Chapter Three

Sophia sat quietly close to the end of her bed. The sun was shining very brightly this morning and it came into her room through her window. There was the sound of cars outside. She was holding a photograph in her hands, one of her and Ethan from years ago. 

In the photo, her hair was loose, and she and Ethan smiled towards the camera. The sun had shone brightly on them, making their happiness look like it had no limits. Now, as she looked at it, her heart felt heavier, making her feel sad.

Her fingers moved over Ethan's smiling face on the photograph and she thought to herself, what if she could make him smile like he used to again.

She was lost in thought, remembering the past when she could almost hear Ethan's voice, excited and calm, as he sat beside her, talking about everything they wanted to do in life. Back then, the future had seemed so big and full of possibilities. Ethan had been so full of energy, always dreaming and always hopeful.

But that version of Ethan is so far away now. The Ethan she knew now was completely different, very serious and more distant. She wondered what made him change so much. But she still strongly believed that, the young caring Ethan that she knew before was still hidden somewhere inside of the mean man he had become.

She placed her back against the wall close to her bed and continued in her thoughts. "What if this marriage… this contract… what if it's more than just a deal to save the bookstore?" she whispered to herself. "What if being around him again could bring back the old Ethan? 

She imagined sitting across from Ethan at the table, sharing stories and laughing like they used to. She could almost see him smiling at her, the way he did when they were younger.

She thought about those quiet moments they used to share, when they would walk together. She thought about how happy he used to be when she said something that was funny. Her heart beat fast even as she remembered.

"Maybe…" she whispered, "Maybe I can make him see me again. Not as part of some contract, but as the girl he used to care about."

She stood and walked slowly to the window. She pushed the curtains aside, looking outside, the day was beautiful and calm.

She imagined Ethan one day becoming the caring boy he used to be, the one that loved her when they were kids and cared about her. 

 "Could I really do it?" she wondered. "Could I bring him back? Could I remind him of who he used to be?"

The thought scared her. What if she failed? What if Ethan never saw her that way again, But another part of her, told her it was worth trying.

She moved away from the window, and wrapped her arms around herself.

"Maybe," she whispered, her voice almost too quiet to hear, "this isn't just about saving the bookstore. Maybe this is our second chance."

For the first time in days, she let herself hold onto that thought. And though her doubts were still there, she still had a small growing hope.

Sophia walked up and down in her small room. She was holding her phone on her hands and looking at it trying to decide whether to call Ethan or not. She just finished reading the contract marriage document for the last time, she has read it repeatedly and remembering every single word.

Her heart beat fast as she unlocked her phone, and typed in Ethan's number that was written on the contract document. She thought about their past, how close they had been once, and how far apart they felt now. But this was important. She decided to call him.

The phone rang the first time, he didn't pick up, she dialed the second time and he still didn't pick up. Then she tried for the third time, it rang for a few seconds and when she was about to give up that he wouldn't pick up, he answered.

"Hello?" Ethan said.

Sophia's voice shaked at first. "Hi, Ethan. It's me, Sophia."

There was a pause. "Sophia," he replied. "What's up?"

"She paused and finally she said. "I've read the contract. I wanted to talk about it with you. Can we meet?"

Ethan was silent for a moment. She could almost hear him thinking on the other end. Finally, he said, "Where?"

"There's an eatery near my place. I thought we could meet there," she said.

"Okay, I would meet you there in twenty minutes time" he said.

 "Thank you." Sophia replied.

After the call has ended, she just stared at her phone for some seconds and then she picked up her purse. She looked at her mirror and made sure her dress was okay and she arranged her hair very well and headed out the door.

The eatery was a nice place with simple tables and chairs. Sophia picked a table close to the window. She pulled out a chair and sat down comfortably while waiting for Ethan.

She kept on looking towards the door to know when Ethan would walk in. Finally, Ethan walked in. He just wore a simple shirt with black jeans trouser.

He looked around and finally saw her where she sat waiting for him, she was even waving at him to draw his attention. He then walked towards her table.

"Hi," he said as you pulled out a chair where he would sit.

"Hi," she replied.

Ethan sat down, his blue eyes studying her. "You said you wanted to talk about the contract."

Sophia nodded and took a deep breath. "I've read it carefully. I understand what you're asking." She paused. "And I've decided... I'll do it."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You're agreeing to the marriage?"

"Yes," Sophia said, looking into his eyes. "I'll marry you to save the bookstore."

He didn't react right away. Finally he asked. "Are you sure about this, Sophia? This isn't something you can take back once we start."

"Yes, I actually want to do this, I thought about it a lot and I have decided to go ahead with the contract because the bookstore means everything to me, to my family. I can't just let it go."

Ethan's looked at her. "You know that this is not only about the bookstore, it's actually going to affect your life completely, are you ready for that?"

Sophia looked down, then looked back at him "I can't tell if I'm ready for this but since I need to save the bookstore, I'm willing to try it out."

Ethan was silent again, then he looked straight into her eyes. 

Finally, he said, "Okay since you are sure that you can do this, then we would take it up from here."

Sophia felt relieved. Even though she was very much scared of her decision she still felt hopeful that she could make Ethan love her again. 

"Okay thank you" she said 

Ethan nodded. "We'll need to finalize everything soon. I'll talk to my lawyer and set a date for the signing."

"Okay" Sophia said.

Both of them kept to themselves and were in their thoughts.

Ethan broke the silence. "This won't be easy, Sophia. People might find out and they'll ask questions."

"Yes I'm aware but saving my father's bookstore is more important to me than any other thing and that's what matters."

