"Article one, this marriage is a form of agreement between party A and B, where here I am as party A," said the man in a sky-blue shirt that fit his muscular body. My eyes didn't move from the same spot, and I was still trying to remember how we had spent the night.
"Hey, did you hear me?" His baritone voice interrupted my thoughts and made me return to our discussion.
"Oh, sorry. Of course. Just keep going."
"Article two states that physical contact is welcome as long as no feelings are involved." He added, which made me frown.
"What? Why does there have to be physical contact? Are you taking advantage of this situation?" I asked irritably, trying to find where the article was written on the paper in my hand.
Ah, I found it! But why did it have to be this point?
"What if, from physical contact, say, we make love, and then I get pregnant?" I asked curiously, which made him seem to be thinking. It didn't seem to have occurred to him. Or perhaps he had already prepared for that to happen.
"That probably won't happen unless there is love between us."
I nodded understandingly, even though I disagreed with his words. "Alright, then. I'll sign it."
"Wait!"
I stopped the pen-ready fingers on the paper and refocused on the man before me.
"I emphasize that there will be no love between us because, obviously, our goal is to get the person we love," he said firmly, ensuring I understood all the articles written on the contract.
"To seize them, you mean?" I tugged at one corner of my lips as I looked at his serious-looking face.
Oh, Doctor John Armando... how much do you love your best friend's wife 'til you had the heart to ruin their marriage?
"Yes, to seize her—reclaiming something meant for us," he replied.
I chuckled briefly, then nodded in understanding and began to sign several sheets of paper containing articles, some of which I already understood while others I didn't know.
"Done." I put the pen on the table and extended my hand to John, who seemed to have finished signing the rest. He looked at me for a moment and then returned my handshake. "Thank you for this cooperation. We'll see if I can be your good partner, Doc."
I got up and stepped out of the man's office with uncertain thoughts. From now on, everything would be different, and I would definitely never be able to turn back time, even if I wanted to.
No one would ever expect the story that started with a one-night stand to continue with a contract marriage and the following secrets.
***
Two months earlier.
My head felt spinning, so I gripped the cloth covering my body tightly, got up slowly, and circulated my gaze to every corner of the room. I had never been in this place from the order I remembered.
What had happened? Had I once again woken up in a strange man's bed after a night of drinking?
While gathering my scattered memories, I pulled the blanket up close to my body. The temperature of the room I was in made me shiver. However, the man who was lying by my side remained motionless. Was he sleeping or dead, anyway?
By the way, where was I? I didn't even remember what happened last night, to be in this place with a stranger. And don't forget, without a single thread covering me—correction—only a blanket was wrapped around me and his body.
Before, no matter how drunk I was, I never forgot the sequence of events, starting from the man I met, where I was taken, and what kind of bed games I played... until the morning I would easily remember it.
However, this time, I really didn't understand. Did this man put something in my drink that made me forget anything?
The man who had just gained full consciousness remembered nothing. Evidently, he was surprised to find me on a bed that belonged to no one. Was this the man's house?
"Wh-who are you?" I asked, having finished scanning the apparition before me, from toe to hair.
Hmm... he was handsome ... and mature. That was what I had in mind at the moment. Because that was exactly how it was.
Slightly longer tanned hair, a pair of brown irises with a sharp gaze, charming lips that would probably be so sweet when kissed... ahh, it seemed like I was going crazy from the influence of alcohol last night. And... didn't I probably already kiss him, even though I didn't know which part?
Please, brain, don't wander off. Let's process this event again. And please remember, did he use a condom?
"Wh-where am I?" I asked, dazed, having gotten no response from the man. He just stared and scanned my appearance, which seemed perhaps a little strange.
It could be that he was also surprised to face the fact that he was sleeping with a strange woman. Or maybe he thought I was a whore. No, no, no! I certainly didn't look like a pleasure peddler, did I?
Or did I look that way to this man?
"You were in my room, and last night we..."
Okay, enough! There was no need to explain the details because what Isawg now was enough. It was just, why didn't I remember it at all?
Really, it was a pity...
Getting an answer from that man, I quickly got up by wrapping the blanket around my body, gathered the clothes I wore last night, and looked for the toilet. Where was it?
"Are you looking for the toilet?" the man asked, but his hand was already pointing towards the corner of the room. A room with a sliding glass door allowed others outside to see the silhouette of whoever was inside.
It was an erotic room. Maybe he made it that way purposefully—just so he could watch the woman he was bringing home.
Uh, wait! How many women has he slept with? He wasn't going to bring diseases to me, was he?
"Are you going to take a bath or not? Or are you waiting for me to shower together and do it again... in there?" The man gestured with a movement of his chin and made my hair tingle and my core felt twitching
Oh, God... what was this creature exactly? Why was he so mesmerizing and... stirring up naughty fantasies in my headspace?
Stop, Clara! You didn't have more time to fucked him again!
"Y-yeah... of course I'll take a shower. Thank you. I won't let myself be late for the lecture just because of the second session with you."
The man laughed—oh, his laughter was a feast for my ears. I had to gasp for a moment to hear the crisp laughter that didn't seem to be made up.
"Then hurry up. I'll prepare breakfast for us," he said then.
What? Breakfast? Since when did a girl who stopped by for sex get a special meal in the morning? I was really very lucky. Also, any other woman who has slept with this guy must be fortunate and would probably be willing to repeat the hot night again.
Probably. If she didn't have a principal like my best friend—she would not have repeated the night with the same man. But in fact, she repeated it with her doctor the other night.
However, I wouldn't blame her because the doctor she dated was charming, just like this guy. Maybe their ages weren't that different either. And he seemed to be much older than me.
I rushed to finish my cleansing ritual—in fact, I didn't shower at all. Hoping there might be a second session... on his sexy-looking bar counter.
No, it wasn't the bar counter that was sexy—it was the guy. Look at him! He was gorgeous from behind, wasn't he?
Stop, Clara! No more perverted thoughts or your brain would shrink, and you would be the stupidest medical student in the world.
I approached the kitchen, and the man turned his head instantly when he realized my presence.
"Eat first. You must be weak from being so drunk last night."
I swore, for the love of everything! This guy was so caring and sexy. And I wanted to stick to him constantly, but of course, with a complete memory to enjoy the moment, unlike last night.
But, of course, I abandoned my plans when I peeked at the clock that was already nine. I had to hurry.
"Uhm, I'm sorry, sir... but I don't think I can join you for breakfast. Perhaps some other time."
I immediately turned around after uttering the long-winded sentence, swung my steps hastily, and didn't hear the man's words anymore.
See you when I see you, Mr. Handsome.