Contract marriage

Vivian sat alone in her apartment, her hands shaking as she stared down at the business card Ralph had given her, his name printed boldly across it.

She had come here to escape the mess of her past, to start fresh and carve out her own life without anyone’s help or pity. But here she was—jobless, pregnant, and uncertain of what the future held.

She decided to continue her life and pretend that nothing happened. 

As she was working, a customer crossed the line, grabbing her arm and pulling her close. 

Angrily, she yanked her arm free and slapped him hard across the face. 

"How dare you humiliate a customer? Do you know who he is?" Her boss yelled at her.

"Sir, you saw—"

"You are fired!" 

***

Taking a deep breath, she picked up her phone and dialed Ralph’s number. He answered almost immediately as if he had been expecting her call.

“Vivian,” he greeted. “I take it you’ve made a decision?”

She closed her eyes and sighed. “Yes. Let’s meet. I want to discuss the contract.”

When she arrived, Ralph was already waiting, a faint smirk on his lips as he stood to greet her. 

“I’m glad you came,” he said, motioning for her to sit. He placed a thick envelope on the table in front of her. “Here’s the contract. You’ll find all the terms laid out for you in detail.”

Vivian hesitated, “Let’s be clear,” she said, meeting his gaze directly. “This is a business deal, nothing more. You’re helping me with my bills, and I’m helping you with your… family issues.”

Ralph’s smirk widened, “Exactly. I don’t want any misunderstandings. This is strictly a transactional arrangement.”

She nodded, flipping open the envelope and pulling out the contract. Her eyes scanned the first few lines, and without fully reading the document, she picked up the pen and signed at the bottom, sealing the deal.

“There,” she said, sliding the papers back toward him. “It’s done.”

Ralph nodded, satisfied. He reached into his pocket and took out a check, sliding it across the table. “Here’s half of the payment. You’ll receive the rest once our ‘marriage’ is officially announced. In the meantime, I’ve booked you a flight to Los Angeles for the gala this weekend.”

Vivian felt her heart skip a beat. “Los Angeles?” she repeated. 

She knew exactly who would be attending that event—her ex-husband, the man who had discarded her like she was nothing.

Ralph noticed her expression and raised an eyebrow. “Something wrong?”

She forced a smile. “Nothing at all. I just… didn’t expect it to be so soon. How did you know I was going to accept the contract?”

"Of course, you will. I mean, you got fired from your menial job after being harassed by a stranger. This is not college, Vivian. How did you plan to survive?"

"Were you stalking me?"

"No, why would I? I just happened to be around that area. Enough of the questions, I owe you no explanation."

She sighed, unable to say anything, so he continued.

“So, better get used to it,” he replied. “In this arrangement, you’ll be on my arm whenever required. You’ll act the part of my wife, smiling and supportive. Do that, and I’ll uphold my end of the bargain. Fail, and…” His gaze hardened. “Let’s just say you won’t like the consequences.”

A chill ran down her spine, but she kept her expression calm. “Understood.”

***

The weekend came quickly, and before she knew it, she was boarding a private jet with Ralph. He handed her a gown, a deep emerald green with a designer label.

“You’ll wear this tonight,” he said. “It’s important you look the part.”

Vivian nodded, silently resolving to play her role well. If she was going to see her ex-husband, she wanted to look like a queen, not a woman he’d left broken.

Later that evening, they arrived at the gala, the venue filled with wealthy businessmen and celebrities. 

"Stay right here, I'll be back," Ralph said.

As her eyes scanned the room, she sighted Charles.

Charles turned and saw her. His eyes widened slightly, his expression looked shocked and confused seeing her dressed in the designer gown.

“Vivian?” he stammered, barely managing to mask his surprise.

Vivian forced a calm smile, shrugging as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “Oh! Hi, there, Charles. It's been a while."

The look of irritation on her ex-husband’s face was satisfying, but just as she began to enjoy the moment, a woman approached, wrapping her arm around her Charles. 

Vivian’s eyes fell to her stomach, visibly round and she was sure she was pregnant.

“Darling, are you going to introduce us?” the woman said, wearing a huge grin.

She was the same woman from his office, whom she had seen the day she went to his office.

She had not expected this. Not only had Charles moved on, but he was having a child with someone else.

She swallowed hard, fighting back the sting of betrayal and heartbreak. Charles was watching her, a hint of happiness in his eyes as if he could sense her conflict.

She steadied herself, flashing a smile at the woman and replying as though she never cared.

"Hi, I'm Vivian. The last time we met, we did not get to introduce ourselves formally." 

"I'm Franca, it's a pleasure to meet you. It's sad that you could not attend our wedding. I guess it was for the best, your makeup would have been ruined by tears," she said, wearing a smile that portrayed contempt.

Vivian let out a chuckle, "You should be grateful I did not attend your wedding, Mrs. Norman. I hate to see the face of my vomit, you know? I am amazed at how happy you are with leftovers. Is that how much you enjoy leftovers? From a mistress to a second wife?"