Contract Marriage; Bitter rivals, Shadowed desires

"Look woman! you know what I hate in this life? It's pretense and fake tears. What are you waiting for? Sign the damn papers so I can get out of here! I have better and much more important things to do. I am a businessman and don't have time to waste on pretense and fake tears!"

Catherine stared at the man in front of her, the man who was to be her husband, bewildered at what she was seeing.

This was supposed to be an official marriage as both families had wanted them, but here she was, stunned and presented with what her husband-to-be called a fake marriage: a contract marriage.

She couldn't understand what this was that she found tears dropping from her eyes. Did her parents know that this was what she would come to meet?

She was going to live as a ghost to her husband; to who she was supposed to be able to call her home.

William's voice was icy as he spoke, his eyes fixed on hers with an unreadable expression.

"What? Do you think I will make this official? You're insanely dreaming. I'm only doing this because of what it holds. You should thank me for even agreeing to this. And I know it's what you also want."

That was not true, it was not what she wanted. She had only agreed to marry him, a stranger, just because her father had made this arrangement.

She wanted to voice out her anger, but also came to a second thought: he might disagree with the marriage if she did. If that happens, her parents will be so disappointed in her.

Fine, if it is what he wanted; then so be it.

He handed her the contract, his movements professional and precise.

Catherine's hands trembled as she took the pen, her heart racing with anxiety. She scanned the document, the words blurring together on the page.

That one clause caught her eyes, making her heart drum tremendously: The parties agree to maintain a strictly platonic relationship, with no physical intimacy or romantic involvement whatsoever.

This writing imprinted in black and white was written in glaring bold letters.

She felt a pang of discomfort but knew she had no choice. She was doing this for her family, for their business, for their company not to go bankrupt.

With a shaky hand, she penned down her signature.

William added his signature, his expression unchanging. "Good. Now, let's get one thing clear. This marriage is a sham. We will only pretend to be husband and wife in public, and within the view of my parents and yours too. Not just them but the entire public, but in private, we'll maintain our distance. Do you understand me?"

"Ye–Yes," Catherine nodded, feeling a chill run down her spine. He didn't have to over-emphasize it, did he? Every word was clear and had been documented in her mind already!

She knew what she was getting into. Looking at it in a good sense, it was better this way after all, since their marriage was based on a loveless agreement – a loveless, passionless marriage of convenience.

She had no other option but to do it, even as it tore her heart to pieces just signing the papers.

With the contract signed, William stood up, his eyes cold and detached.

Catherine stared blankly unsure of what next movement to make.

"The pictures. Do I have to say everything?" William indicated, feeling irritated.

Yes, that was true; they were also supposed to take beautiful fake pictures as a newly wedded couple. Yes, they were couples now; newly wedded husband and wife!

Catherine couldn't help but laugh inwardly. What a world for her. What was supposed to be the happy time of her life turned out like this.

She wiped her tears and adjusted her looks, trying to look as sweet as she was supposed to.

She felt his strong hands pull her closer to him, making her gasp silently, more shivers running down her spine. This was not good; he managed to make her heart thumb with his hands wrapped on her waist and him looking down at her.

He was handsome, indeed, a well-created man. After taking several fake beautiful pictures, he quickly took a distance from her.

"Make sure that no one finds out our marriage is fake. Do you understand me?" He said in a deep tone that shocked her more; a tone that explained it all.

So their parents didn't know about this fake marriage, They were not supposed to know. It clarified her questions; her parents didn't know.

She swallowed hard and also accepted everything was just better this way.

"And make sure you wipe those tears, it irks me to see it on your face." He scoffed.

She ignored his statement as he stormed out, with her trailing behind like a sheep.

Outside the venue was a fleet of cars parked in a light, waiting to take the bride and groom to the Bentley mansion. Catherine's parents stood outside waiting for her, "There she comes, our angel." Mckellen pitched.

As her eyes cast on them, the need to let her tears fall came, but she shouldn't. She needed to appear strong. And then, her mind went on a flashback.

That morning, the morning light sipped in through the window where it kissed the face of the awaiting bride, Catherine Mckellen. Feeling proud of her best friend, Felice said, "You look beautiful, Catherine."

Despite being the bride, Catherine did not look as proud as Felice complimented her. She sighed, regretting her decision to consent to the marriage even though it was for her father's benefit and his company.

All she could think about was what the marriage would be like. She never would have imagined herself getting married to a total stranger, but there she was, sitting in a stunning wedding gown, getting ready for her wedding.

Felice put her hand on her shoulders and said to her, staring at her through the mirror, "You are going to look even more stunning once we are done with the hair. The hairstylist is here. You are doing great, my love." Felice smiled encouragingly at her.

Much as Felice was there trying to encourage her and make her stop those tears from falling off her face, she couldn't; Catherine's tears began to trickle down her cheeks as she lost control of her emotions.

"Ma'am, I know you are happy today, but those happy tears will only smear your makeup." The hairstylist pitched in.

"Tears of joy?!" Felice hurried over right away and said, "I heard tears," noticing Catherine in tears.

"Oh, my dear Catherine, please calm down. I promise you, everything will work out." Felice began to worry for her friend. She comforted her with a hug and let the hairstylist continue his job.

The door opened and Catherine saw her father walk in.

"Catherine,"

She turned away from him, feeling her wedding gown crumple under her intense grip on it.

"You're going to ruin your dress, don't embarrass yourself that way." Her father sighed and moved forward.

"I'm sorry it has to come this way. Do not think that I ha..."

"Dad please, I'm better off not talked to. I'm doing this anyway. There's no point in sounding comforting to me, so please, leave me alone now."

Catherine was disappointed, they should have at least sat down and discussed this first, but they went behind her and made the arrangements already and left her with no other option than to accept.

"Cathe..."

"Leave!" Catherine's voice was stern as she finally burst into tears, leaving her father speechless as he turned to leave.

"Stop it, okay," Felice was wiping her tears again until the ruined makeup was amended.

And then, after some minutes, here she was, standing before them, holding hands with a total stranger, one she had never been able to get close to, not to talk of having feelings for him. And now they were married, a fake marriage they were not supposed to know.

She snapped out of her thoughts when her mother came rushing to her.