Contract And Marriage

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Three days have passed since I woke up feeling incredibly unattractive, and then Maximus suddenly confessed his love for me. Honestly, I couldn’t believe it. I was still dazed then and didn’t expect such words from him. It was insane because I hadn’t even brushed my teeth or cleaned up from the previous night and felt so terrible. That jerk couldn’t even pick a better time or wait until I was prepared.

“What are you thinking about, my wife?” Maximus’s voice interrupted my thoughts. We were heading to a shopping center in Las Vegas in the car because he wanted to be affectionate today.

“Nothing, don’t mind me.” I can’t tell him about my thoughts, right?

“My wife, can’t you answer my questions properly?” he pouted, looking so handsome that I couldn’t help but notice.

“There’s really nothing,” I insisted. He was persistent and wouldn’t believe me.

“Are you sure?” he asked, still not convinced. I smiled and nodded at him. He smiled back, pulled me closer, and wrapped one arm around me while holding my left hand resting on his lap. He gently stroked my hand, which felt soothing. If I knew I could feel this calm in his arms, I would have tried harder to make our relationship work.

The driver dropped us off right in front of the mall. Maximus got out first and then assisted me before we walked inside hand in hand. I was amazed at how beautiful their mall was. It was nothing like the malls in the Philippines; I felt so wealthy, even though I was just window shopping.

“My wife, don’t you like anything?” Maximus asked, sounding impatient.

“We’ve just started walking around, and you’re already bored,” I said, looking at him intently.

“I’m not bored.”

“Then what?”

“Because we’re just walking around, and you’re not buying anything.” I laughed at what he said.

“Don’t you like that? At least you won’t have to spend money.”

“I don’t like that either!” he exclaimed. “We’re here to shop, not to window shop. I was meant to pamper you and shower you with everything I can give that can make you happy.”

“Alright, if I see something I like, I’ll ask you to buy it right away,” I said to avoid further discussion. He had so much to say; others wouldn’t want a spendthrift spouse. He’s rich, so he probably doesn’t care if we spend a lot.

We continued walking around, and I noticed him frowning occasionally because I still hadn’t found anything I liked. I’m not really into buying stuff because I wasn’t raised that way.

“My wife, wait a moment.” He stopped walking, and since we were holding hands, I had to stop, too. I looked at him, puzzled. “If you still can’t find anything, let’s just eat. Surely, your stomach must be feeling hungry.”

“Alright, alright, you’re so whiny.”

“It’s not about whining; you don’t seem to take this seriously.”

“If I can’t find anything I like, what do you expect me to do? Force me to like something I don’t?” I stopped talking when I saw him just looking at me. He said nothing and took my hand again, starting to walk.

“Let’s eat; I’m hungry.” I nodded after he said that. It seemed like his mood suddenly changed.

He took me to an expensive restaurant with Western cuisine, which was fine with me. My stomach is used to any kind of food. I will try it as long as it’s edible, especially when it doesn’t look disgusting. I’m a nurse and have often seen things that could make me puke. Though I don’t do that since I’m used to it already, I still didn’t want to see something to eat that would remind me of the patients I’ve seen in the hospital.

“Are you mad?” I asked him after the waiter served our order. He just looked at me and didn’t answer, then started cutting the steak before him. “Hey, talk to me,” I insisted. “If you don’t talk-”

I couldn’t finish my sentence because he replaced my steak with his, which he had already cut. I felt like the leading lady in a Korean drama, and Hyun Bin was before me. “Alright, I’ll buy a bag.”

“You don’t have to force yourself into something you don’t want; I get it now.” I stared at him because of what he said. Wow, what happened to him? Is he for real? How can a man as big as him act that way, right? Well, I admit he looks cute. But that was because he’s my husband and he’s really handsome. In addition to that, I knew how good he was at pleasuring me.

We continued eating, and I enjoyed myself, especially when I noticed he was starting to talk, even though he still seemed slightly sulky. I shrugged because he wouldn’t tell me why he was sulking anyway.

