In The Apartment
Augustus was busy in checking the lists of invited guests on the inauguration of his new hotel. His phone vibrated showing a message, he ignored it. At 2:30 am, finally he finished his work and went to his bedroom. At that time, he saw his phone and was shocked to see a message from Lisa.
He quickly opened it and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. He wanted to call her to confirm her decision but stopped by seeing the time on the clock. She must be asleep now, he thought.
…
Lisa was sleeping soundly, when she heard a light knock on her door. She thought she misheard so she continued sleeping but after a while, loud knocking voice came into her ears disturbing her sleep. She stood up and walked to the door angrily putting on her robe and opened the door.
“You..!” She yelled after looking at the person on the door. The person stepped in and said, “Go and get ready fast. We are leaving for Civil Affair Bureau.” He commanded.
Lisa was puzzled, “what?” She rubbed her sleepy eyes to see clearly. She wasn’t hallucinating right?
Augustus stood calmly wearing an irony suit and shoved his hands in his pockets. When he saw Lisa’s wide, shocked eyes staring at him. He held her arm and pushed her into the bathroom, “Change fast” He ordered.
On his touch, Lisa came back to her senses. She isn’t hallucinating, it was indeed true Augustus is here to take her to the Civil Affair Bureau, for what? For marriage? Isn’t it too fast? Lisa was lost in her thoughts just then Augustus knocked on the door. “Hurry up..! You have only five minutes, Lisa..”
“Okay..” Lisa shouted back and stepped in the shower. After bath, she put on the bath robe and peeped outside to see if Augustus is still in her room. She felt relief when she saw there was no one. She then stepped out and took out a purple colored dress and black stockings, with black undergarments. She combed her hair and put light makeup on her face. She then took her coat and stepped out.
Augustus looked at her and handed her a glass of warm milk. “Drink it”
She took the glass and drank it. Then Augustus took the glass and put it in the kitchen. Then he held her hand and walked out of the apartment, locked it and handed the key to Lisa.
Both than sat in the car, Lester greeted Lisa and then drove the car. Lisa glanced at Augustus and his appearance was very calm and cold.
Augustus handed Lisa a contract and said, “Sign it.”
Lisa asked puzzled, “What is this?”
“This is an agreement of this temporary marriage. There are some rules and regulations you have to obey.” Augustus turned to look Lisa and said.
Hearing this, Lisa stared at him incredulously and then lowered her head and started to read it.
First: During the existence of the marriage, Party A bears all the expenses of Party B.
Second: Party B is not allowed to disclose the marriage in front of anyone until Party A gave her permission to reveal it.
Third: Party B is not allowed to interfere with Party A’s private life.
Forth: During the existence of the marriage, Party B is not allowed to have an intimate relationship with a male.
Fifth: On weekends, Party B will spend all her time with Party A and also satisfied all his needs as his wife.
Sixth: In every situation, Party B has to respect Party A as her husband.
Seventh: If Party A made any request as his husband’s right Party B has to listen and agreed to it any time.
Eighth: Party B has the ability to divorce Party A any time after they complete whole two months of this marriage.
Ninth: In any condition, the marriage got revealed in front of media or any other person Party B will be held responsible and punished by law for breaking the agreement.
Lisa frowned while reading these rules. It seemed that Augustus had come here prepared. It was just a temporary marriage why so much fuss? Does he think that she will disclose this marriage and tried to defame or blackmail him with it? For a moment, she was very hurt.
She looked at Augustus angrily and asked, “Why I have to bear all the consequences if this marriage goes public?”
“What do you mean?” Augustus asked.
“I mean you cannot punish me without getting a solid proof that I leaked our marriage news right?” Lisa explained.
“But besides you and me nobody knows about it.” Augustus said.
Lisa looked straight and said with a sneer, “Lester also knows about it. What if he leaked it.?”
Lisa’s accusation made Lester and Augustus shocked. Lester immediately opened his mouth, “Miss Lisa, I don’t dare to do something like this.”