Ethan studied her for a moment, "You've changed," he said quietly.

"What do you mean?" Sophia asked.

"You're... stronger than I remember," he said. "The Sophia I knew back then wouldn't have made a decision like this."

She looked away shyly before saying . "Maybe I had to change," she said calmly.

He then stood up "I will give you a call" he said.

Sophia stood as well. "Okay." she replied.

When they came outside the eatery, Ethan turned to her. "Take care, Sophia," he said.

"You too," she replied.

Ethan walked towards his car, turned and waved her goodbye, he then entered his car and drove off.

Sophia stood there for a moment, watching him go. She took a deep breath and turned back toward their bookstore. The decision had been made. Now, all she could do was hope it was the right one.

The sun was very bright outside shining into the lawyer's office. Sophia sat on a chair, there was a table in front of her and on the table the documents she and Ethan would sign was on top of the table. Everything just felt different.

Ethan sat beside her, he wore a designer suit. The lawyer was a man in his middle age and he sat across the table quietly, then he finally spoke.

"This is the documents of the terms and conditions concerning the contract marriage and I hope you both have gone through it especially you Sophia before taking a decision because once you sign it will binded you both legally as far as this contract is concerned"

Sophia nodded quietly. She reached out for the pen the lawyer placed before her. She paused at first.

"You can take your time, you don't have to rush to sign it." Ethan said 

Sophia stared at him a bit and gave a small nod. She had read the contract more times than she could count. She knew the terms. She knew what she was agreeing to. But the weight of it still felt heavy on her chest.

Finally, she picked up the pen and signed her name in neat handwriting.

Ethan followed suit. As he finished signing, the lawyer gathered the papers and smiled politely. 

"You both have finally signed it" said the lawyer.

Ethan stood, "Let's go," he said.

Sophia followed him out of the office. Her heart was heavy but she told herself this was the right decision.

One week later, the wedding day finally arrived. Sophia was in a room wearing a white fitted wedding gown and her hair was packed up very well. She was looking at herself in the mirror.

Rachel her best friend just stood beside her holding beautiful flowers. "You look amazing, if only this was real." She said smiling and at the same time sad.

Sophia tried to smile back, but her nerves made it hard. "Thanks," she said quietly.

Rachel studied her friend. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Sophia paused. "It's not easy, it's just too much but I just have to go ahead with this wedding." She replied looking really sad.

Rachel reached out and held her hand. "You're strong, Sophia. You can handle this."

Sophia nodded, trying to believe it.

The ceremony was small, held in the garden of an old fashioned event hall. The chairs were arranged beautifully and the garden was very well designed with different flowers.

Sophia's father held her hands as they both walked down the aisle together. He looked at her and whispered everything will be fine.

Ethan was at the front of the aisle waiting patiently. He wore a sharp black suit, he stood confidently. Beside him stood Nathan, his best friend, who gave Ethan a small nudge and a grin.

Sophia reached the front, and her father handed her off to Ethan. Ethan took her hand. His touch was warm.

The officiant began to speak, his voice was gentle. The words washed over Sophia.

Ethan's mother, sat in the front row, she watched quietly as her eyes moved between Ethan and Sophia curiously.

Sophia's brother Daniel, who had just returned from his travels, sat next to their parents, his face attentive as he watched the ceremony. At some point, he whispered something to their mother.

When it came time for the vows, Sophia's voice was shaky but it was firm. Ethan's voice was gentle. They exchanged the rings onto their fingers.

The officiant smiled. "You are both now man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Ethan leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips. The guests clapped, the sound filled the garden.

The reception was simple. The tables were well decorated. The food was moderate. Sophia's mother had insisted on helping with the menu.

Rachel and Nathan were in deep chat at their table, they laughed loudly that their laughter filled the environment.

Sophia sat quietly beside Ethan, she kept her hands on her laps.

"You're quiet," Ethan said with a low voice.

"I'm just... taking it all in," she replied, looking at him.

He nodded. "It wasn't too massive, was it?"

Sophia shook her head. "No, it was... nice."

Ethan's mother walked towards their table.

She said. "Congratulations" to Sophia 

"Thank you" Sophia replied.

Ethan's mother looked at her son, her look turned more serious. "Take care of her, Ethan."

"Of course I will do just that" he said.

Sophia's father, mother and her brother walked towards their table and they hugged Sophia, they encouraged her that she would be fine and they are always here for her no matter what.

Sophia smiled up at them. "Thank you"

Her father gave Ethan a firm handshake. "Take care of her," he said.

Ethan nodded. "I will."

The wedding was finally over and everyone has started to leave. 

Nathan touched Ethan.

"Married life suits you already," he said playfully.

Ethan gave him an unhappy look but didn't respond.

Rachel came and hugged Sophia. "Just remember you can call me anytime, I'm always here for you" she said.

"I will," Sophia replied.

When everyone had left, Ethan and Sophia stood alone in the now empty garden. The sun was setting.

"Ready to go home?" Ethan asked.

Sophia nodded. "Yeah."

They walked to the car in silence. They didn't speak to each other on their way home.

They finally arrived Ethan's mansion, one of Ethan's housekeepers opened the door of the main house, they both went in together. Sophia was surprised seeing the very beautiful house.

She kept her bag on the chair and looked at Ethan. "Finally we are here" she said.

"Yes" he said.

Sophia was just looking around the house while Ethan was lost in thoughts. Then Ethan cleared his throat. "I'll take the guest room tonight and I would ask one of my housekeepers to show you to your room" he said.

Sophia nodded. "Okay."

As she watched him walking down the hall, reality finally dawned on her.

This was just the beginning.