Vivienne had just gotten into the higher institution and was finding it hard to fit in. She was either always late for class or her dorm mates made fun of her, calling her an outcast even though she wasn't. They either picked on her or bullied her for no reason.

One faithful day, she was already late for class. Her roommate had locked her inside the hostel the same way they always did.

“Is anyone here? Please, is anyone outside to help me out?” She knocked on the door while shouting. She had a test today and couldn't afford to miss it.

Meanwhile, in class, Aurora had searched everywhere for her. The test was coming up any moment now, but she couldn't find her. She was nowhere to be found. Aurora called her phone, but it wasn’t going through.

“Hey, please can you help me out? My best friend isn't here, and I don't want her to miss the test. Can you come with me to her place so we can find out what's wrong?” Aurora asked Ethan.

“I don't think I can do this. Besides, what if they start the test without us? Should we fail because someone isn't here?”

“You know they won't conduct any tests without you here. So please, let me make use of you for my friend.” Aurora pleaded.

“What if she intentionally doesn't want to come to class? What would you do about it?” Ethan asked.

“I know my friend. There's no way she'll miss this kind of test, especially in her first year. Something must be wrong somewhere, and I can't figure it out, but I need to be there for her.”

“I'm not doing this for you guys. I'm doing this for myself. So let's go. Lead the way.”

They both ran to her hostel.

“I think I'll wait for you here,” he said.

“Why? Is anything wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong. This is a female’s hostel, and I can't just barge in like this. I'm the opposite gender, don't you know? Or did you need to be reminded?”

“Okay then. And please don't go yet. Just give me ten minutes. I'll be back with her.”

“Okay, I'm counting on you then.”

She went inside to know what was wrong when she heard the constant knocking and screaming.

“Vivi, is that you?”

“Aurora, you came for me? What about the test? You need to go back. You can't miss this test.”

“What's wrong with you?”

“I was locked inside my own hostel by my roommate.”

“Thank goodness I came here. If not, how would I have known what was going on?”

“Please, can you just help me out?”

Aurora tried opening the door from the back but couldn't. She had no choice but to call on Ethan to help them out.

“Please, can you help me out? My best friend is stuck inside, and I'm finding it hard to open the door.”

“So you're saying I should help you out, right?”

“Yes, please. Come help me out.”

He went inside to help her out, and they both opened the door. The moment he opened it, he fell in love with Vivienne immediately. He looked at her passionately and couldn't take his eyes off her for a minute.

“Hey, thanks for helping me out,” Vivienne said in appreciation.

He stared at her and didn't answer. She looked at him, and their eyes met. She then waved at him as if everything was fine. That was when he came back to his senses.

“Emmmm... hi... sorry... we need to go so we won't be late.”

“Yeah, we need to. The test will be coming up soon,” Vivienne said.

The trio ran down to class immediately. After the test was over, Vivienne ran over to meet Ethan and personally thank him for saving her.

“Hey, I want to thank you for helping me out. I really appreciate it.”

“It's okay. At least you didn't miss the test. I'm happy I could help.”

She stretched her hand towards him. “I'm Vivienne Bennett. Nice to meet you.”

He stretched his hand to meet hers, and they shook hands. “I'm Ethan Kingston. Nice meeting you too.”

***

“What? Is this a prank or what, because I don't understand you?” she said, looking confused.

“I know this looks weird to you, but I need you to trust me, and I'm really serious. I want you to marry me.”

“Did you know I just got rejected by Ethan, your own junior brother, and now you want me to marry you? Are you people even okay at all? What do you take me for? A pushover? Something you can just take, toy with, and trash when you're done?”

“No! Please don't misjudge me. That's not what I meant,” Damien said, trying to explain himself.

“So what is it that you're saying? You clearly said you want to marry me instead of your junior brother, or isn't that what you said?” Vivienne asked.

“Yeah, that was what I meant, but I didn't mean you're a pushover or something I can trash when I'm done with you. I won't do such.”

“Wow, it runs in the blood.”

“What runs in the blood? I don't understand you,” Damien asked confusingly.

“The sweet-talking, of course. You remind me of the way Ethan sweet-talks to me. But anyway, that's that. I need to know why you want me to get married to you,” she asked, looking calm and anxious at the same time.

“It's hard for me to explain, and I don't know how you'll see it or even understand it if I explain it, but just trust me.”

“Trust you? That will be the last thing I'll do on this surface of the earth, especially to you and your family members.”

“I know, but I'm serious about it, and I really mean it. But I'm not in the position to explain what's going on right now,” Damien said.

“I know you're just trying to mock me because of what Ethan did.”

“No, there's no way I'll mock you. Things like this hurt a lot. Besides, I witnessed part of the scandal, and I know his true character.”

“You knew?”

