Contract Marriage (Paid to be His Wife)

Austin Parsons is the only heir to the Parsons Empire and also voted the most handsome man of the country while he clocks 20, born with a golden spoon in his mouth from the womb made him have everything he could possibly want.

Since childhood, Austin had been trained only to take over the company and become the owner that he is, this did not only affect his character but also his relationship with the outer world which he doesn’t communicate with except for business.

Years after he ascend the position of the CEO, he became the cold and handsome man who no one dares to look in the eyes, except of course his family. The only friend he has, is his work which he always bury himself deep into every day.

Soon enough, his grandmother became worried about his non-interest in women and marriage, never has he been seen romantically involved with the opposite sex, talk more of dating or getting married, it seems he detest women and only keeps few around him, when asked why, his reply is the same always

“Women are unprofitable”

Lady Charlotte as his old grandmother is fondly called, decided to do something about the issue and find her grandson a wife, so the news was let out

‘Billionaire Austin Parsons wants wife’ spreads all over the country causing a stir up among ladies who wants to be the lucky woman.

~

The drink spill on the floor as the men laughed out in pleasure at her ugly face, she remain calm not minding whatever they are doing, after pouring the whole wine on the floor, they request her to get down and lick it clean.

Other waitress stare at the scene in sadness and anger, one of them is getting humiliated again and all they could do is wait and watch

“I will give you $100 if you do as I say” one of the men with nose piercing said and brought out the note.

Marica eyes went to the money in his hand and she immediately bend down on her kneels, without hesitation, she begin to lick every liquid on the floor with her tongue like a hungry dog and soon had the floor cleaned.

When she was done, she stood up to the surprise of the men who were both shock and fascinate by the act

“Oh hell!” one of them exclaim

“The money please” she said not minding the look on everyone’s face or the murmurs

She received the money and thank them before going back to her position, where she stood and welcome other customers coming in with a smile on her face like nothing just happened.

“She has lost her mind totally because of poverty” she hear someone say

“I really pity the poor girl” another customer said.

Marica stood still like a control machine, smiling at everyone that comes in and out and bowing her head at them, slowly her mind drift to the past

~

Under the cold and dirty bridge, the rain pour down heavily causing as storm in the firth place. Marica struggled and pull her younger sister Marisa to herself as she struggle amidst the flood to get to safety.

Water filled the whole place and they could hardly make it out of the bridge as they were fast asleep when the rain started, giving them lesser time to pack their things and get out to avoid it.

With the water filling the whole entrance of the bridge, Marica pulled Marisa more closely to herself to stop the raining from carrying her away as the water was now covering up to their chest

To save themselves from drowning, they had to stand up all night and endure the coldness the floor gave. But then, the next time she opened her eyes, she found herself on the hospital bed with Marisa gone.

~

After finishing her last job for the day, Marica declined her friends offer to go to the bar to drink and went straight home instead, she quickly shower and brought out the left overs she packed from work eating them for dinner.

The candle light was almost down and she knew it was time for bed, with her phone alarming of her the time to be 2am, she fall asleep with a book in her chest inside the demolished building.

~

The Parsons all are present on the table and they all waited till Lady Charlotte pick up her cutleries and have a bite of the salad before they all pick their cutleries, they all eat in silence until she broke the quiet

“Austin, when will your wife join us on this table?” she asked not looking up from her food

Austin keep silent and stop eating, he has nothing to say than be silent and he has been doing a good job at that anytime questions are asked about his marriage

“I believe your mother didn’t give me an impotent as a grandson” she said angrily turning to Rachael who also stops eating to answer her

“Of course not” she answered with an uncomfortable smile and nudge her husband to speak up

“Your grandson is perfect mother” he said and turn back to his forks

“Why is he not getting married? He will soon clock 33 and yet no woman in his life, I want to see my great grandchild before I die”

“I’m too busy with work Lady Charlotte” he called her formally

“The company is doing so well, what exactly are you occupied with?” she asked sternly, raising her voice which made everyone on the table to freeze for a moment.

“If you can’t do a good job of getting yourself a wife I will help you find one”

“Okay” he replied uninterested and that infuriates her

“You have until one week to find a woman, else I marry one for you” she said finalizing.

“Sounds like you wants another puppy to keep around” Miss. Sila murmured and got a fire glare from Grandmother.

The rest of the mealtime was spent in silent and once Austin was done, he got up to leave, excusing himself to go attend to some business.

“Where do you want to go sir?”

