Love Contract

"Mom..." Mary's voice trembled, tears welling up in her eyes as she leaned into her mother's arms to feel her warmth.

"Mary, do you remember, when you were a child, we lived in a courtyard in the countryside..." her mother said, a soft smile playing on her lips. .

Mary listened quietly, reacting where she should and interrupting with questions at the right places from time to time. Before long, it was time to leave.

"I will come to see you tomorrow, Mom. Have a good rest," Mary said, gently stroking her mother's hair.

Her mother nodded. "Remember to eat birthday noodles. And take care of yourself," she said.

"You too, Mom," Mary said, biting her lip to hold back her tears. She smiled shakily at her mother before turning around and leaving.

Mary was walking on the road aimlessly. The sight of the stores brought a distracted thought to her mind. 'It's been so long since I went shopping!' she thought and decided to distract herself even more by indulging in it.

There were still a few hours before she had to be at her part-time job, but she didn't want to see William right now. She needed to calm down.

Not long after, she ran into Andy in a mall.

Andy was holding on to the arm of a beer-bellied man as old as her father. If it weren't for the fact that she didn't have a father, Mary would have thought it was a father and daughter spending time together. "Mary! What a coincidence!" Andy said as way of greeting..

"Hey Andy," Mary said, her smile tight..

"This lady looks familiar," the beer-bellied man said. His smile was so sinister, it gave Mary the chills. "Have we met before?"

Mary shook her head. "You must have mistaken me for someone else." The corners of Mary's mouth twitched. The man looked shady and this caused her to want to leave early.

"This is our CEO's wife. Don't offend her!" Andy said, blinking her wide almond eyes at the man. "You recognize beautiful women as soon as you see them. But did you know she is the wife of a CEO?".

"Oh, it's Mrs. Lan! I'm so sorry!" the man said, his demeanor changing instantly. He reached out to shake her hand, several large gold rings adorning his fingers..

Mary shook his hand and said, "I have something to attend to. Please excuse me." Saying thus, she escaped from their company, walking away as fast as she could.

She had walked a few steps but she could still hear their voices from behind her.

"You are so beautiful, my dear! Now come and kiss me!" the man was saying.

"No..."

Mary could only hear a short hiss and she turned just in time to see the beer-bellied man bear down upon Andy..

'Damn it,' Mary thought, shivering as she looked back. 'The world is getting worse by the day.'

Many people had been suspicious of her when she had first entered the Public Relations Department. Wasn't an employee in this department just a barmaid? She had had to rely on her own strength to make an impact. No matter how difficult this was, it would be okay as long as she got something out of it.

People like Andy also existed but everyone was different. Choices and opinions were different. No one could tell right from wrong.

The square was decked up for Children's Day, which was just around the corner, and had many entertainment facilities set up for children to play.

Mary bought some fast food and sat down on a bench by the roadside, watching the young faces around her laughing and frolicking.

The big screen in the square was full of advertisements, but Mary wasn't expecting to see a video about the Past of Republic of China.

In this video, Victor played a major military tycoon in the Republic of China, wearing a grey military uniform and long leather boots. He sometimes rode a war horse into a battlefield full of smoke and sometimes, he merely stood in the snow. A lady dressed in an old-fashioned manner, stood beside him. It was all very romantic.

"This trailer is awesome! I really want to watch it! " a student sitting next to Mary said excitedly. "Victor is still so handsome!". "Yeah, yeah," another girl echoed. "It's a pity he's a playboy!"

"I don't care. He's a playboy but won't spend time with me," the first girl said, pouting.

"Well, you have a clear picture of yourself."

"Hey, you're being an ass! Do you want to get beaten up or something?"

The second girl laughed.

The two girls left, jibing at each other. Mary couldn't help but laugh at their antics.

Her phone began to ring, startling her into silence. She pulled out her phone, wondering who was calling her, and found that the call was from an unknown number. She didn't know who it was that was calling her.

"Hello?" Mary said tentatively. "Hello, who are you looking for?" she repeated when no one answered her.

A magnetic voice sounded from the other end, "It's me."

"V-Victor?" Mary stumbled over the name, paling at the voice and hoping that she had misheard it..

"Yes. You remember my voice. That's good." It seemed that Victor was in a good mood.

"How did you get my number?"

"I'm smart. Also, I have my own methods.". Mary's eyebrows shot up. "What do you want?"

"Nothing. I just called for fun," Victor said, chuckling. Mary could hear the humor in his voice. "Are you excited that I called?".

"Yes, I'm flattered," Mary said, trying to come off as sarcastic, but failing. A smile had crept into her voice.

"I knew it!" Victor said.. Mary smiled again. It really seemed like he had nothing to do. "I just saw the video about your new play."

"Did you now? Am I good?" he asked, teasing.. "Yes, it's very good," said Mary. "The video is very good."

"The opera will begin to play tomorrow. Don't forget to watch it," he said.

