Love Contract

Chapter 35 Back To The Starting Point

Life had been wonderful ever since they gotten married. 'It's probably because I'm so tired of being alone that the moment someone treats me well, I tend to magnify it by a thousand times. That's why I feel differently towards William. I feel helpless but I'd better not start anything else, ' Mary thought. . .

William was sweating so much all over, his hair wet and dripping, it had wet the sheets.

Mary fetched a towel and began to wipe his head.

"William," Mary said softly as she continued to wipe his hair, "I'm worried about you. I'm afraid you'll fall sick, that is all. Please don't think too much. I might have scared you but don't worry. I'm just afraid I'll get lost in your charm and fall in love with you. It's not on you, so please don't worry about it."

"I know..." William muttered suddenly, causing Mary to jump, startled.

"You didn't fall asleep?" Mary said, trying to calm her furiously beating heart. .

William turned over and continued to sleep.

He was probably dreaming. Mary shook her head before continuing to tidy up the room.

She then quietly closed the door and left.

It was dark in the bedroom. The man on the bed suddenly opened his eyes and sat up.

William rubbed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.

On the second morning, Mary got busy in the kitchen.

William walked out of the bedroom, his stride lumbering, steps heavy. "What are you doing?" he asked Mary hoarsely.

"Ah, you're up!" Mary looked around, surprised and embarrassed. "It's still early."

"Headache."

"Does it still hurt?" Mary asked, coming over to him with a bowl of soup and handing it to him. "Drink it."

William took the bowl and frowned suspiciously at it. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"Don't worry. It's not poisonous. I wouldn't dare hurt you," Mary said teasingly, internally surprised at how normal she sounded, as if nothing had happened. . .

William put down the bowl, his eyes moving to her laptop. "How to make Minced Pork Congee with Preserved Egg," William read out, his eyebrows shooting up. "Are you making porridge?". .

"Yes," Mary said, smiling. "Breakfast was takeaway, though.".

William cocked his brow noncommittally at this. He then picked up his chopsticks and began to eat. It didn't matter to him whether she had bought the food or not.

Mary filled two bowls of porridge, sat down before him, and began to eat.

"How do you like the porridge?" Mary asked expectantly. .

"Not bad, yeah," he said, his face stoic. But Mary snickered. .

"It's a little... Light," he added.

Mary's smile dimmed at his words. "You have bad taste," she said.

William's jaw hardened at this. Mary noticed this and she returned her attention to her bowl.

"Well..." Mary started to say, a few minutes later, but William cut her off. .

"Needless to say," he said, "I will pretend like nothing has happened."

"How do you know what I was going to say?" Mary frowned. . "I just know.". "That's good, I think. I will work hard then, not to worry," Mary said, heaving a sigh of relief.

"Okay."

"I will find a suitable boyfriend as soon as possible this year. Please don't worry about it," Mary said confidently. .

William's head snapped up at this, shock coloring his features.

Mary thought he wasn't believing her and said hurriedly, "Really, I'm not young anymore. It's time for me to make a plan for the rest of my life. But I won't cause any trouble during the contract period."

William's lips became a thin line. "Whatever," he sneered.

Saying thus, he got up without finishing the porridge, grabbed his coat, and walked out.

Mary was surprised at his behavior. 'Is he still drunk? Why did he lose his temper like this?' she wondered.

But Mary was relieved for having cleared things up with him. She always felt love could be restrained. No wonder people called her heartless.

Mary had planned to go directly to the site, but remembered that she had to retrieve a document from the company and retraced her steps. She saw Lucas when she reached the 32nd floor.

Mary was annoyed, because she felt that no matter how close friends and brothers were, there was no need to go to the company every day. But Lucas was one such person, and Frank was another.

Mary was about to leave quietly when Lucas glanced up and spotted her. "Hi, Mary!" he said, emerging from the office with a big smile on his face. Mary peeked into the room

subconsciously and found William seated in there. He clearly had no intention of coming out.

"Hello! You're here too!" she greeted Lucas, embarrassed. . .

"I just arrived," Lucas said with a cheeky smile. "I'm here to return William's key to him. I was at his luxurious apartment last night, stayed there for free."

Apartment? She thought, 'I guess I shouldn't be surprised that a man like William, who runs a super big company by himself, owns multiple properties!'

"Continue talking with William. I need to get to work first," she said, smiling, and made to turn around. .

"Don't leave, Mary," Lucas said, taking a step forward. "Am I not welcome here?".