We were almost finished when someone approached us, saying, “Hi, Sarina. It’s fancy meeting you here.” I was surprised to see Roskov, but I quickly smiled and greeted him.

“Hi, Roskov.” I stood up, looked at Maximus, and pointed to him, saying, “He’s Maximus, my husband.”

“Yeah, I met him that night as well.” I nodded, smiling, and didn’t mind at all. Remembering how he saved me that night, I couldn’t help but thank him again.

“Anyway, thank you again for helping me out. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what” I couldn’t finish my sentence because Maximus stood up and said,

“Sit down, my wife. You don’t need to stand.” Then he looked at Roskov. I wondered why my husband seemed to have a negative impression of the man, even though he looked friendly and approachable. “Mr. Roskov, right? Thank you for what you did for my wife.”

“It’s nothing. But seeing her beauty, you should not take your eyes off her.” I saw Maximus’s eyebrow slightly twitch, something he does when he doesn’t like the words that whoever he is talking to is saying.

“Ahm, why don’t you join us?” I asked, which quickly made Maximus look at me. “A simple thank you for what you did,” I added, looking at Roskov. I ignored my husband for a moment. “I’m sorry; as you can see, we’re almost done, but we will wait for you.”

“Sure, why not?” the man replied quickly, clasping his hands and sat down to my left. Our table was like those four-seater ones I often see in movies. Maximus returned to his seat and called the waiter. The man ordered, and the three of us were left alone again.

“Thank you, Maximus, right?” Roskov said, and my husband nodded. I smiled because I thought he wouldn’t acknowledge him, as he tends to be a bit aloof. “So, are you here for vacation?”

He asked me, but my husband quickly answered, “We’re here for our honeymoon.” I didn’t react because that’s pretty much how it should be. Besides, maybe Maximus didn’t want to reveal his business plans in the Philippines yet, so that’s what he said.

“You just got married?” the man asked, seemingly surprised.

“Ahm, no, but we only have time to travel now,” I answered because my husband seemed unwilling to.

“No children yet?”

“Yeah.”

“I want to spend more time with my wife. We will have a lot in the future.” Maximus spoke, and I was surprised by his “a lot” comment. There was no problem since he had already told me he loved me, so I was okay. Even though I hadn’t said I loved him back when he confessed, it didn’t mean I would end our contract. Now, I’m sure there will be no separation.

“You should; you never know what might happen in the future.” I looked at Roskov because of what he said. I didn’t know why, but I felt anxious.

“And what do you mean by that?” Maximus asked, seemingly angry. He was triggered, and so was I. Who would say that to a married couple?

“Nothing serious, just usual stuff when the couple’s friends tease them,” Roskov said casually. Maximus was about to reply but couldn’t because our additional order had arrived, and we started eating again.

The man didn’t mention anything anxiety-inducing again, which I was grateful for because, even if Maximus didn’t speak, his anger was evident on his face. He glared at Roskov, who seemed unfazed.

“Thank you very much again, Roskov,” I said, smiling. Maximus had just finished paying, and we were about to leave.

“No worries, Sarina. I’m sure whoever saw you then would do the same thing.” Then he turned around and left the restaurant ahead of us.

I felt that Maximus became uneasy when Roskov left us. He didn’t say it, but I felt they knew each other before the man saved me. We continued exploring, and to avoid upsetting my spendthrift husband, I bought a bag and some luxury items that I usually see used by famous and wealthy personalities in the country. I wanted to worry about possibly draining my husband’s wallet.

We returned to the hotel, and I felt extremely tired. I wanted to rest, so I told Maximus, “I’ll take a bath first, Maximus.”

“Go ahead, I’ll stay here for now.” Then he took his cell phone from his pocket and sat on the couch. He didn’t look at me, so I left him in the living room. But before I fully entered the bedroom, I heard him say,

“Mar.” Who could that Mar be?