Marie stood as well, taking his hand and shaking it, feeling the firm grip of his fingers around hers. This was it. She had made her decision. There was no turning back now.
As she left Welder's office, the reality of what she had agreed to started to sink in. She was going to marry Welder Batista, her boss, the man she had spent the last five years working for. It was a marriage in name only, a temporary arrangement, but it was still a marriage. How would this change things between them? How would she navigate the complexities of this new relationship while still maintaining her professionalism?
The weekend passed in a blur as Marie tried to prepare herself for the enormity of what lay ahead. She found herself caught between moments of intense anxiety and periods of eerie calm, as if her mind was trying to shield her from the reality of the decision she had made. She spent hours pacing her small apartment, running through every possible scenario in her head—how she would handle the inevitable questions from her colleagues, what it would be like to be seen as Mrs. Batista, even if only in name.
On Saturday, she called her sister, Emily, hoping for some comfort. Emily, the older of the two by five years, had always been the sensible one, the one who had married her college sweetheart and settled into a life of domestic stability. Marie hesitated to tell her the full truth, but she needed to hear Emily's voice, needed to feel connected to someone who wasn't wrapped up in the corporate world. "Hey, Em," Marie said when her sister picked up, trying to keep her voice light. "Marie! It's been ages. How are you?" Emily's voice was warm and familiar, instantly putting Marie at ease.
"I'm… well, I've got something big going on at work," Marie began, wondering how much she could reveal without alarming her sister. "And it's been kind of stressful." Emily laughed softly. "That's nothing new. You've been 'kind of stressed' since the day you started working for that company. What's going on this time?"
Marie hesitated, then decided to give a sanitized version of the truth. "There's a lot of pressure right now. We're dealing with some pretty intense business issues, and I've been asked to take on a new role, one that's… really different from what I'm used to."
Emily was silent for a moment, and when she spoke again, there was a note of concern in her voice. "That sounds intense. Are you okay with it? You've always been so focused on your work, but Marie, don't forget to think about yourself, too. Your happiness matters." Marie swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. "I know, Em. And I am thinking about it. It's just… complicated. But I'm trying to take it one step at a time."
"I'm sure you'll handle it like you always do," Emily said reassuringly. "But remember, you can always say no if it's too much. You're allowed to prioritize yourself. Marie smiled, feeling a wave of affection for her sister. "Thanks, Em. I appreciate that. I'll keep it in mind." They chatted for a while longer, catching up on family news and reminiscing about their childhood. By the time Marie hung up, she felt a little more grounded, a little more certain that she could face whatever came next.
Sunday was spent in quiet contemplation. Marie went for a long walk through the city, hoping the fresh air would clear her head. She wandered through Central Park, watching families enjoying the last days of summer, children laughing as they played in the grass, couples strolling hand in hand. It was a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions churning inside her, but it was also a reminder that life went on, that people found happiness in the midst of chaos. As she walked, Marie tried to imagine what her life would be like once the marriage began. She pictured herself at company events, standing beside Welder, the two of them putting on a convincing act for the benefit of the board and investors. She wondered if she would ever get used to the charade, if it would start to feel natural, or if she would always feel like an imposter in her own life.
That night, as she lay in bed, Marie stared at the ceiling, her mind racing with questions she couldn't answer. What would happen after the six months were up? Would Welder simply revert back to being her boss, their relationship returning to its previous dynamic as if nothing had changed? Or would things be irrevocably altered, leaving her unsure of where she stood with him? And what about her personal life? Would she be able to date, to meet someone who could be her real partner, while she was technically married to Welder? The thought seemed absurd, and yet, Marie knew that her life wouldn't stop just because of this arrangement. She was still young, still had dreams of finding someone to share her life with. But how would she explain this situation to anyone she met? How could she build a relationship on the foundation of a temporary, transactional marriage? The questions swirled in her mind until exhaustion finally pulled her into a restless sleep.
Monday morning arrived far too quickly, and Marie found herself standing outside Welder's office once again, this time to finalize the details of their arrangement. She had spent the entire commute rehearsing what she would say, making sure she was prepared for every possible outcome. But as she stood there, hand poised to knock, she felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her. Was she really ready for this? Could she handle the pressure, the scrutiny, the inevitable complications? Taking a deep breath, Marie knocked on the door and waited for Welder to call her in. When he did, she stepped inside, trying to project an air of confidence she didn't quite feel.
