Jay Jay slammed her laptop shut, rubbing her temples as research papers and field study reports cluttered her screen. She had spent years buried in anthropology-studying societies, relationships, and cultural constructs-but ironically, nothing baffled her more than the one expectation she couldn't escape: marriage.
Meanwhile, across the city, Keifer leaned back in his sleek office chair, twirling a pen between his fingers as his assistant rattled off details about yet another business deal. He owned the company-technically-but that didn't mean he had the patience for board
meetings or fake smiles. He much preferred the thrill of negotiations, the game of making people think they had control when, really, he did.
Both of them had spent years carving out their respective paths, proving themselves in their fields. Jay Jay had immersed herself in understanding human behavior, while Keifer had mastered the art of manipulating it. But despite their success, one thing remained the same-the constant, nagging expectation of settling down.
And tonight, Jay Jay was over it.
Jay Jay paced across Keifer's apartment, her hands in the air like she was conducting an imaginary orchestra of frustration. "I swear, if I hear the word marriage one more time, I'm going to lose it."
Keifer, sprawled lazily on his couch, took a slow sip of his coffee. "So, thefamily attack happened again?"
Jay Jay turned to him, exasperated.
"Again? Again doesn't cover it. It was a full-blown intervention. My parents, my aunts, even that distant cousin who I'm pretty sure only shows up for free food-everyone had an opinion on my 'unmarried status.'"
Keifer grinned. "I'm guessing 'I'd rather set myself on fire' wasn't the answer they were hoping for?"
Jay Jay flopped onto the armchair opposite him. "Apparently, my lack of a husband is now a 'family concern.' Like I'm some malfunctioning product that needs immediate repair."
Keifer nodded, feigning deep thought. "Maybe they think you're past the return policy."
Jay Jay shot him a glare. "Not. Helping."
He smirked. "Did they at least have a good candidate lined up? Maybe some nice, rich guy with a jawline carved by the gods and a personality as bland as dry toast?"
Jay Jay groaned. "Oh, they had options. A doctor, a businessman, even some startup guy who thinks Bitcoin is a good investment."
Keifer whistled. "Impressive lineup. And you rejected them all because...?"
She gave him a look. "Because I don't trust love, Keifer."
Keifer set down his coffee. "Ah, yes. Here we go."
Jay Jay sat up. "Think about it. Love is just-" She gestured vaguely. "A well-marketed scam. People buy into it, swear it's real, and then boom-they end up crying in a parking lot because their 'soulmate' decided to 'find themselves
with someone younger."
Keifer tilted his head. "Specific example. Should I be concerned?"
She rolled her eyes. "My point is, love is unreliable. People promise forever and then get bored. They fall in love, and then-poof-it disappears like it was never there."
Keifer leaned back, smirking. "So, basically, you're saying love is the emotional equivalent of a bad Wi-Fi connection?"
Jay Jay pointed at him. "Exactly!"
Keifer sighed dramatically. "Tragic. And here I was, ready to write you a love poem."
She snorted. "I'd pay good money to see that."
He grinned. "Roses are red, violets are
blue, love is a scam, and so are you."
Jay Jay threw a cushion at him.
Keifer caught it easily. "So, what's your master plan, then? Avoid marriage forever? Become a hermit with fifty cats?"
She leaned back, arms crossed. "Sounds peaceful."
Keifer smirked. "You hate cats."
Jay Jay huffed. "Fine, a dog. A big one. Name him something ridiculous, like... Sir Fluffington."
Keifer laughed. "I fully support this plan. But, real talk-what are you gonna do? Your parents don't seem like the 'let it go' type."
Jay Jay groaned, rubbing her temples. "They're not. They'll keep pushing until I either give in or fake my own death."
Keifer nodded. "Faking death requires commitment. Have you considered a more... creative solution?"
Silence stretched between them before Keifer suddenly snapped his fingers. "Wait. What if you just... got married?"
Jay Jay blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I mean, think about it," Keifer said, sitting up. "If you were already married, they couldn't force you into anything, right?"
Jay Jay laughed. "Wow, genius idea, Keif. Let me just pick up a husband at the grocery store."
Keifer rolled his eyes. "You're missing the point. It doesn't have to be real. Just something to get them off your back for a while."
She stared at him. "Are you actually
suggesting a contract marriage?"
Keifer grinned. "Why not? You need a husband, I'm available-"
Jay Jay burst out laughing. "Oh, please. You can't even commit to a gym membership, and you want to commit to marriage?
Keifer placed a hand over his heart, gasping dramatically. "Wow. That hurt."
Jay Jay arched a brow, crossing her arms. "Oh, please."
Keifer sighed, shaking his head. "No, really. Wounded. Right here." He tapped his chest.
She laughed, rolling her eyes. "You cannot be serious."
Keifer shrugged, smirking. "Dead serious."
Jay Jay wiped her eyes. "Oh, this is rich. You, of all people, suggesting marriage?"
Keifer smirked. "I have range."
She shook her head. "You hate commitment."
Keifer held up a finger. "Correction-I hate unnecessary commitment. This would be a contract. Strictly business."
Jay Jay narrowed her eyes. "And why, exactly, would you want to fake-marry me?"
Keifer stretched lazily. "Let's just say... I have my own reasons. A marriage would make certain business deals go a lot smoother."
Jay Jay snorted. "Wow. Romance is thriving in this conversation."
