Chapter 4; Marriage contract

"Hurry now, take it down," Levy barked, his usually composed demeanor cracking under pressure. He stood next to his boss, whose silence was more scary than an outburst. Leon exuded an aura of barely controlled fury, and the entire PR department scrambled to erase the photos from every corner of the internet.

"It's done, sir," a staff member reported shakily, sweat beading on his forehead. "But we couldn't trace the source. It's like the person vanished."

Leon's piercing glare made the man shrink back. "We...we'll keep looking, sir," he stammered before retreating quickly.

Levy watched Leon, whose icy calm was a dangerous facade. Deciding they were no longer needed, he gestured for them to leave, and they headed back to Leon's office.

Leon headed straight desk, reading reports about that girl- Kim Claire. She was an orphan who managed to attend school through scholarships and was now an aspiring actress- that was all, or at least all Aaron wanted him to know.

His gaze narrowed, staring at her. He felt some kind of foul play, but he was also convinced the girl knew nothing about how she ended up there. He brushed his hands over his inkjet hair as his eyes caught sight of Levy, who was fumbling, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating.

"what" rang his cold voice, surprising levy. Staring at his grey eyes which seemed to be boring into him. Levy sighed

"Your father asked you to bring the girl home," Levy told him, scratching the back of his neck. Well, he knew Leon had been avoiding blind dates by his father, he even stopped coming home to escape his father's nagging but now, a lot of people had already seen the photos but he hadn't expected Thomas Yu to be one of them 'when did he start checking social media' he thought to himself.

"ignore him", Leon nonchatedly replied, continuing with his work. Hearing Leon's reply, levy sighed.

"Sir, don't you think this is a good way to stop your father being on your neck?" he suggested, causing Leon to turn his attention from the computer, urging him to continue. "I mean, your father won't stop nagging you to get married until you do, and we both know you're not going to find anyone at this rate; why don't you just please your father and get married to the girl?" He explained.

Leon leaned back as he studied his assistant. "You're suggesting I tie myself to a stranger to appease him?"

"Not interested. " Leon replied, focusing on his computer again.

"It would be a marriage contract, no strings attached", he clarified, staring eagerly at Leon; he was honestly tired of the old man's persistence. "think about it, sir,", he told him before bowing and leaving the office.

Leon's gaze darkened, his mind racing. A contract marriage? The idea was absurd, yet it offered a way to maintain control. After a tense silence, he pressed the intercom. "Prepare the contract. Tell her to meet us at Starlit Restaurant."

Levy nodded, relieved to see the suggestion land. Leon returned to his work; soon, he was in a video conference, unaffected by the fact he was about to proposition a woman for marriage.

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Claire's heart raced as she stared at the message from an unknown number.

[Mr. Yu asked you to meet him at Starlit Restaurant.]

Aaron's plan had worked. Her thoughts spiralled—relief, dread, and determination all jumbled together. Running her hands through her hair, she sighed for the umpteenth time.

She glanced at her mother, sleeping peacefully in the hospital bed, her expression softened looking at her, her gaze burned with determination and a fighting spirit. For her mom, she would see it through, it was all worth it if her mom would be healthy again. After confirming with the doctor that the treatments were working, she bid her mom goodbye and left, being discreet to avoid the paparazzi's eye.

Though it had been taken down obviously by Leon she was still careful. Returning to her apartment, she freshened up and headed for the restaurant.

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Getting there, she introduced herself, and as though already expecting her, the hostess led her to the VIP room where Leon and his assistant were waiting.

Leon's gaze lifted, cool and assessing. His grey eyes swept over her, lingering just long enough to make her shift uncomfortably.

She wore a purple dress that clung to her figure elegantly, stopping just above her knees. She bowed slightly before sitting opposite him.

"Thank you for taking it down," Claire said with a smile. Well, she didn't know what else to say; she knew he did it for himself, but he also saved her dignity, which Aaron almost destroyed heartlessly, so she should thank him.

"Mn" came his one-word reply.

"Ms Kim, please order anything you like while we get down to business,", his assistant told her, and after placing her order, the assistant,nt, who introduced himself as L evy, continued.

"We would like you to marry our Ceo", he said, not beating around the bush, his straightforwardness genuinely shocking Claire. She listened as he explained how it'd benefit her rising career with his connections and also the conditions in the contract; typically, it was like a deal where they'd be married, living in the same house but living separate lives, only acting lovey-dovey around Old Man Yu.

A sad smile formed on Claire's lips; this was just like the dramas she had watched; never had she imagined living such a life. She had once dreamed of getting married to her prince charming.

"One more thing ma'am, you aren't allowed to get too attached to the point of falling in love with him, this is only a contract, so we hope you won't get anything attached because if you do and begin to demand more, we'll have no choice but to terminate the contract" he concluded and Claire nodded.

She was even going to manipulate and leave him, so why would she hurt herself by falling in love with him? She glanced at Leon who hadn't said anything since and was just staring at her. Looking into those intense grey eyes of his, she was left mesmerized and unable to look away, just like the first time they met, wasn't that just yesterday...

"Do you want to add anything" came Leon's voice, pulling her out of her daze.

She shook her head, smiling at him "No, everything is good, I don't need anything else" she replied, wondering how her life changed in a span of a few days, she was just a normal girl and now after meeting Leon, just yesterday, she was about to get married to him...to become Mrs Yu. "I'll marry you, after all im also at fault and this will clear my name and boost my career too" she told him, still wearing that dazzling smile.

Leon nodded, while Levy immediately handed her the contract and a pen which she signed. "You'll be going to the civil court tomorrow to register your marriage", Levy informed, and Claire nodded.

Claire finished her meal and stood to leave, but Leon's voice stopped her.

"Ms. Kim," he said, his tone sharp. "I will find out who orchestrated this. If you're involved—"

"I'm not," Claire interrupted, her smile faltering under his steely gaze as she gulped involuntarily. Of course, he doubted her.

Leon's eyes lingered on her, cold and calculating, before he dismissed her with a nod, his gaze following her until she left "geez dude why so mean, do you think such a person could make that kind of plan" Levy's voice rang out but Leon just ignored him and continued drinking, deep in thought.

Claire returned home and ordered a whole crate of vodka, feeling the weight of the evening settle on her shoulders and hoping to get drunk. She had no close friends except her mom so all she could do to vent out her feelings was to drink and get wasted. Alone in her small apartment, she opened a bottle, toasting the absurdity of her situation. She was about to become Mrs You.

"Happy bridal shower to me," she muttered, downing the drink in one go.