Welder was seated at his desk, as usual, but there was a stack of documents in front of him that hadn't been there on Friday. He looked up as she entered, his expression calm and businesslike."Marie," he said, gesturing for her to take a seat. "Thank you for coming in. I've drafted the agreement for us to review."
Marie sat down, her heart pounding in her chest. The weight of the situation was pressing down on her, but she kept her expression neutral, focusing on the task at hand. Welder slid the stack of documents toward her, and she picked them up, her eyes scanning the legal jargon that outlined the terms of their agreement.
"This covers everything we discussed," Welder explained, his voice steady. "The six-month duration, your independence, and the conditions for the dissolution of the marriage. It's all here."
Marie nodded, her eyes flicking over the words. The document was thorough, as she had expected it to be. Welder was nothing if not meticulous. There were clauses about confidentiality, stipulations about public appearances, and even a section detailing how they would handle interactions with their colleagues and the board. It was all laid out in black and white, leaving little room for ambiguity. "This is… very comprehensive," Marie said, trying to sound detached, though she couldn't shake the surreal feeling that came with reading her own name in a marriage contract.
Welder leaned back in his chair, watching her carefully. "I wanted to make sure there were no surprises. I know this isn't an easy decision for you, and I want you to feel secure in the agreement."
Marie appreciated his attempt to make this as straightforward as possible, but it did little to quell the unease bubbling within her. "I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything. This is a big step, and I want to be certain I understand everything." "Of course," Welder said, nodding. "Take your time. If you have any questions or concerns, we can address them now."
Marie spent the next few minutes reading through the contract in detail, her mind spinning as she tried to absorb the implications of each clause. There was a provision for a modest financial compensation, which she had expected but hadn't really thought about until now. It was a stark reminder that reminder that this was, at its core, a business arrangement.
But it wasn't the money that concerned her the most. It was the part about public appearances, about how they would have to present themselves as a couple in front of others. The idea of pretending to be in love, even in a professional setting, made her stomach churn. How would she be able to keep up the facade without it affecting her emotionally?
"This section here," Marie said, pointing to the clause about public appearances. "I understand the need for us to act like a married couple in front of the board and investors, but what about in front of our colleagues? How much do they need to know?" Welder considered her question for a moment before responding. "Ideally, as little as possible. The fewer people who know the true nature of our arrangement, the better. But we may need to make some appearances together at company events. I'll do my best to minimize that, but there may be situations where we'll need to act the part."
Marie nodded slowly, trying to wrap her head around the idea of pretending to be in love with Welder in front of their colleagues. She could already picture the rumors that would start to swirl, the whispered conversations behind her back. She had always been respected for her professionalism, and the thought of that being overshadowed by this arrangement made her uneasy.
"I see," she said, her voice quieter now. "I just don't want this to impact how I'm viewed in the company. I've worked hard to get where I am, and I don't want people to think I've… compromised myself." Welder's expression softened, and for the first time since she had entered the office, she saw a glimpse of the man behind the businessman. "I understand, Marie. And I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to ensure that doesn't happen. You've earned your place here through your own merits, and I won't let this arrangement undermine that."
His words were reassuring, but they did little to ease the knot in her stomach. Marie took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus on the practicalities. "Okay. I think I understand everything. I'll need to have my lawyer look this over, just to be sure."
"Of course," Welder agreed. "Take the time you need. There's no rush."
Marie appreciated the gesture, but she knew that there was, in fact, a rush. The clock was ticking, and the longer they waited, the more precarious the company's position became. But she also knew she couldn't afford to make this decision lightly. She needed to be absolutely certain before she signed anything.
"I'll get back to you as soon as I can," Marie said, standing up and gathering the documents.
Welder stood as well, walking her to the door. "Thank you, Marie. I know this isn't easy, and I appreciate your willingness to consider it."
Marie forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'll let you know once I've made my final decision."
As she walked back to her office, the documents clutched tightly in her hand, Marie felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. This was unlike any challenge she had faced before. It wasn't just about her career or her professional reputation—it was about her personal life, her identity, and the very foundation of who she was.