"It is impossible to unsign a contract, so do all your thinking before you sign."
-Warren Buffet-
***
Dion was reading a book when he heard a knock. It was the maid who informed him that it was time for him to have dinner. He nodded and dismissed her.
Since Sofia’s arrival in the place, he found it difficult to concentrate on anything because he kept on thinking about his decision earlier.
It was time for him to meet her again and he needed to be firm about it.
When he entered the dining room, he saw her with the lilac dress he assigned to her and she looked so much better after getting all cleaned and dressed up.
It made her look less like a sad golden retriever and more like the charming angelic beauty that she was.
“You look so much better.” He said as he took a seat right across her.
“Thank you, now I feel somewhat like a human again.” She replied with a small smile on her face The chef entered the room and placed the food on the table.
She was not too familiar with the dish served but there were plenty of meat and Italian looking dishes which made her feel a bit relieved since she was naturally a picky eater.
“If there is anything you dislike, just tell me so you won’t have to eat that dish again in the future.” He told her as he started eating.
Sofia just nodded while she tasted a bit of everything served before her.
All of them actually tasted pretty good and since the ingredients used were somewhat familiar to what she often had, she didn’t have any difficulty adapting to the dishes.
“By the way, tomorrow I will have to go to work, you should just stay at home and recover for a day. Get that wound of yours treated and I will give you our marriage contract in the evening once I am back home.” He told her.
Since she was wearing a shoulder less dress, her wound was exposed for all to see.
At that moment, Dion wondered how could a man stoop so low to shoot his own wife who was pretty much innocent.
He wouldn’t consider himself a good man, but he certainly would never do something so despicable toward a lady.
“What should I do when I am alone?” She asked him since she was not familiar with the property.
“You can go anywhere you want, outside or at home, all rooms in this house is open for you, just try to avoid the basement, it’s full of dust there, you wouldn’t like it.” He told her calmly as he took a bite of his meal.
She nodded in understanding, couldn’t wait to just get everything over with and took her revenge, but she had to be patient. One step at a time.
After dinner was over, she planned to go straight to her room and sleep since it felt like so long since she was able to have a good night sleep.
When she was about to enter her room, Dion suddenly appeared from behind her, startling her.
“What are you doing here?” Sofia asked, a little cautious.
“Your bandage was wet, you have to change it before you go to sleep otherwise it might cause more problem for you later on.” He told her.
“I know, I will change it myself.” She replied, trying to dismiss him since she was already so tired and just wanted to rest.
“You’re going to change it yourself? You’re making me laugh. Physically you can’t. I’ll help you change it.” He stated firmly. It didn’t sound like an offer, it was more like an order.
Sofia thought about it for a moment, wondering if he had any kind of ulterior motive but as if he could read her mind, he followed.
“Don’t worry, I am not a lewd man, I promise you I won’t do anything you don’t want.” He convinced. Sofia was still a bit skeptical but she thought the faster she got it over with, the faster she could go to sleep.
“Okay.” She finally let him in and headed to the bathroom to change into a sleevless night gown while he sat right at the edge of the bed with a bandage and a box of medical kit ready at hand.
Once she stepped out, she sat beside him and let him do his job.
Actually, she was a bit nervous. She had never been this close to any man beside Christian and from upclose, Dion was extremely handsome.
He was like one of those Renaissance male statue sculpted to perfection.
Even though she was trying to keep her calm, she was still a woman who could feel attraction toward a handsome face. Her heartbeat was racing faster but she tried to mask it by keeping a straight face.
The silence between the two of them only made her even more nervous. She felt the urge to break it. As he wrapped the bandage around her, she asked him a question.
“How did you learn to do this?” A lot of people she knew wouldn’t be able to wrap a bandage so beautifully like he did unless they were medically trained.
“I used to do some work for the military in my early twenties. Had a few injured comrade that needed some emergency stitching and this.” He replied casually while still focusing his attention on the bandage.
“And what is it exactly that you do now for a living? Certainly a man like you wouldn’t just live off your family’s inheritance.” Sofia could say that because in some ways, she found him similar to her.
