Chapter 5 5

The morning sun penetrated the curtains with an orange and golden light as Ethan and Amelia woke up to the beginning of a new day in their contract marriage. While their hearts were filled with curiosity about how to go through this new journey, they also knew the importance of adhering to the rules they had set for their unique arrangement.

As they prepared for the day ahead, a sense of determination and responsibility settled over them. They had made a commitment to each other, and they intended to honor it with the same dedication and sincerity that had brought them together.

In the dinning room, they shared a quiet breakfast, their conversation was filled with a mix of affection and seriousness. They discussed on their shared living arrangements, the amount of time to be spent together, and the need to maintain open communication about their needs and expectations.

"We should have weekly check-ins," Amelia suggested, her eyes meeting Ethan's with genuine concern. "To discuss how we're both feeling about this arrangement and if there are any adjustments we need to make."

Ethan nodded, impressed by Amelia's suggestion. "I agree. It's very important that we keep the lines of communication open and address any issues that may arise. That's so thoughtful of you, Amelia."

Amelia's commitment to the contract marriage was seen in her thoughtful suggestions, and Ethan knew that she took their agreement seriously. He admired her willingness to approach the situation with maturity and a genuine desire to make it work.

As they prepared for their respective commitments for the day, they shared a tender embrace.

"Remember, we're in this together," Ethan said, his voice filled with reassurance. "No matter what challenges come our way, we'll face them as a couple."

Amelia smiled, feeling a sense of comfort in his words. "I know, Ethan. I'm grateful for your presence in my life, and I promise to support you in every step of the way."

With that, they went about their day, each embracing their individual responsibilities with the knowledge of a genuine connection that defined the confines of a contract.

As Ethan arrived at his workplace, he was greeted by a chorus of congratulatory messages from his employees. Smiles adorned their faces as they extended warm wishes for his recent marriage.

"Congratulations, Mr. Blackwood!"

"We heard about the wedding! It's so exciting!"

"Your bride must be amazing! We can't wait to meet her!"

Ethan accepted the well-wishes graciously, though his mind was still preoccupied with the conversation he had with Amelia that morning. He appreciated the kindness of his employees, but he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.

As he settled into his office, he found himself reflecting on the journey that had led him to this point. The pressure from his parents, his meetings with agencies concerning the contract marriage and the signing of the contract marriage. His employees had no idea about the true nature of his relationship with Amelia, and he wondered how he should approach the topic, if at all.

Throughout the day, well-wishers continued to extend their congratulations. His secretary, Sarah, brought a bouquet of flowers, and even the senior management team made a point of congratulating him during their meeting.

Ethan smiled, thanked them all, and he did his best to maintain a good composure while his heart was still filled with the emotions of the morning's conversation with Amelia.

During lunch time, his closest friend and employee, James, invited him to a nearby cafe. As they sat down with their sandwiches, James looked at Ethan with a knowing expression.

"So, tell me about the wedding," James said with a playful smile. "You didn't even tell me that you were dating someone seriously , not to talk of a wedding!"

Ethan took a sip of his drink, choosing his words carefully. "Well, it was a beautiful day," he replied, trying to change the topic of their conversation.

James raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Ethan, you're usually more open with me. Is she someone we know?"

Ethan hesitated for a moment before deciding to be honest with his friend. "Actually, it's a bit complicated," he confessed. "The wedding was more of a celebration for our families. It's a long story, but the woman I married is a nice woman. her name is Amelia and we had a contract marriage."

James looked surprised but curious. "A contract marriage? That's certainly unconventional. So, what's the story behind it?"

Ethan shared the details of how he had entered into the contract marriage to meet his parents' expectations. "Man, I just have to do that in order to buy myself some time".

James listened attentively as he processed the complexities of the situation. "Wow, Ethan, that's quite a journey," he said, his tone thoughtful. "I'm happy for you, though. It sounds like you've found something special." He teased.

Ethan appreciated James's support and understanding. "Thanks," he said, a sense of relief washing over him. "It's been a rollercoaster, but I don't regret any of it. Amelia means a lot to me at this time."

James smiled. "Well, I hope I get to meet her someday. She must be pretty amazing for you to go through all this."

Ethan smiled, grateful for James's friendship. "She is," he replied sincerely. "And I'm excited to see where this journey takes us."

"I expected you to say that man. " He told him as he laughed before taking a sip from his glass. After having some conversation , they left the cafe and returned to continue with their work at the office.

