Chapter 2

 SIGN… 

Carmelita stared at her portrayal through the mirror, wondering what she was going to do with a man under the same roof.

Not even a spell will propel her to love the damn groom, she will never do that.

Her brows knitted and then she let her lips stretch into a devilish smile. Melita is not known to be aggressive, but she will be one towards this groom of hers.

She will treat him like a guard. He will find her abode uncomfortable for him that he will ever pray the contract comes to an end.

Even after he leaves, he will never love to set his eyes on her. He will always recommend her to be the most hostile he has ever met.

It will be a deal. It will be a signed contract, and he will never go against it.

She will pay him immediately after the contract is over, and will never want to set her eyes on him again.

After so many thoughts. Despite the tears she had wasted, she will hire a groom to achieve his aim.

She has vowed to go to all extent just to make sure his elder brother gets well again. If there isn't enough money, there won't be enough treatment.

Meanwhile, working as a manager isn't enough for her any longer. She needs to own her industry, to make life easier for her elder brother when he's out of the hospital.

Vanda is the only family she has now and is willing to do everything for his sake.

She picked up her cellphone from the bed and left the room with her car key and handbag.

Fifteen minutes left to be present in the industry, and she needs to be fast too to meet director Juan before he leaves Davao City.

Christina waved her goodbye while she stepped into the car and drove off the compound.

She is damn happy that her mistress has decided to work with her idea.

Ten minutes later, she was already seated on her office chair discussing some routes with the secretary.

The doorbell rang bringing a pause to their discussion, they swiveled their neck backward staring at the door.

" Miss Carmelita, I am here and will be out within minutes ", the director exclaimed while at the doorpost.

She got on her feet and ordered the secretary to leave instantly.

" I've been expecting you all this while Sir, please come in ", he expressed and got seated again.

Director Juan stepped into the office, she offered him a seat opposite her.

" I am leaving for Louisiana as soon as I leave this industry. About our last discussion, what was your conclusion ? ", Director Juan enquired her.

She swallowed her saliva, " Before a week from now, I'll get married. When I'm done with everything, I'll send a message across to you ".

He smiled widely, " I love that. Keep up your good work ".

Melita returned the smile, they exchanged pleasantries and director Juan left her office instantly.

She was overwhelmed with joy, after all, circumstances, she will own the industry.

Her housekeeper had already promised to get her a groom, so she isn't worried about whom to hire. Christina, we do well at fulfilling her promises.

She relaxed on the chair feeling her heart in place again.

***********

Two days have elapsed, and she is yet to see her groom. She sat on the sofa in the sitting room waiting for Christina to arrive.

Everything is regulated already, she has already discussed it with her counsel, and the contract is already prepared.

No wedding included, all she wants is just the contract signed and a marriage certificate given.

She's so sure that the marriage certificate will be proof of her marriage to the young man whom she doesn't know yet.

The door was pushed open and Christina stepped in followed by the young man.

Gosh! He wasn't what she expected. A masculine with charming blue eyes and dark curled hair. His muscles were damn sexy and he is huge and tall.

No man has ever moved her. No man has done that.

Here she is staring at the innocent-looking man completely without saying a word yet.

" I'll leave the two of you now to sort everything out. Ma'am Melita, I believe you're ready and everything is ready too. Good luck ", Christina stated and left for her working position.

She didn't mind calling her back, because she has done her part. It's left for her to do the rest. 

" I am Ferdinand. Christina told me that you need a groom to hire ", the young man referred to her.

She bit her lips in anger. Despite how the innocent man has pulled down her power, she still has this hatred in her.

" Come with me… ", three words filled with deep and raw hatred.

She will never treat him as a groom, he will be treated as her guard. Her hatred for him will never come to an end, even if the contract is over.

Ferdinand followed her to the car, he stepped in immediately she ordered him to, and they drove off to her counsel's chamber.

Twenty minutes into the counsel's chamber, she didn't say a word to him. Not even a glance from her.

Ferdinand tried several times to break up the silence between them, but she was dumbfounded.

They arrived at the chamber and moved out of the car to go meet the counsel.

" Welcome, Miss Carmelita ", the counsel greeted her while on his feet.

She nodded and sat down, " Thank you so much. I don't have much time on my side please ".

The counsel handed over to her the contract paper and a pen. She went through it and dropped her signature where required.

She glanced at Ferdinand and gritted her teeth, and then placed the paper and pen in his presence.

He lifted his face and glanced at Melita, then at the paper. His lips agape but he couldn't say a word.

" Sign… ". One word. One command.

Her eyes furrowed in deep anger which was revealed on her face. It wasn't hidden, Ferdinand noticed it himself.

He picked up the pen and bent low while staring at the paper. This is so ridiculous to him.

" It's a contract. You will be my groom, just for sixty days… ", her loud but annoying voice echoed in his ear.

She sat at the edge of the table, " I will hire you to be my groom, and I'll pay you immediately after the contract is over. Don't ever refer to me as your wife, because nothing is binding the both of us together."

" No sex. No love. No kisses. No feelings. You are just a hired groom for sixty days. Live your life the way you want it, but not for these sixty days ", she narrated further.

Her voice was so commanding but filled with bitterness.

" It's a deal, and must be done ", Ferdinand acceded and signed the contract.

She nodded and let out a devilish smile.

Ferdinand began creating enticing events he would do within these sixty days. This is the only time left for him to relish all the good things in the world.

He shouldn't have signed the contract, but he acceded to doing it because he has few days to live.