Lisa rolled her eyes.
“I trust him. He won’t do anything like this.” Augustus defended Lester.
“So you mean I am not trustworthy anymore?” Lisa asked angrily folding her hands over her chest.
“Fine..! We’ll investigate the matter first and than the culprit will be punished according to the law.” Finally Augustus compromised.
He raised his head and asked Lester, “When will we arrive at the Civil Affairs Bureau?”
“Three more minutes.” Lester answered.
Augustus turned to look at Lisa and said, “You still have three minutes to consider.”
He made it very clear that if she did not sign the papers before they arrived at the Civil Affair Bureau, then the deal would be expired.
When catching the eyes of Augustus, Lisa heard her heart beating wildly. At this moment, as she has came this far it would be shameful to back up at this moment. She didn’t even have a choice either to go back. To win against Ted, she needs someone’s support she couldn’t defeat him by her own now. For Simon, she can bear everything this temporary marriage too. She signed the papers and handed him back the contract.
At this time, Lester had already parked the car in the parking lot of the Civil Affairs Bureau.
They both entered the Civil Affairs Bureau one separately. As it is early morning, the offices had just opened and only few couples were entering in the office. They were probably the only couple who walked into the Civil Affairs Bureau to marry each other without holding hands or hugging the shoulders.
Augustus signed the papers with confident while Lisa hesitated for a moment, and then signed her name. The photographer clicked their picture. Both took the marriage certificate and came out of the office. Both were expressionless and sat in the car separately.
The whole way both didn’t utter a single word. Lester glanced at both of them from the mirror, and frowned. “Who would say that they just got married?” He thought to himself.
Lester parked the car in front of Lisa’s apartment building. Just when Lisa was getting off the car Augustus’s voice came, “Lester will pick you up on Friday, Be ready.”
Lisa didn’t look back, she just nodded her head and got off the car. Lisa stood at the gate of her building and stared at the marriage certificate in her hands.
All of a sudden, she started feeling suffocated and instead of going to her apartment, she took a taxi and went to the train station. She then bought the ticket for Milan and went to see her brother and sister.
…
Augustus was not satisfied with Lisa’s behavior, but still he was glad that she accepted his proposal. All night, he was caught up in making the contract rules. He intentionally added the divorce condition after two months, so he could get some time to spend with her. He was afraid that she would change her mind after marrying him. When she finally signed the papers, he sighed with great relief.
In the morning, without wasting any time, he rushed straight to her before she could get a chance to change her mind. He wanted her to marry him as soon as possible.
Augustus had meeting at 9 so he wanted to register his marriage first and then go to the office. Augustus looked at his watch there was still more than half an hour in 9. He frowned how can people get marry so fast just 10 minutes and they are already married whoosh unbelievable..!
He looked at the marriage certificate and thought of something. After 10 minutes, the car stopped in a high profile residential area. Augustus stopped out of the car with marriage certificate in his hands. He walked for a while passing the beautiful lawn. Then he stood in front of a big brown colored door and pressed the bell.
Ding…. Ding…
No response.
He once again pressed the bell but for a long time.
Diiinnng….. Diiinnng
“I know, you’re in there.” Augustus shouted.
“Go to hell.” A loud voice came.
Augustus sighed. “I am sorry Bella.”
“Get lost Augustus.” Bella roared angrily.
Augustus shook his head and said irritatedly, “Open the damn door, Bella.!”
“No way.” Bella shouted back.
Augustus kicked the door angrily. He had never ever apologized to anyone but as what had happened that night. He hurt both his women badly by his rude behavior. He had apologized to Lisa but Bella, they have been friends for more than ten years and it was the first time that she got angry with him. So naturally it’s difficult for her to accept his apology without throwing any tantrums.
Unfortunately Augustus was not used to take tantrums so he was kind of pissed on Bella for not letting him in. After all, it was a humiliation for the only heir of Carlos family to stand outside to talk with her.