Love Contract

Mary had the night shift in her part-time job at a convenience store. It was not a large store, but it was a busy one, since it was located in a bustling road near the most luxurious Love Bar in the city. There was always a steady stream of business every night.

She arrived at half past eight that evening.

"I'm sorry!" she called immediately as she entered. "I know I'm late, it won't happen again," she added, as she rushed towards the counter.

Peter, the son of the store manager, waved a hand. "Don't worry about it, Mary. It's not that late."

"Thank you for your understanding. I promise, this is a one-time thing," Mary assured him. She patted down her hair, hoping it looked neat.

"Okay, good," said Peter, smiling. Mary went into the back room to change her clothes.

She emerged wearing her uniform and went to stand beside him. "By the way, where's your father? Will he be coming in today?"

"He had something important to take care of, so he won't be here. Why? Do you need to talk to him?" Peter asked curiously. Mary hesitated, then nodded. "Well... yes, sort of," she admitted. "You can tell me," said Peter. "I'll make sure to inform my father as soon as I see him."

Mary considered it. "Sure," she agreed. He looked expectantly at her, waiting.

She took a deep breath and said apologetically, "Peter, I'm afraid I'm planning to resign soon. I'll probably be able to stay until the end of the month, then I won't be working here any longer." "What? Why?" exclaimed Peter, looking startled. There was a trace of disappointment in his eyes as he asked, "Don't you like working here?"

"Of course I do!" Mary said hastily, eager to reassure him. "You and your father have been very kind to me. It's because... Well, because I got married." Seeing his eyes widen, she added, "Also, I need to take care of my mother. She has not been in good health, and she needs a companion."

But Peter barely heard the last part. He was focused on her astonishing news. "Mary, you got married?" he said, unable to hide his disbelief. "I've never heard you mention anything about an engagement, much less a wedding."

Mary flushed. "Well, it all happened very fast. I wasn't really planning it, but you know how these things go. I was so busy with everything that I didn't have time to inform everybody."

Peter sighed. "Ah, I see. Mary, I have to admit, I'm upset to hear about your marriage. I was hoping you'd wait for me to grow up, then the two of us could get married."

Mary giggled. She said lightly, "Oh, Peter, you're in high school. You don't want someone as old as me. You're a kid, and I'm ten years older than you."

"Age is not a problem!" Peter said, sounding offended. He puffed out his chest, and Mary couldn't help herself. She laughed again.

"Mary, can I still call you even after you leave?" Peter asked worriedly.

"Of course!" Mary replied, smiling. "Anytime you want to talk, just let me know."

"Won't your husband be jealous?" Peter asked in a serious voice.

Mary was surprised, then she pressed her lips together, trying to keep a straight face. "Don't worry about that. I'm sure he won't," she told Peter. 'William is not the jealous type, and even if he were, why would he be jealous of a high school boy?' Mary thought to herself, suppressing her smile.

Peter nodded. "Oh, I see. That's good, then."

Around half an hour later, Peter left. When he had gone, Mary was left alone in the

convenience store. During the midnight shift, there was still a trickle of customers that came in, maybe two or three every hour. In the past, when there were no customers in the convenience store, she had used the time to catch up on her work for her day job. Now that she was married to the company CEO, and the handover was almost completed, she had no tasks to complete. She felt restless without any work to do.

The bell chimed as the door opened. Mary was absently straightening up the counter when a customer walked in.

"Hello, welcome!" she said brightly, turning to greet the customer. But the smile died on her lips when she saw who had entered.

It was Victor. What was he doing here?

The shock on her face was mirrored in Victor's expression. Was that Mary? What was the wife of the CEO doing, working in a convenience store like this? For a moment he just stood there. Then he recovered grinning wickedly, and walked up to the counter. He pulled off his sunglasses and met her eyes.

"Why, it's the CEO's wife!" he said. He gave her a dazzling smile. "This afternoon you left in such a hurry with your husband that I didn't even have time to say goodbye."

Although they were separated from each other by the counter, Mary could smell the alcohol on his breath and clothes. It seemed as though he'd just been heavily drinking at some bar.

"Why would you bother saying goodbye? We're not that close," Mary said coolly. She made a show out of checking her watch. "Well, it's three a.m., and the store is about to close. If you're going to buy anything, please make it quick and then you can leave."

