Contract Marriage

Chapter 3.

"What's wrong? Are you still deciding? There isn't really any decision to make, is there? You're never going to get a better offer than this, are you? Agree to this contract and marry me, you don't have any other choice" I went to that nightclub for an interview but ended up being pushed down onto a sofa.

Getting into a seedy marriage proposal and it was nowhere near the marriage proposal I had dreamt of, that made me feel even more miserable, marriage.. A relationship bound, not by love but by a contract.

"Don't trouble yourself too much over it, all you have to do is sign your name and stamp your deal on the marriage forms" As he sweetly murmured those words into my ear, my body trembled, there was no way out and I know that I had no other choice.

I clenched my fists, a part of me still couldn't throw away my dream.

"The marriage registration form is our contract agreement, you only have to be bound by this agreement for 3 months, it's not a bad offer"

"Are you really going to pay me for this?"

"I told you, it's a contract as long as you listen to me, I will hold up my end of the bargain, well even if I don't hold up my end, you won't have any place to appeal to" I nodded quietly to Xavier's offer.

No matter what situation he is in, this has to be the best way out for me.

"I like a smart girl, that makes things easy" He smoothly separated himself from me and went to pick up his bag as if nothing had happened.

After that, he pulled some papers out of his bag.

"Look at this, you have to come to this place tomorrow evening, you can come after work"

"What is this?"

"It's a map to my house and here is the contract"

"You are well-prepared, aren't you?"

"Well, I honestly didn't know if or when I would find a contract partner" He handed me the map and the marriage registration form with his signature already on it.

"Fill in this form by the time you come to my house"

"... Okay.."

"Don't even think of trying to run out on me.. I have your resume and I have your address and your company's name" He laughs.

"I won't.. Be running off anywhere"

"You can go now" When we had finished discussing the details, he motioned with his hand for me to leave.

Battling a tense feeling I had never felt before, I stood up falteringly and left the bar, the glittering neon lights flashed just the same as when I entered, but it seemed a little hazy now, is that my imagination? Is this the right decision? Really..? I was spaced out the next day that it was impossible to work.

"Emily, this is from the section chief"

"T-thank you" The scenery was the same as before or it should have been, but now it seemed like a lie..

Even though that day was just like any other day.

"You look down today.." Evan gave me a worried look.

"Huh? ... Really?"

"You've been looking spaced-out all day today"

"Maybe... I-I'm tired"

"If you need me, just ask, I'll do whatever I can to help you"

"Okay.. Thank you Evan" While responding to him, I knew that I couldn't ask him to help me.

Until yesterday Evan was a close colleague, now I felt he was a million miles away, 3 hours until I finish working.. After work I have to go to his place with the contract.. Ha.. My heart was heavy and I had a sinking feeling. This is it... I arrived at the place on the map Xavier had handed me, it was surprisingly a luxurious house, this gate is huge and the yard seems large, I push the intercom hesitantly.

"Hello?"

"Ahh.. Hi it's Emily"

"Please wait for a moment" Before long, the gate opened automatically and then..

"Hey, you are here" Xavier smiled.

"... Hello"

"Come this way.." I followed him.

When I entered the house, I saw several muscular looking men standing around.

"Who are they..?"

"Oh, a bunch of freeloaders"

"Freeloaders..."

"Some of the guys who work at my bar and don't have much money stay here" They looked like young gangsters, that was my honest opinion, they were mean looking too.

"Who is she boss?" One man asked.

"Oh, this is my wife I told you about yesterday"

"Nice to meet you, I'm Emily" I smiled.

"Hum, oh it's nice to meet you too" I played around with my fingers.

"Don't get nervous like that"

"B-but" Just saying that makes me nervous.

"If you live here a week, you will get used to it" While saying that, he slipped his hand around my waist.

"W-wait Xavier"

"Your name is now Arima" He smirks.

"Ah.."

"You and I are husband and wife, so it's strange if you are unwilling to be touched like this"

"I suppose.."

"This is also a part of the contract" The contract, how much do I have to do according to the contract?

"What? What's wrong?"

"Oh, she looks different from the type of girls you've had before.."

"Are you second-guessing my taste in women?"

"No! I don't mean that.."

"Oh well" As soon as he said that, Xavier kissed me.

The men standing around, watching found that entertaining and became quite animated.

"Don't get excited"

"But now the pressure is off, boss"

"... Yeah" The pressure is off? I kept forgetting to ask him but.. What was the reason Xavier was looking for a marriage partner.

"She isn't used to living in this kind of place, teach her everything she needs to know"

"Yes! I'm looking forward to helping you, ma'am"

Ma'am? Even more than before, this makes me think that he really is a gangster.

"Hey Emily, your room is this way" Keeping his hand on my waist, Xavier guided me to my room.

"This is my room.."

"Yeah, do whatever you like here" I couldn't believe my eyes, the room was way too big.

Even though I came feeling as though I was selling myself into slavery, this didn't seem real.. But.. Those men I saw before are also living in this house, I simply couldn't imagine wanting to leave that room. It looked luxurious, but it might have even the same as a prison cell for me.

"The guy called you boss..?"

"I conduct other businesses, besides the nightclub you came to yesterday" I didn't know that.. "You don't need to bring any of your stuff here, if there is anything you need just buy it"