Paying Karma Love

10 Marriage Contracts

Audrey busies herself by checking incoming emails through her laptop. Today, Audrey came home early from the office to keep her promise to Sofia. Some of the work he left to Tasya and Ineke, his two mainstay staff. Audrey glanced at her watch. Twenty-five minutes passed. He waits alone at a table specifically ordered Sofia on the second floor of this luxury restaurant. Bad thoughts started to cross Audrey's mind.

Is Sofia's condition worsening?

I thought Audrey was worried.

Just now Audrey took a cell phone to contact Sofia, heard the sound of footsteps of five people climbing the stairs. A waiter with the restaurant manager who had delivered Audrey, was inviting the three people behind her to Audrey's desk.

"Please, Mr. Reiner, Miss Sofia, Mr. Nicko. His desk. We will serve food soon. Have a nice dinner" said the restaurant manager, full of courtesy. The manager was very respectful towards Rein and Sofia.

Sofia immediately approached Audrey and kissed her cheek, "Sorry, Drey, we're late. Rein had a meeting so I had to wait until it was over."

"Honey, this is Audrey, my best friend. She's beautiful, khan? Drey, this is Reiner, your future husband."

Audrey suddenly shuddered in horror at the words 'prospective husband' that Sofia threw without further ado. Never imagined at all by her, her best friend's future husband turned into her future husband. They just met tonight and don't know each other. His life events were so dramatic.

Sofia pulls Reiner and Audrey's hands so they shake each other's hands. Reiner's hands were warm, but they made Audrey uncomfortable. When observed up close, Reiner Hilario was indeed a very perfect man. His body is tall and strong. His good looks exceed the faces of the artists and photos of top models. He looked even more handsome than the picture Audrey had seen in a business magazine. With a suit and shirt in dark brown, make Rein look more stunning. For some reason, Audrey felt the look in Rein's eyes staring at her sharply, like she was about to investigate something inside Audrey.

Rein shifted her gaze from Audrey to Sofia. Highlight his sharp eyes instantly turned loving, "Darling, are you tired? You should have been sitting in a wheelchair. I'll have Nicko call the driver to bring a wheelchair here."

"No need, honey. I'm still strong. I'm not that weak. I want us to enjoy dinner in a normal setting."

"Okay, princess, I'm following you. But remember not to stay here too long. You need to rest and take care of your health" Rein said, clasping Sofia's hand.

"I'll take care of my health until you get married, honey."

Rein simply fell silent at Sofia's reply. Sofia focused her attention back on Audrey.

"Drey, I forgot to introduce Nicko. He's Rein's personal assistant. She was always with Rein wherever Rein went. You'll have to get used to Nicko." Sofia laughed as she winked at Audrey.

Nicko stood up and bowed towards Audrey. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Audrey."

Audrey replied to Nicko's greeting kindly, "It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Nicko."

Nicko chose to sit a bit away from his boss. Throughout the dinner, Sofia looks enthusiastic about discussing the wedding that will take place. Audrey and Rein choose to eat their dinner in silence. Audrey felt an awkward atmosphere between herself and Rein. When dinner was almost over, Sofia's face paled. Sofia complained that her head was dizzy and wanted to vomit. Rein hurriedly carried his lover's body down the stairs and ordered Nicko to prepare the car. Audrey, who was panicking, followed them from behind. A luxurious black car with R 31 N, and a driver in a black uniform were ready to wait for them at the exit of the restaurant. Audrey watched as Rein took care of Sofia. With the help of his driver and personal assistant, Rein gets in the car faster to accompany Sofia. From inside the car, Sofia who was leaning on Rein's shoulder, waved to Audrey as a farewell.

"Nicko, get everything sorted out, right away" Rein said. Nicko bows and closes the car door. Before long, the car passed leaving Audrey and Nicko.

"Miss Audrey, come with me back inside. There's something important I want to talk to Miss." Without waiting for an answer from Audrey, Nicko stepped into the restaurant. Audrey, still overwhelmed with anxiety, complies with Nicko's words even though she doesn't know what the man really means.

...****************...

Nicko started the conversation in a calm voice. "As Miss Sofia's condition grows weaker, Mr. Rein decides to hasten her marriage to Miss. The wedding will be held this Saturday. And after the wedding ceremony, Mr. Rein will immediately leave to send Miss Sofia to undergo surgery. I hope Miss can understand."

"What is this Saturday? That means 3 more days, sir. I have not asked permission to go to the office. Sofia said that the wedding was next Saturday," Audrey replied in surprise.

