Weekly love tales : contract marriage
The conference room of the Oberoi grand was silent , save for the hum of the air conditioner and the rhythmic tapping of ishani 's fountain pen against the mahohany table . Across from her sat kabir - the mean whose name was synonymous with hostile take over . Today , he was taking over her life .
" Clause 14.2 " , kabir said his voice as flat as a dial tone . He didn't look at her , he was busy scanning the digital contract on his tablet " . The party of the second - part that's you ishani shall reside in the East wing of the estate intermingling in private quaters are present. Dose that suits your requirements for ... personal space ?
Ishani didn't flitch .she practised her poker face , the one she'd developed to survive her father's board mettings . She didn't look like a woman who was selling a year of her life to save a dying company . She looked like a women who was winning .
" It's acceptable. " Ishani replied , her voice dropping into a calm , sharp resonance ." But I'm adding an addendum to section 9 . " Public displays of affection shall be limited to hand - holding and a maximum of one kiss per event - forehead or check only . If you want a full performance for the paparazzi , kabir , you'll have to increase the settlement by fifteen percent . My dignity is billable " .
Kabir finally looked up . His dark eyes narrowed , a flicke of grudging respect crossing his face . " You're treating our wedding like a corporate merger ."
"It is a merger ," Ishani snapped back , her gaze locking onto his . " You need a wife to unlock your grand father's inheritance, and I need the liquidity to stop my family's bankruptcy Let's not pretend there's any poetry in this . You provided the ring , l provided the reputation . That is the extend of our relationship."
Kabir leaned back , a cold smirk playing on his lips . " And if one of us catches feelings ? The ' love ' factor isn't in the fine print.
" If you fall in love with me , kabir consider it a breach of contract," ishani said , finally pressing her own to the paper and signing her name in a sharp , jagged script." I don't negotiate with emotional liabilities . I'II see you at the altar . Try to wear a tie that matches my dress - it's in the branding guidelines lemailed your assistant .
At the final gala , Ishani held her appy frizz , her poker face hiding a heart that was no longer following the rules . Kabir leaned in his arm around her for the cameras . " Smile , ishani ," he whispered. " The world thinks we're in love ." She took a crisp sip of the sparkling juice and replied . " And for once , kabir , the world might actually he right ."
Happy ending -
On the 365th day , the contract lay between them ready to expire . Kabir didn't reach for his pen to sign the release paper . Instead , he tore the document in half , " The contract is void ," he said , his usually coldness replaced by a real smile . "I've committed a breach of contract -1 fell in love with my wife . " Ishani laughted realizing the merger was over and their real life had finally begun .❤️✨