Negotiation about the Marriage Contract

I smiled and reached out my hand. “It is a deal, sir,” I said. “But I would like to know about the benefits I can have if I have to perform this pretentious scheme.”

“Sure. We will talk tomorrow regarding this contract. For now, I want you to go home, fix yourself, and be more alert for your work tomorrow.”

And of course, as an obedient secretary, I followed Mr. Montenegro and went home to the apartment where I am staying just near the building of company. I showered, placed my filthy and stained clothes on the washing machine behind the kitchen, and worked out the statistical data for tomorrow that I have to pass to Mr. Montenegro.

Amidst my silent work, I remembered how Mr. Montenegro showed up when I was shouting and hyperventilating like a lunatic. I just really hope that he is not thinking that I am a psycho.

But as his secretary of him for three years, he is not the type of boss that would judge an employee based on his or her emotional vulnerability. Unless it is about the business field and the condition of the sales and profit, he is less concerned about other things.

Yes. He was right a while ago. Due to his busy schedule and distant nature, he never took interest in other things like romance and partying. I never heard the news that he has particular personal issues. He has a reputation for being the most stubborn and cold vice chairman, and despite his charming looks and hot virility, women never fazed his man’s nature.

“Have you ever liked your boss romantically?” one of my colleagues at work asked me from the other line of my phone. “I mean, Mr. Montenegro is such an Adonis!”

I chuckled and hugged my knees while playing with my seat on the swivel chair. My phone was on my ear and my head is hanging against the backrest of my chair while looking at the bare white ceiling.

“No, never, Mitch,” I said. “How would I be interested in any man when I have my boyfriend myself?”

She scoffed sarcastically. “A boyfriend that cheated on you with your best friend,” she said and grunted like she is the most annoyed between us two. “I still can’t believe that Grace would do that to you.”

I shook my head. “Mitch, I don’t think we should talk about that,” I said and sighed.

“No. This is the best time we should talk about your feelings and your problem about your messed up ex and treacherous best friend,” she retorted and inhaled sharply. “Grace, me, and you are classmates since high school and college. Even during your first meeting with Cielo, I was one of the witnesses. Don’t even stop me from concerning about this because even when you don’t say it, I know you are hurting inside.”

“I know,” I said in a soft tone. “But it is not like I can do anything about it.”

“You don’t deserve to be betrayed, Jill. Grace and Cielo will meet their karma soon! So I hope as soon as possible, you can move on, because they don’t deserve you.”

My colleague’s words were encouraging, but they were not enough to mend my broken heart. Cielo and I have been together for five years, and just with one sex with Grace, his heart diverted to hers. It was only a mistake, they both said. A mistake that was followed up with hotel rooms and lodging houses behind my back.

Just thinking about Cielo kissing Grace when I am working my ass off in the company makes me angry to hell and sad at the same time. 

I shook my head and instantly wiped away the tears that fell from my eyes. I should not cry. Crying is not the right thing to do right now. I have work tomorrow, and even though I am brokenhearted, it does not mean that I will disregard my tasks and responsibilities.

“This is the contract.”

My eyes drifted to the clean folder Mr. Montenegro dropped on the glass table just in front of me. He was standing up opposite to me with his usual hands on the pockets of his slacks. He watched me read the content inside the folder.

Number one: The wife must obey his husband always.

Of course. I never said no and dictate what I ever want. He is my boss. Where do I have the rights?

I nodded at rule number one.

Number two: No one should see any other third party without the husband’s permission.

”Ummm, do I count to the number two?” I said and looked up at my boss.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“What if you see someone, do you have to tell me about it?”

He shrugged. “I don’t think I would be meeting with someone. Did I ever ask you to appoint me to a romantic dinner except meeting with clients and contractors in private restaurants?”

“No, sir,” I said and looked down at the folder again.

Number three: The wife must be with his husband at all times, so she would not be caught in a lie.

“It is as if I cannot act,” I whispered out of my breath.

“It is important to play safe,” Mr. Montenegro said, and I saw from my peripheral vision that he sat on the sofa just opposite me. “I don’t trust anyone. And that counts to you, Ms. Castro.”

I gazed at him and his eyes were cold. Everyone would always ask me how I can stare at him straightly. They said that they can’t even look at his eyes any longer, because the vice chairman gives off serial killer vibes that convince everyone to stay away.

“I understand, sir,” I said and focused on the other information in the contract. “One million in cash, huh?”

“I’ll add it up depending on your performance in every action we have to do,” he said.