Elma arrived at the restaurant a few minutes early, her heart pounding with a mixture of nerves and uncertainty. She had never imagined that she would be entering into a contract marriage. As she waited for Gael to arrive, she couldn't help but feel a little anxious about what was to come.
Finally, Gael walked through the door, a broad smile on his face. "Elma, you look beautiful," he said, as he approached her table. He was followed by a man in a suit, who Elma assumed was his lawyer.
"Thank you," Elma said, her heart racing as Gael sat down across from her.
"I'm glad you decided to accept my offer," Gael said, as he handed her a stack of documents. "This is the contract for our marriage. It's a two-year commitment, and you'll be living in my billionaire mansion."
Elma's eyes widened in surprise. She had not expected the marriage to be so long, or for her to be living in Gael's home. "I had no idea it would be this serious," she said, her voice trembling.
"I know it's a lot to take in," Gael said, as he leaned forward. "Everyone needs to think that we're truly married."
Elma took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "I have some terms of my own," she said, her voice firm. "I'll need a separate room from yours, and I'll need 100% privacy. And I don't want you to interfere in my private life."
Gael nodded, his expression serious. "I understand," he said. "I'll make sure that all of your needs are taken care of and I'll respect your privacy."
Elma looked at the contract, her mind racing. She knew that this was a huge decision, but she also knew that it was the opportunity of a lifetime. She took a deep breath and signed the papers, sealing the deal for their contract marriage.
As Elma signed the papers, Gael smiled and signaled for the waiter. "Champagne for us," he said, as he looked at Elma with a twinkle in his eye. "We should celebrate our new partnership."
Elma couldn't help but feel a little nervous as she sipped the bubbly liquid. This was all happening so fast, and she wasn't sure if she was ready for it.
As they sipped their champagne, Gael leaned forward. "I want to take you home with me tonight," he said. "I want to introduce you to my mom as my fiance."
Elma's eyes widened in surprise. "Gael, is it not too soon? I just agreed to a contracted marriage" she said.
Gael shook his head. "The sooner the better" he said, standing up and offering her his hand. "Come, let's go."
Elma hesitated. "I think I'm not quite ready for that tonight," she said. "Maybe we could do it another night?"
Gael's expression fell slightly, but he quickly recovered. "Of course, no problem," he said. "I'll take you home then."
Elma shook her head. "I think I'd rather just grab a taxi," she said. "I'll see you tomorrow evening."
Gael nodded. "Okay, if you insist. I'll see you tomorrow then. My driver will pick you up at the train station."
As Elma boarded the taxi and it drove off, Gael watched her go, feeling a mix of disappointment and understanding. He knew that meeting his family could be overwhelming, and he wanted to make sure she was comfortable and ready before they took that step.
Elma walked up the steps to her apartment building, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door, which was quickly opened by Chloe.
"Hey! How did it go?" Chloe asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Elma took a deep breath and stepped into the apartment. "It was... interesting," she said.
Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Interesting? What happened?"
Elma sat down on the couch, still trying to process everything that had occurred that evening. "I signed the contract for the arranged marriage."
Chloe's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I thought you were still on the fence about it?"
Elma nodded. "I was. But... I don't know. It just felt like the right thing to do. I can't explain it. I'll be meeting Gael's mom tomorrow too
Chloe nodded, understanding her friend's nerves. "I can imagine it can be a little daunting," she said. "But you'll do great. You always do."
Elma shook her head. "But what if she doesn't like me? What if I say something stupid? What if-"
Chloe held up a hand to stop her friend's worries. "Stop it. You're going to drive yourself crazy with all these 'what ifs'. You're a smart and capable woman, Elma. And besides, it's just a two year contract, you'll be fine."
Elma took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "You're right," she said. "I just need to get ready."
Chloe smiled. "That's the spirit. Now, let's pick out an outfit and do your hair and makeup. By the time we're done, you'll be the belle of the ball."
Elma laughed, feeling a little better already. "Let's do this tomorrow, I'm tired."
Elma woke up the next morning feeling excited and a little nervous. She went through her wardrobe, trying to decide what to wear. She finally settled on a red, form-fitting gown that she thought looked elegant . She put on a pair of heels and styled her hair, taking extra care to make sure everything was just right. She grabbed her bag and headed out the door.
