Chapter 5 Solidifying Our Agreement

Grace’s P.O.V.

I sit in front of the mirror in a white wedding gown, getting ready for my marriage. The hairstylist finishes my hair, and the makeup artist puts the final touches on my face, and through a gesture of my hand, I ask them to leave.

As they exit, my childhood best friend, Elsa, steps inside. She lives in London and came to New York this morning after I informed her yesterday about my marriage contract with Steve Grey.

“Grace, why are you coming into this marriage contract?” She asks, marching towards me.

I explain, “You know, Elsa, I can’t spend my entire life with one man, and I don’t believe in forever and love. So I came with this plan for Dad’s sake.”

She shakes her head in disbelief. “You’re unbelievable, Grace.”

“And you know why did I choose Steve for this?” As I ask her with a smirk on my face, her eyes glint with curiosity.

“Is there any story behind this?”

I nod. “Yes, babes. Steve is my enemy. He insulted me in front of many people in the cafe. When I learned Dad chose him for me, I knew he would never agree to this marriage. So, I impressed his father with my kindness to win him over. Poor Steve had to agree to the deal in the end.” I chuckle before adding, “I’ll make his three months of marriage miserable. He messed up with the wrong girl.”

Elsa looks at me with concern, her brows furrowing. “Grace, this is a dangerous game you’re playing. What if things go too far?”

I shrug and adjust the veil on my head. “Elsa, I’m not worried. I know how to handle myself. Besides, Steve deserves to feel the consequences of his actions. He thought he could humiliate me and get away with it.”

She looks at me with disappointment. “Grace, you’re better than this. You don’t have to stoop to this level.”

I scoff at her words, not wanting to admit that deep down, I know she’s right. “Elsa, I don’t care about anything. I just want to teach him a lesson for insulting me.”

She sighs, clearly unconvinced. “I just hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, Grace. This contract marriage might end up hurting you more than you realize.”

I wave her concerns away. “Elsa, I’ve made up my mind. This contract marriage is necessary.”

As she watches me with worry, I take a deep breath and stand up from the makeup chair.

My father enters the room, and he becomes emotional, seeing me in wedding attire.

He walks over to me, tears welling up in his eyes.

“I can’t believe my daughter is finally getting married. I know you’re doing this for me, so thank you so much for giving your life a chance for my sake.” As he expresses his feelings, cupping my face, I feel guilty for hurting his feelings.

However, I don’t have any choice. I can never fulfil his wish by settling with a man through marriage because I don’t believe in love and all the nonsense.

“Good bless you.” He presses his lips on my forehead.

“I love you, dad.” I hug him.

I take a moment to compose myself before stepping away from his embrace.

As I turn to face the mirror once again, I feel a pang of guilt deep within me. I know my decision to enter this contract marriage is not what my father truly wants for me, but it’s the only way I can fulfil his wish of seeing his daughter get married.

For me, this is just a business arrangement. There will be no emotions involved, no love, and certainly no forever. I am simply fulfilling my duty as a daughter.

Steve’s P.O.V.

I stand in front of the vast mirror in a black tuxedo, determined to marry Grace and teach her a lesson.

Today is the day I will marry her, but it’s not out of love or happiness. It’s a contract marriage, a means to an end.

I glance at myself in the mirror, adjusting my tie and straightening my jacket. I look composed on the outside, but inside, I am seething with determination to make Grace regret messing up with me.

Jace, who is seated in the room with Mike, stands and asks me to rethink my decision. “Steve, you still have time to think about your decision about this contract marriage.”

I give Jace a stern look, my eyes filled with a sense of purpose. “No, Jace, I’ve made up my mind. Grace needs to learn a lesson, and I’m the one to teach it to her.”

Mike chuckles, shaking his head. “Well, Steve, I hope Grace is prepared for the storm that’s about to hit her.”

I smirk, a dangerous glint in my eyes. “Oh, she has no idea what’s coming for her.”

“You weren’t like this, Steve.” Jace pauses, a hint of concern in his voice. “You always wanted to marry a girl whom you fell in love with, and now marrying someone just to teach her a lesson. What happened to you?”

I take a deep breath, my gaze fixed on the reflection in the mirror. “People change, circumstances change. Grace changed everything. She brings out my worst side.”

He walks over to me and places his hand on my shoulder. “But is this marriage really necessary? Is this the person you want to become?”

I meet his gaze in the mirror. “I just want her to stop spoiling anybody’s life in the future.”

He sighs, his voice filled with concern. “Steve, I understand your anger, but don’t let it consume you. Remember who you are.”

I can understand Jace’s concerns because he knows very well when someone makes Steve Grey angry, that person is gone.

“Don’t worry, Jace, I know my limits.” I reassure him, blinking my eyes.

“Jace, chill. Let Steve have some fun in his life, and that girl deserves Steve’s anger. Didn’t you see how she treated that waiter a few days back in the cafe, and how she manipulated uncle?” Mike answers Jace, taking my side, but raising my anger by reminding me of Grace’s evil deeds.

I clench my hands, trying to calm my anger.

After a few minutes, my assistant comes with contract papers, which Grace has sent.

She handovers me the papers and leaves.

I lock the door and settle down on the sofa to read it. I don’t trust that girl to sign the contract without reading it thoroughly.

Jace watches me silently, concern etched on his face. He knows that I’m not the type to enter a contract marriage. But he also knows that I am a man of my word, and once I’ve decided, there’s no turning back.

I read the clauses.

1. No right to touch each other.

2. No sharing of bed.

3. No emotional attachment or sexual relationship.

4. No interference in each other’s life.

I scoff as I read through the contract. It’s clear that Grace wants nothing to do with me beyond the terms of our agreement. Well, that’s fine by me. I have no intention of getting emotionally involved, either. This marriage is simply a means to an end, a way to teach her a lesson she won’t soon forget.

I sign the contract without hesitation, knowing that this is the first step towards my plan. The ink dries on the paper, solidifying our agreement.

From this day forward, Grace and I will be bound by a contract, a marriage that holds no love or happiness.

I stand up from the sofa and walk towards the mirror once again, my reflection staring back at me. I no longer see the person I used to be. Grace has awakened a side of me I never knew existed, a side that is dying to make her pay for her actions.

I straighten my jacket one last time, my eyes burning with resolve. Grace may have changed me, but I will not let her destroy me. This contract marriage is just the beginning of my plan, and I will make sure that she learns her lesson.

With one last look in the mirror, I turn away and head towards the door.

Jace stops me one last time. “Steve, promise me one thing. Promise me you won’t lose yourself in this process.”

I look back at him with honesty in my eyes. “Jace, I won’t. I’ll stay true to who I am, no matter what.”

With that, I step out of the room to marry Grace.