Keifer grinned. "Look, it's simple. You need to get your family off your back. I need to appear 'settled' for a while. One year, tops. We stay married, look convincing, then part ways like two civilized adults. No love, no drama, no mess."
Jay Jay exhaled. "This is absolutely ridiculous."
Keifer smirked. "And yet, you're considering it."
She pointed at him. "I hate that you know me so well."
He leaned forward. "Jay, you don't believe in love. I don't care for love. So, why not take advantage of the situation? It's a win-win."
Jay Jay groaned. "What happens when people start asking why we got married so suddenly?"
Keifer shrugged. "We say we fell in love."
Jay Jay rolled her eyes. "Gross."
Keifer smirked. "Then we'll say we had a mutual crisis and decided to be reckless."
Jay Jay muttered, "That actually sounds more believable."
Keifer grinned. "So? Are we doing this?"
Jay Jay rubbed her temples. "If this backfires, I'm blaming you."
Keifer extended his hand. "Deal?"
She stared at it for a moment before shaking it.
"Deal."
Neither of them realized just how
complicated simple could get.
Jay Jay sat cross-legged on Keifer's couch, tapping a pen against her notebook. "We need rules."
Keifer, sprawled lazily beside her, smirked. "Rules? In a fake marriage? You're really killing the romance here, Jay."
She shot him a look. "You think this is romantic?"
He shrugged. "Technically, we are planning our future together. Isn't that what couples do?"
Jay Jay exhaled sharply. "First rule: No falling in love."
Keifer placed a hand over his chest in mock pain. "Ouch. You think I'm that irresistible?"
She rolled her eyes. "I think you have
an overinflated sense of self-worth."
Keifer grinned. "And yet, here you are, marrying me."
Jay Jay ignored him and wrote down No real feelings. "Second rule: One-year contract. After that, we 'break up' and go back to our lives."
Keifer tilted his head. "A full year? Seems excessive. What if I get bored of you in six months?"
Jay Jay snorted. "You'll survive. And you won't get bored. I'll keep things interesting by constantly reminding you that you're an idiot."
He smirked. "Aww. Marriage goals."
Jay Jay kept going. "Third rule: No interfering in each other's personal lives."
Keifer leaned in slightly. "Define
'interfering.'""
"No opinions, no meddling. Your board meetings? Not my concern. My research? Not yours."
Keifer hummed. "So if I see you making a terrible life choice, I should just... let it happen?"
Jay Jay raised an eyebrow. "Like how you let your company invest in that disastrous app last year?"
Keifer gasped dramatically. "Low blow, Jay. Low blow."
She smirked. "You walked into that one."
Keifer sighed. "Fine. I'll let you make terrible choices. Even if it hurts me."
Jay Jay ignored his theatrics and wrote down No meddling. "Fourth rule: Public displays of affection only when
necessary."
Keifer grinned. "Define 'necessary.'"
"Family events. Social gatherings. Any time people are watching."
He leaned closer. "So if I suddenly decided to hold your hand at dinner..."
Jay Jay narrowed her eyes. "If it's for the act, fine."
His grin widened. "And if I just felt like it?"
She pointed her pen at him. "Then I'll break your fingers."
Keifer chuckled. "Damn, I love this marriage already."
Jay Jay continued. "Fifth rule: No bringing anyone else home."
Keifer blinked. "Wait, wait. What?"
"We have to look like a real couple. If either of us is seen with someone else, it ruins everything."
Keifer groaned. "So I have to be celibate for a year?"
Jay Jay smirked. "A small price to pay for being my husband."
Keifer sighed dramatically. "This is psychological warfare."
Jay Jay patted his shoulder. "You'll live."
Keifer muttered, "Barely."
Jay Jay ignored him and wrote down No unnecessary sleepovers. "Sixth rule: Separate rooms. We don't need to be in the same room unless absolutely necessary."
Keifer smirked. "But what if I get lonely?"
She snorted. "Talk to your stocks."
He grinned. "Wow, such a caring wife."
Jay Jay rolled her eyes. "Seventh rule: No embarrassing me in public."
Keifer gasped. "When have I ever embarrassed you?"
Jay Jay deadpanned. "You once introduced me as your 'favorite struggling academic' to an entire room of investors."
He chuckled. "Ah, good times."
She scowled. "Not for me."
Keifer sighed. "Fine, fine. No public humiliation. Even though I provide top-tier entertainment."
Jay Jay scribbled it down. "Eighth rule: Honesty. With each other. No lying."
Keifer raised an eyebrow. "In a fake marriage?"
She looked at him seriously. "If something changes, we tell the other person. No secrets."
Keifer studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright. No lies between us."
Jay Jay tapped her pen against the notebook. "Last rule: If either of us wants out, no arguments. We walk away."
Keifer's smirk faded slightly. "That easy, huh?"
She nodded. "That easy."
Keifer arched a brow, clearly unconvinced. "No last-minute conditions? No hidden clauses?"
Jay Jay smirked. "Nope. Take it or leave
She extended her hand, locking eyes with him. "Deal."
Keifer let out a low chuckle, shaking her hand firmly. "Pleasure doing business with you, Mrs. Keifer Watson."
Jay Jay groaned. "I already regret this."
Keifer leaned in slightly, voice dripping with amusement. "Too late, Jaybird. No refunds, no exchanges-you're stuck with me now."
For better or worse, the contract marriage was officially in place.