My contract love story

She pushed the lid and it popped open to reveal a pair of beautiful rose gold rings placed on the velvet cushion. One was plain, the other one had princess cut diamonds carefully arranged around the band of the ring, glistening brightly. Ashleigh’s eyes widened at the sight of the rings, Adrian nodded satisfied with the work Beau had done.

“We got married a few days ago. Won’t it be weird that we do not have wedding rings as a couple?” Adrian spoke up, turning Ashleigh’s chair to face his direction and pulling it closer to him.

He took the ring box from the table and propped it with his hands for her to see it closely.

“What do you think? Isn’t it nice?” he asked, raising it to her eyes for closer inspection. Ashleigh watched as each diamond shimmered at every contact with sunlight and then to Adrian.

“It’s beautiful” she approved, Adrian smiled warmly. He placed the box on the table, reached for her right hand and grabbed it, raising up her fingers.

Holding her fingers delicately with his left hand, he reached for the ring in the box and pulled it out gently; then slipped it on her fourth finger. Ashleigh sat there silently, watching him half-smile after he wore the ring on her finger. She stared at her hand and felt that it suddenly became heavier, and her heart beat wildly at the thought of the possible outcome of all this. Adrian in a few days had changed the entirety of her life, he spent lavishly on housing and daily living saying it was the bare minimum of what he was supposed to do.

Now he bought a wedding ring which was exclusively designed by the a name that is on a global rise, for a marriage of six months. Ashleigh feared for what she will have to give in return for all this, and what will remain for her after the end of the six months contract. All this worries reflected in her eyes as she gazed at Adrian who was waiting for her. She carefully picked up the ring on the cushioned box and raised her hand in a motion to ask for his. The sizes of their hands were noticeably different as she grabbed his. She slipped the ring on his finger and as she looked at him a click sound rang through the silent room. They turned to see Beau holding his phone at them, smiling sheepishly when he was caught.

“I apologize, but you guys looked so sweet together I had to take a picture of you two” he cooed, looking at the picture with heart eyes.

Adrian frowned, reaching for the phone but Beau was two steps ahead of him so he stood up from his seat.

“Beau, hand over the phone. I want no picture in the public, online or even among closest friends, not even my family” he warned sternly.

“I know all this Mr. Adrian, no need to yell at me. I think that if not you, Ashleigh is allowed to keep this memory” He explained, walking to where she sat.

“Give me your number baby girl. You need me more than you think, especially when dealing with Adrian grumpy here” he teased, stretching his phone out to her.

Ashleigh smiled curtly as she collected it and typed her number in, and returned it to him. To her, knowing one friend of Adrian is one less thing she would have to struggle to find out, her phone soon buzzed in her purse and Beau smiled cheekily.

“So if you have any questions, any at all, please call me. Don’t bother to go to him” he encouraged her, making a puke face at end of his sentence as he pointed to Adrian, eliciting a cheery laughter from Ashleigh which simmered down as she caught the gloomy look on her partner’s face. He only stood up quietly and reached for her hand, pulling her from the seat as well.

“Since we are both satisfied with the rings, we will be on our way” he announced, keeping his hand firmly on hers. Ashleigh’s heart raced as she felt his grasp become tighter and quickly focused on beau.

“Oh! I forgot you are newly married. Go on and enjoy your marital bliss, be sure to leave me a message later Mrs.” he shooed them out, winking at Ashleigh as he walked up to close the door to his office.

As they made their way to the restaurant for their lunch date, Ashleigh was lost in thought but glanced at Adrian from time to time.

Remembering the few moments they had today and the ring that glittered on her finger as the afternoon sunrays hit, her tummy turned in a way that she did not like. She reminded herself of the fact that this is a transactional relationship, and sticking to the transactional side will be of more benefit to her than anything else. However, in her heart she thought that seeing how things go along the way will not be that bad.

After they had a rather quiet lunch, Ashleigh and Adrian were seated at the private resting area in the restaurant and were sipping on tea in their mugs. They were seated in a love seat which faced the glazed walls and only quiet footsteps could be heard once in while. Both sipped on silently, until one spoke up.

“Mr. Cagliari, seeing as this marriage has already begun, I would ask that you keep to your side of the agreement” Ashleigh started, her gaze fixed on the view outside. Adrian’s lips curled up at the edges slightly, he continued sipping the tea in silence.

“Now what does keeping my side of the agreement mean to you?” he asked, glancing at her briefly.

“It means you will tell and show everything about my parents to me”

“Eager aren’t we?” he teased, the edges of his eyes curling up slightly as he turned to face her.