As the afternoon wore on, Ethan found himself fully carried away in his work, his mind occupied with the tasks at hand. The conversation with James during lunch had momentarily shifted his focus, but as the responsibilities of his role demanded his attention, thoughts of Amelia took a back seat at his mind.

Time seemed to pass quickly as Ethan rushed to attend some meetings, responding to emails, and various projects. In the busyness of the workday, he hardly noticed that he had left Amelia at home. The weight of his responsibilities consumed him, and he was determined to fulfill his duties as efficiently as possible.

It wasn't until his assistant, Sarah, knocked on his door that he was brought back to the present.

"Mr. Blackwood, it's almost 7pm" Sarah said, her voice gentle. "You've had a long day. Would you like me to reschedule any more appointments for today?"

Ethan glanced at the clock and realized how late it had become. He had lost track of time, completely absorbed in his work.

"Yes, please reschedule the last meeting," he replied, running a hand through his hair. "And thank you, Sarah. I didn't notice that time has gotten this far"

As his assistant left to make the necessary arrangements, Ethan's mind wandered back to Amelia. A pang of guilt washed over him as he realized that he had spent the entire day attending to his work, neglecting the woman who bought him the time and space he needed to breathe. He turned his chair to face the outside world without noticing the presence of James who walked in. James shut the door quietly and walked closer to him with a smile.

James noticed Ethan's preoccupied mind as he placed his hand on his shoulders.

"Hey, you seem lost in thought," James said, taking a seat nearby.

Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I can't stop thinking about Amelia," he admitted. "I left her at home this morning, and I can't help but feel guilty for not calling her since then."

James nodded in understanding. "It's understandable. You're adjusting to a lot of changes right now. But remember, you also have a job to do."

"I know," Ethan said, frustration evident in his voice. "But I don't want her to feel alone or abandoned."

James leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. "Why don't you take a short break and check in on her? It might give you some peace of mind, and she'd probably appreciate hearing from you."

Ethan considered James's suggestion and realized that a short break wouldn't significantly affect his work. He nodded, appreciating his friend's insight.

"You're right," he said, reaching for his phone. "I'll give her a call."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Ethan dialed Amelia's number. As the phone rang, he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. He wanted to hear her voice, and know how she was faring. After a few rings, Amelia's voice came through.

"Hey, it's me," Ethan replied, a hint of relief in his tone. "I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing."

Amelia's voice warmed with affection. "I'm doing fine, Ethan. Just spent some time unpacking and getting to know the place better."

"I'm glad to hear that," Ethan said, a sense of reassurance washing over him. "I've been thinking about you all day. I'm sorry I left you alone this morning."

Amelia chuckled softly. "It's okay, Ethan. I understand. We both have responsibilities, and I know you're dedicated to your work."

Ethan felt a surge of affection for Amelia's understanding nature. "Still, I wish I could be there with you right now," he said sincerely.

Amelia's voice softened. "I know. But remember, we have our individual ambitions to focus on.

Her words filled Ethan with a sense of comfort . "You're right. Thank you for understanding."

As they continued to talk, Ethan felt a sense of connection and ease with Amelia, even from a distance. He realized that their bond went beyond physical presence.

After the call, Ethan returned to his work with a newfound sense of balance. He knew that his dedication to both his job and his new relationship with Amelia was important, and he was determined to find a way to balance both aspects of his life.

As Amelia sat in the living room, her mind wandered to the call she had just received from Ethan. She couldn't help but wonder why he had decided to reach out to her during his busy workday. Was there something specific he wanted to talk about or Did he need her for something urgent?

Her thoughts became a mix of curiosity and concern, but she tried not to jump to conclusions. After all, they had been communicating regularly, and it wasn't bad and unusual for them to check in on each other.

Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that there might be more to this call. Maybe he had some new ideas about their contract marriage, or perhaps he wanted to discuss how they would handle certain aspects of their relationship growth. "But why not wait till he gets home?" She asked herself.

Amelia took a deep breath, trying to get ride of the thoughts that threatened to overwhelm her. She had decided to trust Ethan and his intentions, but the uncertainty of their situation still left her with a hint of curiosity.

As she waited for him to return home, she decided to distract herself with a book. However, her mind kept wandering back to their conversation. She found herself recalling their conversation on the phone as she tried to get any hints or clues about what he might have wanted to discuss.

Time seemed to stretch as she waited for Ethan's return. The anticipation built with each passing minute, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. She knew that whatever he wanted to talk about would likely be significant, after all, their relationship had the possibility of evolving far beyond the initial contract.