Chapter 5 CONTRACT MARRIAGE

"Woah! Dude, you came?" Tilden Monroe stood up from his reading desk, amused to set his eyes on Shawn, his best friend at their band studio. He had recently been restricted from visiting by his Grandfather, Mr. Dylan.

"Don't act so surprised. I'm here and that's it, don't press on it," Shawn replied nonchalantly.

He wasn't in a bright mood and it was quite clear.

He must have snuck out of the office again, Tilden thought, staring at Shawn, who aggressively took off his suit.

It wasn't the first time and the last would always remain unknown.

"Take it easy, man. You might rip it if you keep doing that," Tilden cautioned.

"I don't mind. I could always get another one-it's no big deal," Shawn replied arrogantly.

He successfully took off his suit and tossed it aside, repeating the same action for his t-shirt. Official clothes were not made for him; it was simply a torture he had to go through every day for being a Harrington.

"Serah replaced your one-week timed-out clothes for a new set. She asked if you would like to get a fitting just in case you have a problem with them," Tilden explained, paying half attention to Shawn and his computer.

"Why should I need fittings? She's got every detail of my measurements. What's her problem? They all keep joking around with their jobs," Shawn scoffed, rolling his eyes. He wasn't interested in thinking about any other problem other than the main course his Grandfather coaxed him into.

He left the studio for another room, his private closet, where he had all the latest brands of outfits to choose from, it's his personal boutique.

He took off the uncomfortable plain black trousers and tossed them aside, glaring at them like they were the cause of all his problems.

Relieved after gaining freedom from his horrible office wear, Shawn took out white jeans, a blue turtleneck shirt and a jacket. He put them on and changed his brown oxfords into white sneakers.

Satisfied with what he set out for the day, Shawn took a glance at himself in the mirror. He wasn't looking bad but he couldn't compliment himself either. Still, he appreciated the fact that he looked different from a while ago, different from the Harrington. That was enough to put a smirk on his face.

Yeah, a smirk not a smile. Shawn had lost his smile years ago and now the least he could do was smirk.

"Shawn, hurry up, dude. You have to check out these lyrics I created," Tilden called out to Shawn, who had completely forgotten his best friend's existence.

"Alright," Shawn muttered, not bothered by the fact that Tilden would not hear something so faint.

He left his closet and joined Tilden in the triple-room-sized studio, Shawn's genuine home.

"Check out my romantic lyrics for the upcoming release. Fresno's gonna be impressed," Tilden bragged, shoving the computer in Shawn's face.

Shawn glared at Tilden for his unruly manner but kept it aside and focused on what the computer displayed.

Truth be told, the lyrics were amazing but Shawn was no fan of love songs and romance. They were part of his "hate" list and "never to do" list.

"Nice," came Shawn's ignorant reply.

Anyone in Tilden's position who didn't know and understand Shawn would have felt hurt. But rather than frowning, Tilden smiled and replied, "Thanks."

"It's your Grandfather again, isn't it? What did he say this time?" Tilden asked, closing his computer to give his full attention to Shawn, because lack of attention to Shawn meant unseriousness. The irony.

"Mr. Dylan said and I quote, 'Shawn, you have three days to find yourself a bride or else The Loyals will be The Goners.'" Shawn effortlessly mimicked his Grandfather in a funny manner but Tilden dared not laugh. He couldn't afford to get on Shawn's nerves, his anger was something to avoid for the rest of your life if possible.

"He's your Grandfather, Shawn. Talk to him about this; the band is at stake here," Tilden stated but Shawn only snorted at his words.

"That man is Mr. Dylan Harrington, not my Grandfather. And how many times should I talk to him? He just wouldn't listen. I am done trying already," Shawn replied, pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his album shelf.

Smoking was prohibited by his manager, Fresno but still, Shawn had a couple hidden behind large furniture in his studio.

"I don't get why you keep speaking this way. Shawn, for f***'s sake, you are a Harrington and that man is your Grandfather. Talk to him and save the band or better still, get f***ing married," Tilden lashed out, slowly getting frustrated by his best friend.

"I am not a Harrington, okay? I am Shawn and I am neither going to talk to that old man nor get married," Shawn replied stubbornly, lighting up his cigarette stick.

"Then say bye-bye to your Grandmother's hard work," Tilden said and Shawn suddenly paused.

He dropped his stick on the silver platter and stared at Tilden, his face void of emotion and hard as a rock. It was hard to tell what was going on in his mind but for some reason, Shawn felt disturbed.

"It's been ten years, Shawn, The journey of The Loyals isn't a day-old industry; it was your Grandmother's legacy. Don't let your Grandfather ruin it just because of some silly issue," Tilden added but got no response.

"Shawn!"

"Better safe than sorry."

Shawn sighed tiredly. He knew Tilden was right but marriage was no small issue to use as an escape route, it was a lifelong commitment.

Commitment, something that scared him so much. It scared him more than death.

"I don't want to get married. I don't have plans for it now or in the near future. Mr. Dylan doesn't want to understand. I bet you can, right?" Shawn inquisitively stared at Tilden for his opinion.

"If I don't understand, who else will? I get it, Shawn. I am afraid of commitment too, but that doesn't mean I would run my whole life. I wish to have a commitment with a lovely girl someday but thanks to advanced knowledge and me, your best friend, there's one solution to your problem," Tilden said, grinning mischievously, gaining Shawn's attention.

