BLINDING DESOLATION

"Just take a moment to collect yourself," Camilla said, her tone calm and reassuring.

"Okay," Emily said, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes.

Slowly, they began to read the contract, the sentence full of intricate and precise language. As they progressed, the terms and conditions became increasingly complex, the definitions and stipulations convoluted and intricate.

Emily and Camilla read the contract word by word, their eyes moving across the pages, their minds racing as they tried to understand the dense and complex language.

Finally, they reached the penultimate condition, and Emily read it aloud, her voice quivering. "All forms of physical contact are allowed," she said, her eyes wide with shock.

Camilla's eyes went wide, her mouth agape. "What!" She exclaimed, her mind racing to comprehend the meaning of the words.

"We need to get through this," Camilla said, her voice a mixture of calm and urgency.

"You're right," Emily replied, her resolve strengthened by her friend's encouragement.

They both took a deep breath and turned their attention back to the contract, their eyes scanning the final paragraph. Then, as one, they read the last term aloud, the words ringing with promise.

"The only way to dissolve the contract is five years of marriage and the procreation of an offspring," they read, their voices cracking with emotion.

Camilla looked over at Emily and saw the disappointment on her face, her eyes filling with tears.

"I...I can't do that," Emily said, her voice breaking.

Camilla's heart ached for her friend, knowing the enormity of what they had just read.

"This seems like the stuff of friction," Emily said, her voice trembling with disbelief.

"Indeed, it's hard to accept as fact," Camilla agreed, her words heavy with gravity.

"It's like we're trapped in a melodramatic plot," Emily said, her frustration building.

"A melodrama full of absurdity," Camilla said, trying to inject some humor into the situation. But their laughter was hallow, their predicament weighing heavily on their hearts.

"My fate seems sealed," Emily said, her voice thick with emotion.

"It's a predicament of the direst nature," Camilla replied, her tone grave and serious.

"Five years feels like an eternity, and I don't even want a child," Emily said, her words tinged with panic.

"It's an interminable stretch of time," Camilla acknowledged, her heart breaking for her friend.

"I feel completely and utterly trapped," Emily said, her words almost a sob.

"There's always a silver lining," she said, her tone gentle and reassuring.

"Yeah after five years, I can't imagine going through labor and delivery. Camilla we're talking about a real life baby here, like I'm gonna have to give birth and you know, labor pain and all that. You know the way they scream, I'm not cut out for motherhood!" Emily exclaimed, her voice filled with emotion.

Camilla burst out laughing, unable to stifle the ridiculousness of the situation. Emily's expression turned from despair to annoyance, and she glared at her friend.

"I know, I know it's not funny. It's just the way you put it, it was so dramatic! Like giving birth is an abomination," Camilla replied, trying to hold back her laughter.

"Enough, Camilla!" Emily cried out, her frustration mounting.

"I'm sorry, I'm trying to control myself!" Camilla managed to say between fits of giggles.

The whole thing is so preposterous! " Emily exclaimed, her eyes wide with incredulity.

"You're right, the whole contract is absurd!" Camilla agreed, her laughter finally subsiding.

"And can you imagine the absurdity of a contract that encourages all forms of physical contact, when it should be the opposite, like emphasizing professional conduct?" Emily asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"You're asking as if it's a business relationship to keep things professional," Camilla said, her voice dripping with irony.

"It's a business marriage, after all, devoid of any emotional attachment or personal connection," Emily pointed out, her tone flat and matter - of - fact. "Like the way they put it, all forms of physical contact are allowed!" She added, her words dripping with sarcasm.

"Technically, they are correct," Camilla said, a slight grin playing on her lips.

"What do you mean?" Emily asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"But how can there be a baby without any physical contact?" Camilla asked, her voice filled with skepticism. "Surely you don't expect the Holy Spirit to get you pregnant, like in the Bible with Mary and baby Jesus," Camilla said, her words tinged with amusement.

Emily's face flushed red, and she looked down at her feet, her embarrassment palpable.

"You're not feeling okay, and I can understand why," Emily said, her eyes locked onto Camilla's.

"I know you don't blame me," Camilla replied, her gaze unwavering. "But it's just the facts," Camilla continued, her voice firm but gentle.

"I know," Emily conceded, a hint of defeat in her voice.

