Made With Love ✔

Chapter 25: A Deal

Max's POV:

        Bella squeezed my hand, her touch calming me. I squeezed back, looking straight ahead, staring into Ms. Wellington's eyes.

      "Now. Nothing of this will be communicated in any form to another living being. It's simple. You love Lance. I love Arabella. And yet, Lance and Arabella are the ones who are supposed to be getting married. I know about the deal, don't look so surprised." I responded to Vanessa's astonished look.

     "Here's the deal. In public, Arabella and Lance are required to be together, but behind closed doors, no one will know if you and Lance are together. That way Arabella and I can also be together. Once your lawyer friend finds a loophole, we can go back to our individual loves." I explained, watching as her eyes widened and her brain started calculating how MUCH time that would mean with Lance.

    "Do I need to sign anything?" She asked.

     "You already did. Just remember that if anything gets out, your identity will be in every major media outlet." I finished, smiling for the first time in a few days.

     She opened her mouth but promptly closed it, getting up and saying, "Your room is across the hall. Let me know if you need anything." And with that, she walked into the kitchen.

"One of the many reasons I love you so much, darling." Bella smiled at me, leaning her head on my shoulder.

I picked up her hand and we walked to our new accommodations. Maybe I would get to marry my love. A man could dream.

Vanessa's POV:

What! Arabella and Max? My brain is just not comprehending right now, I think as I walk back to Lance.

Lance is now awake and he looks so confused
     "I'm sure you are a lovely person, but why am I in your bed?"
    
        "Lance. You may not remember me yet, but we went on a date and you are my roommate. Vanessa Wellington, I also am the cupcake girl at the campus restaurant?" I say, desperation seeping into my voice.

        "Um so sorry. I don't recall. If I'm your roommate, why am I in your bed?" He asked, trying to sit up, but groaning in pain. I put a gentle hand on his shoulder, hiding my pain behind a mask of concern for his health. 

       "Let's start over. I'm Vanessa Wellington, a biology major. We live in the same apartment with your best friend Hamilton, a pharmaceutical major. You were injured at a cafe and now you are my responsibility. Not that I mind or anything." I ended, blushing already.

        "Hello, Vanessa. Well, where is my Arabella?" He asked, his eyes widening when Arabella walks in with Max's arm around her.

        " Lance, I don't know what's gotten into you, but we are not dating. We are supposed to be getting married in a few months because of a stupid contract that is for our dads to make money from. You actually hate my guts. This might be a bit much, but I'm not dating you, I love Max." Arabella says from the doorway, kissing Max's cheek at the end for emphasis. 

     We could all see Lance deflate, but then a light bulb clicks in his head.

        "Wait, but don't we still need to uphold this contract? I'm pretty sure your father would sue the pants off mine." 

     "That's where I come in mister. I'm Brooklyn, Vanessa's best friend, and almost lawyer. I was reading through the last clauses and I may have a loophole. Come here, Arabella and Max." Brooklyn walks in, her face flushed and smile on her face. She puts the contract on my desk and reads the clause aloud. 

     "In the event that Arabella Hammel is found to have another interest and/or is unfaithful to Lance Fields during the courtship period or marriage period, the contract is considered invalid and void. Dues will be paid to Fields Incorporated in the amount of $100,000,000 by the end of the fiscal quarter in the form of an income check. See! All you guys have to do is go out in public and show that you have another interest. Lance and Vanessa can be together and so can Arabella and Max. Everyone wins." She says excitedly, bouncing on the tips of her feet.

     "Hey, Brooklyn, can I talk to you outside?" Max asks, shutting the door behind them. 

   Arabella looks at Lance and I and says, 

     "Good luck guys. You both are perfect for each other." Not a speck of venom in her voice. 

Huh, maybe good does win out. But why did Max want to talk to Brooklyn?

________________________________________________________________________________

Hey guys! 

So there you have it. Brooklyn found a loophole. Everyone is happy, right?

But who shot Lance in the first place? 

and 

Why does Max want to talk to Brooklyn about, privately?

Comment your predictions next to the questions!

Next update: August 5th or 6th

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