A Lifetime Contract

Chapter 1

[12/23/14 Edit:

Hello everybody! As you guys can see, I edited the story and removed any errors and whatever that was in here when I wrote it 2 years ago XD (can you guys believe it's already been 2 years??? Cause I can't! lol) And I dedicated this to daniellagarcia who made a wonderful wonderful wonderful poster! Thanks again, dear! And hello to new readers! Hope you like the story! :) 

- Flashback –

February 14, 2011

Sean felt as if it was a death sentence.

From walking along the aisle dressed in tuxedo to kissing his bride on the cheek, and forcing himself to smile the whole time in front of their guests was torture to him. Deep inside, he just wanted to escape from this act. He just graduated and yet he was forced to marry by his parents to a girl he doesn’t even have the slightest feelings for, for the sake of business partnership. It was a typical arranged marriage but the worse part of it was that he is now married to Candice Swanepoel, the school’s well-known whore.

Candice Swanepoel is notorious in the university not only for her beauty and her family’s fortune but also for her night-life, failing marks, and rumors that she had one-night stand with countless of guys. In spite of all the talks that could have dampened her spirits, she remained proud. She doesn’t show any weakness except for the fact that she’s head over heels in love with the university's heartthrob, Sean O’Pry.

While sitting beside each other at the reception, Candice noticed that Sean wasn't touching his food and was staring blankly into nothingness. She took a spoonful of their wedding cake and offered it to him, “Seanny, say aaaa!”

Sean didn’t look her way. So being positive as always, Candice gently put her hand the back of Sean’s neck and tried once more, “Sean, if you don’t touch your food you might pass out and you might not be able to carry me bridal style when we go to our house. Say aaaa!”

Sean gave Candice a cold look. It was a look that his best friends labeled as the look that could pierce the heart and slash the soul. It gave Candice goose bumps. “Let me correct you… First, I’m not enjoying any of this at all. Second, it’s not OUR house but MY house. Third, take off your filthy hands off me…” then Sean put his lips close to Candice’s ears before finishing his sentence, “slut.”

Candice wiped the tears that formed at the corner of her eye before they even had the chance to fall on her cheek. She could have ignored the remark if it came from a stranger but it came from him, her husband. She could have slapped him for being mean but she swallowed her pride and made a deal with him. “Why don’t we give this a shot, Sean? I know you don’t love me and I know there is no chance of you ever liking me either. Just bear with me from this moment until we finish 1 year. If this doesn’t work out at all, we could get a divorce. Please?”

The idea wasn't good but it isn’t bad either. Time flies by very fast anyway and before he knows it, a year would have already passed and they could already go back to their own separate lives. Before he could even answer Candice’s question, the entire hall was filled with the clinking and clanking of cutleries against the wine glasses.

“Sean, they’re asking for a kiss,” she whispered. She looked down because she knew Sean didn’t like the idea of doing couple stuff with her. She anticipated being embarrassed in front of their guests. But to her surprise, Sean locked his lips with hers. Her eyes widened as she felt Sean's soft lips againt hers. She knew it wasn’t a sincere kiss but nevertheless, she seized the moment. She found herself closing her eyes as she was being carried away when Sean started to deepen the kiss.

Sean broke off the kiss leaving Candice dreamy and breathless. It was her first kiss and she felt so lucky that it was with him… all the more, it was during their wedding day. “Now you know the answer: the deal is on, bitch.”

- End of Flashback –

Candice turned to him and smiled her sweetest. Smile now because tomorrow I’ll wipe that glorious smile off your face. Tomorrow is the last day I’ll have to bear being with you.

-----

It was her last night in the house. Sean will finally get his much-awaited freedom and will be able to propose to Sarah and marry her. If what Candice said was true (that she told her father that she didn’t want him anymore), then the business partnership between their fathers won’t be affected. Sean was about to sleep when Candice knocked on his door and peeked half of her body with her pillow and blanket on her wrapped around her arms.

“Hey, Sean...” An awkward pause. “Can I sleep beside you tonight? I just thought... since it’s... just for the first and last time?”

What could happen with just this once?

There was awkward silence. At first, they were staring blankly at the ceiling, thinking whether they should start a conversation. Soon, Sean gave up the thought and faced the wall by his bed. Candice did the same.

Should I embrace her? What could happen with just this once?

Later on, Candice felt Sean’s arm on her waist, pulling her closer to him. It was all she ever needed … just for once, to feel that she is definitely Mrs. O’Pry. “Don't misconstrue this. I don't love you or even like you... And I will never ever will…” Sean said in a soft voice until he dozed off to sleep.

"I know. Nevertheless, thank you."

Candice felt his hand become comfortably heavy on her waist. He must have been very exhausted in Simon’s wedding, being the best man. Candice smiled and let the tears she has been holding for the longest time now, fall down. "This is the last day of your suffering and I hope it'll be mine too." She covered her mouth with her palm to make her whimpers as silent she could. She could have wished that this moment has happened a long time ago. She could have wished that this moment will happen again. She could have wished that this moment will last forever. But just that once was enough for her than a whole lifetime without it.