Chapter 2

"Hello Everyone…Good Afternoon" Caroline greeted

The indoor room with a capacity of 100 people was full of participants. Caroline was warmly greeted with cheers and applause by the event host. She was introduced as the owner of the company, a startup that offered various expressions of heart through unique letters. This included a three-dimensional love letter with all the trimmings, a letter of heartbreak, and even anniversary or birthday greetings. The most interesting of all was the three-dimensional wedding invitation, with a guaranteed original design.

On that day, Caroline shared some tips on how to make customers notice the startup's work. She always emphasized having a distinctive characteristic in every piece and focusing on that uniqueness. Caroline's gentle and natural voice with her laid-back fashion made the audience feel comfortable.

Caroline wore jeans, cat shoes, a white t-shirt paired with a checkered shirt as outerwear. She had several accessories on her wrist, and her hair was tied in a ponytail. Caroline was like a cheerful and lively girl.

Unfortunately, Caroline's performance was not as smooth as usual due to a participant who disrupted her concentration. These two men did not seem like they belonged here. This kind of event was rarely attended by people wearing formal shoes and expensive suits like them. Another man sat next to the man on the right and whispered to him, like an assistant explaining something to his boss.

Just before the event ended, the two men left the room. Caroline continued mingling with several participants who wanted to have a discussion or take selfies. However, it didn't last long. A blue note was handed over to Caroline by the event organizer.

"Miss Caroline, someone left this note for you." The note's messenger left without being asked any further questions.

"I'll be waiting for you at Caffe La Rose," the note read.

Caroline wanted to meet the messenger and ask who sent the note. Unfortunately, the messenger had left and joined other members of the committee in cleaning up the event area.

Caroline walked and held the note, scanning the café area. From a seat near the window, someone waved at her. Caroline approached him and gave him the note.

"Oh, isn't he the participant who was in the wrong place earlier?" Caroline thought to herself.

The man with blue eyes as deep as the ocean opened his black glasses and gestured for Caroline to sit in front of him. His name was Hendra Marcus, and he handed over his name card. Suddenly, Caroline's face changed as if a dark cloud was hovering around her. She had resolved a family dispute a week ago, and now she felt its aftermath.

"I know who you are, Aruna," Hendra said, knocking on the table with a small and rhythmic beat that was his habit when he didn't want to linger. "Let's talk casually because we will be partners soon."

Caroline was taken aback by Hendra's words. "Partner" meant that they would work together.

"Are you the one who will marry me? I mean, Mr Marcus's grandson?" Caroline asked, clarifying her thoughts.

"Yes, there's no other grandson," Hendra emphasized that he knew Caroline was a replacement.

Caroline looked out the window, feeling uncomfortable with the man in front of her. They had just met, and the introduction was awkward and arrogant. If Hendra disagreed with the arranged marriage, it would be the same for Aruna. However, Caroline felt as though she was being backed into a corner and made to feel as if she were more at fault.

"Please read this," Hendra said, breaking the ice, and handing Caroline several pages of a memorandum of understanding.

"We both know that this arranged marriage is not our choice, so I offer you a contractual marriage," Hendra said outrightly, offering something unusual.

Caroline gasped in surprise at Hendra's offer. It was the first time they had met.

What the average family couldn't do, this sort of thing happened easily for these rich guys. I went over several points of the written agreement there.

*Do not intervene in personal life

* Maintain the confidentiality of the marriage contract agreed to by both parties

*The marriage lasts at least two years, but if the separation is still difficult to implement, it can be extended until circumstances permit.

Caroline read some interesting points.

Although this kind of contract was not normal for couples getting married, for Caroline, a marriage contract would make her more prepared instead of having to guess what would happen next when she became a part of the Marcus family.

"I'll leave the last page blank for you to write your desires," Hendra said, flicking his finger slightly. Hendra's assistant handed a pen to Caroline, although he was sitting at a different table.

"Respect the parents of both parties as a family should."

"There was no physical contact"

"Living in Different Rooms"

That was all that crossed Caroline's mind.

"It seems like the last point can't be done." Hendra explained.

"Why not??" Caroline asked.

"We will be living in my ancestral home after we get married, which means we have to stay in the same room." Hendra further explained that the house was where his grandparents and mother lived, and it had strict security and 24-hour surveillance from the servants.

Caroline crossed out the last point and replaced it.

"Not sleeping in the same bed."

"It's okay to live in the same room, but we should take turns using the bed." Caroline suggested softly, trying to stay calm in front of her seemingly controlling partner.

"I have never slept on a couch or floor before, but I will try it because it's your request." Hendra signed the next sheet with a stamp attached, followed by Caroline. They shook hands before the blue-eyed man left, leaving Caroline with the food he had ordered.

In front of her was a plate of Carbonara pasta and Tiramisu for dessert. It seemed to have been intentionally ordered for one person only.

That's enough for lunch, Caroline thought.

Or maybe it was intentionally ordered for her lunch??

A call from an unknown number made her curious. Caroline didn't like answering calls from unknown numbers. She ignored it and continued eating.

"I'm Hendra's assistant, I apologize for interrupting." After that message, Caroline answered the call.

"I'm sorry, I must be interrupting your lunch. Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention that your meal has been paid for. Enjoy your food." The voice at the other end sounded formal.

"Thank you." Caroline replied.

"You're welcome, Miss. Please read the message that I'll send. I'm trying to match some events requested by Mr. Marcus with Mr. Hendra's schedule. I hope it doesn't conflict with your schedule. If you have any objections, please contact me immediately. Make sure you follow that schedule," Hendra's assistant explained carefully.

"Okay." Caroline didn't want to trouble anyone, but this was now her responsibility.

"Do you have any questions?" The assistant asked.

"What's your name, sir?" The voice on the other end was silent for a moment. Hendra's assistant was surprised when his prospective bride asked something unimaginable.

"My name is Steven. I'm still 30 years old, single. I prefer to be called Steven only." Caroline smiled as she heard Steven's explanation before the phone conversation ended.

Caroline opened a P*F file containing a schedule, complete with addresses and dress codes.

"Saturday, July 13, 2019, the first meeting, Caroline's seminar (La Rose Cafe)... Oh, that means today," Caroline paused, realizing that she was on the schedule.

"Monday, July 15, 2019, 07.00 - 09.00, family dinner, dress code red sundress

"Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 15:30, picking up Miss Caroline from campus.

"Saturday, July 20, 2019, 09.00, wedding dress fitting.

Caroline stopped reading the schedule and put her phone down dejectedly. She lost her appetite and couldn't believe what was happening.

She was going to get married. How could she when she had never been in a relationship before? The uncertainty of the future overwhelmed her, and she shuddered at the reali

ty that lay ahead of her. She was going to become a conglomerate's wife and be a widow in the next two years.