Chapter 25 – The Contract
Celia sat across from Yichen in the quiet corner of her restaurant. The midday rush had faded, leaving only the faint clinking of dishes being washed in the back and the warm scent of stir-fried vegetables lingering in the air. She had sensed something was weighing on him since he arrived earlier than usual, his expression darker than the overcast sky outside.
Finally, he spoke—his voice low, steady, and cold.
"I need you to marry me."
Celia blinked, her hands pausing mid-wipe on the table between them. "Marry you?" She let out a soft, startled laugh, thinking he might be joking.
But Yichen's gaze didn't waver. "Not a real marriage. Just on paper."
Her smile faltered as her brows furrowed. "You're serious?"
"Very," he replied. "We'll register the marriage here not that we would, I will arrange for the fake marriage certificate. We would leave for Z City together, and you'll pose as my wife." He leaned forward slightly. "It will be for three years. Not a day longer."
She tilted her head, studying him. "And why exactly would I do that?"
"Because I'll make it worth your while," Yichen said bluntly. "And because you can trust me when I say this arrangement will never cross the line you're thinking of. I'm not interested in women."
That made her pause. "Not… interested?"
"I like men," he stated plainly, as if discussing the weather. "I've never hidden it from those who needed to know. And you—" his gaze softened slightly, "—are someone I believe can play this part without unnecessary complications."
Celia leaned back in her chair, arms folded. "So, you're telling me you want a fake marriage, for three years, just to… what? Keep your family off your back?"
"It's more than that." His eyes darkened, a flash of steel beneath the calm. "If I go back now without leverage, my grandfather will control everything I do. I need time to strengthen my own company here in Europe—grow it to the point that I can stand against him without bending. That takes time. Three years. After that, I can have enough power to oppose him on my terms."
She watched him carefully. "And in return?"
"In return, you'll get twenty percent of my company's shares when I'm done. Enough to secure you and your son for life," Yichen said, his voice unwavering. "I'll also make sure you're compensated well every month. You'll never have to worry about money again."
Celia's eyes flickered at the mention of her son. "And My son?"
"He won't know the truth, to make us more convincing " Yichen said. "That's non-negotiable. To everyone else, including him, we'll be a real couple. You'll act like my wife in public, and I'll act like your husband. But in private, our lives remain separate."
The silence between them stretched. Celia's fingers tapped lightly against the table. "You're asking me to uproot my life, lie to my son, and pretend to be someone's wife for three years."
"I'm asking you to help me secure my freedom," he corrected. "And in doing so, you secure a future for your son. I've done my homework on you, Celia. You've been separated for years. You're raising your son alone. You work hard, but this restaurant is barely keeping up. With what I'm offering, you'll never have to choose between paying bills and giving him what he needs."
Her lips pressed into a thin line. "So, you've been investigating me?"
"I had to," Yichen said simply. "I can't offer this kind of arrangement without knowing who I'm dealing with."
Celia exhaled slowly, leaning forward until they were almost at eye level. "You're cold, you know that?"
He allowed a faint, humorless smirk. "It keeps me alive in my family."
She searched his face for a long moment before finally sighing. "If I say yes… we leave when?"
"As soon as possible," he replied. "Preferably within the week. The sooner we're in Z City, the better. My grandfather's already breathing down my neck."
Celia nodded slowly, her mind already racing with the implications. "Fine. I'll do it."
There was no handshake, no dramatic expression of relief from him. Yichen simply reached into his briefcase and slid a set of documents across the table.
"This is the contract. Read it. Every clause is there to protect both of us. Once you agree, we'll sign, I will arrange the marriage certificate of course it isn't real, so you don't have to worry about have a record of a second marriage, then we leave for Z City."
Celia picked up the papers and scanned the neatly typed paragraphs. Everything he promised was there in black and white—three years, twenty percent of his company, monthly payments, and the agreement that neither would interfere in the other's personal life.
When she reached the final clause, she lifted her gaze. "Clause fourteen… you wrote that if either of us falls in love, the other isn't obligated to return the feeling."
Yichen's eyes didn't flicker. "Yes. This is a business arrangement, not a romance. And besides we don't have to worry about that, should we?."
She studied him again, wondering what kind of life had made him so guarded. But she didn't ask and it's always very convenient for her . She signed the contract with steady hands.
"Then it's settled," Yichen said, collecting the papers.
The next few days passed in a blur. Celia closed the restaurant temporarily, claiming an extended trip to visit relatives. Yichen handled all the travel arrangements, moving with the same precise efficiency that made him a successful businessman even in his youth.
They agreed on introducing Andre to Yichen before they leave that day. Which was coincidentally that same day.
•••••
At Celia home.
Today is the day I will be meet the legendary Celia son. She always mentioned him when we talked then, but didn't mention his name.
"Ani, come here," she called.
I stood beside Celia—radiant as ever—watching a boy approach. He looked like a smaller, younger version of her: beautiful, cold, tall for his age. He still had the air of a child, but his silver eyes held the weight of someone far older.
"Good day, Mom."
"Back from school? How was it?"
"Fine. Same as usual." His gaze locked onto mine with quiet intensity.
"Oh, dear! Look at you—staring straight into a stranger's eyes. Where are your manners?" Celia chided gently.
Beautiful, I thought. Like a light… a light I want to keep for myself. The realization startled me, but I didn't push it away. My life was dark enough to crave such brightness.
"Mr. Zhen, this is my son, Andre. He's fifteen."
"Sixteen," the boy corrected firmly.
I chuckled, amused. "Sixteen, then."
"Ani, this is Mr. Zhen…" Celia hesitated, the pause heavy. "…And he's your new father."
The air instantly thickened. Andre's silver eyes sharpened into blades aimed at me.
Andre… I like that name, I thought, unbothered by the tension.
"Hello, Ani."
"It's Andre," he shot back, voice tight.
"Oh, Andre," I agreed easily.
His frown deepened, and he looked ready to storm off, but Celia's voice stopped him.
"Wait, Andre."
"What?" His impatience was clear.
"We're leaving Italy tonight. We'll be going with Mr. Zhen to Z City."
He froze, the blow landing hard despite the cold mask he wore.
"Pack your bags. I've already called your school to withdraw you. If you have friends, you can call them to say goodbye."
"I don't."
"Alright then. You can go."
He turned without another word, but his eyes lingered on me—stormy, accusing. You've ruined my life, they seemed to say.
I could only watch him leave, strangely helpless.
"I'm sorry you had to see that," Celia murmured. "He's still a child. The news was a shock."
"It's fine," I said with an understanding smile. "That's normal."
Relieved, she smiled back. "Thank you."
"It's okay, Celia. If anything, I should be thanking you."
We stood there, exchanging smiles—two people bound by unspoken understanding.
After finally packing we left for Z city that night.