Chapter 3

• The following morning, Davis and Lucas headed to the office to talk to Clara about the marriage. It wasn't going to be an easy conversation for them, trying to convince a woman to agree to a contract marriage that seemed unlikely to last beyond a year. However, they felt it was necessary, as they wanted to preserve their friendship with Dylan.
• They led Clara to a quiet and comfortable spot within the company.
• “How are you, Clara?” Davis asked, his voice a bit shaky as they settled in.
• “I'm okay,” Clara replied, curious about what was making the two friends of her boss so nervous.
• “Let's get to the point so you can get back to work,” Lucas said, trying to sound confident. “Do you love Dylan?” The question hit Clara like a bombshell. She hadn't seen that coming. She fell silent for a moment before finally responding, “Which Dylan are you talking about?” Her voice barely above a whisper.
• “Your boss, our friend,” Davis said, letting out a deep breath.
• “Okay, I…I... do like him,” Clara stammered, her head bowed in shyness as a small, sweet smile appeared on her lips.
• “Good, I mean that's really great!” Davis exclaimed, a broad smile on his face as he clapped his hands, but he quickly stopped when Lucas shot him a warning look to behave.
• “Clara, can you marry him?” Lucas asked, and the smile vanished from Clara’s face in shock. Marriage? Did she really just hear him mention marriage?
• “How?” she asked, confused. Lucas exchanged a look with Davis, his heart racing as he tried to reply to her. “A contract marriage,” he said, his voice low, aware that it might not sit well with her.
• “What?!” Clara exclaimed, the shock from what she heard prompted her to stand on her feet abruptly as she looked at the two friends who now avoided her gaze with their heads down in embarrassment.
• “What does that even mean, a contract marriage.” She asked again, her nostrils flared as she glared at them in anger. “How long will that even last or was that a sort of joke?” she said again, her voice already tinged with anger.
• “It might not be more than a year.” Davis replied with his heart beating really fast. They were both scared of getting embarrassed.
• “Just imagine, just a year of marriage.” Clara said, breathless with anger, she turned to leave but Davis voice stopped her in track as he said
• “You two may end up falling in love, you know.” He said. She turned back and looked at the two guys intently as if studying them to know what to say. She fell silent for what took like eternity, different thoughts running through her mind before she finally nodded her head in agreement leaving the two guys surprised at her immediate agreement.
• “I am in.” She said with an expressionless face.
• “What are the terms and conditions for the contract?” She asked, her voice now calm.
• They have no idea what Dylan's terms and conditions for the marriage could be, all he mentioned was the duration of the marriage. After Lucas called Dylan to update him on the situation, they all headed back to the company.
• Clara felt a wave of nervousness wash over her as they walked back to meet Dylan. She was worried that he might unleash one of his angry and rude moods again. At this point, she was determined not to let her crush on him show again, she needed to act like she didn't care so that he wouldn't treat her poorly.
• When they arrived at the company boardroom where Dylan had instructed them to meet, Clara was surprised to find him already seated. This was unusual, as Dylan typically made a point of keeping his staff or anyone he met with waiting, which suggested that he genuinely wanted the contract marriage, or perhaps he was just accommodating his friends.
• “You agreed to the marriage,” Dylan stated, his voice firm and devoid of any romantic tone, his expression completely neutral. Clara nodded in response, also keeping her face expressionless.
• “We'll get the divorce after the marriage, and I’ll give you fifty million dollars,” he said, his eyes scanning a document in front of him before sliding it over to Clara. Davis and Lucas exchanged glances, surprised that the terms and conditions were so lengthy.
• “I need you to read through this carefully before we go to court for the marriage certificate,” he added, resting his hands on the table.
• Lucas and Davis observed Clara as she read the document, remaining silent but smiling.
• “Won’t she say something or were the terms and conditions acceptable for her?” They wondered.
• “First, Mr. Dylan,” Clara finally said, lifting her head with a serious and confident expression that had never appeared on her face since she began working at the company.
• “I want a hundred million, not fifty,” she declared, crossing her arms as she looked at Dylan, who was taken aback by her boldness.
• “I already know you need the money, it could buy your whole family,” Dylan said, his voice barely above a whisper, laced with arrogance and annoyance.
• “Excuse me?” Clara replied, wanting to catch what Dylan had murmured.
• “Never mind,” he answered. “I’ll give you the hundred million after the divorce,” he added, his gaze fixed on the plain wall, avoiding eye contact with her.
• “I’ll take thirty percent upfront,” Clara said confidently, and it seemed to ignite anger in Dylan as he slammed his hand on the table, his face contorted with rage. Lucas and Davis quickly rushed to him, patting his back and whispering for him to calm down.
• “Okay,” he replied, gritting his teeth in frustration. “It feels like you’re agreeing to the other conditions. Follow me so we can get the marriage certificate.” Dylan stood up and was about to turn when Clara’s voice stopped him in his tracks.
• “I h
• ave my own terms and conditions to add to this,” she said.