“It's not like that. Please believe me. Okay, let's do this. Why not get married to me to get your revenge on my younger brother? It'll benefit both of us.”

“How will it benefit both of us? What about you? How will it benefit you?”

“You don't need to know how it will benefit me, as long as you're able to take your revenge. Then no problem.”

“I'm sorry, I can't do something like this. What if you also want me for something I can't afford? I'm not interested in this marriage, and please let me be.”

She left Damien alone there and walked a little before getting into a cab to Aurora’s place. When she got there, she knocked on the door. Aurora hugged her tightly the moment she saw her.

“Vivi, are you alright? Are you okay? Why are you looking like this? Please come inside. OMG, what have I done to deserve this?” Aurora said, looking worried.

“Rora, I just want to sleep and never wake up. I just wish this whole thing is a dream and someone can wake me up from it. This whole thing needs to end,” she said sobbingly.

“No! You can't say that now. Never wake up? How? You'll always sleep and wake up. That I'm sure of.”

“Did you see the way Ethan humiliated me in front of everyone? In front of my guests, my family, and everyone I invited to the wedding? And to think he said I'm emotionally unstable is something I don't understand. I'm not unstable. I'm alright, and he's the one who's unstable.”

“I know, but at least you're happy, and I think you need to talk to Ethan about it. Why would he cut off your wedding like that? In public? He had all this time to cut you off from his life, and he chose your wedding day. No, that was really bad, I must confess.”

“Did you even know why he cut off the wedding?”

“Isn't it because you're emotionally unstable? Or is there another reason for that?”

“So, you want to tell me you believe that crap that came out of his mouth?” Vivienne asked her.

“Okay, then explain to me. Let me know what's wrong. What conspired between you two that would make him cut off the wedding?”

Vivienne lowered her head, her fingers tightening around the mug of tea Aurora had placed in her hands. The image of Ethan and Sophia together refused to leave her mind.

“He didn't call off the wedding because I was unstable,” she whispered. “He called it off because I caught him with another woman.”

Aurora's brows knitted together. “Who?”

Vivienne closed her eyes, and a tear escaped despite her efforts to hold it back.

“My sister.”

“What? Did you mean Sophia?”

“Yeah, Sophia. He wasn't even remorseful. He told me he didn't want me to find out this way.”

“Wait! How did he expect you to find out? I don't understand this guy anymore,” Aurora said.

“Same here. I don't understand him anymore. Why did he change, and when did he change? He was never like this to me. He even said they've been dating for close to a year. Can you imagine?”

“And he proposed six months ago.”

“He said our marriage wasn't going to work anyway and that I've always been boring.”

“What? You mean Ethan said all these things?”

She didn't answer; she continued spilling everything Ethan had told her. It was as if she finally saw a chance to free her mind.

“He said I never challenged him. I never understood what someone of his status actually needed, and he didn't cheat—he just moved on before the wedding.”

“If I was told Ethan could say something like this, I wouldn't believe it, because he has always been the perfect husband for you, and I was happy you had someone like that. I'm so sorry, dearie.”

“Should I tell you the more shocking news?”

“Is there more than this?”

“Damien, Ethan's elder brother, asked me to marry him instead of his junior brother.”

“What are these people up to? What do they want from you? Isn't it more than enough what Ethan did to you? Anyway, just leave them alone and let's focus on the next step to take now.”

“I just want to sleep off. I'll go see my parents once I'm awake. They'll be dead worried about me.”

She slept off, woke up, and took her leave to her parents' house.

***

“Ethan, that was wild. Why would you say something like that in public? Did you know you just humiliated my dear sister in front of her so-called well-wishers?” Sophia said mockingly.

“No, I didn't. I just had to put her in her place and remind her where she belongs.”

“Anyway, I love what you did. I really love it, and I'm happy you cut ties with her. Now we won't be scared or cautious of everyone and anybody.”

“And who says I was scared or cautious of anybody? I do what I want and what I love, and I'm happy I did that. At least I got to be with you, my darling.”

“I love you, Ethan, and I'll forever love you.”

They both kissed. Ethan turned back to enter his car and drove off.

Vivienne stood there for a while. She had left Aurora’s place to go home and explain to her parents what actually happened when she encountered this scene. She had wished Ethan would call her to apologize, but seeing this, she knew it was actually over.

Angrily, she decided to give Damien a call. Earlier, he had given her his card in case she finally made up her mind.

She went back to Aurora’s place.

“Hey, Rora, please I need to make an important call. Can you lend me your phone?”

“Is everything well? You're back from your parents' place so soon?”

“No, I haven't gone to meet them. I saw another scene, and that's a story for another day.”

“So who do you want to call right now?” Aurora asked her.

“I need to talk to someone important right now. I'll explain to you later.”

