Chapter 9

    

I was confused and interested at the same time. Gavin ordered the maids to clean the table and bring out a bottle of wine and some snacks. 

    

    

I waited for him to talk more about this deal he was talking about. He stood up, receiving the bottle of wine and a cart with snacks. He asked them to leave us.

    

    

“So, you really don’t have a family?”

    

    

I looked at him as he opened the wine bottle, asking the same question.

    

    

Why is he asking that so many times? Is he making fun of me? Or…

    

    

Ah

    

    

Is he trying to lighten the mood? Because of what happened a while ago? The- The kiss? Oh...

    

    

I started to smile.

    

    

That’s kind of... Nevermind. I’m glad he was trying to at least get along with me. 

    

    

“No. I don’t have parents so obviously I don’t have one.”

    

    

I answered in an as-the-matter-of-fact manner. I accepted the wine glass Gavin offered and took a sip. Sweet.

    

    

I glance at Gavin who has his lip tightly closed before sitting down.

    

    

“ I don't have any parents either.”

    

    

He whispered but loud enough for me to hear.

    

    

He drank his wine straight as if he'd been thirsty for a day. Shaking his head, I can hear his cold laugh as he pours more wine in his glass.

    

    

Ah... So he also hates his parents. 

    

    

Thinking about it, Gavin and I do have similarities. We both hated our parents. And probably it is their fault that we hated them. We both lost the only person that we regard as family. We both became something that we didn’t choose to. 

    

    

  Still, I can't say I am fully right since I haven't known him too well. 

    

    

      

We both experience things that made us like this.

Although that made us strong and independent, no one wants to experience that kind of sh*ts. 

    

    

    

Oh right!

    

    

“Mr. Morgan, I have-”

    

“Oh, right. About the deal.”

    

    

Silence filled the room.

    

    

I frown at him. This b*stard really… argh! I just remember bringing up my roller skate and dead garden outside. 

    

    

“What? Why are you looking so annoyed?”

    

    

He asked cluelessly. Well, d*mn. I know he’s rude and insensitive but d*mn.

    

    

Let’s calm down. Maybe he didn’t mean to.

    

    

“Nothing. What is the deal that you’re talking about, Mr. Morgan?”

    

    

I asked as I calm my irritation toward to this annoying weirdo.

He got up and went to the door. He opened it slightly and a hand appeared with an envelope.

Wow, magic.

He stayed there for a while, talking to the person outside. It seemed like an important conversation but if so, why are they talking outside? Was it because of me? Well, b*llsh*t. I’m not interested even if it’s about money anyway.

    

    

After a while, Gavin went to the side where he acquired a pen.

    

    

“Who was that?”

    

    

I asked but he just shrugged and waved the envelope in his hands.

    

    

My irritation vanished as I looked at him curiously and interested in what he had on his sleeves. But with each step he makes, doubt emerges.

    

    

It’s not illegal, is it?

    

    

“Here, read it, Mrs. Morgan.”

    

    

I think I blushed slightly. Nut anyways, I accepted the envelope and opened it. There are some paper inside so I took them out and started to read.

    

    

Marital Agreement

    

    

This contract is entered by and between:

    

    

Gavin Morgan (A), in legal age. Married.

    

And 

    

Maddison Morgan (B), in legal age. Married.

    

Whereas:

    

B shall act as a loving and faithful wife to A every time they require to go outside and in front of people and media. 

B shall obey A accordingly without a doubte specially in front of other people and media.

B shall stick to the story created by A without a fuss.

B has no right to divorce A.

    

What the hell is this?

    

    

    

I look at Gavin with wondering eyes as she understands what I meant.

    

    

“You just have to act like a devoted wife.”

“And what is it for me?”

“What is it for you?”

“What do I gain from this? What do I get pretending all lovey-dovey towards you?”

“Nothing.”

“What?!”

“Maybe you have forgotten that I bought you.”

“That was my sister, Mister. I have nothing to do with those people but they dragged me in this mess, in their mess.”

    

    

I said sternly as I angrily looked into his eyes. We stared at each other for a while but i decided to look away first.

    

    

His eyes are really… complicated to read.

    

    

“Listen, I won’t ask for much.”

    

    

I said as I sigh. 

    

    

He went silent before letting out a light sigh.

    

“So, what is it that you want?”

Nice.

“First, I want money.”

“As expected-”

“To buy a roller skate.”

“...What?”

 

“I also have some rules.”

“...”

“And I want my freedom.”

    

    

    

I smiled at him victoriously as I signed the papers with both our demands being made. 

    

    

Acting is easy just like working with a salary. I can say that it is worth the hassle.

    

    

    ***

    

It's the same night, Gavin and I went to a dinner party where most of the elite couples go. I smirked looking at the man beside me.

    

    

I admit that he’s handsome, but I didn’t expect that he’ll be this…. Hot.

    

    

Wearing a plain navy blue polo with black pants and black shoes. His hair was up and combed backward, making his deep eyes more visible.

    

    

“ I know I told you to act like a loving wife, but I didn’t expect that you’ll act even when we’re alone.”

    

    

Sh*t, I stared too much.

    

    

I raised my eyebrows and looked at him like he was spouting some nonsense. He just gave me a teasing smile. 

    

    

I rolled my eyes and looked at the window. I can feel my cheeks heating. D*mn, he’s even more handsome while smiling. I have seen him smile a few times but… d*mn.

    

    

“Well, I hope you can do that in front of the people and media. Remember, we have a contract. You need to-”

    

    

“I know, I know. I didn’t think you’re such a nagger.”

“I’m not. I’m just reminding my dear wife to act in love and not stupid.”

“Isn’t being in love stupid?”

“Well, are you in love with me?”

“What?! NO!”

“Then don’t act stupid.”

    

    

He peevishly said as he looked away. 

    

    

Huh?

    

    

He looked somehow mad. I can clearly see his jaw intensifying. Did I say something wrong? What? Is he worried that I will make a mistake? I’m not that stupid to make us embarrass in there!”

    

    

I know what I need to do and the content of the contract we just signed.

    

    

“Anyway, why didn’t you tell me that we’ll be attending such a dinner party beforehand?”

    

    

I asked bitterly. I can still feel the food I ate earlier, but I think that’s a good thing since I bet I wouldn’t have an appetite seeing some fake people gathering together. I might even have indigestion.

    

    

I’m not fond of parties, especially when the people I know were invited. Because most of them probably think I’m the worst, thanks to my b*tch sister. And some may think I’m pathetic so I avoid attending parties.

    

    

But not because I’m not attending such a gathering means I don’t know how it works. That woman, my mother, taught me everything I needed to know anyways.

    

    

“I…”

He said something but his voice was too weak. 

    

    

“What?”

“I for…”

    

    

“You what? Why don’t you tell me properly?”

I said, starting to get annoyed. But it quickly vanished.

“I forgot! Okay?!”

“Oh.”

    

I was too shocked at his sudden outburst making me reply with only ‘oh’

    

    

Still in shock, I saw him looking away. I can see his ears getting red, maybe because of… heat? No... it’s cold inside of this car, so it’s impossible…

Is he sick?