Contract Marriage

Ashton could not deny the fact that he finds joy in Cara's misery. But what really makes him glad is seeing Cara stand for herself. How can she defeat the villains in her life if she can't teach a slutty b*tch a lesson? 'She did well.' He thought. He can't deny how proud he is seeing her slowly transition.

"I'm not jealous. I just did not like how she treated me like trash." Cara sat back at the couch with a scrunched-up face. Once again, Ashton successfully ruined her mood; she thought.

Ashton rested his back on his swivel chair as he annoyingly tapped his table with his fingers.

"Are you trying to annoy me more?" Cara asked Ashton, who is still tapping loudly on the table.

He narrowed his eyes on Cara as he cupped his chin. Ashton took a deep breath before he stood up.

Cara just watched his every step towards her. He looks undeniably sleek today in his gray suit. He extended his hand to Cara. She raised her brows, thinking about what this arrogant man is up to again.

Ashton nodded to her as he offered his hand again. Cara could not reject that sweet face that looks like he could do no harm.

As soon as Cara accepted Ashton's hand, he pulled her up and towards the door. He walked faster as he pulled Cara. There are many staff outside Ashton's office. Cara did not have a chance to protest, to protect their pretend relationship.

As soon as they reached the elevator, Cara pulled in Ashton to ask him exactly what is happening. Bystanders saw how excited the new couple left the office; some even took some photos of them.

"What is happening? Where are we going?" Cara asked Ashton.

"Let's get married now." Ashton whispered back to Cara.

"Now? Like, today?" She asked him again.

He nodded.

"Ding" The sound of the elevator door opening pulled Cara back to reality.

Ashton exited the elevator, and Cara followed him like she was still in a trance. She knew this day would come, but not this soon.

"Why?" Cara blurted out as soon as they both closed their doors shut.

"Because, we need to get things done and fighting with the wedding planner is not a good start." Ashton directly blamed her for his decision.

"If you did not allow her to seduce you like that, it would not have been a problem." Cara exclaimed at Ashton.

"How could I know her plan to seduce me?" Ashton answered back.

"Her scent… that gave it away." Ashton could not believe Cara's answer.

"I'm not even attracted to her scent. I'm more of a vanilla scent type of guy." He explained to her.

"Yeah, right, you should have seen yourself. Your mouth was wide open, a bee could fly in and out without you noticing it." Cara sneered at Ashton. Deep inside it made her smile because the perfume she wore since she was a teen was of that exact same scent Ashton likes.

"Hmm, so you really are jealous fiancee indeed. Are you falling for me Cara?" He asked her directly.

Cara is sure she is not in love with Ashton. It's Theo he likes, his ideal guy. Not this cocky man beside her. Or is she really sure?

"What I am concerned about is if news comes out about you flirting with another woman while your supposed fiancée is in the same room." Cara hoped her explanation was enough to clear doubts between them.

"Hahaha…. Okay, love. Just the same, we still should head to the marriage registry office now to prevent another Lucy entering the picture." Ashton said as he stepped on the gas.

Cara kept quiet the entire ride while Ashton took glances of her while driving.

Ashton knows that it is impossible, but he thinks that Cara is slowly gaining ground in his heart. He finds it amusing how one person can make his heart flutter and make him feel a roller coaster of emotions. He is incapable of love. It's not an idiom, it is in a literal sense that he cannot feel love, that is why he never gets any form of attachment with anyone. As a servant, his entire lineage is unable to feel romantic love or Eros.

Whatever Cara is making him feel, it isn't love. Ashton is sure of it. However... 'I like this change she brings to me, no matter what it is… I don't like it to end soon.' He mumbled while he took a glance at her again and smiled.

"What are you smiling at?" Cara sneered at him when she caught his mischievous smile. He just gave her a broader smile and did not answer. "Hey, before we sign those papers, let's get this straight, okay. You can't fall for me. Any form of intimacy is not allowed." Cara reiterated.

"That, I cannot promise." Ashton said it straight away.

Cara's jaw dropped. "What?"

"I mean for show, we need to do that sometimes. And it is your fault that you put a spell on me to only show you affection." Ashton's reason was valid. "Now, if you could remove that spell please." He tried to make his point come across as stealthy as possible.

Cara narrowed her eyes and looked at Ashton intently. "Not so fast, young man." She said and burst into laughter.

When they arrived at the marriage registry office, people instantly recognized them. However, being a government office, most of them were discreet and none had the courage to go on the couple's way.

They went through the process in a breeze. There were not a lot of people in the office. Perhaps marriage is not a thing like before.

As they stepped out of the building, Ashton stopped Cara on her path and placed his arms over her shoulders. "Wait love, let's take a photo." He insisted.

Cara was game and smiled for the photo. A souvenir of this crazy marriage is not that bad.

"I will post this, to stop any future Lucy's and hopefully make my wife feel more at ease." Ashton said while busy typing a caption for the photo before he posted it.

Cara felt a pinch of satisfaction from what she heard. Is it because he strokes her ego? Or is it because she wants Ashton for herself?

She shook her head, not wanting the idea to enter her mind and confuse her more.

"Okay, let's go Mrs. Crafter." Ashton grabbed Cara's hand, and they walked towards the next building.

"Is it safe for you to walk around like this?" Cara asked Ashton, a little concerned for his safety.

"Hmm, I have my team behind us. Some are undercover guards. Don't worry too much. Besides, I have the strongest babe with me." He said, and smiled at Cara.

"Am I not bringing you closer to danger?" She asked him.

"Well, somehow yes. But it is the fulfillment of a century old prophecy, so it's not like I can do anything to turn it around." Ashton admitted it to Cara.

Ashton blew out his cheeks. "Here we go." He looks at Cara, whose eyes are wondering why they are standing in front of Central Bank.

"What are we doing here?" Cara asked Ashton.

"Come with me." Ashton replied as he pulled her towards the entrance.

Ashton is a VIP in this bank, he is the richest man in the world after all. They led him to the president's office.

"What pleasure do I owe you today, Mr. Crafter?" The president asked.

"I am here to add my wife to all of my accounts. Make her the main owner of all my assets."

"Everything?" the president asked for clarification.

"Everything." Ashton said and kissed the back of Cara's hand.

****

Cara and Ashton got home. They went into their separate rooms and did their night routine. Ashton looked at his reflection for a while as he was brushing his teeth. 'Is this wedding jitters I'm feeling?' he shook his head, not wanting to entertain more of his thoughts.

He turned the TV on to get his mind to other things.

"Breaking news. Three women found lifeless in different parts of the town this evening. All women are stabbed to the heart to what appears to be the same weapon. The city police has yet to release a statement."

The news instantly hit a nerve. Ashton knocked on Cara's door.

"Love, you need to see this." He said as he continuously knocked on the door.

Cara heard him and was confused with his panicky voice. "What is it?" She curiously asked.

Ashton pointed at the television.

She was disgusted at the images on the screen.

Ashton's face was serious. "The Brotherhood of Phantoms are starting their purge."