The Contract Marriage With My Professor

Chapter 1

I'm Ariyah Suarez, I'm a half independent half dependent girl. Although my parents are still alive, I was raised by my grandmother. My parents divorced when I was young and eventually found their significant others forgetting about me. Grandma's dreams were too high for me that's why when I was in college she took me out of the province and brought me to Manila to study at a prestigious university where I met my two best friends, Prima a certified gay and Lou who is a certified boy hunter, because he cannot be freed.

The three of us are all the same, that's why our friendship is happy. But of course, in times of trials, we are one.

Out of the three of us, I'm the only one without a boyfriend since birth. Because I'm afraid of having a boyfriend, afraid of men specifically. I was just thinking about having a boyfriend, what a wonder I was thinking. Also, that's not my priority yet because all I want is to do my best in school to make my grandmother proud because she loves me so much. This is it and he entrusted me with 1.2 million so that I can buy a house where I can stay because he is always worried about me. And of course, when she comes out of Manila after her retirement as a teacher in our province, she will have a place to stay. It's just that... Fate is too cruel to both of us.

I was excited and happy arranging my future room here in the house I bought when grandma called.

"Grandma!!! Hello, I missed you!" I exclaimed energetically as I answered the phone call.

"Oh grandpa, how are you?" Grandma also happily exclaimed.

"Oh it's grandma, I'm fixing my room right now...do you want to see this house, let's have a video call." I promise excitedly.

"Oh grandpa, I really want it because I didn't charge that one of my cell phones. This keypad is what I'm using, so I'll use it next time I'm in town."

"Oh, is that so, okay?"

"Oh, how is the house you bought?"

"Oh, that's right, this house is beautiful and in good condition. It's not big, but it's sturdy. It has two bedrooms, so it's just right for the two of us."

"That's good, but wait, whose house used to be?"

"Oh what is he, he belongs to a family that has migrated to another country. My best friend Lou's mother knows him, they live next door to my house, their house is just on the other side of the wall. They are next to each other because the house is here."

"Ah, is that so, oh well, it's good that you and your friend are close, at least you have someone to hang out with."

"Oh no, it's okay, we're okay here. This will be your retirement home when you get out of here."

"Hey, I'm happy grandpa, it's good if that's the case, especially since I'm old. All my savings for the two of us have gone to that house, so I have nothing else to expect but my little pension when I retire ."

"Oh, don't worry because I will graduate in just one and a half years. After that I will immediately look for a job so that I can take care of you and the beautification of this house because remember, I am a future interior designer this is your grandson!" I was bragging and that's why he laughed.

"I wish it was a grandson."

"Of course, believe me. When that happens, you'll just use your money for maintenance because I'll take care of everything. Besides, I'm also planning to work part time now so I can take care of the school my fees. Just allocate your salary for your medicines."

"Oh, are you sure, grandpa, you won't be in too much trouble?"

"No, I can handle it, so don't worry."

"Ah, is that right, but if you need money, tell me anyway, send a letter or tell your cousin Kyle so he can tell me."

"Yes, I'll take care of it. Just take care of your health."

"Ah, okay, grandpa, always be careful. My co-teachers are already calling me saying we're going home. Besides, give me a tour of the house when I get back to town."

"Oh go ahead, bye. I love you." After saying goodbye, I continued to tidy up and decided to go to the department store to buy kitchen supplies that evening.

I didn't expect that this would be the first time we crossed paths with the man who would become a big part of my life.

"Gosh! This is crazy...why is it taking so long!" That man frowned when looking at his watch.

It was opposite the knife section while I was in the pots a few meters away from him.

"Ah hi Sir, this is the knife you want." A little while later, a woman who had just arrived panted.

I was about to ignore them when I was surprised because the man raised his voice.

"This is not my order!" This irritated promise that was still a bit weak at first.

"Ah yes, sir, that's not it, but they are the same, the one you want is out of stock." The woman explained worriedly but the man suddenly became angry.

"What?! So you mean, I have waited for like thirty minutes for you to just say the item I want is out of stock?! That item is right here on your display, so basically I've seen it and I didn't like it, that's why I'm getting someone else, isn't it, and then that's what you're going to give me saying they're the same? Come here, look at this item in this brochure that I like and that item you're giving me. Now tell me what are their differences?" He said angrily.

"Ah S-Sir, the knife you want is more expensive." The woman's response was trembling.

"And why do you think it's more expensive than the one in your hand?"

