CHAPTER 2

“MY son!” Valerie energetically called for her son as she walk towards her one and only son.

“Mom, how are you?” Percival asked his mother, touching his wife's hand.

Heart just look at her husband and wore a sweet smile. 

‘Smile, Heart. You're being paid, think about his payment.’

Valerie hugged her son and kissed his cheek. “My son is now married, this is a big surprise but I am so happy!” she said before she turned towards her daughter-in-law, “my son have a very good eye! Oh my God, you are so gorgeous! I can see why he hide your relationship with everybody. Someone might steal you away, my son must have loved you. Visit us when you have time, all right? I want to spend some time with my daughter-in-law!” she added.

Heart can't help but giggle at her mother-in-law's word. “You're flattering me, I am not that beautiful. You are more gorgeous than me and I will visit you, mother.” 

Valerie smiled and stroked Heart's hair.“This woman is something. She's beautiful and kind, she can even make me blush! My son, she is a catch! Don't hurt her or else I will curse you to death! Do you understand?!” she said, threatening her son.

“You don't have to worry about me, mother. I am sure that Percy will take good care of me.” Heart tightened her grip on her husband as she lightly tap on his arms while she laugh.

“Percy? What a cute nickname, my son hates nicknames but you have one for him and he's not reacting like a toddler throwing a fit? My son loves you! You are something! I like you for my son,” Valerie exclaimed, “I will go now, your father is waiting for me. If you need anything, I am at our table over there. You should go and greet the other guests.”

“Thank you for coming, mother. I will visit you soon,"  Heart said, smiling and waving her hands lightly.

Percival just hugged his mother before he pulled away and hold his wife's waist as they watch his mother make her way back to their table.

Percival look at his smiling wife as he leaned down and whispered, “You're acting is good. Are you an actress or something?”

Heart look at her husband, a fake smile displayed on her face. “I am not an actress, Mr. Reddson. If I am then I shouldn't be here, getting married for money. Thank you,” she whispered, annoyance is evident in her voice.

She might be getting married for money and she might be acting as his wife but she doesn't have to fake her feelings or sincerity.

‘What a jerk. Is he really their son? She is so sweet and this man is an asshole.’

“Hmm? That's a relief. I am glad that you are not because if you are an actress then I won't be able to marry you and it's going to be harder to look for a bride.”

“What do you mean by that?” she asked.

“I mean if you are an actress then you can earn a lot of money and paying your fiance's debt will be a piece of cake, but unfortunately you're not an actress, and paying his debt is not a piece of cake so here you are, getting married.” Percival caressed Heart's face as he speak.

Percival's words irritated her to the core but she tried her best to hold back. “I am aware of that fact, Mr. Reddson. I meant, what do you mean it's going to be harder looking for a bride?” she repeated.

“Exactly what I mean, Mrs. Reddson.” 

Heart lightly laugh and raised her hand to his face, gently stroking his face before she suddenly pinch his cheek. “If you are looking for a woman who lost everything and broke then I believe that I am not the only option and it's not going to be hard looking for a bride.”

Percival smiled and pulled her hand away from his face, he massaged his face using his other hand as he intertwined his and his wife's hands.

“I have another reason, it's not just because you are broke. You are different than other women,” Percival said, squeezing her hand in his grip.

“Of course, Mr. Reddson. I am one of a kind,” Heart said, flipping her hair.

Percival just chuckled at his wife's action. “We will talk about the other things later. For now,  we should go and greet the other guests, all right?” he said, kissing Heart's head.

Heart just rolled her eyes and smirked. “Sure, we should greet them and talk about the payment.”

The couple exchanged another look before they walk towards the tables, greeting and thanking the guests.

After a few hours of eating and talking with Percival's family and friends, the wedding reception finally ended. The newlywed immediately goes home to talk about their contract.

PERCIVAL took a seat in front of his wife and look at her. “We will discuss our terms and conditions,” he said, crossing his legs land resting his elbows on his one knee.

Kio gave the folder to Heart at Percival's order. He said, “These are the documents we have made, the next page contains the terms and conditions but that's not final, if you want to add something then you are free to do so. All of Mr. Reddson's conditions are listed in the file you're currently holding in your hands.”

Heart just raised a brow and open the folder, reading its contents. “I can add whatever I want, right?” she asked.

“Yes. As long as it's reasonable then you can add whatever you want,” Kio answered the woman's question, standing beside Percival. 

“We have to stay married for two years. Of course, while we are married you have to act like my real wife,” Percival said, “Kio, ask a maid to bring us some good quality wine. I am sure my wife will like it.”

“First of all, I don't drink. A glass of water or a glass of orange juice is fine. Second, I know that I have to act like your wife while we are married because WE. ARE. MARRIED.  You are paying me to pretend to be your wife so that's obvious. I can understand that I'm not that stupid,” Heart said, her voice full of annoyance as she emphasized each word.

Percival smirked at his wife's response. “Oh, I know. I'm just making things clear, I don't want to cause any misunderstanding. I want to clarify that you will just pretend  and you shouldn't expect that I will be like the other husband,” he said, “Bring me a glass of wine and a glass of orange juice for my lovely wife.”

Heart rolled her eyes and frown as she speak, “What the hell? One of your conditions said we should act like a normal couple and you won't be like the other husband? What the fuck do you mean by that?”

“Oh, yes. I forgot about that but I meant, I won't be like the other husband. Loving and affectionate,” Percival clarified, “and yes, we will act like a normal couple, inside and outside our home.”

Heart stared at her husband, dumbfounded. 

Did he think she will expect his love and affection? Is this guy nuts? What a crazy bastard.

