By the time they left the magistrate, the sun was turning orange. Inside the car, the silence was more deafening than before.
Assistant Jiang was busy looking at the marriage certificates. In order to assure himself that it wasn’t his brain playing pranks on him, he had skillfully taken the certificates from his Boss to give them a proper look.
Ah! They were married again. They were actually married again.
But unlike three years ago when the atmosphere was jolly and the couple was smiling brightly, this wedding seemed more like a funeral. Nevertheless, they were married!
Assistant Jiang’s thoughts were going haywire. In his heart was a feeling of bliss, anxiousness, and some nervousness. Though, the couple didn’t show a hint of emotion.
His ears perked up like a rabbit’s when his Boss’s phone suddenly started ringing. The ringtone disrupted the silent atmosphere.
Andrew answered it and placed the phone on his ear.
“Mr. Lim, I saw your text. Do you need me to deliver it now?”
“Meet me at the company,” Andrew replied. He dropped his phone and stared out of the window.
And assistant Jiang was instantly hungry for some information. Who was that person his Boss texted? Was it related to the marriage?
When the car arrived at the company, it was almost dark. In the empty parking lot, the driver pulled to a stop. Assistant Jiang was about to open the door for his Boss, but the man didn’t leave the car.
As Annie was about to walk out, he held her hand and made her sit back. “Mr. Lim.”
“What did you call me?” Andrew looked angry. Annie twitched her lips while the assistant prayed that the couple wouldn’t break into a fight. At least, not on the first day of their marriage.
“I called you Mr. Lim, is that a problem?” She raised a brow. “Or does Mr. Lim want me to start calling him with endearing terms?”
“Don’t think too highly of yourself, Annie. This marriage is not a sign that I want to reminisce about the past.”
“The feeling is mutual.” Annie gave him a stiff smile. “Now, if you could let me go–“
“Not yet.” Andrew cut her off.
Eh? Assistant Jiang watched the exchange between the two and couldn’t close his mouth. Was this even the couple that signed a marriage certificate earlier on?
Surely, his Boss only needed her for his cure. Yet, the assistant expected to see some improvement.
He hadn’t closed his mouth yet when footsteps approached the car. Someone was inside another car nearby and he stepped out, walking toward them.
When Assistant Jiang saw the man, he finally understood who his Boss had been communicating with. The Lawyer.
“Hey, Atty Jin.”
The lawyer seemed to be on an important mission. He looked all serious and professional, he didn’t even look at the assistant or answer his greeting.
Stopping by the car, he retrieved a document folder from his bag and extended it to Andrew. “Here is the contract as you requested. If you find any of the conditions unsettling, Mrs. Lim, you can let me know so we can go through it again,” he said to Annie.
Andrew flipped the document open. “She won’t find any condition unsettling. You may go.”
“In that case, I wish you a great day. And a good collaborative marriage.” The lawyer gave a prompt nod then left in his car.
Eh? What was with ‘A good collaborative marriage?’ Assistant Jiang watched the retreating car in bewilderment. Wasn’t it ‘A blissful marriage?’
Andrew grabbed the pen hanging from the assistant’s front pocket, bringing him out of his shock.
He put his signature on the contract before forwarding it to Annie. “Don’t expect any special treatment from me, Annie. Sign this contract and we won’t get into each other’s way.”
Annie took the contract and went through the conditions. Their marriage would be a secret. They wouldn’t impose on each other. To the outside world, they would act like strangers. And when the contract came to an end, they shall both part their ways.
“I didn’t know Mr. Lim only wants to marry me for a year.” She looked up, masking her surprise with a smile.
“Do you have any problem with that?” He gave her a taunting look.
“Oh, not at all.” Her smile brightened up. “In fact, I’m very glad, Mr. Lim.”
Her reply seemed to be irritating him and he grunted out, “Just sign it.”
Annie took the pen from him and carefully crafted her signature on the contract. Suddenly, it was as if the time had stopped. Her eyes were down and her long lashes fluttered against her cheeks.
In those few seconds, Andrew was taken back to three years ago. On a day like this, her eyes shone with real joy. She literally jumped on him and hugged him tight after exchanging the rings.
“If I could fly to the heavens, I’ll offer a thousand years of prostration for making us witness this moment,” she whispered those words to him.
Andrew couldn’t fulfill her wish, but they had flown to the highest tower that night. The fireworks were not less mesmerizing, yet, her beauty was the most alluring.
“Done.” Annie’s voice snapped him out of his reverie. She handed the contract to him then picked up her bag.
Andrew watched as she put the marriage certificate in the bag. And without looking at him, she held the door’s handle.
First, the assistant was shocked by the contract. Then for the few seconds when his Boss appeared to be lost in his thoughts, he thought the man might be thinking about their happy times together because his eyes didn’t leave her face.
The assistant’s shock increased when she was about to leave the car. Where was she going?
“Ms. Lin– I mean, Mrs. Lim–“ Assistant Jiang wanted to call her back but his Boss spoke at the same time.
“Where do you think you’re going, Annie?”
“The work hours are over. Where else should I go to apart from home?”
“Do you realize you’re now married to me?”
Annie opened the door and left the car. With a gentle smile, she turned around and said, “I have already fulfilled your wish by marrying you. It is obvious that Mr. Lim can’t stand me. What do you expect from me? Follow you home and sleep on the same bed?”
Erm, actually, that’s what the Boss wants!
Assistant Jiang cleared his throat.