"And what's that?" Shawn asked curiously.

"Contract Marriage," Tilden replied and suspense filled the atmosphere. The loud scoff that escaped Shawn's lips left Tilden in astonishment.

"What?" Tilden asked, his hands at his hips.

"What's the real deal, Tilden? I don't have all day," Shawn replied, feeling uninterested.

He waited for Tilden to utter the better idea he was expecting but nothing came forth.

"Seriously?" Shawn asked, amused by Tilden's silence.

"What?" Tilden asked, wondering why Shawn was still staring at him.

"Wait, that's the plan? That's all you had?" Shawn asked in sheer disbelief.

"I don't see you suggesting any," Tilden replied, earning a glare from Shawn.

"A contract marriage? What's the freaking difference between a contract marriage and a f***ing wedding?" Shawn half-yelled, opting for an answer.

"Woah, take it easy, dude. There's a difference, okay? It's simple, it's fake and nothing else. Fake contract, fake priest, fake marriage documents, fake bride, name it. It would all be fake. That's my version. I mean, I would go for it if I were in your shoes," Tilden explained but Shawn wasn't convinced.

"A fake contract marriage? Tilden, do you even realize what the hell left that s*** you call a mouth? A contract marriage is a union between two people who come together for a specific period of time. It's mostly based on personal needs and wants. Now that's not enough for you to suggest but you add fake to it? Why don't you add the definition of fake to the freaking contract marriage and tell me what it means?" Shawn urged Tilden, who stared around, avoiding Shawn's deadly expression.

"Okay, fine. I'm not Professor Shawn Harrington but I do know a fake contract marriage is not such a good idea. I can't help it, okay? The band is on the line here, Shawn and you're not bringing forth any solution that I know or heard of," Tilden retorted, leaving Shawn in distress.

A peek at losing The Loyals in his imagination felt like his whole world crumbled into pieces. Then how would it feel if it truly happened?

"Fine," Shawn grudgingly grumbled.

"What's that?" Tilden asked, placing his fingertip to his ear in a gesture to portray his unawareness of Shawn's words.

"Do I have a choice? Quit pretending, I know you heard me, and I'm not repeating what I said earlier," Shawn replied with an eye roll.

"You just had to spoil the fun. Anyways, now that I have your agreement, let's move on to the next phase, shall we?" Tilden said, opening up his laptop.

"What is the next phase?" Shawn asked not enlightened by the fact that another phase of the dumb plan would be required.

"Your bride!" Tilden replied.

"Bride?" Shawn scoffed. "More like gold digger."

"Seriously, Shawn not everyone is a gold digger, okay? Good people still exist," Tilden stated but didn't get a reply. He wasn't expecting one either.

"So who's the unfortunate lady going to be? Sadly, there are thousands of ladies who want that position. How will you get to choose?" Shawn asked.

"Me? Choose? I'm not the one getting married. Thankfully, there's no need for all that, I've got the perfect lady for the job," Tilden said, happiness written clearly on his face.

If their plan worked out fine, the band would be safe and free from any other threat. That made Shawn feel relieved for the first time since the encounter with his Grandfather.

"Who is it?" Shawn asked, less concerned.

"Camila Bennett !" Tilden wiggled his brows, grinning widely.

"And I'm supposed to know who that is?" Shawn asked casually.

"Who the hell doesn't know Camila Bennett ? Come on, dude, she's your sister's ex-best friend and also a famous movie star. Are you kidding me right now?" Tilden asked in disbelief.

"Calantha had a best friend?" Shawn was surprised. The Calantha he knew was an exclusive introvert. She only worked and read large books and he was her only friend. He didn't realize how distant he had grown from his family all because of fame.

"Forget about it. I'll send you her picture and arrange a meeting for you guys to talk and finalize the contract," Tilden replied, ignoring Shawn's question.

"Schedule should be from 9 to 11 p.m. Mr. Dylan has spies watching my every move, I don't want him finding out about this," Shawn reminded a forgetful Tilden.

"Oh and inform your best friend about the short period of time I have left. There will be no meeting. She arrives, signs the contract and we get married the very next day," Shawn said and Tilden nodded.

"Not to worry. She's just as desperate as you are. I'll get everything arranged tomorrow night then we can get it done as soon as possible," Tilden said.

Shawn's phone suddenly blared, buzzing on the sofa where he had placed it.

He went over to pick it up and scanned through the caller. It happened to be Marin Smith, Shawn's personal assistant.

"What is it?" Shawn asked, his voice coming out cold and intimidating.

"S–Sir, it's Austin . He's raging at everyone, wanting to know your whereabouts. I haven't said a word, but he's threatening to inform Sir Dylan," Marin stuttered in a state of panic.

"I'll be there soon," Shawn simply replied and hung up, cursing inwardly.

"What's wrong?" Tilden asked, detecting the sudden coldness that plunged into Shawn's appearance.

"I'm leaving. Send Dave to my office tomorrow not a word about the contract to him. I'll do that myself," Shawn said, picking up his suit and other belongings he had taken off earlier.

Not sparing another word, he left the studio, anger popping through his veins.