He was also the heir to a large family fortune. Before all of this happened, Sofia was the designer and executive director of De Laurent. In terms of power and status, they were almost equal.
“I am running the family business. Let’s just say everything falls on my shoulder and become my responsibility. The real estate business, the olive farm and another online based business venture I am starting at the moment. It’s been quite busy for me.” He explained.
He kept it rather vague, as if he didn’t want to go to the details but she understood.
“Do you have any siblings?” She asked.
“Yes, I have one biological younger brother, he’s currently in the UK to get his business master degree. He’s ten years younger than me, we often clash but since my parents are no longer alive, I’m the one looking after him now if he ever need help.” He replied.
“You’re a good brother.” She complimented him.
“I am not the best at it, but I am trying my best.” He replied.
“Do you have any other family members at the moment?” She asked.
“I have my uncles, aunts, my cousins, but that’s about it. My grandparents are gone, my parents are gone. The only close family member I have is my brother.” Once he said this, he was done and rose from the bed.
“You should be fine after this, try to not wet it again in the morning when you take shower. I will change it for you again tomorrow evening once I am back from work.”
“Yes, thank you.” She thanked him and for a split second, she could see a smile on his face.
“Have a good rest, Sofia.” With that, he left the room and she was on her own again.
She laid down in bed and closed her eyes, feeling a sense of warmth within her heart she had not felt in a long time.
The next morning after breakfast, she was called to his study and he laid down the contract before her. It was a rather simple and easy to understood contract. There were only five main points that she got from it.
1. Both parties would get married and legally bounded to each other as husband and wife for a year. The period will be extended if both parties agree to it.
2. Both parties would not interfere in each other’s business throughout the contract marriage period and remain in separate rooms unless both parties agreed otherwise.
3. Both parties would act as husband and wife in front of other people and maintain a harmonious appearance in the public’s eye.
4. No sexual encounter will be conducted unless both parties have agreed to it.
5. Party A will help and provide party B with all resources necessary for party B to achieve her goal. By the end of the contract, party A will receive five percent of De Laurent’s company stock and legally become a board member of the company as a form of remuneration.
Those were the points of the contract and she thought it was not bad.
Nothing shady about it, no hidden agenda, no hidden clauses. It was perfect.
It didn’t take her long to sign the contract and within minutes, it was done.
“Our wedding will be held exactly one week from now on. It will not be a public wedding, but it has legal power.”
One week? It was so fast. Sofia never thought she would get married again so soon considering she had never even formally and legally divorced Christian. Was it even possible?
“Also, there is one more thing I need to tell you.”
"You have the power to change your beliefs about yourself. Your identity is not set in stone. You have a choice in every moment."-James Clear-***“You need to change your name temporarily. If you use the name Sofia, it will be easier for people to find out about who you are and it will get in the way of your revenge plan.” He advised Sofia.The thought has also crossed her mind before. She knew she needed to change her identity completely for this plan to succeed, she just didn’t know how she could do that without getting caught.“I know some people who can create new documents for you. New ID, licenses, passport, everything. All you need to do is to give me a new name and a new identity that you want to create and I can help you to fabricate your entire background and identity.” He told her.Sofia raised her brow. Just what kind of man was Dion, exactly?Why did he have these
"There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage."-Martin Luther-***The sound of church bell rang in the air as Sofia was walking toward the altar, holding a bouquet of Calla lilies in her hand.It felt strange walking on a wedding carpet again so soon after her first one but this time, she didn’t feel nervous at all.She looked straight toward Dion who was already waiting for her on the other side and he reached out his hand to help her get up the stairs.Once she was on the altar, he gently removed her veil, revealing her face. She was not smiling or frowned. The only expression on her face was that of a stoic woman.He had a similar look on his face that anyone who saw them at the moment would have guessed that these two were not having a wedding out of love.Fortunately for them, the only people who attended their private wedding were
