Olive was aware of the contract marriage.
At first, she didn’t want to say anything, but as always, Alice was in the palm of Olive’s hand.
Olive couldn’t believe that Alice was suddenly getting married.
“What? You’ve never told me you had a boyfriend, and you’ve always just gone home after work. You’re getting married? I know everything from why you had to disguise yourself to why you didn’t want to get married! Are you going to lie to me now? Do you think I would believe this ridiculous marriage!”
Having no choice but to spill it out, Olive was furious.
But when she heard that the other party was Ryan, she fell into thought and immediately shouted, “I absolutely support this marriage!”
She didn’t know why she suddenly agreed, but anyway, Olive gladly became a witness to their marriage registration.
“Do we really have to get used to each other? We’re going to divorce soon anyway. We’re just going to quietly enjoy our freedom and then part ways.”
Alice clinked her glass against Olive’s and downed her drink.
“Isn’t it possible we might not get divorced? You always say you never know what will happen. You two could end up falling for each other. Don’t be so definitive.”
“Hmmm Olive! Don’t you know we’re from different worlds? We’ve never even eaten a meal together at home, so when would we have time to fall for each other? The contract condition to not have any other feelings is being perfectly fulfilled.”
Surprised by Alice’s words, Olive paused in tearing apart the chicken and looked at Alice with wide eyes.
“You don’t eat together? Do you two talk at home?”
“How can we talk? We don’t even know when the other comes or goes. If I hear the front door, I just think, ‘Oh, they must have gone out.’ We agreed not to interfere in each other’s private lives.”
“Hey, at this rate, you could bring another woman home, and you wouldn’t even know?”
“That’s too far. The vice president isn’t the type to bring another woman home.”
“Alice, it only takes a moment for your family to find out! How worried has your mother been that you might end up alone, just disguising yourself and not getting married? That’s why she’s been setting up all those blind dates and trying to hook you up with good prospects. How happy do you think she would be to know her son-in-law is like this? If she finds out, how shocked would she be!”
Shock…
“It can’t happen. I absolutely can’t let her get hurt!”
Alice said, glaring with eyes that were loosening from the alcohol.
It was unacceptable that Nathan would suffer another wound because of her and Ryan.
This marriage should be wrapped up neatly after persuading the adults with a suitable reason in two years. That would be best for everyone.
“If that’s the case, you need to be a bit more meticulous. You two are way too distant… You should at least have a meal together once or twice a week! You should know each other’s hobbies, allergies, favorite foods, and movies. Isn’t it natural to know those things? If you keep being so distant and then suddenly pretend to be a couple, it’ll be too awkward and strange!”
As Alice, Ryan’s secretary, she knew most of his preferences, but they had never shared what they truly liked.
“Yeah, it’s very awkward and uncomfortable.”
“Right, at least get to know your husband a bit. Starting today, try to get a little closer.”
“How?”
At Olive’s question, Alice hesitated, and her eyes sparkled.
* * *
In front of a café in Liston, Ryan parked his luxury foreign car in front of the café.
Due to a prolonged meeting, Ryan arrived later than the scheduled time, fixing his disheveled hair as he got out of the car.
Ignoring the gazes of people looking at him, Ryan focused on surveying the café.
Soon, he spotted a man sitting at a table and approached him with a smirk.
“President Luis Graham, aren’t you working?”
The man who had been sitting stood up, uncrossing his arms as he saw Ryan. He was as tall as Ryan, with curly hair and a cute smile.
“Vice President, you’ve come!”
Luis was the only friend Ryan could truly trust.
Luis’s face was full of mischief as he looked up. Ryan grinned and playfully nudged Luis’s arm.
“Let’s go out. I’m hungry.”
After giving a few instructions to the staff, Luis left the café with Ryan.
The two moved to Luis’s house, which was not far from the café.
“This place is famous for its braised chicken and sweet and sour pork.”
As soon as they arrived home, Luis tore open the takeout bag and set up dinner.
“Did you know Mobid Holdings ranked second in the online preference survey this time?”
