Chapter 3. The Damned Contract

After showering and changing into something comfortable, I take out the contract from my purse. I open the folder, and my eyes land on his card with his number and email id.

Typical rich business tycoon.

My phone suddenly starts ringing as I see it’s an unknown number. Who is this? Picking up the call, I hear Phoenix’s voice at the other end.

“Did you go through it yet?” He asks, “Any questions or maybe you want to add something?”

I let out a sigh, “God! Do you really have zero patience?”

“Yes sweetheart, I do. I have a lot of things on my plate- why do you need so much time anyways? I already explained the basics of it.” He says, making me roll my eyes.

“Maybe try adding the word patience on that damn plate of yours, sir. And you’re not the only busy person here. I am a student whose exams are coming as well and have to study for tomorrow’s test.” I answer, “and if you need it so badly then maybe try talking nicely and adding the word please.”

He lets out a dry chuckle, “I am sorry but I don’t do please. Happy reading then.”

And with that, he ends the call leaving me to glare at his number. Arrogant asswipe rich tycoon. Let’s just go through this damned contract.

The first line itself catches my eyes, making me want to throw the damn file on the floor and scoff. He must really think highly of himself. I scoff once again reading the line- ‘Party B cannot fall in love with Party A during the trial phase (i.e. the dating phase between Party A and B where they will be sharing some intimate moments in public)- if they do so the contract will be breached. The resources provided to Party B will be rightfully returned to Party A.’

Oh wow. He must have really had girls falling for him on his knees. Well, not me, you arrogant ass. You don’t have to worry about me- I find you unbearably controlling and annoying, Mr. Phoenix Farrington.

‘Party A and Party B will be sharing some intimate moments together in public. It will include holding hands, hugging each other and kissing. Party B should remember that this is just an act and none of this is real.’

Kissing? Besides where it was written, I take out a pencil and add the words’ only cheeks, hand and forehead’- surely that’s enough to make us seem like a couple.

‘Party B will be required to attend a number of parties and business meetings along with Party A. They will have to attend these parties unless Party B is feeling unwell.’

Like I said, control freak. But at least he is human enough to consider not taking a person to parties if they’re sick. Let’s see what’s next.

‘Party A will come to pick up Party B from their workplace/university and Party B needs to oblige with it. They must try their best to look decent and picture ready all the time as the media will be clicking a number of pictures.’

Is he really that famous? I take out my phone and search for him on social networks, and my eyes almost bulge out at the million followers that he has. Unconsciously, I end up swiping down to look at his pictures- he wears black all the damn time. And the fact that it really suits me makes me frown. It’s like he owns the color, and no one can pull it off like him. Randomly clicking to go back, I shut my phone off to read the rest of the points.

‘After the trial dating phase, Party B will have to move in with Party A to act as a live in couple. They will be sharing the same bedroom so the helpers/maids are convinced and are a living witness.’

Sharing the bedroom? No. No way. I thought this was supposed to be an act. I try to picture the both of us lying next to each other…in the same damn bed all alone. His steel grey eyes looking at me- NO, STOP RIGHT THERE, SCARLET. I am gonna talk about this to him.

‘After the trial dating phase (i.e. two weeks, Party A will be proposing to Party B for marriage and Party B will be saying yes). They will get married in a grand hall in front of a number of people and the media, the same month towards the end.’

Is he trying to catch a train or something? This is way too fast. And I am not getting engaged to him just within three weeks of meeting him. Frustrated, I close the file and throw it on the couch, feeling a headache coming. I need to study for my test tomorrow.

Somehow I am able to do well on my test and am feeling even more pissed at Phoenix Farrington. Damned him and his contract. I had read the rest of it in the morning before leaving for college, and man, never have I wanted to crumble a piece of paper so badly or burn it down until it was completely gone.

During the lunch break, I tell Jenny that I am ready to sign the contract as long as he will agree to make some changes. Otherwise, he can find someone else to be his wife.

“Actually, you need to see this.” She says, taking out her phone and showing me an article with the headlines written in bold- Sexy and Successful Business Typhoon Phoenix Farrington Was Seen On A Date With A Mysterious Girl.

“Mr. Phoenix Farrington seems completely and utterly under the spell of this mysterious girl who seems like a university student. Our sources told us that he fired a waiter at the restaurant he went on a date because he was flirting with his date.

They even shared an intimate moment before bidding goodbye to each other. And Mr. Farrington watched her walk back inside- has someone finally healed his shattered heart?

Unfortunately, our sources couldn’t keep the pictures because Mr. Farrington didn’t want the media to follow his woman around, afraid to disturb her privacy and studies.

And even though we are sad about not posting pictures, we still have massive respect for him- he doesn’t repeat his past mistakes, it seems. His last public relationship didn’t end well, so we’re glad that he wants to protect his girl this time.”

If he could ask them to delete the pictures, then why allow them to write an article?

“I don’t care…I am still not going to sign the damn thing until he makes those changes.” I say with a huff. That’s my final decision, and I don’t care if he is a rich businessman, even if he blackmails me by exposing my identity.