The contract was a thick stack of papers, full of legal terms I didn't fully understand. I had hired a lawyer, but the crux of it was simple: marry Isaac, stay married for one year, and then we could dissolve the union with no further obligations.

"The terms are non-negotiable," Isaac said as he placed a pen infront of me. "The estate and the company will be yours, but only if we honor this marriage."

"And what do you get out of it?" I asked, studying him carefully.

"I get a business partnership," he replied evenly. "You and I will share control of your father's company for the duration of the marriage. We'll run it together. After the year is up, I'll have my stake in the business, and you'll have yours. It's a win-win."

I couldn't believe how easily he spoke of our futures as if the decision were already made. But i couldn't afford to delay. My family depended on me. "Fine," I said,

Isaac seemed to expect the easy acquiescence. "Good. We'll arrange the wedding. I'll have my lawyer take care of everything. You just need to show up."

"Don't worry, we don't need to be lovey-dovey-only in public appearances, of course we still need to act as wife and husband infront of them and to show them that this isn't only for the business." He continued.

I reached for the pen and signed above my name in the contract, i look up to him and i saw a slight smirk written in his thin red lips.

"Anyways, i have to go. I still have a lot of paperworks to be signed. Just call me when you need something." I said.

I stand up and walk towards the door and stopped when he calls my name.

"Emiliana, what a nice name you have." he said.

Umalis na ako sa cafe na 'yon at bumalik na sa opisina ko. Marami pa akong kailangan pirmahan at may mga dapat pa akong asikasohin.

--

"Emily, i didn't know you're going to get married na pala?" Cleo said.

She's my highschool best friend, she's been with me through out my journey as a Business Ad student.

"Sorry, i don't have time to tell you eh. I have lots of thing to settle pa at saka bukas na ang kasal ko." I said.

Yep, Isaac emailed me that our wedding will be tomorrow, parang kahapon lang nag co-contract signing pa kami.

"Agad-agad? Really?" hindi makapaniwalang sabi ni Cleo sa akin habang gulat na gulat.

"Yes, simple ceremony lang naman it's only the two of us." i said.

She knew about what happened to my father's company that's why i need to marry this young arrogant, self-made billionaire.

"Nakakaloka ka naman, kakasabi mo lang diba tapos bukas na agad agad." reklamo naman niya sabay kagat ng malaki sa croissant bread na binili nito.

Nasa Starbucks kasi kami, hindi parin dumadating si Maddy kaya naman aantayin namin siya.

"How are you pala? Okay lang naman sayo ang ganyang settlement hindi ba?" she asked.

"May magagawa ba ako? Besides kahit pa early akong grumaduate at cum laude pa. Dito parin ang bagsak ko-sa company ng sarili kong ama. " I said.

I don't have any choice but to continue my father's business since ako naman ang panganay na anak nila ni mom.

"Ang tagal naman ni Madeline? anong racket na naman ng babaeng yun?" Cleo asked.

Tamang tama naman biglang dumating si Maddy na may dalang bata?

Dalawang taon lang siya sa states may anak na agad? At ang mas nakakagulat pa, kambal pa talaga.

"Hi guys, sorry late ako. I have to fetch my kids pa from kindergarten." she said.

"Anak mo?" mag ka sabay na sabi namin ni Cleo na agad naman sinamangutan ni Maddy.

"Of course not, they're my niece and nephew, anak ng kuya ko." sabi niya naman.

Pinaupo niya ang dalawang bata sa tabi ko, nag wave naman ako para kamustahin sila.

"Hii!!" magiliw kong bati.

The girl smiled widely at nag wave din pa balik.

"Are you my aunt's friend?" she asked.

"Ah, yes. I'm Emily. You can call me Tita Emi." i said.

"You're so pretty, you look like a doll."she replied.

"Oh thank you! you too sweetheart, you're pretty and cute," i said. "What's your name?" i asked.

"My name is Aiah Cyanine Lopez. you can call me AC for short." she said.

"How about your brother?" tanong ko ulit.

"He's Nathaniel Alejandro Lopez, we are both 5 years old po." she said.

Hindi ko na napansin sila Cleo at Maddy na nakangiting naka tingin sa aking habang kausap ko ang mga bata.

"You really like kids, no wonder why that guy likes you." Maddy said.

"Who?" i asked.

Inikot lang nito ang mata saka na nag order ng makakain nila.

--

I felt like a puppet on strings as the wedding approached. The ceremony was small, arranged in a private, elegant chapel, far from the eyes of the public. It wasn't a romantic affair-there were no flowers, no family to witness, just two people signing their names to a legal document.

I stood in a simple white dress, my heart pounding in my chest. I had prepared myself for this, or at least, I thought i had. Isaac stood next to me, looking as calm and composed as ever, his expression unreadable.

"Do you, Emiliana Montgomery, take Isaac Matthew to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the officiant asked.

"I do," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Isaac nodded slightly, his gaze unwavering. "I do."

And just like that, we were married. No fireworks. No joy. Only a cold, binding contract between us. But there was something unsettling in the way Isaac's gaze lingered on me after the vows were exchanged. A flicker of something i couldn't quite place.

Yep, it was just a small ceremony for the both of us, no one was invited except our lawyers and the jugde itself.

We also exchange rings to make it more realistic and no-we didn't kissed. we will never.

"You'll be coming with me in my penthouse, I'll give you the address and then the passcode for it." he said.

"Okay." i replied.

Matapos mag ka permahan ng marriage certificate para maipasa na 'yon ay nauna na akong umalis dahil kailangan ko pang mag impake para mamaya ay kukuhanin ko nalang sa bahay para deretso na ako sa penthouse nito.

Hindi ko lubos maisip na maikakasal ako pero sa hindi ko naman gusto. Ni hindi ko nga ito kilala at ngayon ko palang ito nakita.

Hinubad ko ang simpleng white dress na suot at saka na nagbihis para makaalis, matapos ay umalis na ako sa venue kong saan kami ikinasal at nag drive na papuntang bahay.

--