Arranged: Bound By Contract (girlxintersex)

Chapter 45

Chapter 45
Stella POV

My mother's remarks triggered me. It caused something to burn in me, like a pitof perpetual fire. She had no right to tell me that I was just a product.Nothing but money jewels. I detest it. I never imagined I'd say this, but Idespise my life for what it has become.

I felt my body being gently flipped over, and I landed in Mateo's arms like aheavy weight. I focused on her chest, but she shifted my gaze to her face. Hereyes remind me of the slogan "Every little thing is going to be allright."

I wasn't worried. I was hurt. I was sad about what I had signed up for.

The large "c" word was right there on the paper. The contract wouldbe inevitable. I'm wondering whether this was another example of my theatrics.I wiped my nose with the back of my palm, but it left a mess on my cheeks.

She smiled warmly as her thumb swept in and cleared the mess. We've beenstaring at one other like this for a few months now, and I've come to enjoyevery minute. But I was only a contract wife. What if she doesn't renew it andinstead finds true love. I would be shattered. I shouldn't be. I recalled how Icouldn't stand her.

Three months ago! Only 90 days ago, I couldn't tolerate her.

My tears fell like rain, leaving my eyes to feel the pain of each droplet.

Her fingers provided consolation by catching every teardrop as best they could,and when they couldn't, she held me to her breast so her heart could.

"I do not want to be a contract wife." I hiccuped in her chest. Iwant to be greater than that. "It is horrible!"

She whispers gently to me, and her fingers glide through my hair. "It'sonly horrible when you give it excessive thought, baby."

My moist eyes widened as my tears halted. Did she call me a baby? A smilethreatened to come out, and I did my hardest to resist it, but it was stronger,as it became a giggle, then a sniffle, and then another giggle.

I glanced up at her, softly reaching up to touch a delicate feature on herface. I want to feel it. To know it's there. My fingertips make first touch justabove her lips, causing her muscle to spasm. "I can't quit thinking aboutit."

She lovingly held my shaky and aching body. My body felt like it had beenthrough a war.

I don't believe I ever want to see my mother again.

"I never imagined a day like this would happen. At least not soon. Whenyou wished to be more than a contract wife."

"I did not know either." One shoulder shrugged. "I don't simplywant to be a wife anymore. I want us to be someone that is there for eachother. I want to value us." I grab her free hand and move it down to mystomach. "I want us to start that family someday. But not for the wrongreasons."

Her eyes welled up, and her fingers softly caressed my tummy. "You wouldwant that."

I nodded slowly, "How can we do that when it's only a contract?" Ibreak down quietly. "How is that possible? I am going to think about it alot. It's tangible in my brain. It's like a new wound, and even if it heals, itwill leave a scar." And I believe the scar was worse.

"We try to avoid thinking about it too much. We just have to try."

"It cannot."

She passionately stroked my temples. "We could."

"I enjoy cooking with and for you. And then Mom came up and shattered allwe had, or did she opened my eyes to the brutal reality. I do not want to be acontract wife. I want to be a proper wife, like Taylor and the other ladiesaround here."

"And you mean it wholeheartedly, Stella. This is more than simply youremotions taking control."

"No, I want it." I got hold of her. I hoped it would help me feelmore authentic. I want everything with her. I'm not sure why I suddenly wantedto be her genuine wife. Did I drink anything? Was my mother correct when shestated I was gullible? I was probably indoctrinated. It could not be.

This emotion. Her embracing me. Her lips touched my flesh. I had no idea therecould be so many beautiful ways she looked at me these months.

This is all that we have. I want more of it for the rest of my life. Not nineyears, two hundred and seventy-five days. I want it for life.

"I need it more than anything." I glanced at her, wishing forsomething I'd never had. I longed to be her wife. To become her lover. "Ilove you." I cried. "I tried to despise you and do everything I couldto avoid what we would become. But I can't lose you, and I'm not sure why.

Her eyes whispered volumes to me as she gently caressed my face. "I loveyou more than you fucking love me. But I know how you all in the elitecommunity hated me and when you're father come to me about his company and thathe'd offer you. I noticed an alleyway that leads to you. I didn't care."

"Why didn't you approach me personally?"

"You are friends. It's always the friends. You would have rejected medown even before I said anything."

I gently sneered, "You're probably right." That was one of thereasons I stopped talking to them. If I was going to accomplish this, I neededall of the encouragement I could receive.

"All that counts is that we both know we love one other."

I nodded as I cuddled up closer to her. Her smell gently lulled me intodreamland.