"I told you, Miss. The wedding must be done immediately so that Miss Sofia will go abroad. And as for the permission in the office, Miss doesn't have to do it. Isn't Miss Saturday a work holiday? No Miss office person should know of your marriage and Mr. Rein. This marriage must be kept secret. That's Mr. Rein's wish and I think you'll agree. The wedding will be held behind closed doors to avoid mass media coverage. Only attended by Mr. Rein's family, Miss Sofia's family, and of course the mother and opa who live with you. Miss can't invite anyone else let alone Miss's office partner."

"Where do you know about my mom and my opa?" ask Audrey astonished.

Nicko's light-sounding reply, frightened Audrey. Reiner was indeed a very rich and powerful man. He would definitely not carelessly accept Audrey as his wife even if it was at Sofia's request. It's only natural that Rein ordered Nicko to investigate who he is. Now Audrey is worried about whether the man in front of her also knows about his past with Dave.

"I agree, Sir. I did this for Sofia and I want Sofia to recover from her illness. I won't tell anyone this marriage."

"Good Miss. Now I want Miss to read this contract letter" Nicko handed Audrey a blue map.

Audrey opened the map and saw two neatly typed letters inside. After putting on her glasses, Audrey slowly read the title of the letter.

"Wedding contract. What is this, sir? I don't understand."

"This is your marriage contract with Mr. Rein. Mr. Rein does not love you nor do you love Mr. Rein. Therefore, this marriage will only be temporary for the sake of Miss Sofia's recovery. Your wedding only lasts one year from the date of the wedding ceremony. But, if later Miss Sofia recovered from her illness after undergoing spinal cord surgery, the marriage was immediately canceled. And I have written down the articles that must be obeyed by both parties during the marriage. Please Miss read it carefully. These articles were made by Mr. Rein for your good, Miss."

Audrey began to read one by one the articles listed in the letter. Audrey's hands were trembling. It was never imagined by Audrey that her desire to help Sofia even made her bound in a marriage contract. If his mother ever found out about this, surely his heart would be broken into pieces. From the beginning, her mother disagreed with Audrey's plans to marry Sofia's future husband. But Audrey knelt down and begged her mother to let her save Sofia's life. Not wanting her daughter to be hurt again by regret, her mother finally accepted Audrey's decision.

Party I: Reiner Hilario Bratawijaya

Party II: Audrey Maureen

Article 1 Marriage shall be kept confidential by both parties. If party II leaks the marriage to another party, then party I has the right to sue party II legally.

Article 2 During the marriage of parties I and II shall live together in a house belonging to party I.

Article 3 During the marriage has not ended, party II is prohibited from relating or establishing love with other men in order to respect party I.

Article 4 There is no physical touch and no marital relationship between party I and party II. Party I shall not touch party II and party II shall not touch party I.

Article 5 Parties I and party II do not interfere with each other's life and work affairs.

"What the fuck is this chapter 4, where I might touch Reiner first. I don't even want to touch and be touched by any man. Then chapters 1 and 3 why it says only I will be prosecuted by law and should not be in contact with other men. The content of his articles really pressured and demeaned me. Reiner turned out to be an arrogant man who likes to act arbitrarily to others. She thinks I am what kind of woman. Do they think I used Sofia's circumstances to marry a rich man. Or they think I'm a man-hungry woman." Audrey thought upset.

Audrey is eager to vent her frustration on Nicko, but she chooses to hold back for Sofia. Audrey forced herself to show off her sweet smile.

"Mr Nicko, I generally agree as long as I can still work in the office as usual. Where should I sign?"

"Wait, Miss. You haven't read the last chapter. I think that's the most beneficial thing for Miss. Mr. Reiner will give you one Billion in compensation at the end of the marriage contract. It was as a form of gratitude to Mr. Reiner because you were willing to fulfill Miss Sofia's wish."

Audrey's eyes widened to hear the contents of the last chapter mentioned by Nicko. He felt his pride had been trampled.

"Sorry, Mr. Nicko, I don't need a penny from Reiner Hilario. I agreed to this marriage because I love my best friend, Sofia. All I want is Sofia's recovery. My love cannot be measured by money. So, please Mr. Nicko tell your boss to remove the chapter. Otherwise, I'm not willing to sign the contract."

"Well, my Miss will pass on to Mr. Reiner first. Tomorrow night I'll meet Miss at this restaurant at 7. I hope that after the revision, Miss will agree to sign this letter tomorrow. One more thing, please do not tell Miss Sofia about this marriage contract" Nicko said with a flat face.

"Okay, Mr. Nicko. You don't have to worry. See you tomorrow."

Audrey immediately left the table leaving Nicko alone. It felt like Audrey tore up and threw the marriage contract. Audrey did not expect that Reiner Hilario had thought of her as a woman who was willing to use friendship to earn money.