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Contracted Couple

RAYMOND

I sat back in the comfort of my room, relaxing from the tedious wedding I had just gotten back from.

In some way, I sounded as though it wasn't my wedding I had just returned from. Of course, it was but what would they have me do? Those fucking bastards from the press who needed nothing but a piece of news to feed on.

Why did they at some point think that I could give that to them? Sitting up on the bed, I got on my feet, heaved a sigh for the umpteenth time, wondering if indeed I could make it to the event with my wife after such a tedious wedding.

What would the people say?

Indeed, it was a contracted marriage.

But I didn't care.

Not for one moment.

For all that I knew, these people would guess for the rest of their lives and this was none other reason than the fact that they were never going to lay their hands on any evidence.

Smiling, I leaned on the large window situated at a corner of my room, looking out and gazing at the workers in the house, going about their duties.

A knock on the door cut short my thoughts.

Letting go of the window, I turned around. “Yes? Who is it?” Relaxing on the couch, I asked. “Come on in if you're the maid I saw a while ago.”

Just like that, the door was pushed open.

“Mr. Raymond. I have delivered the message to your wife.” Maria announced with a smile that plastered on her countenance. “Is there something else you would like me to do for you? I'd be glad to carry out your instructions.”

I thought about it.

“No, there's nothing else you should do for me—” and I got on my feet once more. “—you may choose to go back to what you're doing or play around.” As I spoke, she turned around and walked out of my room, leaving me to my thoughts once more.

One of the many things that bothered me was my brother. The last time I checked, he was indeed dangerous and could do anything at all to get what was his.

But was all of these his?

If he wanted it so much, he could have been married.

This way, there would not be any form of competition. Or did he think I wanted to be married? I was hissing, relaxing on the window once more, and monitoring workers who went about their duties on the lower side of my mansion.

I needed to be careful.

But how could I be?

How else if not keeping the contract myself and the woman I am married to, signed?

No one was supposed to lay an eye on it, talk more about two eyes. It would be very dangerous and for all that I knew, I would lose everything that I had just accumulated.

There was no way such a thing would happen.

My thoughts were still lost when a knock hit the door.

At this point, anger was written on my countenance, not because of anything but because I didn't need someone interrupting me when I was thinking.

“Who the fuck is that?!”

At the top of my voice, I shouted.

By this time, I no longer wore the clothes I used in exchanging vows with a woman I didn't love.

A towel was wrapped around my waist and I was ready to take a bath. Myself and wife would be leaving for an occasion in less than two hours and this was what I was getting ready for. “Who is there?” Again, I asked, realizing the fear I had instilled in whoever it was.

“It's me, Mr. Jefferson,” a woman's voice sounded.

Realization hit me.

It dawned on me that this wasn't a maid from the mansion.

How could I be so careless?

The woman didn't need to see this side of me, did she?

With a rush, I opened the door and smiled.

“I'm sorry,” I cried when I caught sight of the fear on her countenance. “I didn't for one moment realize it was you. Come on in, Eleanor. Is there something I can do for you?”

She walked in, her eyes scanning the room.

“I'm sorry to disturb your calm moment, Mr. Jefferson. But I have a question, and that's why I'm here. I want to believe that the lady you sent my way did nothing but pass along the wrong message. Do you want to clarify that?”

Confusion greased my countenance.

What was she talking about?

Adjusting the towel around my waist and properly, I looked at her face. Her pretty face.

“I'm afraid I don't understand a thing you speak of, Eleanor. Do you want to clarify me also?”

She walked closer.

Again, her eyes scanned the room.

I could not blame her.

Not for one moment.

All I wanted was for her to speak and get on with whatever she was doing, while I proceeded to the bathroom for a bath just as I wanted since a while ago.

“Are we leaving for an occasion in two hours?”

“It's less than two hours already—” I announced.

“—I believe the maid announced this to you half an hour ago, Eleanor.”

Walking to the couch not so far from the bed, I took a seat. “I'm about to be ready, and I think that you should do the same. Forgive me for not asking, but how is your baby? Do you have a name for her yet?”

“She's doing well, Mr. Jefferson. I don't. Not yet. But don't you think it's too early to start going on occasions? The last time I checked, we got back from our wedding about three hours ago. What exactly is going on?”

“What do you mean, Eleanor? If you have questions you need answers to, I'd advise that you meet the copy of the same contract you signed and get all your answers. I made everything clear there, so what else do you want?”

She went mute.

Just as I expected.

“I'll see you at four,” I got on my feet. “Also, I forgot to mention that a party will be hosted in this house soon. Friends and business associates who couldn't make it to the court for our wedding will be here to celebrate with me. And as you know already, you cannot screw this up.”

“Yes, of course.”

She turned around to leave, but then I recalled something.

“One moment, Eleanor. I need you to understand that this wedding is a contract, but it doesn't mean you should refer to me as your boss. Call me Raymond, not Mr. Jefferson. It'll be deadly the very moment it happens in the presence of my Grandfather or even a business associate. Including Rhett, that lunatic you saw on our way out of the court.”

“Of course,” she smiled before walking out.

I heaved a sigh, snatching my waist the more.

Instead of heading to the bathroom for my bath, I leaned on the wall, relieved from the pressure my Grandfather put on me when it came to the issue of marriage.

Although I knew it was for my good and the warfare of the properties our late Father left behind.

If I hadn't done this, then Rhett, who was nothing but irresponsible, would all the properties for himself—while at the end of the day, there'd be nothing left.

Nothing but ashes which I'll not want for the family and the big reputation we have built

Finally, I walked into the bathroom.

As soon as I finished with my bath, I walked back into the room, strolling through my closet as I searched for a piece that would fit the occasion.

When found, it didn't take long to get dressed.

This occasion was an important one to me, and a contract to be signed but with my wife by my side.

Smiling, I reached the closet once more where a copy of the certificate of our marriage existed.

Stuffing it in my briefcase, I headed out of the room.

Where was my wife?

That sounded good.

More than just good even though it wasn't real.

In a short while, I was seated at the diner and waiting for my meal to be served. “Where is my wife's?” I asked when just one tray was kept on the large dining table.

“Did you need me to tell you that you'll serve her meal as well? Or didn't you see she just had a baby and would be eating as much food as she can?”

While I was at it, a door opened.

It was one from upstairs.

I didn't need to ask before understanding that my wife was ready for the occasion I talked about. Smiling, I faced the food before me, digging into it real quick.

“Come on, baby.”

Turning around to look at her, finally, it felt like I wasn't looking at the woman I had just gotten married to.

Eleanor looked stunning.

More than just stunning which left my mouth wide open. Shutting it, I opened it again but to speak this time around.

“We should eat before leaving.”

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