"Concern should drive us into actions, not into a depression."-Karen Horney-***“How did that man get away with it?”Ines wasn’t pleased when he found out that after a little over a week, her daughter had not been found and Christian officially escaped the suspicion list of the Greek police along with the French authority.“We tried finding anything that might prove that he was the perpetrator in this case but him and his lawyer created a strong alibi.""At the time being we do not have any proof of his involvement beside the fact that they were on honeymoon together and got on the same yacht.” The private investigator told them.“I don’t care, you must keep looking. We need to find her and we need to hold someone responsible for this case!” Bernard shouted.He was usually a rather calm man who didn’t lose his temper that much but when it came to
"Approach the enemy with the attitude of defeating him without delay."-Miyamoto Musashi-***“Are you nervous?” Dion asked her as they were getting ready for Michel Louise’s birthday party.“Hm, not really. It’s the opposite, I am eager to start the plan.”Sofia replied as she applied a bold red lipstick that complimented her really well. Just like the night when she almost died, she chose to wear a ruby red dress with matching ruby earrings and necklace.They were different in style, but these should be enough to act as subtle hints for Christian and a reminder of what he did.When she was about to put on her necklace, Dion approached her and gently placed his hand on her hand which was holding the necklace.“Let me help you put it on.” He picked it up and helped her put on the necklace. He was standing so close behind her she could feel his suit touchi
"Let it not be said that I was silent when they needed me."-William Wilberforce-***All three heads were turned toward the source of the voice and it was none other than Dion.He stood behind her and placed both of his hands around her shoulder protectively. He easily towered over her and his sharp gaze went straight to Christian and Layla.“Hm, this was not part of the plan, but I guess I should just go along with this.” She thought. Sofia put on a smile and placed her hand on his hand before answering.“Oh, it’s nothing, love. I just accidentally spilled some wine over this gentleman’s suit. I was offering a laundry payment but he refused it.”“Is that so? Well, my wife must be a little clumsy earlier, I hope you can forgive her.” Dion slightly emphasized on the word ‘wife’ which made both Christian and Layla a little taken aback and relieved at
"There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds."-Laurell K. Hamilton-***“Good morning, Sofia.” Sofia woke up and was a bit stunned to see Dion’s face beside her. Ah, it was the third day they were in Paris but she still couldn’t get used to sleeping on the same bed as him.Dion and his family owned a few properties worldwide, including Paris. However, the one they had in there was a one-bedroom apartment.It was spacious, but didn’t have that many rooms, which was the reason why they had to share it during their stay in there.“Good morning, Dion.” Sofia removed the blanket and immediately got up. It was a bit awkward to lay in the same bed as him for so long.They were husband and wife, but after the kiss they shared during their wedding ceremony, they never kissed or touched each other in a sexual manner.
"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."-Confucius-***Sofia and Dion arrived at Versailles Palace at around 11 am and she was instantly astonished by how beautiful the place was. He checked in and the two of them headed to their room.The beautiful golden and white themed room which once belonged to the French royalty really made her feel special.The amount of details put in the room was absolutely insane. The wall on their bedroom was not paint, it was made of fabric with details of couple and hot air balloons. Same with the chair used in the room.It must have taken a lot to create such a beautiful and intricate space like that.For a moment, she forgot about all of her troubles and decided that she would spend the day having a good time with him.The palace has only opened its boutique hotel in 2021 so it was quite an experience to be able to stay there so soon.“Let
"There's just something about childhood friend you can't replace."-Lisa Whelchel-***While Sofia returned to her apartment, Dion decided to visit an old friend. He parked his car in front of a comfortable sized house in Paris.He knocked on the door and a few moments later, the door opened to a familiar face. Pierced ear and lip, body full of tattoos and dyed black hair. This man still looked the same as he remembered.“Ajax, it has been a while.” Dion smiled to the man who had been waiting for his arrival.“Dion, you’re here. Come inside.” The man named Ajax invited him in and they headed to the living room where two other souls could be seen.One of them was the identical twin of the first man, but he had a completely different style. His skin was smooth, free from any tattoo and piercing but he was wearing a round glasses.The other party in the room was a drop dead g