Emily said, "Okay," when she heard Jake say slyly, "Let's sign."
It seemed unbelievable to Jake that she would agree to a consummation contract with him. He was confused and couldn't think clearly.
He had conflicting feelings, some of which made him want them to sign the contract and others that did not.
He's worried about potential fallout after that. If that does happen, he is okay with having another kid. Aiden is already there, so having another won't make a difference.
Jake and Emily looked at each other for quite some time. The tension evaporated as they found comfort in each other's gazes and realized they were drawn to one another.
"Come on," Emily finally said, moving back slightly to gaze at him. How about we think about it first? It's just you and I. We can talk or not talk as you like."
Jake, unable to utter another word, only nodded, and a slight, genuine grin appeared. "I would enjoy that. "Just us."
They focused solely on each other, aiming to establish a bond and allow whatever was going to happen to happen.
***
In the master bedroom, Jake and Emily lay nestled together in the soft glow of the dim night light while the cool evening breeze gently wafted in through the slightly ajar bedroom window.
The quiet intimacy they had just shared was tenderly enveloped by the gentle rustle of the draperies and the distant hum of the bustling metropolis outside.
The contract they had signed earlier in the day, which symbolized their agreement to consummate their fake marriage without any emotional attachment, was still lying on the bedside table.
At least that's what Emily knows: they're in a fake marriage.
Jake lay on his side, his gaze fixed on Emily as she nestled into the crook of his arm. Her breathing was steady, and her skin glowed softly in the pale light.
There was a quiet contentment within him, a sense of fulfillment after the night's events.
But for Jake, there was something deeper that he yearned for—a longing that the consummation alone couldn't satisfy.
In the brief period he had spent with Emily, unfamiliar emotions had begun to take root within him. These feelings were elusive, leaving him unable to identify or comprehend them.
He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from Emily's face, his touch tender. "Emily," he whispered, his voice low and filled with a vulnerability he rarely showed.
"I know we've taken this step, and I'm grateful for it. But... I need you to know that this isn't just about fulfilling a contract with me."
Emily shifted slightly, turning to look up at him, her eyes gentle and curious. "What do you mean, Jake?"
After taking a deep breath and composing his thoughts, he said, "I want to be clear with you. I don't want to give you false hope. I've already told you we will go our separate ways after a year. Do you comprehend the significance of this?"
Emily maintained a relaxed attitude as she listened, fully comprehending the importance of his comments.
The consummation contract served as a safeguard to ensure that she wouldn't hold Jake accountable a year down the line, a fact she had been aware of from the beginning.
She was also well aware that Jake felt no affection for her and that their relationship was solely based on the terms of the contract.
"Jake," she murmured, her touch gentle as she reached to caress his face. "I understand where you're coming from. I also don't want us to force something that will only lead to resentment and hatred. Don't worry; I'll exit your life a year from now,"
Emily said, a hint of sadness in her voice. She was sad not because she was leaving but because of the uncertainty of what the future held—whether she might pass away next year or not for another six years.
Jake's hand overlaid hers, his thumb tenderly tracing circles on her skin.
"I want more than just going through the motions. I want us to be friends with benefits but with trust and reliability. I want us to be a team, not just two people bound by a piece of contract. I want to be someone you can rely on and confide in, at least for the time that we are together."
Emily's heart saddened at his words.
She knew that Jake's desires mirrored her own and that this moment was a turning point for them—a chance to build something more substantial, something lasting for at least a year.
She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, pouring all her sadness into that simple gesture.
"We will, Jake," she whispered softly as their lips barely touched. "We'll create a genuine friendship together. We'll be more than just pretending to be a married couple - we'll be friends with benefits in every sense."
Jake embraced her tightly, holding her close as if to solidify their commitment. "Emily, my dear Emily..." he murmured, his voice filled with overwhelming feelings.
Emily's eyes filled with tears of relief and hope for the future. 'Thank you, Jake, for looking after me all these years. We'll make it work. We will make it work. Friends with benefits until death.' She thought to herself as she buried her face into Jake's chest for comfort.
As they lay there in perfect silence, holding onto each other tightly, they felt the weight of the promise they had just made lift off their shoulders.
With this renewed commitment, they were embarking on a fresh chapter in their pretend marriage.
It wasn't just about fulfilling obligations; it was about being fully present for each other in every aspect that truly mattered.
As they fell asleep, still wrapped in each other's arms, they felt serenity, satisfaction, and the understanding that they were on the way to something, but they were unsure of what the future held for them and their relationship.
While Jake held Emily tightly in his arms that night, Emily dreamed of the incident that happened on her 21st birthday...~~~