Chapter 5

Saturday mornings were always best for Celeste. She could relax two days straight without doing anything else. But everything had changed. She started to get up early in the morning to cook breakfast with Tracy and then did other stuff to relieve her boredom. Though she's used to cooking, she wasn't used to this loneliness.

She missed her home and grandma. She missed her grandma's handmade waffles which were the best if you ask.

Sighing, she rolled around the bed lazily. She was never a morning person. She loved to sleep. But there's no way out now. She slowly got up from the bed and straight went to the washroom to do her morning routine.  After getting freshened up and changing into cotton shorts and a baggy sweater she came out of her room to eat some breakfast. She knew she got up late today. Tracy didn't even wake her up. 

When she reached the kitchen she found Tracy making breakfast quietly while humming a soft tone. She smiled and made her presence known in the kitchen by greeting her with enthusiasm.

"Good morning Tracy! Why didn't you wake me up a bit earlier? See I'm late." She said with a pout while taking a seat on the kitchen counter. Tracy, the middle-aged woman smiled at her brightly.

"Good morning, dear! I thought I would let you sleep a bit more. Anyways, come eat. I made your favourite waffles today with some bacon and eggs." Tracy said in her motherly tone while serving her breakfast. Celeste nodded happily while taking the plate and starting to eat after thanking Tracy.

"Have you eaten already? If not then please join me." Celeste said after a moment of pause while looking up at Tracy. Tracy shook her head and smiled.

"I have already eaten. Don't worry." She said with a smile, making Celeste nod and resume eating her food.

"Did Mr Rodriguez call you? When will he be returning? It's been two weeks already." Tracy said in a concerned voice making Celeste pause her eating. She looked up and smiled to cheer that older woman up before answering.

"Yes. He said it might take a few more days." Celeste replied and continued eating her food. Tracy was worried for this young girl. She was living alone in this huge apartment for the past two weeks. She came only to cook the 3 meals and left after that. She knew Celeste was new here in this city and didn't know anything here that much which worried her more. But she couldn't do anything about it. She once proposed to live with her till Mr Rodriguez came back from his business trip but Celeste refused. Sighing Tracy picked up her things and got ready to leave.

"I have kept some foods for you in the fridge if you get hungry then eat those. I will be taking my leave now. Take care dear, Bye." Tracy informed Celeste and she nodded.

"You too take care Tracy, bye." She said while wiping her hands with a napkin. She watched Tracy leaving before she moved towards the huge living room to watch some movies.  She settled on the couch and played Maleficent, The mistress of evil. 

It's been two weeks since she had married Liam Rodriguez and moved into his apartment with him. It's been two weeks since he went on a business trip just after their wedding reception day. It's also been since she had signed that 1-year contract marriage agreement. Everything happened so fast that she couldn't predict anything out of it.

After that night on the terrace Liam took her out on lunch the next day and they spent some time getting to know each other better. She agreed she was attracted to him from the moment she laid her eyes on him. The time she spent with him made her like him even more. He was a gentle, passionate and soft-spoken person. On the other hand, she was a shy but loud and stubborn person. Everything was good until the wedding day. Before that, her mother in law took really good care of her. Her in-laws made her feel like she was at her own home except for Amy. Amy was a Filippino-Canadian girl. She and Rafael got married a year ago when Rafael made her pregnant. But unfortunately, their baby died after their marriage due to miscarriage. Celeste was sad to hear that but she didn't understand why Amy didn't like her. She snarled at her and threw crude remarks at her whenever they were alone but in front of others, she kept mum. Celeste knew better than to stay around her so she kept her distance.

When Celeste's wedding day arrived her mother in law helped her to get ready. It was a small wedding in a small church with only family and close friends present. Her father in law had decided to walk her to the altar since her parents were dead. She was dressed in a beautiful princess wedding gown looking like a princess herself. Clarissa went to bring Andrew, leaving her alone with the beautician.  She was waiting for her father in law to come and take her to the altar when suddenly Liam entered the room.

Celeste looked at him with shock evident in her eyes. He was standing near the door dressed in a blue tux and white dress shirt looking all handsome and dashing. For a moment Celeste felt like she couldn't breathe as her heart was beating so fast.

Liam signalled the beautician to leave them alone and she complied by leaving.

Celeste got up from her seat and looked at him in confusion.

"Do you need anything?" Celeste asked softly. She was curious to know why he was here when he was supposed to be at the altar waiting for her.

"Yes. I need you to sign this." Liam replied in a stoic emotionless voice while handing her some papers. Celeste took the papers with a bit of hesitation. She was confused yet curious.

"What's it?" She asked looking through the papers when the Mutual Marriage Agreement written on top of the papers caught her attention. Her eyes went wide in shock. She looked up at Liam for further explanation. Liam sighed. He had already expected this kind of reaction.

"It's a marriage agreement contract. According to it, we will stay married for a year then divorced so we won't have to stay tied in this arranged marriage. After a year we both will be free. Don't worry, you will get 10 million dollars as alimony. So please sign it." He said in his deep emotionless voice. His voice was firm and clear. It didn't even shake a bit. Celeste looked at his face for any trace of a joke but he was serious as the night sky. His face was blank. 

"Is it necessary?" She asked simply. Her voice was also composed. She was stupid to think a man like Liam Rodriguez would marry a girl like her without any condition. She was truly naive.

"Yes." Came his clear and firm voice. She didn't say anything further. She just simply picked up the pen and signed it without reading. She then handed the contract to him with a smile. Her grandma had taught her, no matter how hard the situation was, always smile. She always followed the motto. 

"You didn't read the contract." It wasn't a question but a statement. He was a bit startled when she signed the contract without reading with just a simple question from her side. But he concealed his thoughts without letting them show on his face.

"There's nothing for me to lose," Celeste replied with a careless shrug. It didn't matter to her. She just let everything flow in its way. That way it was much better.

"Okay. I will take my leave now. See you at the altar" He said curtly. With a last glance in her direction, he turned around and left. Celeste watched his retiring back in silence. After a while, and excited Clarissa came smiling at Andrew and took her to seal her fate forever.