CHAPTER 3: MARRIAGE CONTRACT

The 5th day of September marked the end of Jade Arria's single life. Now she's married to the lone heir of Enchanteur Chemicals—Marcus Yoseph Hanes. She may be an orphan but she is a kind, sweet girl who possess one of a kind beauty. However, people couldn't see the wisdom and intelligence she possesses because of her meekness. That must be the reason why the chairwoman likes her a lot.

She took her time scrubbing her body and choosing a sweet aroma of perfume. She must present herself properly before her husband. It's the first night of their honeymoon after all.

After the shower, she wore the revealing dress that Jasmine chose to mark the end of her virgin life. It was a see-through black spaghetti dress that divulges not just her perky breast but also her soft, slender legs. She took the light pink lip tint and brush her plump lips a little to give a glint of life on her fair facial skin.

She smiled after seeing her overall self in front of the human-sized mirror in their room. She's pretty enough to be rejected tonight! She giggled at the thought of touching the man's chest. Hope it's not a sin to imagine such things towards the man. They're married anyway. She reasoned.

It's still early, she mumbled when she glances at her wristwatch. So she took the robe and covered herself with it for the meantime before she catches cold because of the icy temperature in the room.

Jade Arria Hanes… She muttered beneath her breath while lying on the bed that they will be sharing later on. Jade Arria Hanes… she giggles at the thought of having the same surname as him, her ultimate love.

She's been secretly loving the man since the first time she saw him at the orphanage. She's not sure why Marcus of all, since there's a lot of handsome men courting her during her college days. He seemingly possesses an undeniable charm and there is something in him that caught her attention. She just can't figure what that is.

Since then, her feelings towards the man kept growing despites the fact that they're not talking to each other the past few years.

She was giggling and tossing on the bed when the door to the room suddenly opened. She stood up immediately only to find a seemingly drunk Marcus.

"M-marcus?" She uttered his name weirdly since she doesn't know how to address the man. Oh how she loves to call him names such as honey, love, sweetie and what not, but it's awkward for now.

He passed through her and headed directly to the shower room. He didn't even look at her. She was a bit hurt. Why must he drink alone? Then Jade's eyes landed on the wine waiting at the small table on the side.

After a few minutes, Marcus came out looking fresh from the shower room. He looks so sexy even having only the white towel covering his lower extremities. Seeing how the water drip from his wet hair down to his toned bare chest made Jade gulped unknowingly.

He's sizzling hot! Her eyes were totally glued on the man's body as she marvels on the perfect figure in front of her.

"Loving the view?" The man sneered when he noticed the woman almost drooling over him.

"A-ah? Uh…W-what?" Her faced reddened in embarrassment since she was caught off guard. If she can only bury herself on the ground for the meantime, then she must have done it.

"Ayeshhh!" she immediately spins around and hit her head and scolded herself within. "Jade, behave!"

She heard the man hissed after. Dang it! Did she just embarrass herself in front of the man she loved? Ugh!

She's been fighting the urge to glance at the man so she thought of any topic she could say.

"Uhm, you know, I've been thinking----'' Jade was about to say something but she halted when Marcus suddenly hand her an envelope. "W-what is this?"

He motioned the woman to open it. "M-marriage contract?!" she exclaimed surprisingly.

"Yes. As you can see, it's a marriage agreement." he nonchalantly replied. He picked the bottle of wine on the table and pour it on a clear glass and sipped it.

A what? a contract? she couldn't believe her ears. Why is he giving her a contract now?

"Miss Arria, I believe this marriage is both against our will so I need you to sign that."

"W-wait… Y-you mean…." she staggered a little.

"I want us to divorce after 6 months. I hope you understand what I mean. Read all the conditions before signing it. Then hand it to me as soon as you're done. If you have any question just let me know." He immediately left the room, leaving the speechless woman behind.

Jade weakly fell on her knees. Tonight is supposed to be their first honeymoon and she really pampered herself in preparation but the romance she was anticipating crumbled before her eyes when Marcus handed a marriage contract.

She was shaking but still able to read what's on the contract. A marriage that'll only last for six months, same room but separate beds. The contract also states her monthly allowance for six months and the alimony she'll be getting after the divorce. Well, the amount is big and she can live a good life with it. But still, she's unhappy.

She wants him.

She's not even allowed to meddle on his affairs, personal and business affairs. That only mean that whatever Marcus does, whoever he wants to date, she's out of it. Vice versa.

He is so cruel! Jade wanted to cry but she held it in. What does she expect? Marrying a man whom she never had the chance to personally know is not easy to deal with after all. She knew something is not right when she received a sudden wedding proposal from the man, but she never had the chance to ask him about it.

Six months? She is in deep thought. Then she has six months to make their relationship work. It's not being ambitious but she wants to try and fight for her marriage. She'll try to win his heart at all cost.

Yes, that's what she will do. Make every effort to make the man fall in love with her. If it fails, then it's alright, at least she tried.

She released a heavy and dejected sigh. Unlike him, she agreed to marry the man because she sincerely loves him. That should be enough reason to fight for what she thinks is right.

"Jade, you have exactly six months to save your marriage." She calmed herself for a while then read the content of the agreement once again. After making sure that she understood all the conditions, she took the pen that was on the table and signed it. "You can do it, self!"