A Marriage Contract?!

Chapter 13

Special Offer for Special Girl

Nora walked languidly towards her apartment after getting off the bus. She had just returned from one of her fashion classes. Her tote bag felt heavy on her shoulders. Today was a tiring day for her, especially with her bad mood.

As she rounded the corner, some local youths sitting on the sidewalk greeted her. “Hey, Ellen! How was your class today?”

Nora smiled at them. She did introduce herself as Ellen to the people around her, as well as to the landlord of her apartment. Her meticulous landlord had checked her identity documents under the name Eleanore Williams when making the lease agreement.

“Today was quite exciting,” she replied. “We learned about this season’s fashion trends. You can ask me for advice onwhat to wear that will appeal to the girl you have a crush on.”

“Sounds good!” They chuckled. “Well, you always look cool. I’ll ask for your advice sometime.” One of them said,

“Sure, with pleasure.” Nora smiled slightly. “Alright, guys, I have to get home soon to take care of my business. My cat is probably starving already.”

“Good luck with your business, Ellen.”

Nora gave them a quick wave and continued her walk towards her apartment.

She told the people in her neighborhood that she was studying in fashion school and had an online store that sold cosmetics, body care, accessories and clothing. She deliberately emphasized this to let them know that she had a good job despite living in a slum neighborhood that was often filled with drunk people and fights. In fact, the young men came to appreciate her and were polite to her.

She was almost to the front of her apartment when she saw his fat, half-bald landlord just about to walk out of the gate. Herlandlord approached her.

“Miss Williams, I told you before, if you don’t pay your rent arrears soon, you will have to move out and I will take your rent arrears from your deposit,” the landlord said with a serious face.

Nora nodded with a bad feeling. “I understand.”

“You must have received my notice. It’s only a week away, Miss Williams,” he said.

“I know, Mr. Dunn,” Nora replied. “Now may I come in? I have some things I need to do in order to pay the rent.”

Wordlessly, her landlord pulled away from the gate, lettingNora pass through.

Mojo meowed as she entered. The cat rubbed its body againstNora’s leg, letting her know that it was time to refill its empty bowl. Nora bent down to scoop the cat up in her arms. “Hey, spoiled kitty,” she greeted. “I just met Mr. Baldy outside. He's Collecting the rent. What do you think I should do?”

She had tried to collect the money, but it was still not enough. Her income from her online shop was declining, while the money she made as an endorser for several brands was halfused to pay for various courses and workshops in fashion. She always enrolled in schools run by renowned institutions, such as The Fashion Institute and Pratt Institute. One day, she also wanted to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology, one of the world-renowned fashion schools. Nora believes that she should learn from the best.

She was thrilled when Leon offered her the job and would set her up with a free apartment to live in, at least for the duration of the contract. But her hopes were shattered when Diane suddenly showed up and changed the offer.

“I can’t move to Africa, Mojo. Do you want to? It’s not like it's not exciting, and we can be closer to your big cousins who like to run around chasing gazelles in the savanna. But a few years there would isolate me from my carefully constructed social network, even if it meant not being the real Nora Williams.”

The cat squirmed in her arms, trying to escape.

“Oh!” Nora laughed. “So you don’t want to move to Africaeither?”

“Hello, guys! I’m sorry I haven’t said hello to you guys these past few days.” Nora smiled brightly for her followers. Shewas back with her social media live shows after a few confusing days since her date with Leon.

Her followers welcomed her equally happily and started writing comments. “OMG! You’ve gotten so beautiful. Didyou get treatment at the beauty parlor? It must have cost a fortune!”

“Your skin is glowing, not as pale as before. You’ve been sunbathing, haven’t you?”

Nora smiled. “I don’t go to beauty salons. It’s just that my skin isn’t as pale from sailing.”

“Where did you go sailing?”

“You must have sailed with your boyfriend.”

Nora shook her head. The corners of her lips curled as she recalled the pleasant experience of sailing with Leon. “No, he’s not. He’s not my boyfriend.”

“I don’t believe it! You’re too beautiful not to date, Nora.”

The comments came thick and fast, leaving Nora overwhelmed with answers. Suddenly, a phone call interrupted her live stream. A number appeared on the screen. Leon Carusso.

Nora hurriedly ended the live show. “Sorry, I have to go now, guys,” she said. “I have to take an important call. Byeee! Love ya’ll!”

Leon’s number was still glowing on her phone screen, “it will be something weird again like yesterday…”

Nora accepted it. “Hello?”

“Hi, Nora,” Leon greeted from the other side of the line. “I'm In town now. Are you home?”

“Yes, I’m home.”

“Like I said last time, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“I told you, I would refuse...”

“It’s not about the project,” Leon cut in. “It’s more important. I’ll pick you up in half an hour. We can talk somewhere quiet.”

“But...”

Leon had already switched off his phone before Nora could finish her sentence.

“Damn it.” She immediately jumped towards her wardrobe. Grabbed a shirt and jeans and changed her clothes in a hurry. Leon must have picked her up at her fake address. She had to get there first, before Leon knocked on the door of the wrong apartment and found out her lie.

Even with simple makeup and clothes, Nora always looked beautiful. Leon didn’t wonder why she had become an influencer with a huge following, as they must love her effortless beauty and her cheerful, slightly naive attitude.

They were sitting across from each other at a café. Nora only agreed to order a drink and refused to be offered anything to eat. She insisted that Leon tell her what he needed, before she handed him the rejection letter she had in her bag.

Leon almost rolled his eyes, but persisted with his serious and level demeanor. Nora’s stubbornness was nothing new to him, as he had faced it in the past.

Besides, there was a point that he had to tell Nora his intentions immediately. Because of the urgency of the situation.

“Alright,” Leon said. “Look, I’d like to make you another offer. It has nothing to do with the previous proposal. In fact, I suggest you send the rejection letter to Diane’s office immediately...” Leon reached into his bag and pulled out a document. He handed it to Nora, who received it curiously.

His demeanor was calm as he watched Nora start reading it. His expression even remained flat when he saw Nora’s eyes widened at the beginning of the document.

“What is this?” Nora looked confused. She looked at Leon with her forehead furrowed. “Leon, you’re offering me a marriage contract?”

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