"It's not easy, but we'll get through it," Camilla said, her expression one of unwavering resolve.

"Oh, and there's something I wanted to tell you about what happened in class today," Emily said, breaking the tense silence.

"I'm all ears," Camilla said, leaning forward in her chair.

"So there I was, lost in thought about this whole contract marriage thing," Emily said, retelling the story to her friend. "And I completely zoned out, not even realizing that it was my turn to submit my project," she continued. "And when my seat mate finally nudged me, it caught me by surprise, and I blurted out 'yes marriage'!" She said her voice full of embarrassment.

Camilla let out a burst of laughter, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Can you stop laughing, it was not funny at all. I felt like a complete fool, but the worst part was the reaction from the class. Everyone started laughing, and someone even offered to marry me" Emily narrated and Camilla only laughed harder.

Emily's face turned red with anger, and she fixed Camilla with a fierce glare.

"I know it's probably not funny to you, but I just can't help it; if I were in your shoes, I would never show my face in that class again," Camilla said, a sympathetic look on her face.

"I feel like my whole life is being turned upside down by this contract," Emily said, her voice heavy with frustration.

"I'm so sorry you're going through this," Camilla said, a sympathetic look on her face.

"I know, I just feel so lost right now," Emily said, a sigh escaping her lips.

"But you're not alone, I'm here for you, okay," Camilla said, reaching out to give Emily a reassuring hug.

"How is he even feeling about this?" Emily asked.

"Who?" Camilla asked.

"Who else other than Robert my supposed fiancé," she answered.

"I imagine he's feeling the same way you are and I don't think he has a choice either," Camilla said, a sympathetic look in her eyes.

"I hate all this," Emily said, a note of despair in her voice.

"It's definitely not an ideal situation," Camilla agreed, placing a hand on Emily's shoulder.

"It just feels like everything is spiraling out of control," Emily said, her eyes filling with tears.

"So what are you going to do next?" Camilla asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"What about?" Emily asked, a puzzled expression on her face.

"About signing the contract," Camilla clarified.

"I'm not going to sign it," Emily said, her voice firm.

"Are you really sure about that?" Camilla asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.

"Absolutely certain," Emily said.

"The contract says I should return it to the Golden Oak Letter Station," Emily explained, pointing to the bottom of the document.

"As you wish," Camilla said, a bemused smile playing on her lips.

"And there's no way I'm going to push out a baby," Emily declared, rising from her seat.

"That's the part that'll give you sleepless nights," Camilla said, her laughter ripping through the room.

"I can't even begin to imagine what that would be like," Emily said, shuddering at the thought.

"You shouldn't worry about it for now, focus on what's important, you don't want to miss working with Nicole Novak," Camilla said, her tone gentle and reassuring.

"You're absolutely right," Emily said, determination filling her voice. "From now on, no more worrying about this marriage business," she continued, her words filled with resolve.

You're so brave and strong," Camilla said, a proud smile lighting up her face.

"And one more thing," Emily added, a mischievous look on her face. "If you ever use any of this to tease me, I'll hunt you down," she warned, her words light and playful.

Camilla burst out laughing, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "Don't worry, I won't, just go and do your work, while I sit here enjoying myself," Camilla said, and she left.

As evening fell, Camilla bid Emily farewell and left, while Emily remained hard at work on the project. Determination fueled her every move, as she worked tirelessly into the night, driven by the prospect of working with the renowned designer Nicole Novak.

Her focus was unwavering, her mind sharp and clear, as she poured her heart and soul into her design. She refused to give up, despite the late hour, fueled by the thrill of the challenge and desire to succeed.

Even if her design was selected for the online competition and made it to the runway, there was no guarantee that she would get to work with Nicole.

That's why she had to make sure her design for the school project was nothing short of spectacular. She had to give it her all, putting in all her time and energy, because this was her chance to prove herself and make a name for herself in the design world.

The next day, as she walked home from class, Emily made a detour to the Golden Oak Letter Station.

With a sigh of relief, she dropped off the contract document, along with the ring and all other paperwork that had been weighing heavily on her mind.

She knew that by not signing the contract, she was taking a risk, she was hoping they might cancel everything if she didn't comply. But she wasn't ready to give up just yet, so she decided that signing the contract was a non - starter.

As she walked away from the Golden Oak Letter Station, she couldn't help but wonder how long her strength would last.