"Certainly," said Victor, sounding amused. He glanced at the nearby merchandise and picked up a pack of mint-flavored chewing gum. "Here, I'll take this. I've been drinking all night, I could use this for my breath."

Mary sneered and took the gum from him. 'Why drink so much if you know it makes you smell bad,' she thought, mentally rolling her eyes.

Victor paid for the gum, then asked casually, "Why are you working here? I can't imagine why your husband would allow it."

Mary ignored the question. "All right, we're closing up now. Please go."

"Wow!" Victor whistled. "You have a temper, don't you? I kind of like it," he said, smirking. Mary didn't answer. Victor leaned forward. "If you're leaving, why don't you come with me? I'll take you home."

"No, thanks."

"Why not? It's not safe for you to go home alone at this time of night."

His tone had suddenly turned serious, and Mary turned to glance at him. The smile had disappeared from his face, and he actually looked concerned.

"No, thanks," said Mary again, but her tone was less cold. "You have to leave now. If the paparazzi hears you're here, the company will have to do damage control again."

"Hmm," said Victor musingly. "It almost sounds like you're worried about me." Before Mary could reply, Victor gave her a small smile and walked out of the convenience store.

Mary let out a breath. What was that all about? She'd never seen Victor in this area before. Why would he walk into this store, today of all days?

She closed up everything and turned off the lights. Grabbing her bag from the counter, she locked up behind her and walked towards the street. She felt a jolt of surprise when she caught sight of someone leaning against a car parked on the curb. It was Victor. He seemed to be waiting for her.

Mary frowned. 'What does he want now?' she thought.

She needed to pass him to get home. Sighing, she walked towards the car. Then she walked right past Victor, ignoring him.

"Wait," said Victor, reaching out to grab Mary by the arm.

She tried to pull away, but his grip was firm. She gave him a cold glare. "Let go. I don't know what you intend, but if you're planning to use me against William in some way, I assure you that's impossible." "What?" he said, sounding genuinely confused. He released her arm and said softly, "I don't have any plans. I just don't want you to get hurt." Once more, she was unsettled by his tone.

"I know you didn't plan on running into me tonight. Why are you so concerned?" she asked. "Why would I get hurt?"

"Get in the car," said Victor, opening the passenger side door. "Then I'll tell you."

"I don't need a ride home," Mary said.

"You have a car?" Victor asked, sounding skeptical. He looked around. "Where is it?"

"It's behind your car," she said.

Victor quickly walked to the other side of the car, then burst into laughter. "That's a scooter!" he said.

Mary's face turned red. "Yes, so what?" she snapped, angry that she felt embarrassed.

"Come on, just let me drive you home," he said, still chuckling. Before Mary could respond, Victor lifted up the scooter, preparing to put it into the trunk of his car.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Mary demanded. She rushed towards him and grabbed at her scooter, trying to pull it away. "Will you stop being so stubborn? Just ride with me," said Victor, refusing to release the

scooter.

Victor and Mary didn't realize just how much attention they were attracting as they argued by the side of the road. They were so engrossed in their fight that they failed to notice the conspicuous red Lamborghini down the street, on the other side of the road, where two men watched their every move.

"Wow, not bad for your newly married woman. She's gotten close to Victor very quickly," said the first man innocently. It was Frank, seated on the passenger side, an eyebrow raised as he watched Victor and Mary.

William sat in the driver's seat, his eyes dark and hooded. After a moment, his hands tightened on the steering wheel, and he said coldly, "Let's go."

He drove away, and Victor and Mary didn't see the red car leaving.

"Why do you still let Victor be your employee in the company?" Frank's eyes were filled with coldness. "He is just someone who makes money with his face."

"Enough, Frank!" snapped William. He shot Frank a grim look. "What you have done to Victor is inappropriate. I will indulge you up to a certain point, but you have to restrain yourself."

Frank softened his voice. "I'm sorry, William. It must seem like I'm paying too much attention to Victor, but I promise you, you are the one who fills my thoughts. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

William sighed and reached out to clasp Frank's hand in his own. "I'm sorry too. I don't mean to blame you, I just want to remind you..."

"I know," said Frank soothingly. Then, to lighten the mood, he flashed William a sly smile. "So, do you want to come over to my place tonight?" William nodded. "Yes."