She picked up Aurora’s phone and called Damien. The moment he picked up at his own end, she said, “I'll marry you.”

“What?”

“I said I'll marry you.”

CHAPTER 3 - THE CONTRACT MARRIAGE

“Wow, I wasn't expecting this answer so soon. Did something happen?”

“I've given you my answer.”

“You know what? Let me call you back,” he said.

“Vivi, wasn't that Damien you called? Or who?”

“Yes, I called him, and I want to get married to him.”

“Vivi, are you sure this is the right thing to do? I don't want you to do anything that will make you regret your actions.”

“At this point, I don't mind regretting my actions. Not after what I saw with my own two eyes.” She started sobbing. Aurora had no choice but to move closer to her. She hugged her tightly and allowed her to cry her eyes out.

“Vivi, if this will make you feel better, then I think you should cry your eyes out. Don't keep anything to yourself.”

“What did I do to deserve this? I don't deserve any of this, and I don't know why he would do something like this to me.”

She was still crying her eyes out when Aurora’s phone rang. She picked up the phone to see who was calling.

“Vivi, it’s your dad.”

“What? My dad?” she whispered.

“Yeah, your dad. What should I say to him?” she asked.

“Just tell him I'm not with you right now. I'll take my leave now. I need to meet with them.”

“I thought you met with them.”

“No, I didn't. I encountered another scenario and had to come back here. Don't answer the call. I'll take a cab going home, and... and… You know what? Let me be on my way. See ya later.”

She waved at her and left Aurora’s place. Aurora didn't know what to do, so she didn't answer the call. She sat down and kept her eyes on the phone as it rang.

Vivienne got into a cab going home when she stared at the ring Ethan had given her.

---

“Hey, Ethan, where are you heading to?” Vivienne asked him. They had barely known each other; it had been just a few days.

“I'm going to the library to pick up some books,” Ethan answered, sounding uninterested.

“Wow! I'm also heading there. Let's go together, then.”

“Okay, no problem.”

They got to the library and parted ways. Ethan had forgotten to pick up the books he wanted to study while Vivienne was off to meet her roommate about the key to the room.

“Hey, what do you think you are? Isn't it enough that you're an outcast, and now you want to behave as if you own the world?” Girl one said.

“I've told you countless times that if you don't watch it, I will help put you in your place since you don't know it,” Girl two said, pushing her back.

“So you had the effrontery to break the lock and expect us to still let you into the room? No! It's not possible. We've fixed a new lock, and you are not allowed into the room unless you… What am I even saying? Unless you take you and your filthy self out of the room,” Girl three said.

“You guys should please stop this. I had a test that day, and you guys locked me inside. What was I supposed to do? I can't just stay locked there and not do anything about it. I'm sorry for what I did, but that's my dorm, and you guys can't send me out.”

“She said we can't send her out,” Girl two said, laughing mysteriously.

“How many times have I told you that we need to teach this girl a lesson? She's becoming something I don't understand, and it's beginning to disgust me.” Girl two moved closer to her and gave her a dirty slap. The slap attracted Ethan, and he instantly came closer to see what was happening.

He found out that it was Vivienne and immediately stepped in.

“You guys should stop this, or else I'll report you.”

“Report us??”

“Vivienne, let's go.” He took her hand, carried her bag, and left the library. “Why did you have to keep quiet and let them treat you like that?”

“It's no big deal. I've always been treated like an outcast anyway,” she whispered.

“What?”

“Nevermind.”

“Anyways, you need to leave that place with immediate effect. I'll talk to my dad, and you'll be posted to a new dorm with a nice roommate—or none at all. Either is fine with you.”

Ethan talked to his dad and helped her secure a better place with a few roommates. He also helped her move her things out of her former dorm to the new one.

“Now that she has moved places, just like you guys wanted, I don't want to hear anything like bullying or calling her an outcast, or else you'll leave this school. Try me and see.” He walked out of her dorm angrily. Those were the words he said to her roommates before storming out. Ever since then, until she graduated, she was never bullied or called an outcast anymore.

---

“Why am I even remembering all these things now, when it's of no use?” Vivienne said. She removed the ring and threw it away. The cab dropped her at her place. She went inside to meet her parents and talk to them.

“Vivi, what was wrong with you?” Mrs. Bennett said.

“Mum! Nothing is wrong, and that guy is lying,” she told her mum, trying to defend herself.

“How was he lying? You heard everything he said, and you didn't say anything. Look at the way you even ran to the hall like that. If he hadn't come to explain things to the whole crowd, how would we even know what was going on with you?” Mrs. Bennett chipped in.

“Dad, believe me, nothing is wrong with me. I'm certain of it. The guy is just lying, and you guys need to believe me. I'm not emotionally unstable.”

“Your sister said you were once bullied in school and that maybe that contributed to what happened to you. She said even though they stopped bullying you, you were never the same again.”