"No, no, nothing like that," Mary said, waving her hand, embarrassed. .

William looked up at them from behind his desk, satisfied at the frustration etched on Lucas's face.

"Your mother... How's her? How about I go with you tomorrow to see her?" Lucas asked. . .

"Wh-what?" Mary stammered, surprised. 'Is he purposely acting like a good friend, offering to visit my mother?'

"Damn it! I knew it! That brat didn't tell you!" Lucas exclaimed disdainfully. .

"What should he have told me?" Mary was now confused. .

"Ahem," Lucas smiled. "Let me introduce myself first. I'm a doctor and my family runs a hospital. This time, it was that brat, William, who asked me to come back."

"Why are you back?" Mary asked curiously.

"To help your mother," Lucas said, grinning, his white teeth glinting. "I'll try my best to treat her. I've informed the hospital about it. We can go there tomorrow, okay?".

Mary was too surprised to reply. She didn't know if her surprise was because of what William had done or for the doctor before her who didn't look like a doctor.

"Mary? Are you okay?" Lucas asked, concerned. . "I..." Tears welled up in Mary's eyes. "Thank you. I'll take you there tomorrow.". She knew that he must be very competent given that William had called him here.

"It's okay, Mary. Please don't cry!" Lucas exclaimed, panicking. . .

William watched them chat through the glass window, without any idea about what they were talking about. He was annoyed. Why was this glass so soundproof?.

"Okay, okay," Mary said, trying not to burst into tears. "I'm just too happy. Thank you. Thank you very much!".

"Come on, don't be so formal!" Lucas said, taking a white handkerchief from his pocket and handing it to her. It had barely made its way to her hands when they heard a loud thud. .

They looked around, startled, to see William rushing out of the office, clearing his throat. . "What are you doing?" he asked coldly before turning to Mary and saying, "Mary, make me a cup of coffee.". .

Mary nodded, saying, "Okay," and left. .

Lucas put away his handkerchief, an evil smile playing on his lips, and said to William, "Why are you in such a hurry? Are you afraid I'm going to steal your wife?"

"What nonsense!" William barked, glaring at Lucas. "I came out of the office for some fresh air. It was getting too stuffy in there.".

"Yes, yes, it's too stuffy," Lucas said, smiling as if he knew everything. .

Mary returned with two cups of coffee in her hands. "Enjoy. I'm going to the site."

William nodded wordlessly.

Lucas smiled. "Don't forget our appointment tomorrow!"

"I won't," Mary nodded, smiling before turning around and leaving. .

William frowned and before he could say anything, Lucas sidled up to him and said, "Do you want to know what our appointment is?"

"You can't hide anything from me," William said and walked into the office, the cup of coffee nestled in his hands. "I'll take you to the hospital tomorrow. You can go back now.". .

"Damn! So ungrateful!"

When Mary arrived at the site, she found that Victor had already started working.

Jimmy had been badly injured in the smoke-filled battlefield, face covered with blood and dust. Behind him were bodies of soldiers, scattered on the ground.

The scene was as tragic as it could get. Mary shook her head and went to go through the documents.

"Why are you hiding here?" Victor said, strolling over to her corner. .

"I'm reading some documents," said Mary, looking up at him. "You've already finished your work?".

"Of course," he said, smiling.

"That's awesome!" she said and gave him a thumbs up. .

"There's another piece to shoot in the night," Victor sighed, running a hand over his face. "Looks like I won't be getting any sleep tonight either.".

"It's difficult work. But keep going. You will soon become the best actor ever," Mary said encouragingly.

Victor smiled. "Do you want to accompany me, the future best actor?"

Mary was taken aback. She awkwardly scratched her head as she said, "I'm afraid I can't. I have something to do tomorrow and have to go to bed early tonight."

"What's the matter?" Victor said, sensing the seriousness in Mary's voice and expression. .

"There is a doctor who wants to see my mother, " she said, shrugging. "Is your mother sick?"

"Yes," Mary smiled helplessly. .

"Is it serious?" Victor asked, his voice soft. .

"Cancer," Mary said. She didn't even blink as she said this. .

"I'm sorry! I didn't know," Victor said, flustered.

"It's okay." Mary smiled. "I'm just relieved there's someone to diagnose and treat her. You don't have to feel awkward."

Victor was about to say something, when he stopped, an idea occurring to him abruptly. 'Is there any deal going on between Mary and William?'.