Chapter 2 Tangled Emotions

As Jaden stormed out of his a*sistant office, his frustration and annoyance burning deep within him. Rita's swift agreement to the divorce left him feeling resentful and confused. He couldn't shake the thought that her decision was influenced by her ex-boyfriend's return, and it only added fuel to his anger.

As he walked briskly through the stair case of his company memories of the conversation from a year ago played on a loop in his mind.

Jaden's heart raced with anticipation as he stood outside Percy's door, waiting for her to answer. He had mustered up the courage to ask her out on a date, and to his delight, she had accepted.

As the door swung open, he couldn't help but admire Percy's beauty. She was dressed in a stunning blue shady gown that hugged her curves and accentuated her figure, leaving just enough to the imagination. It was a dress that exuded confidence and allure.

Percy flashed a warm smile at Jaden, her eyes twinkling with excitement. She noticed his dapper appearance, wearing his best suit for the occasion.

The pair looked stunning together, and anyone who saw them would have easily a*sumed they were a married couple. However, the reality was quite different. They were not married at all, merely two individuals navigating the complexities of their relationship.

As they walked arm in arm toward the elegant restaurant they had chosen for their dinner date, Jaden's mind was filled with hopeful thoughts. He hoped that this evening would be a turning point for their relationship, a chance to take things to the next level.

He had deep feelings for Percy and believed they had something special between them. The dinner date seemed like the perfect opportunity to express his intentions and see if she felt the same.

As they settled into their seats at a candlelit table, the atmosphere felt charged with anticipation. The soft music and the flickering candlelight created an intimate ambiance, setting the stage for an important conversation. Jaden took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before broaching the topic.

"Percy," he began, his voice filled with earnestness. "I've been thinking a lot about us lately. Our connection is so strong, and I can't imagine my life without you. I want to take our relationship further. I want to marry you, Percy."

Percy looked at him, her eyes widening slightly. She paused for a moment, her expression thoughtful, before speaking.

"Jaden, I appreciate your feelings and the sincerity behind your words. But right now, I feel content with the way things are between us. I enjoy our companionship, and I'm not ready to rush into marriage just yet. But if you need a marriage then I have to temporarily terminate our relationship."

Jaden's heart sank a little, but he understood Percy's perspective. He had hoped for a different response, but he respected her honesty. He took a moment to compose himself before responding, ensuring his voice conveyed his genuine understanding.

"Percy, I understand and respect your feelings. Our relationship is indeed special, and I don't want to jeopardize what we have. If marriage is not something you're ready for, I don't want to force it upon you. I value our connection too much to risk losing it. But I need you to know that my intentions are genuine, and if marriage is something you decide you want in the future, I'll be here."

Fueled by Percy's words, Jaden found himself accepting a blind date that had been arranged by his family. It was during that encounter that he had met Rita, a woman who would soon become an unexpected presence in his life.

Jaden sat across from Rita, a mix of surprise and curiosity filling his eyes. Rita's confession had opened a window into her world, one he had not expected to witness. He took a moment to process her words before responding.

"Rita, I appreciate your honesty. It's brave of you to share your true intentions with me. But I have to be honest as well—I entered into this contract marriage without any expectations of emotional connection. I don't want to mislead you or lead you on. My heart is still healing from a previous relationship, and I don't want to repeat the same mistakes."

Rita nodded, her gaze fixed on the table as she absorbed his words. "I understand, Jaden. I didn't mean to overstep or make a*sumptions. I just wanted to be upfront about where I stand. We can continue this arrangement as agreed, with no emotional entanglements."

Jaden leaned forward, his voice gentle yet firm. "Rita, I think it's essential that we establish clear boundaries moving forward. If we're going to continue with this contract, we need to be on the same page. It's just a contract marriage more of a bet. If I don't fall in love with you for a year, I'll file a divorce, Are you okay with that?”

Rita looked up, meeting Jaden's gaze. "Yeah! I agree to that, Jaden. We should maintain a professional approach to this arrangement. Clear boundaries will help us navigate this situation without complications."

Now, as he continued walking, the weight of the past year's events settled heavily on Jaden's shoulders. The realisation of the shared motivations that had brought them together, based on escaping unrequited love, struck him deeply. It made him question the authenticity of their connection and wonder if their marriage had been nothing more than a series of unfortunate circumstances.

Jaden's anger began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of empathy and understanding. He realised that they were both victims of their own circumstances, seeking refuge from heartache in a contract that had unintentionally evolved into something more.

As he pondered on the complexity of their situation, Jason realised that his a*sumptions about Rita's intentions may have been misplaced. Perhaps her agreement to the divorce was not a reflection of a rekindled romance with her ex-boyfriend, but rather a desire to find her own path to happiness and healing.

Fueled by a mixture of anger, confusion, and a growing sense of insignificance, Jaden let out a frustrated cry and kicked his leg on a chair, his emotions boiling over. The idea that Nancy still harboured feelings for her crush, combined with her seemingly easy acceptance of the divorce, left him feeling discarded and unimportant.

His mind raced with thoughts of Rita finding solace and pleasure in the arms of another man. The memory of their intimate moments together haunted him, tormenting his thoughts.

The image of Rita's moans every morning and night as she shouts his name, echoed in his mind, and the thought of her sharing that same pa*sion with someone else filled him with a seething rage.

Just as Jaden was lost in his own whirlwind of emotions, his phone rang, jolting him back to reality. It was Rita calling, and a mix of anticipation and apprehension washed over him. As he answered the call, he braced himself for the confirmation of his worst fears.

Rita's voice trembled slightly as she informed him that she had decided to move out of their shared home. Her words hit Jaden like a sledgehammer, confirming his suspicions that she was eager to leave him and possibly reunite with her ex. Anger surged within him, fueled by a sense of betrayal and a newfound resolve to distance himself from the pain.

The decision was made. Jaden didn't want to be disturbed by Rita any longer, and he needed time to sort out his own feelings. In a cloud of frustration and uncertainty, he made his way to his office,packed his bag and went straight to Percy's place.

It seemed like a natural choice, as Percy had been a part of his life before Rita had even entered the picture.

As Jaden stood outside Percy's door, his hand poised to knock, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. He knew he was using this visit as a means of escape, a way to temporarily distract himself from the emotional turmoil that had engulfed his life.

But deep down, Jaden also wanted to find solace in the familiarity of Percy's presence. He sought the comfort of someone who had once understood him, who had accepted the unconventional circumstances of their relationship. In his heart, he hoped that reconnecting with Percy would bring clarity and help him rediscover the person he used to be.

With a hesitant knock, Jaden braced himself for what lay beyond the door. Uncertainty loomed large, but he knew he needed this time to reflect, to confront his own emotions, and to determine whether there was still a flicker of hope for his connection with Rita.

Little did he know that his decision to seek solace in the past would set in motion a chain of events that would challenge his a*sumptions, test his loyalties, and ultimately force him to confront the tangled web of emotions that had ensnared him in the first place. The road ahead was uncertain, but for now, Jaden pushed the door open, stepping into the familiar embrace of Percy's presence, ready to confront the truths that awaited him.