As she left her apartment and headed towards the train station, she couldn't shake the feeling of excitement mixed with a bit of nervousness. She arrived at the station and looked around for the sleek black car that Gael had promised to send for her.
As she spotted the car, the driver got out and greeted her, introducing himself as Gael's driver. He opened the door for her and she got into the back seat, feeling a sense of luxury as she settled into the comfortable leather seats.
The car made its way through the city, and Elma couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as they approached Gael's mansion. The grand and imposing building was unlike anything she had ever seen before. The driver opened the door for her and she stepped out, looking up at the towering structure in front of her.
She made her way up to the front door and rang the bell. After a moment, it was opened by a maid, who welcomed her and led her inside. Elma felt like she was in a different world as she walked through the grand halls and elegant rooms of the mansion.
"I thought you were going to marry Kim. Why did you choose someone else, someone I've never even heard of before?" Gael's mom questioned Gael from upstairs, staring at him in shock.
"I know, Mom, but things change. Elma and I just clicked in a way that I never did with Kim.
Elma heard her voice echoing from downstairs. She hesitated for a moment before making her way upstairs.
"Elma," Gael said with a smile, standing up to greet her. "I'd like you to meet my mom."
"Hello, Mrs. Edgar, it's nice to finally meet you," Elma said with a warm smile as she extended her hand to Gael's mother.Gael's mother hesitated for a moment before reluctantly shaking Elma's hand. "Yes, nice to meet you too," she said, her voice cold and distant."Breakfast is ready, so please come downstairs," Mrs Edgar said, turning away from Elma and walking downstairs.Mrs. Edgar sat at the head of the large, mahogany dining table, her eyes fixed on Elma as she took a delicate sip of tea from her porcelain cup. "So, dear," she said, her tone cold and measured. "How did you and Gael meet?"Elma shifted nervously in her seat, glancing over at Gael for support. Before she could respond, however, Gael jumped in. "We met in Los Angeles," he said quickly. "At a fashion runway show I was attending. Elma's a model."Mrs. Edgar raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "A model, you say? I find that hard to believe. I've never heard of you, dear."Elma shifted in her seat, clearly un
The kiss lasted for what felt like an eternity, neither of them wanting to break away. Just as Gael's kiss was getting deeper, Kim suddenly pulled away. "Wait a minute," she said, smiling mischievously. "I thought you were getting married to Elma?"Gael looked surprised and a little embarrassed as he replied "It's not what it looks like. It's complicated."Gael smiled and pulled her close, kissing her again passionately. Kim pulled away again, and looked into Gael's eyes. "I do want to know what's going on though," she said softly. "I need to know everything."Gael adjusted his clothes and looked at Kim, "We should go back to the dining room," he said. "Just keep it cool, okay? I'll tell you everything later.""Okay," she said, trying to compose herself. "I'll keep my cool. As Gael and Kim walked back into the dining room, Gael could feel the tension in the air. He knew that he needed to explain things to Elma and clear up any confusion.He walked over to Elma and apologized for keep
Elma's heart pounded in her chest as she sprinted through the church doors, escaping the confining walls that now seemed suffocating. She stumbled down the stone steps, her white dress billowing around her, tangling in her hurried strides. Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the raindrops that fell from the darkened sky above."Elma! Wait!" a voice called out from behind her. She recognized it as Gael’'s, the man who had just whispered those words that had sent her into a frenzy of emotions. She ignored his pleas, pushing herself to run faster, desperate to find solace in the chaos of her thoughts.The sound of her own ragged breathing filled her ears as she dashed through the rain-soaked streets. She was a blur, her surroundings nothing more than a blur of colors and indistinguishable shapes. The memories flooded back, unrelenting and vivid, each one more painful than the last.She found herself at a nearby park, seeking refuge among the ancient trees and the gentle rustling
