Chapter 3 Signing the Contract

Andrea thought for a moment, then looked at Arthur. She felt that she wouldn't lose out by becoming a real couple with a man she had known for eleven years.

"Then let's sign an agreement to get married," Andrea said.

Arthur said excitedly, "Alright, should I write the agreement or you?"

Andrea immediately replied, "I'll do it. Once I've finished writing the agreement, I'll show it to you. If you find it acceptable, we can sign it. Then, we'll proceed with a contractual marriage to make my mother stop urging me to get married."

Arthur smiled and said, "Well, you can start writing now. Once you're done, I'll take a look. If everything is fine, we can go to City Hall this afternoon to complete the formalities. I happen to have some free time in the afternoon."

Andrea thought to herself, 'Why do I feel like Arthur is more anxious than I am? It must be my imagination. Arthur is helping me.'

"Alright, I'll start writing now. I'll use the printer to print two copies of the agreement later. Arthur, you can stay here and have some dessert while you wait for me," Andrea said as she stood up.

Arthur nodded with a smile, expressing his approval with his eyes.

As Andrea stood up, she suddenly remembered she was in the coffee shop. She nervously looked around and realized that the other customers were either having coffee or chatting with friends, not paying attention to her.

She thought, 'It seems that no one overheard my conversation with Arthur.' Andrea breathed a sigh of relief and quickly went to draft the marriage agreement.

After Andrea left, Arthur made a call. When the secretary answered, he spoke in a low voice, "Becky, reschedule the 3 o'clock meeting to next Monday morning at 9 o'clock."

His secretary, Becky Martin, felt a bit surprised because the afternoon meeting was quite important. However, she didn't ask any questions and respectfully replied, "Alright, Mr. Lawrence."

Then, Arthur hung up the phone.

Half an hour later, Andrea came back with two papers. She handed one of the papers to Arthur and then sat down, whispering to him, "Arthur, take a look at the agreement."

Arthur took the agreement and carefully read its contents.

Andrea had only written four clauses.

Clause 1: Arthur Lawrence would be paid $1000 per month to be Andrea Blanchet's boyfriend (or husband). Andrea Blanchet would provide Arthur Lawrence with free accommodation, food, and two sets of clothing for each season.

Clause 2: Either party could terminate the contract early without compensation if they found true love during the agreement period.

Clause 3: Both parties would not interfere in each other's private lives during the agreement period.

Clause 4: If neither party found true love during the agreement period, the contract would last for one year.

Andrea said apologetically, "Arthur, my coffee shop opened last year. I operated at a loss last year, and although I didn't incur any losses this year, I didn't make a profit either. The compensation I can offer you is limited. However, I can provide you with free accommodation and food."

Arthur replied calmly, "It's fine. I have a job." He then asked Andrea, "Can I make some changes to this agreement?"

Andrea nodded repeatedly and said, "Of course. If you find any clause unsatisfactory, please let me know."

Arthur asked Andrea for a pen. After receiving it, he crossed out Clause 3 and handed the agreement back to Andrea, saying, "The agreement only needs three clauses. Please reprint two copies, and then we can sign and stamp them."

From that moment on, Arthur was "rented" by Andrea.

Andrea frowned as she looked at clause 3, which he had crossed out. After a few minutes, she seemed to have figured something out and said nothing more. She followed Arthur's instructions and reprinted two copies of the agreement.

Both of them signed their names, and then Andrea brought an ink pad. They both pressed their fingerprints on the agreement.

Arthur raised his right hand and checked his watch, then said to Andrea, "City Hall is still open now. Let's go there and complete the formalities."

Andrea hesitated a bit and said, "But, Arthur, I only have my driving license with me now. My mother keeps my other documents."

If she had gone back to get the other documents, it would have taken her several hours to round trip, and by then, City Hall would have closed.

Arthur smiled and said, "Since you have your driving license, I'll take you to the police station to get a certificate. That way, we can also handle the marriage procedures. It just so happens that I have a friend working at both places."

Andrea thought to herself, 'I really feel like Arthur is more anxious than I am.'

A few minutes later, Arthur and Andrea left the coffee shop.

Arthur led Andrea to a Mercedes-Benz, unlocked the car, and gentlemanly opened the door for her, gesturing for her to get in.

Andrea looked at the car in front of her. Influenced by Keith's love for cars, she knew that this car was worth over a million dollars. She thought to herself, 'Is Arthur a wealthy man?'

Sensing Andrea's doubt, Arthur explained proactively, "I bought this second-hand car from a friend for just over ten thousand dollars. It helps elevate my status."

Andrea was stunned. If Arthur's car were new, it would cost over a million dollars. Even for a second-hand car, it wouldn't be just over ten thousand dollars, and it was also in almost new condition.

However, it was Arthur's matter, and Andrea didn't inquire further.

After Andrea got into the car, Arthur closed the door for her and then took out his phone to make another call.

In less than two minutes, Arthur got into the car. He fastened his seatbelt and said to Andrea, "I've already informed my friend. We'll go to the police station first to get the certificate, and then we can go to City Hall for the procedures."

Andrea nodded and said, "Arthur, your friend is really capable."

Arthur smiled, thinking, 'All my friends are very capable.'

As the car started moving, Andrea carefully inquired about Arthur's situation. Although they had known each other for eleven years, they were not familiar with each other, and even Keith didn't know much about Arthur.

"Arthur, where do you live? Where do you work?" After asking, Andrea quickly explained, "I'm not checking up on you. It's just that we've known each other for eleven years, but I still don't know where you live. Now, we're about to have a contractual marriage, and I feel like I need to know where you live."

Arthur calmly replied, "I rent a house in Gold Garden. My home is a bit far from where I work, and I don't want to commute, so I rented an apartment there. I work at Glory Group."

Upon hearing that he rented a place to live, Andrea breathed a sigh of relief. She was afraid that his identity would be complicated and cause trouble for her. For example, if Arthur's parents felt that they were not a match, they would ask her to break up with Arthur.

"Are the benefits good at Glory Group? The rent for an apartment in Gold Garden is very high," Andrea said. Anyway, she didn't have that much money to rent an apartment in Gold Garden.

Arthur patiently replied, "The benefits at Glory Group are good. I've been working there since I graduated from college for several years, and the income is decent enough to support myself."

He glanced at Andrea and added, "Even if I get married, I can still support my wife and children."

Andrea praised, "Of course, You are a truly outstanding man."

Arthur smiled and accepted her praise.

An hour later, they arrived at City Hall.

A man of similar age to Arthur was waiting at the entrance of City Hall. When he saw Arthur's car approaching, he immediately smiled and walked up to greet them.

The man looked at Andrea and smiled at Arthur, "Arthur, is this my future sister-in-law?"

Arthur turned to look at Andrea. Andrea was not feeling shy.

She thought to herself, 'Well, it's a fake marriage between me and Arthur.' She extended her right hand generously and said, "Hello, I'm Andrea Blanchet."