“Sophia said that?”

“Yes, she did, and we wouldn't have known all these things if this never occurred.”

“Mum, please believe me. I'm totally fine, and there's nothing—I mean, absolutely nothing—wrong with me.”

“Wasn't it Ethan who also helped you out during that time? Wasn't he the one? He knows what he's saying, so please, if you want us to believe you, you should also support your parents on this. We'll take you to the hospital and make sure you're fine. And maybe Ethan can accept you back.”

“Dad!!! I'm the victim here, not Ethan.”

“Yeah, I know, and that's why we'll be going to the hospital tomorrow morning.”

They weren't even listening to her at all and didn't care if she had anything to say. She left them, got to her room, and called Damien.

“You said you'd get back to me.”

“My apologies. I got into an emergency meeting at the office,” he apologized. “You know what? Stay where you are. I'm coming to pick you up myself.”

“Do you know where I am?”

“Yeah, I know. You just finished having a conversation with your parents, and probably things didn't go the way you expected.”

“Wait, are you tailing me?” she asked, surprised.

“Anyways, just wait there. I'll pick you up.”

She was surprised. Why will he say he wants to get married to me, knowing fully well that I was rejected by his younger brother? Anyways, I will find out when I move close to him, she murmured to herself.

She picked out a cloth from her wardrobe, dressed, and went out to wait for him.

“It's been ten minutes now, and he isn't here. Isn't he aware that he's keeping me waiting?” She was talking to herself when she heard the horn of a car. She turned back to see that it was Damien’s car. She wanted to unleash her anger but decided to suppress it. He wasn't the cause, so why should I unleash it on him? she asked herself, whispering.

“Hey, what's wrong? Your face looks pale,” he asked in concern.

“I'm good. That's just the way my face is.”

“No, your face has never been like that.”

“You talk as if you've known me for years.”

He laughed and kept quiet. “Let's go to my place.”

“Your parents' house?”

“No, mine,” he laughed. “You might be wondering if you'll get to meet Ethan, but no worries. I have my own little space in case of situations like this.”

“Situations like this?”

“Anyways, let's get out of here before your sister sees us—or you don't mind.”

“Yeah, that's true, though.” She got into the car, and they drove to his place. While on the way, he noticed that her ring wasn't there anymore and decided to ask her if she had removed it.

“What about your ring? I noticed it wasn't there this time.”

“How many things do you know—or, how should I put it? Let me put it this way: how many things have you noticed about me?”

He laughed and kept quiet.

“I removed it some hours ago.”

“Oops, sorry about everything. I haven't even had time to apologize to you for what he did. But what if he comes back to apologize and you see real changes in him? Will you go back to him?” He intentionally asked to get her answer.

“The ring you noticed wasn't there is my answer to him. Besides, we're......" She paused for a while and continued " we're getting married now.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. They got to his place, and Vivienne was marveled at what she saw.

“Is this what you call a little space? OMG! This is really huge, though.”

“If you say so, then. Let's go inside and talk things out.” The moment she entered, his guards, cook, cleaner, and the rest bowed down to greet her as a sign of respect.

“No, stop it. You can just call me Vivi.”

“Yes, ma.”

“Go back to your work.”

“You have all of these to yourself? Wow, this is huge. Anyways, before I get carried away, let's sit down to talk.”

“Yeah, we should.” He brought out a marriage contract for Vivienne to sign. She sat down and he started reading the context of the contract

1. The marriage will remain confidential for the first month. I have business matters to settle before the announcement.

2. We must live together. If we're going to convince everyone this marriage is real, we have to live under the same roof.

“Okay.”

3. We will appear as a loving couple in public. No matter what happens privately, we must never argue in front of others.

“I'm cool with that too,” Vivienne said.

4. I will never force intimacy. You'll have your own bedroom. Until you decide otherwise, I won't touch you without your permission.

Vivienne was silent. She didn't say anything.

5. You're free to work, study, or pursue your dreams. I don't want to control your life.

6. You must never investigate Damien's private office. It's for business confidentiality.

7. If you want to leave, you can. The day you truly want this marriage to end, tell me. I won't stop you.

8. We must attend all Kingston family events together.

He paused and gave Vivienne the contract to go through. She thought that was all, only to notice one unusual line at the end of the contract.

"No matter what happens... do not trust anyone who claims to know the truth about your family."

Vivienne frowned.

"Why is this in a marriage contract?"

"Because one day, someone will try to use your past against you."

“What does that mean?” she asked. He refused to explain further.

What does Damien know about my family? Why is he warning me? she thought.

Just as she was about to sign, she noticed something: the contract was dated… three months ago. She looked up.

"You prepared this before the wedding?"

Damien met her eyes.

"Yes," he whispered.

"Why?"