Contract Marriage by Ashleh Queen (read e books online free txt) 📕

Alex went to hold the basket for her while she carried the bouquet with the card. They found Jimmy reading a paper as his wife was busy doing something on her laptop.

Jimmy's wife, Amoy, offered them some herbal green tea. That they really enjoyed. Jane and Amoy instantly liked each other and hit it off. She was very knowledgeable about all the trending brands and promised Jane to take her out for shopping sometime. And this is when Alex, intervened.

"That will be so nice of you, Amoy. You see, we have a lot to do for our wedding that's coming in three months from now. Right, Jane?"

"Wow, Congrats," Jimmy replied. 
"OMG, I am so happy for you." Amoy reacted.

This made Jane almost jump and look at Alex. But he was fast to cover her reaction saying.

"Don't worry Jane. Jimmy is family and my best man without any doubt. He deserves to know."

Jane collected herself in seconds and passed a little smile to their hosts.

"You better get discharged soon. You are throwing me my bachelor party." Alex told Jimmy with a fake grin that made Jimmy rolled his eyes. They talk about Jimmy's recovery and Amoy give her all the details on the latest wedding gowns that she could give on the next twenty minutes.

".... gonna be so much fun." Jane heard Amoy say at some point. But she was too occupied with processing things in her mind. This is when Alex decided to put her out of misery and asked for their leave. Amoy promised Jane to help her out and advised her to not take the stress.

"Why you didn't ask me first?" Jane asked the moment they got out of their room.

"I do remember to purpose you," Alex replied. 
"This is not what I mean. Why you didn't tell me first that you are planning.... I mean from where does three months come?"

"Oh! About that. I meant to tell you but I forgot but then at that moment I realize I should share." 

This made her recall their encounter with Diana and she stopped in her tracks as he keeps on walking but soon sensing her absence he turned around to find her annoyed face.

"You are unbelievable." She complained. 
"I already know." He passed her a half-smile.

They went home without any fight. She took her time to look at the passing buildings and roads. All she wanted was to relax her nerves. Am I asking for too much? He didn't disturb her and they went home without any fight. Jane knew she didn't have any strength left to argue and Alex knew there will be so many points where he will win without even putting a fight.

"I have something for you." He said holding her hand to stop her from going away.

"What?" She replied coldly. 
He took her to his study and gives her two portfolios without wasting a minute.

"What's this?" She asked as she looked at the room having darker shades than the rest of his home and had long dark-colored drapes at the window.

"These are the portfolios of two very famous wedding planners. I want you to choose from these two." He replied as he took a seat behind his big mahogany table.

"Alex, I need some time. It's.... It's something big." She said putting those files on the table.

"Have you ever noticed how much you waste your time thinking? This could be very unhealthy." He replied giving her a frustrated look.

"How?" Jane asked. 
"I don't know. It has to be unhealthy." He replied nonchalantly but then extending his hand he ordered her to come here. She went to his side. Holding her hand he guided her to sit on his lap and looked deep in her eyes.

A beautiful ray of sun, seeping through the drapes adorn his face and for some time she wanted to be there in his tender hold. So, she let herself enjoy the warmth of his affection. For some time she doesn't want to think or talk. It feels right. But there was this constant little pinch in her mind. That keeps on banging the door of her conscience. That doesn't let her be at peace. And finally, it wins when it echoed...how this person can ever be right for you? He forced himself on you. And this made her took a sharp breath.

"Believe me, you are getting worried for no reason. Everything will turn out to be great. We are more than perfect." He said once he sensed the tension in her now rigid body that was relaxed just a moment ago.

"Believe me, I got it cover." He added.

.... Or maybe this is how I was supposed to meet him. Or just maybe he can really make it work. And this person could be my happy Ever after all those nightmares I have been living for past two years now or maybe God has moved this person's heart and I shouldn't be throwing away what is planned for me.

This made her nod as she pressed her lips hard. She could sense her stupid tears on the way when she hid her face in the crook of his neck as she hugged him.

"Now, that's my Jane." He mutters but she just tightens her hold on his shirt even more.

"If you want to invite your friends or family you are allowed to invite as many people as you want."

She gave him a nod in reply all the while inhaling his cologne. She knew it was a leap of faith. But then everything in this world is just a gamble. You either win or lose. And she was determined not to lose this time.

He had to make some calls to some of his influential sources to confirm their loyalty or threaten them if they don't, for all the mess that was incurred by a very famous politician, Fredrick Erno. She excused herself when he seems so busy for her. Getting to the kitchen she decided to make her a special chocolate cake. And after being done she made some freshly brewed coffee.