"Ah Sir, he's stronger because he's thinner, bigger, and rust proof." There was fear in the woman's voice as she promised again.

"How about that one in your hand?" The man seemed serious, that's why instead of doing what I was doing, I just watched them.

"Ah Sir this one is smaller, thicker and lower quality so it's cheaper..."

"See? And then you're going to tell me they're all the same?! How come that you didn't even these basic stuff? Shall I talk to your manager hmm? Gosh this is crazy!!!" This is a sarcastic angry exclamation.

"Oh wow, he's too hot for a knife, he's so angry...What's wrong, it's a shame that he's handsome, he's so sensitive and naughty!" I couldn't help exclaiming to myself when the man suddenly looked at me.

"Shockz did he hear me?!" I said as he grinned and turned to me.

"Hey, is minding other's businesses is your business?!" He said flatly that's why I winced. "Gosh he heard me." I whispered before I mustered up the courage to face him.

"It's because, Sir, you're so mad at sister gurl like a knife! Is that right?!" I was defending when he suddenly grinned.

"Look here, what I'm doing is not being O'ay or whatever you call it! I'm just helping her with her logic and irrational reasonings and there's nothing wrong with it, you know what's wrong? It was you meddling in other people's business!" He said eloquently and with an accent that's why I could hardly answer.

"O-oh edi wow you..." was my only answer because the truth of that suddenly made me nervous. I feel like I'm in front of my math teacher, scary.

"I'm just trying to be productive here but how can I do that if both of you just wasted my time!" He said that's why I answered to tease him.

"Ah just, you're still grumpy bleh!" I teased with a tongue-in-cheek exclamation before quickly turning around and walking away but I was stopped because my cell phone suddenly rang.

"Oh hello Lou, why did you get called?"

"Bad!!!!"

"Oh vakla, why? You're screaming all of a sudden and why is the noise so loud, where are you?"

"There's a fire!"

"Huh? Fire? Where?!" I said that when I was surprised by what he said next.

I almost flew at the speed of my running to leave my place after Lou said that we were burned.

few weeks ago

"Oh Ariyah... It looks like you're not sleeping, you're losing weight too." Lou said when he went to visit me at the cafe where I joined as a part-timer a few days after the house that I just bought with my grandmother's savings burned down, which makes my mood difficult.

"Vakla, you know Lou is right, you look like you can't rest. Don't you really intend to tell your grandmother what really happened so you can ask for help."

"Prima is right, you need to tell your grandmother what happened so she can help you. Your salary here is not enough for your daily food, fare to school, for projects, and for your allowance. Another way your school fees. Preliminaries are coming soon." Lou spoke for a long time, which is why I screamed like crazy while messing with my hair.

"Hey, you're a year old, stop that, people are looking at us." Prima weaned me.

"Hey, I don't know what to do!!!" I exclaim because I feel like I'm going crazy with my situation.

"Oh, what are you going to do?" Lou suddenly made a serious promise, which is why I became serious as well.

"I don't know, all I know is that grandma can't find out what happened. She's already weak and has a heart disease, maybe she won't be able to handle it when she finds out that the house she just bought with the money she worked for all her life burned down."

"You're right, vakla, maybe your grandmother can't handle it. But how can you be like that?"

"Umm I don't know, just take care..."

"Sorry vakla hah, we can't help you because you know, I'm in the school dormitory and I have a roommate." Prima said sadly.

"I'm sorry too, you know, when we got burned, my family went back to our province and I'm living with my aunt." Lou said that he even stroked my back. Even though I was sad, I just smiled so they wouldn't worry.

"What are you doing? Why didn't anyone help? You, Lou, bought my school uniform and bag, and then you, Prima, paid for my fare and lunch at school. Then you also bought and gave me my things because everything was burned. , nothing was left behind except my clothes, bag, and cellphone that I had on the day of the fire. And-- the owner of this cafe was kind, he allowed me to occupy the staff room when he found out that I didn't have anything live until I move to the apartment I'm staying in now." I said enthusiastically that's why they smiled too.

"Hey, you really are, the venom is amazing! You're so strong against your boss..." Prima said sarcastically, which is why I suddenly felt embarrassed.

"Hey, don't worry, you vakla, that's my boss, don't think about it anymore."

"Well, why, isn't your boss a young man?" Prima teased again.

"And you're still handsome..." Lou replied.

"Hey you two, stop me, I think that Sir..." I just said to get them to stop.

After a while, I left the cafe. They took me to my boarding house before they went home.

To Be Continued....