Contract Love • Jihoon

04

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" 1 rules. Not falling in love with each other"

It makes no sense. " Is this the rules?"
I hurled out the first question that I could string together in my mind.

"Yes.." He stares straight into my eyes with a serious expression, shows how serious he is.

"Why? Are you in love with me or something?"

"No!" I yelled immediately, taken aback by his sudden attack. His face looked shocked at my sudden burst of reaction. I look away, trying to calm myself down. This is not it.

" I'm sorry but please don't assume things that weren't right.. I'm just doing this because of my work"  well, that's not a complete lie. maybe half and half.

I sit back on the chair, trying to make the situation less awkward. He just stay quiet, not even looking at me. I can see his face expression changing after what I said.

"You can continue.. Call me if you're done" He shoved the paper to me and got up before leaving the room. Not even looking back at me. I stared at his figure until it slowly disappeared from my sight.

"What's wrong with him?" I whispered to myself as I turn back my head to the paper. My eyes went back to the words written on it. I read it again and again before letting out a long sighed.

"Not falling in love with each other.." I stare into the unknown, reminding myself the things that I got myself into. We doesn't even started yet I already failed successfully at following the damn rules.

This felt wrong yet right. The first rule is not technically bad itself but for me it's a sign of the doom. Like how much hatred that he have for me to actually made him wrote this stuff as the first rule. Well, that's actually pretty nice of him. I can took this opportunity to finally move on from him. This marriage is nothing but just a contract work all over again. I couldn't let myself lost in this hard world.

I took the pen and wrote additional two more rules. Just two.

I don't need more or any less than this two. If he's agreeing to this then everything is going to be smooth for the contract between us. No more hope, no more heartbreak.

" Are you done?" he peeked from the door, staring right at me.

" Right timing, Mr. Park.. I just finished" I pointed my finger to the paper on the table.

He walked in and close the door before making his way to the table. Silence break through the room as he read the conditions that I wrote just now out loud.

" two . physical touch is forbidden"

I can sense the changing on his expression from blank to confuse but I just stay silent. If he can put such a rules then why can't I? I play with my fingers as he continue.

" three.  The contract will be immediately terminated when Mr. A found the one to replace Ms. B as the wife..." he put the paper down on the table back while staring at me, asking for an explanation.

" What is this?"

" Just as you read, no physical touch will be needed-"

"No.. not that.. "

" The other one.. What do you mean by replacing you with other person?"

" What I meant is.. the contract between us will be terminated when you finally found the one that truly could replace my spot as your wife.. the one that you truly love"

" What?-"

" We couldn't do this fake things forever right? Before we divorced later, I too wanted to leave you with someone on your side that could take care of you.." I smile as I got up from the chair.

" This is just the only conditions that I need... You can add more later if you want.. I will accept everything that you write"

" Then I will take my leave now.. Please take some rest later after I leave" I bow to show some respect before making my way to the door.

But before I can take one step out from the room, I can feel a big hands gently grabbed my arm from behind, stopping me from leaving. I could tell that he hesitate to let go of my arm. He let out a deep sighed .

" Be prepare tomorrow.. I want to bring you to meet my parents"

" Tomorrow?-"

He nodded his head. " Yes.. "

"But-"

"And one more thing.. it's about the back story.."

"Just said that I fell in love with you first.. "

I stared at him, in disbelief as he just stood there, calm and relaxed.

" How can I say that?-"

" Just say it.."

"No-"

"Then, do you have any other ideas?"

"You can say that I'm the one who developed feelings first"

"They're gonna say that I'm forcing you"

"Okey then just say that we knew each other since middle school and finally fell in love now"

" I'm home schooled .."

I stay silence. I don't know making excuses can be this difficult.

" Then what about .. I'm pregnant?"

Now, it's his turn to stay silence. He looks a little taken aback by my idea. Sometimes, I too can be a little creative with my ideas. sometimes...

" Hani, that's too.."

"Much?.. I knew it"  I hold back my laughter as his face turn red. How cute.

"How about we just go with my ideas.. that I fell in love with you first"

" Are you sure that's the best option?"

" Yes since they will most certainly going to believe that"

I stared at him. Gosh, this man doesn't know what he just did to me. Everything he does, gave me a small ball of hope but I knew that he will never see me in that way. He's Park Jihoon at the end of the day.

"Then, I'm going to follow anything you say"

"Your words is my priority in this contract "