Contract marriage: Be my bride

He slowly walked up to her and leaned close enough to her face.

"Well, that's nice to hear" He smirked. "I was just going to severely torture you for a while..... now it seems I'm gonna have to ruin your very existence. Just a day at the Carano mansion will set you straight". He pulled away and brought out of papers he had carefully folded and kept in his jacket pocket.

"What do you mean?" Angel was totally confused.

"Sign this. It's a contract stating all terms and conditions regarding our marriage....." He paused for a while to look at everyone's shocked expressions.

"How ridiculous!" Ron couldn't contain her anger anymore. "Over my dead body will I let my sister's life be ruined again. Delta can get arrested, we'll find a way to get her out ..... Don't ruin your life, Angel".

Hearing those words made Delta shake in terror. She was really scared of getting arrested.

"Y-Yes Angel, it's my punishment..... don't take the blame....."

"Stop Delta, that's enough," Angel noticed her shivering in fear, and her teary eyes. "You don't have to pretend to be strong anymore, let your big sis handle things" Angel smiled at her.

"The Varles sure are full of drama. I'm not forcing you to sign it". He sighed. "If you would read it, you'll see that this contract expires after two months, In other words, you'll be my wife for only two months. But I'm not marrying you because I want to give you a good life, all your days will be spent in absolute nightmare...I have no interest in you whatsoever. You can choose to keep our marriage hidden from public or you can make it known to the world,... either way it will be painful for you. If people find out we're married, you'll become the talk of the news saying you're getting married to the Carano brothers just because of money, or more. The moment you sign that paper, your true hell begins".

"Two months, huh?" Angel spun her pen as she carefully read through the contract.

Rita didn't say a word, she was just watching to see what Angel would do. And seeing how Rita was quiet, Micheal followed along with her.

The atmosphere was tense as silence befell the room.

Angel kept on biting on tip of the pen, she wasn't exactly sure what to do. Her gaze travelled through the room only to collide with her mother's, who wasn't really tipped by the situation.

She smiled. "Alright then, I'll sign it". She scribbled her signature where needed. "And with this, I am now going to become Mrs Angel Carano.... again".

"Nicely done!". Roland grabbed it from her. Honestly, he was quite surprised to see her actually sign it. "I still have some work to do about the contract, so it will have to start tomorrow. Pack up today, I'll come for you tomorrow.....And you're late to work but I'll excuse you today. I shouldn't get there before you". He took off, together with Authniel who seemed somewhat disturbed by what had happened.

"What's going on? You were supposed to get ME remarried to Angel! What's all these about a marriage contract between both of you!!". Authniel tried so much to conceal his anger, but Roland didn't even bat an eye, rather he felt disgusted.

"Roland!". Rita had chased after them before they drove off. "We need to talk".

He seemed confused. "I don't have time for another drama, I'm too busy trying to ruin your daughter's life".

Upon hearing this, she smiled, which left him puzzled. Why was she smiling? Why didn't she try to protect her daughters from punishment?.

"I've always protected her from danger all her life, now she's grown to become more sensible and independent. I'm so proud of her and I'll always give her support and guidance whenever she needs it".

He scoffed. "What are you here for? I'm not being rude to you because you're a mother, but my patience is running thin".

After she took a few breaths, she finally spoke up.

"I'm worried about my daughter's life, so I'm willing to make a deal with you".

"A deal?", She piqued his interest.

"I won't beg you to treat her well,..... But during these two months, whether you fall in love with her or not, I want you to marry her wholeheartedly and treat her like a queen as well as giving her all or more rights as your wife. Though, I'm hundred percent sure you're going to finally accept her into your life without noticing it ".

"And what happens when you lose?".

"I'll be willing to do whatever you want. I just need someone I can entrust Angel to. I'm just her mother, I won't always be there to protect her..... that's why I need a reliable partner for her. And I'll do whatever it takes just to make that happen. I didn't really see it in Authniel, but I somehow trust you. I will accept you as my son starting today". She smiled.

"You don't have anything to offer me,.....but it would definitely be fun to watch the Varles go bankrupt. And I'll take that as my part of the deal".

She took a few steps towards him and placed her hand on his cheek.

He was taken aback, eyes were wide open in shock as his eyes almost became teary. If only..... just if only he could feel the warmth of her hands.

Rita didn't hesitate to give him a tight hug, patting at his back.

" Even if you hate me, still call me 'Mum'. You're my son, Roland, it's just a matter of time".

When was the last time he had a hug? The last time he called someone 'Mum'? The last time he almost teared up? The last time he ever felt speechless?.

His mother passed away when he was still very young, his father went missing all of a sudden, abandoning his children and his business which Roland finally worked all his life to take the business away from those bastards who call themselves Relatives. Relatives who left him and his brothers to feed themselves, relatives who never cared about their well-being, relatives who only had their foolish father's business at mind. He had to do everything he could do to provide for him and his brothers, slowly empowering himself to take back what belongs to him thereby turning him into a heartless being.

He pulled himself away from Rita, avoiding eye contact so she wouldn't notice his weak side.

"We're done here, leave!". He turned his gaze at Authniel, giving him a loo,k of disgust. "I knew you were always bound to be useless but do me a favour and call a taxi to give you a ride home. I'm afraid I can't share the car with you, your presence disgusts me".