"A 6-month contract." Mia answered impatience brewing up.
Looking at her grim expression, he opened the file and as he read, his brows started to crimp slowly.
"Are you sure?" Pinching his brow, he looked at her.
She nodded with a sigh.
"It's better for both families."
"You mean?"
"Mumma had this last wish of turning best friends to blood relatives."
"You mean Uncle Steven and my Dad?"
With a nod, she continued,
"If not dada's persistence and Mumma's this last wish, I would have never dared to take this step."
"But how did you know?"
"Dada had shared it with Nanny and she filled my mind."
He nodded and continued reading the contract.
"We will cook up that we were in touch all these years but today you, I mean one of us proposed and the other agreed."
He nodded.
"And, "
Scratching her head, she continued,
"If we like I mean feel connected I mean if our feelings are mutual then we will continue."
Controlling his chuckle, he nodded at her delightful words.
"It's not like we need to act and all. We will be ourselves and spend more time together but to elders satisfaction, we will lie about commitment and everything else."
With a smile, he asked,
"But why do we need a contract? We can, "
"What if we fight a lot and wanna never see each other in future." She cut him with a quick answer.
"You don't trust me?" He keenly observed her expression,
"Of course, I won't. Sometimes I don't trust my own instincts, so how can I trust you?"
With a hearty chuckle, he nodded.
"So, it's a deal then?"
"I wanna make some changes."
"Huh! What's there to change?"
Taking the file, she read loudly,
"1. We cannot intrude each other's privacy. We cannot stalk each other and would never force to reveal something.
2. With the contract termination, we would never see each other if we didn't feel anything in this span of time.
3. We can date anyone else without other party's permission."
Looking at him, she questioned,
"What changes you wanna make?"
"We will not go on dates with anyone else.."
"Huh?" She blinked at him.
"And, one more we would fulfil all the duties towards each other respectively."
"You mean?"
"I would be your official boyfriend and same goes to you."
She was, of course, unable to understand his words.
"It's just one extra clause." He waited for her response.
Thinking for a while, she nodded.
"Ok, then. I will send it for correction and would sign it later."
She nodded.
Looking at her odd expression, he held her hand.
Surprised by the sudden touch, she looked at him.
"Don't worry. We will start it again from scratch. Just like normal friends?"
His smile eased her tension. With a smile, she nodded.
The conversation took its flight with no end. They chatted all odds and it was finally time to leave.
As they reached the parking lot, Mia was happy about their decision. She was glad that he agreed readily.
All she wished was them to have a beautiful time under each other's company.
"Let my men drive your car back." Taking out his coat, he passed it to her.
Gaping between the coat and his face, she blinked in surprise.
"It's cold." Placing it around her, shoulder he walked towards his car and Mia tailed him.
Hugging the coat tightly, she smiled in satisfaction.
"Here." Passing her a card, he put his seat belt.
"What is this?"
"As I am working in the President's cabinet, most won't be allowed inside. Just show this card whenever you wanna meet me."
"Ohh." Caressing the name on the card, she nodded.
But she didn't have a clue that the card was a precious one. Except for Immediate family members of cabinet members, none would have the opportunity to flex it.
The ride was beautiful with small talks and laughter.
Mia was happy to feel that same connection again after so many years while Ian was glad for waiting this long to meet her.
...
President's Palace.
Since the journey was quite long Mia was fast asleep on her seat.
Carefully scooping her in his arms, he carried her to the room.
Placing her on the bed, he unlaced her shoes and removed her watch.
Taking off the band around her ponytail, he ruffled her hair and adjusted her on the pillow.
Kissing her forehead, he smiled reminiscing the long night and left the place.
...
Country H, City M.
"Boss Boss Boss, " A man in his thirties rushed towards the throne.
"What's wrong?" Sipping her wine, the lady asked.
"They They They have signed a contract. Mi Mi Mia is again dating Ian."
His words made her sigh.
Tapping the glass with her finger, she mumbled,
"She cannot reach him."
Looking at the guy, she smirked.
"It's ok. Everyone deserves to be loved before death and she is no different."
The guy blinked his eyes in surprise.
"Bu But Boss won't it affect our plan?"
A loud chuckle made every shiver in fright.
"Let it be. I have raised a cunning fox. Don't worry, let Noami handle it."
The guy nodded and left the place.
"Mia, you are courting danger. Just 4 more months and death would embrace you." With a smirk, the lady continued to enjoy her wine.
...
Splash.
"What the?" Feeling the urn of water on her face, Mia frowned.
"Stop dreaming and get up." Aren placed the glass aside and looked at her.
"Was I dreaming?" She frowned deeper in confusion.