“All right! Since we are clarifying things then let me make some things clear, too. I won't ask for your love or for your fucking affection, attention, or whatever the fuck it is. I'm not married to you because of love but because of money, if you won't give me love then okay! I don't care! But, if you don't give me your payment then be sure to watch your back, you got that?!” Heart said, trying to stop herself from killing the man in front of her.

‘What the hell! This guy is so annoying, I feel so bad for your future wife but I am your wife right now so I feel bad for my fucking self!’

Percival tried his best holding his laughter.“Man, my wife is something! Why are you mad? I'm just trying to mess with you bu—” Percival's words were cut off when he failed to stop his laugh, his loud but sexy laugh that filled the room.

Kio just stares at his boss with wide eyes and his mouth wide open. This never happened before, ever since they were a kid he never saw Percival laugh or even smile!

‘What? What the hell? Is the end of the world nearing?’

“Can you stop laughing? It's not funny,” Heart said, a scowl on her beautiful angry face.

“What do you mean not funny? It is!” Percival said, still laughing like there's no tomorrow.

“What do you mean inside and outside the house?” Heart asked, trying to change the topic because even a little longer of listening to Percival laugh will make her go insane.

Percival's laugh died down, he licked his lips and composed himself before he responded. “I meant we will act like a normal married couple outside, in front of other people and we will also do that inside our house, away from the other people's eyes,” he explained, smiling lightly.

“Why?” she asked, confusion and annoyance are evident in her voice.

“It's like a practice for us or me, that includes holding hands, hugs, kisses, and other things that normal couples do,” Percival said, “but because we are married that also includes bedroom activities at night, understood?” he added.

Heart was taken aback by his last words, she immediately stood up and smack the folder down to the table. “What the fuck?! Holding hands and hugs are okay and maybe light kisses is also okay but what the fuck? Bedroom activities? You mean sex right? What the fuck? What the fucking fuck?! Are you crazy?!” she yelled, forgetting about the maids and Kio's presence.

“You should stop saying bad words because bad girls get punishment, do you want to be punished, my beautiful and lovely wife?” Percival said with a seductive tone as he lightly bite his bottom lip.

Heart felt chills run down her spine. Other girls might find him sexy for doing that but she found his actions super disgusting and not seductive.

“W-What the fuck? You creep!” Heart shouted, grabbing the pillows beside her before she threw it straight to Percival's handsome face.

Percival just avoided the first pillow and catch the second, laughing at his wife's reaction.

‘What a funny woman, I bet no one gets bored when she's with them.’

Kio just watched the couple's interaction and nervously gulped. He sighed and prayed before he tried to speak, “Mr. Reddson, you still have a lot of works to do. You should finish it before the meeting with the board tomorrow.”

Percival sends a glare to Kio's way before he returns his gaze to his wife. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat. “Do you have any additions of complaints?”

“I agree with all of your conditions except for the bedroom activities!” Heart exclaimed, “do you want to have an heir or something? If yes then it's a big no! I don't want to drag an innocent life into this mess and I want to raise my kid. Having kids at this type of marriage is not good.”

“Heir? No. You don't have to worry about that,” Percival defended, “but  bedroom activities still stand.”

“What the fuck?! If you don't need an heir then why are you pushing this nonsense?!” 

“Because we are married, and a married couple does that,” Percival said as he shrugged and took a sip from his glass, staring at his wife.

“Yes! But sex is an action to express your love for your partner, you heard me?! L.O.V.E. LOVE!”

“So? Your point is?” Percival just kept on staring at Heart with a nonchalant expression on his face.

“We are not married because of love! Our marriage is contractual!” Heart explained with her voice full of frustration.

She is so done with this piece of shit's nonsense.

“We are still married,” Percival said before he stand up and fixed his suit.

Heart sighed in defeat. She asked, “What about the payment? If we have to do that then don't you think the payment should increase?”

“I don't think so. The normal payment is five hundred thousand dollars a year but I changed it to one and a half million dollars, I think that's more than enough for a year,” he said, “being a wife of a hot, handsome, and rich man will give you a lot of opportunities.”

“Excuse me? You're so full of yourself. Arrogant shit,” Heart said, expressing her disgust and annoyance.

“I don't mean it in a bad way, I meant a lot of people or suppliers may come to your restaurant. That's a great thing, right?” Percival clarified.

Heart rolled her eyes and picked up her glass. “That true but it sounds wrong.”

“There's nothing wrong with grabbing the opportunities, especially in business.”

“Yeah, right. That's why you grabbed the opportunity to lure a vulnerable beautiful and gentle woman in a fraudulent marriage,” Heart said, drinking her fresh orange juice.

Percival just chuckled at Heart's remark. “I will go now, you must be exhausted. You should go to bed now,” he said as he gently kissed Heart.

Heart rolled her eyes and hugged her husband and kissed his cheek. “Where are you going?” she asked.

“Work,” Percival responded.

“It's our first night and you're leaving me for work?” Heart dramatically said, “you said we should act like a normal couple? We should be enjoying our time on our honeymoon. My dear husband.”

Percival just laugh at Heart's dramatic tone and said, “I don't think I can go home, you should rest now.”

Heart watched her husband walk out of the door and his figure disappear before she turn her attention to the table where she put their contract.

“So tiring, that wedding is my dream wedding but it's exhausting. This contract is also... What a drag,” Heart said, picking up the folder as she stand up and stretch her limbs.

‘What am I even doing with my life?’

Heart was about to go to the kitchen to take her glass to the sink when her phone suddenly rang.

After seeing the caller ID, Heart's face pale. 

‘I'm dead now.’