As the voice reverberated in Elma's ears, her heart skipped a beat. She turned around, only to find Gael's mother, Mrs Edgar, making her way towards her with an air of disapproval. Elma braced herself, knowing that trouble was looming around the corner.Mrs Edgar's eyes blazed with anger, her words piercing through the celebratory atmosphere. "Elma, how dare you? How could you just run out on my son's wedding? Don't you realize the disrespect you've shown to our family? Do you even know who we are?"Elma felt a wave of anxiety wash over her, but she stood her ground, determined to defend her actions. "Mrs Edgar, I understand that my sudden departure may have seemed disrespectful, but please believe me when I say it wasn't intentional. I was overwhelmed by emotions, and I needed some time to collect myself."Mrs Edgar scoffed, her tone dripping with scorn. "Collect yourself? This is a wedding, Elma. You don't just run away because you're 'overwhelmed.' You should have thought about tha
Gael watched as Kim's expression shifted from hurt to anger, her eyes narrowing with intensity. He could feel the weight of her unspoken threats hanging in the air, and confusion clouded his mind as he struggled to understand the depth of her emotions."Kim, please," Gael pleaded, his voice tinged with urgency. "I need you to listen to me. There's more to this than meets the eye. I didn't enter into this contract marriage lightly, and I never meant to deceive you."Kim crossed her arms tightly over her chest, her stance defensive. "Then why didn't you tell me about it, Gael? Why keep it a secret? Do you think I'm not deserving of the truth?"Gael's heart sank as he realized the pain he had caused Kim by withholding the information. He stepped closer, reaching out to touch her arm gently. "No, Kim, that's not it at all. I didn't tell you because I wanted to protect you. I thought it would be easier for both of us if we went our separate ways."Kim scoffed, her voice dripping with sarca
Gael's eyes immediately sought hers, sensing her distress. He closed the door behind him and walked over to where Elma sat, his face etched with concern. "Elma, what's wrong? I could feel your pain from the moment I entered the mansion. Please, talk to me."Elma forced a smile, trying to mask the turmoil within her. "Oh, Gael, it's nothing. Just a bit tired, that's all."Gael frowned, unconvinced. He knelt in front of her, gently placing his hands on her knees. "Elma, you can tell me anything. I want to be there for you, to support you. Please don't shut me out."Elma looked into Gael's caring eyes, feeling torn. She wanted to confide in him, to share the burden she carried, but she couldn't bear to burden him with her troubles. "Gael, really, it's fine. Just some silly thoughts running through my head. I'll be okay."Gael's concern only deepened, and he leaned in closer. "You know you can trust me, right? We are in this together, as partners. Whatever is bothering you, we can face it
Elma took a deep breath as she sat at the dinner table with Gael, Kim, and Mrs. Edgar. The elegant dining room was adorned with exquisite decorations, and the atmosphere was filled with a mix of anticipation and tension. Elma couldn't shake off the feeling that something unexpected was about to unfold.As the meal began, the conversation flowed naturally, with Mrs. Edgar and Kim discussing various topics. Elma listened attentively, trying to maintain a polite and composed demeanor, despite the unease gnawing at her insides.Kim's voice rose with excitement as she turned to Mrs. Edgar. "You know, Mrs. Edgar, I've been thinking a lot lately. I would really love to have kids someday. I can imagine how fun and fulfilling it would be. Don't you think so?"Mrs. Edgar smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Oh, absolutely, Kim. Being a mother is an incredible experience. The joy, the love, and the growth that comes with raising children... It's truly magical."Elma's heart sank. She cou
Mrs. Edgar's eyes widened, realizing her slip of the tongue. She composed herself and tried to backtrack, but the damage had been done. The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the sound of Kim scrambling to her feet, a mix of fear and defiance in her eyes. Kim, still visibly shaken, hid behind Mrs. Edgar.Gael's mind spun with a whirlwind of emotions. He felt a surge of betrayal, questions flooding his thoughts. How could his own mother keep such a secret from him? And why would Kim choose this moment to reveal such information? He turned his gaze from Kim to Mrs. Edgar, his voice strained but controlled. "What did you just say, Mum? Is it true? Is Kim...?"Mrs. Edgar lowered her head, her voice trembling with guilt. "Gael, I... I didn't plan for it to come out like this. I wanted to find the right moment to tell you, to explain everything. But it seems fate had other plans."Gael's mind whirled with a mix of emotions—betrayal, confusion, and anger. The revelation that Kim