"I won't," Mary said.. The new opera was played in a shoot-broadcast form, and the trailer video had just been completed. It was interesting and had become popular even before it was broadcast. "Victor, let's go. It's your treat!" a voice sounded from Victor's end..

"I'm coming!" Victor called back. "You go ahead.

"Are you going to have dinner?" Mary asked...

"Yes," replied Victor, "I just finished work and we're going out to celebrate."

"Go ahead. Don't make them wait too long."

"Okay." There was a ringing silence following this one word.

"Mary," Victor suddenly said..

"What? What is it?" Mary said nervously..

"Happy birthday."

"Victor, you..." Mary was shocked that he knew. "How did you know my birthday?" she asked... "I just came to know about it from them," Victor laughed. "Save my phone number and remember to call me. Bye!"...

Victor hung up before Mary could react.

Did Victor just wish her a happy birthday?

Mary stared at the phone for a long time before her face broke out in a smile. She saved the number and typed out a message.

"Thank you. Eat more."

She looked it over twice before she sent it to Victor.

Victor was about to chase them after hanging up, but his phone suddenly pinged. He pulled it out and looked at it, a smile appearing on his face. He didn't come to his senses for a long time.

Peter was there when Mary arrived at the convenience store.

"Peter! Long time no see," Mary called out to him.

"Mary! Long time no see, indeed! Where have you been on a business trip again?" Peter exclaimed in answer.

"Shanghai. I'm so tired!" she groaned.

"That's great. You could have some fun, though, " Peter smiled at her. "Kid, you are too naive," she said, her tone admonishing, but the smile took the sting out of her words. Mary shook her head and entered the changing room.

When she emerged, Peter was standing there, a small cake in hand. "Happy Birthday, Mary!" he almost shouted in excitement.

"Oh, my God, thank you!" Mary said, moved by his gesture. "Thank you, Peter!"

"You're welcome. Now quick. Make a wish!"

"Okay," Mary said, a smile plastered to her face. She then closed her eyes..

The light in the office of the CEO of the AJ Group was still on.

Then came a knock on the door.

"Come in please."

"Mr. Lan," Kevin said, pushing the door open. "I've sorted out the documents."

"Okay, you can leave now," William said without looking up.

"Okay." Kevin made to leave but he hesitated before asking, "Mrs. Lan... Does the company need to ready a gift for Mrs. Lan?"

AJ Group had a tradition where everyone received a gift from the company on their birthday. Everyone, from the manager to the cleaning staff. Mary, however, had a special status in the company. They didn't know if the boss would personally give her a gift or if the company was supposed to.

"A gift? What gift?" William said, finally looking up, a frown on his face...

"A birthday gift. Tomorrow is Mrs. Lan's birthday. Didn't you know that?" Kevin said, astonished.

"I didn't know," William murmured..

"What about the gift?" Kevin wasn't about to let up.

"Do what you need to. It's a company rule," William said rather indifferently, going back to work..

"Okay, Mr. Lan. I'll get the gift. I'm leaving now."

"Okay." William paused as he watched Kevin leave. His lips suddenly quirked up into a smile.

Tomorrow, Children's Day, was Mary's birthday?

It was three o'clock in the morning, when Mary was about to close the door and finally get off work, another customer appeared at the door.

"William!" she screamed, scared out of her wits.

"You look like you've seen a ghost! Why are you screaming?" William said, rolling his eyes exasperatedly.... "Why are you here?" Mary asked, trying to calm herself. "Just passing by," William said casually.

"Passing by?" Mary's lips twitched. 'It's three o'clock in the morning. You're telling me you're passing by? Come on! You've got to lie more convincingly!' she thought. "Yeah." William shrugged. "Do you have noodles?" William nodded towards the shop.

"Yes," Mary answered, her expression blank..

"Where?"

"You really want it?" Mary was surprised.

"Of course! Why would I ask otherwise?" William said nonchalantly, adjusting his tie as he did..

"Okay," Mary said, shrugged, and went in. A while later, she brought out the noodles.

William paid for the noodles before asking, "Are you off duty?"

"Yeah," Mary said.

"Let's go, then."

"You are going to go back too?" Mary was shocked again.

"Yes," William said shortly, not wanting to scold her anymore.. They had barely settled down in the car when Mary began to feel sleepy.

"Sleep if you want to," William told her, not taking his eyes off the road. "I'll wake you when we get home."..

"Okay," Mary said, grateful, and promptly fell asleep..

William looked over at her, sleeping on the seat, her lips slightly apart, her long eyelashes

trembling. The scene almost took him apart.

He had gone home but had been so worried

about her that he immediately made his way to pick her up. What was wrong with him?.

He remembered that morning, when he hadn't been able to stop himself from kissing her red lips during the process of taking wedding

photos. Her lips were soft, and Mary was

obviously frightened and had only passively accepted his kiss. That feeling was unforgettable to him.

His chest tightened and William loosened his tie before muttering furiously, "Damn it!"

He scowled as he turned his attention back to the road.