biggest nightclub in the city and tonight is going to be my bachelor party.

"E! What's up, Big Man?"

"Hey Ry, I'm getting married, and I want to have my bachelor party in your VIP room tonight. Think you can do it?"

"Can I do it? Pshhh. It's yours, my man. Drinks and food on me tonight. What time?"

"I figured we would come around 8 or 9 and be there for a few hours. Does that work?"

"That's perfect. See you then!"

"See you."

I get off the phone with Rylan and immediately text Declan with the details for the night, knowing the information will get to everyone else in our circle through him and I don't have to worry about inviting everyone. I climb into my Ferrari and speed to my house to get things ready for my contract wife to arrive. When I walk into the house, I call a meeting with my entire staff to give them the news.

"Hello everyone. As you know, Annaliese is no more. She will not disgrace this house again," I start, and the staff erupts in cheers, making me laugh out loud. "I did just sign up for a marriage contract with Blackthorn Contract Services, so in the next few days, there will be a new woman here and she will be my wife for at least the next year. I need the guest room cleaned out and decorated elegantly for a woman."

"We will get right on that, Sir," Tara says hesitantly, looking back at a group of 3 housekeepers and nodding. They leave the room, presumably to get started on the bedroom while Tara and the chef remain. "Is there anything else you need from me?"

"Nope. I know you'll make sure everything gets done," I say, dismissing her to go take charge of the house. "Chef Rome, I just need to inform you that I may be submitting new allergies to you for the bride to be. I don't actually know anything yet, but as soon as I do, I will let you know."

"Not a problem, Mr. Ward. You let me know and I will make sure the meals are made accordingly," he replies, bowing in respect before walking back to the kitchen. I let out a deep breath, deciding to go upstairs and rest before its time for me to get ready to go out. I put my shoes in the closet and strip down to my boxer-briefs before climbing into my bed. I set an alarm for 6:30pm and close my eyes, falling into a peaceful sleep fairly quickly. Before I know it the alarm is going off, telling me to get myself ready for my party.

I shower, get dressed, style my hair, and put on cologne before heading out the door to my car. I arrive at Velvet Mirage, valet running to my door as soon as I put my car in park. I toss him my keys and $50.

"You'll get another $100 if you bring it back with no scratches and in one piece," I say, the valet nodding his head quickly.

The bouncer pulls the rope back, letting me walk in ahead of the line. As soon as I enter, I make my way to the staircase leading to the second floor VIP room. The room is huge with large glass windows overlooking the rest of the club. Music, private bar and restaurant service, and plenty of comfortable seating for mingling. There are even private areas for less mingling and more adult activities. I find a couch against the wall, sitting myself down and ordering a scotch while I sit back. I may just be waiting for everyone to show up right now, but tonight will be a night to remember for sure.