No, no, Mr. Money Bags, Olaedo thought, keeping her expression composed. I actually like being shy while ordering.
There was no way she was going to splurge on expensive dishes and leave a bad impression on this walking money tree.
She scanned the menu with care, selecting dishes that weren't exactly cheap but not outrageous either, the kind of meal an average family might save for a special occasion.
Ordering too little would seem ungrateful; ordering too much would seem greedy. So she struck the perfect middle ground.
They chatted politely while waiting for the food, keeping to surface level topics, business trends, charity events, weather. But once the food arrived, the conversation faded into silence.
Olaedo wasn't used to this kind of meal. At home, dinner was always a chaotic sport, her brothers arguing over football while food practically flew across the table.
Now she had to remember to chew with her mouth closed, to take measured bites, and not to stare too long at the bread basket.
Across from her, Chibuzor ate in calm, deliberate silence, each motion precise. He looked every bit the man he was rumored to be, aristocratic, disciplined, almost painfully elegant.
She glanced at him, sighing inwardly. Of course he eats like this. He's the big boss of rules and regulations. The general overseer of self control.
Oh gosh, I must not look like a slob!
Olaedo straightened in her seat, trying to remember everything she had ever seen in those online "how to eat like a lady" videos.
She had grown up eating with her hands, gravy stains on tablecloths were practically part of her family's culture. But here? Here she was supposed to behave like a lady. Whatever that meant.
Maybe I should start with not using my napkin as a bib.
Her hands, which had been steady moments ago, began fidgeting with the edge of the napkin. Her throat felt dry, too dry, and she knew it wasn't from the food.
She lifted her fork with exaggerated care, trying to eat slowly and elegantly. Every movement felt wrong. Every bite felt like an exam she wasn't prepared for.
This is harder than I thought! I really have to take a table manners class when I get home.
If only she knew, Chibuzor wasn't even watching her. He was too deep in thought, mentally rehearsing how to introduce the most absurd proposal of his life: a contract marriage.
Thirty minutes later, the waiters cleared the table, and silence filled the room again, thick, suffocating, and impossible to ignore. There was nothing left to distract them now.
Olaedo's back was damp with sweat. She sat perfectly straight, trying not to fidget. Her heart thumped like a drum as she waited for this great Buddha of a man to speak.
She had never been this nervous, not even when she pitched her company to skeptical investors years ago. Something about Chibuzor's presence made her feel she had to impress him.
After all, this was her number one mentor.
Ten long minutes crawled by before Chibuzor finally cleared his throat. His voice came out steady, deep, deliberate, like he had practiced it too many times.
"Miss Olaedo," he began, locking eyes with her, "I have a deal that can change your life. It's not your usual kind of business deal, but I believe it will benefit you more than any offer you've ever received."
He paused, expression unreadable.
"That is, if you accept."
This is weird. What kind of deal is this?
Olaedo blinked, her brows drawing together as she studied Chibuzor's calm, unreadable face. And why is he acting differently today? Usually, he goes straight to the point. His online description said so.
The growing knot in her stomach tightened.
Sensing her confusion, Chibuzor sighed quietly and decided to end the suspense. Without another word, he slid a thick brown file across the table toward her. "This will explain everything better than I can."
She hesitated, then picked it up.
The moment her eyes landed on the bold, black title at the top of the document, her brain momentarily shut down.
CONTRACT MARRIAGE AGREEMENT
Her soul almost escaped her body.
WHAT THE HECK?!
Her fingers trembled slightly as she flipped the first page. She glanced up, expecting to see a smirk or some sign that he was joking, but no, CEO Arinze Chibuzor just leaned back in his chair, face as serious as a tax audit.
He gave her a small nod, silently telling her to keep reading.
Reluctantly, she did.
---
CONTRACT MARRIAGE AGREEMENT
Parties Involved:
CEO Arinze Chibuzor (The Husband) – hereinafter referred to as Party A
Insert name of woman chosen (The Wife) – hereinafter referred to as Party B
Effective Period:
The agreement shall last five (5) years, unless both parties mutually agree to an extension or one invokes the Emergency Exit Clause.
Terms and Conditions:
1. Public Display Clause
Party A and Party B must convincingly act as a deeply in love couple in all public appearances.
This includes, but is not limited to: holding hands, brief hugs, and tasteful acts of affection (Party A's interpretation).
Failure to comply results in a penalty, additional displays of affection mutually agreed upon by both parties.
2. Romantic Gesture Quota
Both parties must publicly compliment each other on social media at least three times per week.
Suggested topics include attire, physical appearance, and "unique personality traits."
---
Olaedo's eyes widened with each line.
By the time she reached clause number two, her brain had gone blank.
What in the name of board meetings and bad decisions is this man planning?!
Special Occasions:
Additional romantic gestures may be required during birthdays, holidays, and family gatherings.
---
3. Jealousy Limitations
Both parties agree not to express jealousy, real or pretended, toward any third party.
Should Party A or Party B exhibit signs of jealousy, it will be legally deemed an admittance of feelings and the contract will terminate immediately.
Olaedo blinked twice.
Wait… expressing fake jealousy counts as catching feelings? What kind of law school did he graduate from?