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Bound By A Contract 12
Cole placed an arm on my shoulder casually and leaned back, like he had been doing it for years.I took my mind off it, and continued to talk to Crystal. She was naturally sweet, and like me, had a sarcastic side and a love for Koreans."Have you watched that new series, The Boss and me? Gosh, they are so cute," she cooed, showing me a picture of the main characters."No, I have not. Been so busy after the wedding," I said, inserting my fingers into Cole's hand and smiling when he held on tighter. Crystal's eyes caught the action, but she did not say anything. Perfect. "I barely had time to watch anything, but I will try. Is it that good?""It's totally amazing. The main girl, Soon-Hee is a high school student but the guy is–""Babe. You'll end up telling her all about it, and there will be no point of her watching it," Zach chided softly, but she stuck out her tongue at him and continued showing me pictures."Liza will still watch it though. She spent half of the flight time watching
Bound By A Contract 13
"What about the beach?" I suggested again, giving Cole a hopeful smile."You've said it before," he said, his eyes on the TV screen as he watched the business section."Well, because it will be nice," I pressed on, fighting the urge to stand in front of the screen so he would give me his full attention."Mmm…," he responded absently, and I tapped him twice on the shoulder."Are you listening? Or should I go alone?" I asked, and that got his attention as his eyes immediately whipped to my face. He gave me an unreadable expression and shook his head."No. We'll go together. Are you ready?" I nodded and did a mini happy dance in my head, carrying out the bag I had specifically packed for this purpose. Of what use would it be to come to the Maldives and not experience the blue water?"You seem very excited about this whole thing," Cole commented when we walked out of the hotel and got into the car, putting on his shades as he began the short drive."Yes, I am," I admitted, trying to rearr
Bound By A Contract 14
"The number you're trying to call is not–"Still no answer.I cut off the automated voice and threw the phone into my bag, screaming internally. Fortunately Cole left the car keys in my bag, like he knew he would not be coming back, so I quickly packed up and left the beach area.I made my way to the hotel and checked the time at the reception desk. 6:10pm. Ordering dinner for one, I groaned and walked into the elevator trying to suppress my anger and disappointment. I wasted an entirety of four hours at the beach, waiting for that guy to get back.I dragged my feet into the suite, one of the valets entering a few seconds later to drop the meal. I dug in with forced fervour, but it tasted bland so I pushed it away and focused on the wine instead.Out of curiosity and partial boredom, I read the writing on the label. Expression 1942. Thirty-one percent alcohol. Drink responsibly.Like anyone would, I thought as I opened the bottle and took a few sips. My face scrunched up in disgust at
Bound By A Contract 15
"Are you going out?" Cole called immediately I stepped out of the room. He was curled up on the sofa, a small blanket draped across his folded legs and a small sense of satisfaction filled my chest at the fact that he slept in an uncomfortable position."Yes, I am. I thought about what you said last night, and you are right. Like you, I also have the right to do whatever I want." I left the room and stepped out the door, not bothering to wait for a response.When I reached the hotel lobby, I put on a pair of medicated glasses and glanced at my reflection as I stepped out. My usually free hair was tied tightly into a bun, giving my look a thicker shade of nerdy vibes.I strolled down the street, going down the opposite side than Cole and I had passed, and looking around at the secenery with no particular destination in mind. I saw different pairs of couples and small families, all taking pictures or happily conversing within their circle. It looked like the tourist population were even
Bound By A Contract 16
A breakfast tray sat on the bed waiting for me when I opened my eyes the next morning. A yawn escaped my mouth in response and I picked up the plate, ready to dig in when Cole came to the door. He had slept on the couch again, and small bags were starting to form under his eyes.I looked away from him, trying not to feel sympathy as I wondered why he was doing it. I did not remember banning him from the other side of the bed, neither did I claim to still be angry."Good morning," he started and walked into the room.I greeted him back and began to eat, starting with the cereal. "Did you ask for this?" I motioned to the food, and he nodded."Yes. You forgot to eat last night, so I figured you might be hungry," he said, hiding his hands in his pockets."Thanks," I replied sincerely and focused on the meal."Do you have any plans for today?" He asked and when I shook my head, he came to sit beside me."I was thinking we could go out," he suggested, and showed me a picture on his phone. "
Bound By A Contract 17
"What is the catch?" I asked abruptly, skeptical of the nice treatment and sweet talk. Cole surely wanted something in return, and I needed to know what that was."How do you mean?" He asked and switched off the car engine, turning to face me as the valet waited outside for us to release the keys for the night."Why are you treating me nicely, Cole?" I questioned in clear terms, rolling my eyes at his ploy."To apologize," he responded simply, and turned to face me fully as he continued, "Even though we signed an agreement, I haven't been fair to you since we arrived. Leaving you alone twice with potential danger around was wrong, so I'm saying sorry."My mouth fell open, but I quickly closed it back as I stared at him. Cole Winston apologizing to a lady? It had never happened once in the three years I knew him. Either the ladies apologized first or the relationship ended, mostly always being the latter.I stepped out of the door and hurried into the hotel, leaving him outside. I burs
Bound By A Contract 18
The next day, I got up early and called Crystal to confirm the time and place for our triple date. She quickly sent me the directions, and I showed them to Cole when he got up."Good morning to you too," he responded with a frown and made a call to the receptionist for breakfast and room service.Cole was not a morning person and it had not taken long to figure it out. His face was nearly always contorted in a frown when he arrived for work, and everyone who faced him between the hours of nine and eleven got an earful of negativity."Must we go?" He asked, glancing at his phone."Yes, we should," I insisted, already dressed for the outing. "We will be making our marriage more public, and besides Beth's husband is currently looking into companies to invest in."His ears perked up at that, and he turned to me with total focus. "Is that so? You should have said that since." He got up instantly and began to prepare.The breakfast came, our usual order placed on the tray while the room ser
Bound By A Contract 19
The sound of Cole's phone woke me up abruptly and I groaned quietly, turning over to face Cole as I noticed him pick the phone and walk out of bed."Hello, Mom. Why are you calling me by this time?" He spoke into the phone with a hushed whisper."I just wanted to ask how you were doing," I heard her say softly."I'm fine. Can I go back to bed now?" he asked impatiently, turning back to where I lay and I quickly shut my eyes, pretending to still be asleep."What about that secretary of yours?" She questioned, a mocking tone in her voice. I hissed silently under the covers, a fresh wave of annoyance settling in me. Being the secretary of a billionaire was a huge achievement for me, and at twenty-four, I had gotten valuable connections from it. Plus a fraction of five hundred thousand dollars."You mean Liza? You have to stop making it sound like a demeaning job," Cole chided, groaning as he sat on the bed, his back facing me."But isn't it?""You started as Dad's secretary, Mom," Cole r
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