20. A New Contract

AMBER'S POV. I had to say that Vinfent was crazy. I'm totally didn't expect Vincent to make a deal like this if he didn't want to agree to their arranged marriage. "You don't agree, why bother giving me this contract agreement?" I asked with an irritated face. In contrast to me, Vincent immediately shrugged his shoulders. No guilt, objection, or anything like that. "I don't know. I think, even if I don't approve, I don't completely reject or want to cancel." Vincent gave an explanation so relaxed. "After all, it's fair for both of us, right? We both need this marriage." I was well aware of what was implied behind my words. Both of them need it, meaning that Vincent also needs something from him so he doesn't want to refuse their marriage. So, what does Vincent need from someone like him? "What do you want?" I asked. Vincent shoved a piece of meat that had just been cut into his mouth. "Don't ask that if you don't want to give it to me now." Suddenly I cynical laughter was heard. "If I can give it, I will give it." The movement of Vincent's hand which was cutting the meat then stopped. While chewing, Vincent's sharp gaze fell on me. It really gave me the creeps. "Really? Then, I urgently need to take charge of the biggest housing development project my company is about to undertake. But my grandpa said the project will be passed on to someone else if we don't get married." I suddenly flinched, having nothing to say in response. I thought that if Vincent's needs were limited to cooperation or whatever, maybe I could provide it. But if this ... I thought this was Vincent's personal business with his grandfather. "Would you like to ask my grandfather to give me the project?" Vincent challenged me, it was clear from the look on his face. I was nervous. Of course. I had been acting like that before, and now I didn't even know what to do. "It's so hard," I complained in a near whisper. "You didn't say your needs were your personal business." Vincent immediately laughed mockingly at me. "I knew it! Why do you act as if you can give me what I need?" Vincent's rough breath was heard. So annoying. Benny knows very well how to embarrass someone even if not in front of an audience. "That means, there is no other way, Miss Zwetta," answered Vincent. "What?" I was surprised to hear Vincent say her nickname. "Zwetta?" "I prefer to call you by that name," Vincent answered lightly. I couldn't hold back my giggles. "You really are weird," she replied. "I'm increasingly unsure about marrying you. How do I deal with someone like you?" Vincent smirked. "I'm also not sure to face a woman like you," he replied, not to be outdone. "After all, we're not going to live in the same house. You can read in the contract agreement." My brows furrowed. Don't live in one house? Because her curiosity couldn't be restrained anymore, I immediately opened the brown document envelope. A piece of paper was taken out showing the title "CONTRACT AGREEMENT" at the top. In all capital letters and bold letters. My eyes dropped down to read some of the caption. However, he was attracted by one of the terms of the agreement. "The woman and the man will live in different apartments. As a form of accountability, the man will give the woman an apartment unit next to the man's apartment?" Vincent nodded his head while I read the caption. While I immediately looked up, looked at Vincent as if asking for an explanation of the meaning of that sentence. "There's nothing wrong," said Vincent who seemed to understand the expression on my face. My laughed sarcastically. "Oh my god…" I paused for a second, then shook my head. "Wait, what would your family think if you were to give me the apartment next door to yours?" "You understand that thing called a play?" Vincent's asked back. I looked confused. What kind of play? "If my family or someone from your family comes, then we will pretend to live in the same apartment." Vincent explained. "Likewise if the people who come are your friends, my friends..." "So, indirectly you're telling me to move from my apartment to my apartment?" I asked. Vincent snapped his fingers. "Exactly. If you're smart like this, I don't have to bother explaining at length." "Wow!" I immediately leaned her back against the back of the chair. He clapped briefly. "Why am I the only party that has to protect your good name?" "Our good name," corrected Vincent. "No, just your good name. You made me sign a contract agreement, now you're telling me to go back and forth?" I protested for the umpteenth time. Vincent exhaled roughly while straightening his body. From the look on his face, Vincent showed his embarrassment in facing who kept protesting him. Then Vincent put his hands on top of each other, then sat leaning towards Asleena. Vincent's eyes darted directly into Asleena's pupils, giving firmness. "If you don't want to, it's fine for you to stay in your apartment. Then our marriage will be finished, maybe even before you get what you want from me." *** I couldn't think of the deal she and Vincent had made a few hours ago. After Vincent said his last sentence, which sounded like a subtle threat, the man immediately left. Yes, leaving me who hasn't had the chance to protest yet. As if not wanting to know what he was thinking. "Argh. Why do you have to ask me to marry him?!" Asleena grumbled very quietly. The strains of jazz music in the mini cafe room sounded even more depressing. Asleena accidentally left the restaurant after Benny left her. Now, Asleena didn't know who to turn to to talk about her problems. "Excuse me, Miss." Asleena's head shot up after someone approached her cafe table. The serving man bowed to him, a little afraid to say something. "Yes?" Asleena immediately straightened up like nothing was wrong. The serving man was silent for a few seconds. Asleena noticed the doubt on the servant boy's face. "Just talk about it, it's fine. I'm not someone dangerous." "You've been here for two hours and only ordered two lattes. We have a two-hour waiting list for each guest." Asleena was surprised to get a warning like this. He did make reservations, but he was completely unaware of the conditions for each guest. Asleena checked the watch on her wrist and was surprised. "Gosh! I didn't realize I'd been here two hours. I'm sorry." The servant boy was about to say something when Asleena was also getting ready to leave. But someone's voice stopped them both. "Wait, extend the time for Miss Asleena's guest." Asleena immediately turned her head to the side. This time, a well-dressed, formal-looking man—like the appearance of an office worker—stood between Asleena and the male waiter. "Oh..." The male servant was confused for a few seconds. "In that case, you can come to our special cafe reception desk. There you can extend the time at an additional cost." This foreign man who had just arrived nodded firmly. "I took care of that just now. So let me and Miss Asleena talk." The servant man bowed. Without saying anything, he then stepped away from Asleena's presence. Meanwhile, this man who looked like an office worker turned around to face Asleena, bowed. Asleena was confused. Why did it feel like everyone was bowing to him? "Greetings, Miss Asleena. I'm sorry I just arrived." Asleena's raised index finger pointed at this strange man. "Who are you?" "I am Roger, Master Joshua's special subordinate, and will now serve you, Miss." Asleena's eyebrows shot up in disbelief as her eyes widened in surprise. "What?!"