“My private villa” he said and the car took off.

The rain begin to pour as soon as the driver start driving and the wipers was turned on, soon it turned to a heavy pour down and the driver was having a difficult time seeing the road amidst the darkness of the night.

Suddenly their car hit something and came to a halt, in a panic the driver rush out to see what has happened and became more agitated when he saw a slim lady lying down in front of the car with blood gushing out of her leg.

“Are you okay miss?” the driver quickly rush to get her up and see how bad her injury is

Marica grunts as she’s helped up by the driver but her injured legs stop her from standing and she hold onto the car for support nursing her pain

“I’m so sorry, I will call for an ambulance immediately” he said and brought out his phone from his pocket but before he could make the call, his Boss’s voice stops him.

“Don’t call an ambulance” he said with instructed and walk out inside the rain while the driver quickly hurry to get an umbrella

Ignoring the driver telling him to wait to get an umbrella, he walk to meet the lady in front of the car and stare at her injury

“Marry me” he said, and she stare numb at him.

~

Under his demand, Marica followed him to his villa rather than a hospital for treatment, there he treated her wound, and force her to swallow some medicine, afterward he force her to eat to aid the medicine in doing a perfect job and take a shower, getting into a more comfy clothing.

Apart from asking her to marry him, he hasn’t speak any other words to her which got her confused as to who he is.

Having no choice she had followed him here but then, she became scared when she realize she doesn’t even have the slightest idea who he is and where they are

“I would like to go home now” she said to him but only to get ignored and left alone in the large living room.

After waiting for long hour for his return, Marica fall asleep on the couch she was placed since her hurt legs made it hard for her to move on her own.

The next morning, she woke up with startle and look around to see where she is, remembering what happened yesterday, she relaxed knowing she doesn’t have to rush out to avoid getting caught by the building owner.

She tried getting up on her own and ended up feeling much pain than she thought, but still she didn’t intend to give up but walk further to get out from there

“Come here” she heard his voice and froze on the spot she was standing

Marica turned and he was right behind her

She almost flinch but he grasp her before she could and carried her to the dining table where breakfast was set

“Who are you?” she finally asked but got no response from him again

“You are not a kidnapper are you?” she asked again, not liking the silent treatment she’s getting from the stranger

“Eat” he said in a demanding and intimidating that she couldn’t help but be scared and eat the food.

When she was almost done, a group of doctors came in and attended to her giving her proper treatment and easing her pain, after they were done, they leave immediately, leaving her again alone with him.

He made her sit and speak to her for the second time since they’ve met each other

“What is your answer?” he asked and Marica stared at him confused and irritated at the situation on ground, she has just been confined out of her will

“Answer to what?” she asked back keeping her frustration hidden

“Marrying me” he answered

“Are you a pyscho? Who hits a person, takes them to his house unwillingly and asked her to marry him?” she asked bursting out in anger

“I don’t even know who you are”

“Austin Parsons, CEO of PARSONS Company” he introduced coldly

“So you are some CEO who just wants to marry a random stranger?” she asked sarcastically

“Yes” he said humorlessly

Austin pick up some papers beside him on the sofa he’s sitting on and throw them on the table not far from her

Reluctantly she pick them up looking suspiciously at him while she go through the papers

It’s a contract document which states that she agrees to be his legal wife and will get divorced when he wants to and also some rules for the relationship

“Read through and sign them” he said tossing a pen

“I never accept to marry you” she objected

“Read the last part of it” he said ignoring her complaint

Marica skip to the last part and her mouth fell open at what she saw there, a bank card loaded with money and $20million at the end of the deal, plus she will choose any country of her choice to live after everything is over

“For how long will we stay married?” she asked seeing the contract doesn’t state

“Till Lady Charlotte dies” he replied still cold and Marica looked horrified hearing that a life is involved.

“I have a condition” she said and he nodded slowly

“What?”

“I want an unrestricted bank card” she said and Austin smug

“Deal” he said.

Soon they are on the way to the registrar to get their marriage on papers, with her bandaged leg she was made to stand beside him and take couple of pictures

“Why did you pick me?” she asked him as the photographer takes some snaps

“I need a random wife”

Marica seems confused at the answer he gave but she nevertheless pick up a pen and signed the marriage certificate making her become Mrs. Parsons almost immediately.

She wasn’t sure what this would mean but one thing is sure, she has what she ever desires so much, ‘money’ and no matter what happens ever doesn’t matter.