Chapter 2

The boss gestured towards the leading guy.

He was indeed good-looking. But he was nowhere near as striking as the handsome police officer I had seen at the police station before.

Fine. I would settle for those.

The male escorts took seats on either side of me, and I enjoyed their company and had drinks they kept handing me.

Before long, the alcohol took its toll, and my head began to spin.

Just as I was lost in the allure, a familiar voice suddenly whispered in my ear. "Erika, you've really got some nerve."

The male escorts paused and turned to have a look. I was in my daze and followed suit. In the dim light, I saw Jaycob standing there.

The shock instantly sobered me up. "Oh my gosh! I thought you were gone!"

Jaycob's face was dark as he gritted his teeth. "It sounds like you're quite disappointed."

I nodded instinctively. But then I quickly shook my head as I realized what I had done.

"You..." Before Jaycob finished his words, a loud bang was heard. The door was pushed open.

"Don't move! The police are here. Hands up!" A dozen uniformed police officers burst in.

I was utterly shocked by the scene.

What was going on?

Jaycob, however, remained composed. He asked the police officers, "May I ask what the matter is here?"

"We received a tip-off about drug use here, so you have to come with us."

Jaycob directed his gaze at me again.

Why was he looking at me? I was a law-abiding citizen who stayed far away from gambling and drugs.

"Could there be some misunderstanding?" Jaycob sighed and turned to talk to the police.

The lead officer said, "Any misunderstandings will be cleared up at the police station."

So, I found myself in the police station twice within half a month, although I had never set foot there before.

"Hi." While waiting for the results of the drug test with Jaycob, I caught the eye of the female officer who had comforted me before. I felt awkward and greeted her.

Jaycob glanced at me and said, "It seems like you're quite familiar with this place."

"Of course. I came last time to check if you were really dead."

So many years had passed, and I was still used to the banter with Jaycob.

"Are you really wishing for my death?" he said.

I chuckled at his words. "What else? Should I be hoping for your long life?"

"Erika!" Jaycob raised his voice.

I became serious and said, "Jaycob, don't forget that we got married with an agreement. In half a month, the agreement will end, and you can be with anyone you want. If you had died, I would have happily received your inheritance. Now that you're alive, I'll return everything to you. Half a month later, we can divorce amicably."

4

I met Jaycob during our university years. He was my senior and quite the campus celebrity.

My first impression of him was just that he was handsome.

But when my mother fell gravely ill and I was desperate enough to hold a fundraiser on campus, his class was the first one I approached.

The audience was motionless, and I stood on stage with the donation box helplessly.

Jaycob walked up to me and put a thick stack of bills into the box and softly encouraged me, saying, "Don't worry. You will make it."

Though my mother failed to be saved, Jaycob left a lasting impression on me.

It took me a semester to get familiar with him, and my gratitude for him evolved to affection.

Just as I was about to tell him about my feelings, he started to date Jolene.

It was said that he had gone to great lengths to plan his confession. I watched the video of the event, complete with lights, flowers, and cheers. It was so grand.

In contrast, I had only a simple love letter, which was thin and desolate.

I tucked the letter away and hid my feelings deep within.

But they didn't date for too long before Jolene went abroad and broke up with Jaycob.

He had been despondent for quite a few days.

I wrote what he had said to me on a note and gave it to him.

He finally regained his spirit and made a name for himself.

After graduation, we didn't work together, but we kept in touch occasionally.

One day, he asked me out and asked me if I was willing to get married to him.

I was stunned.

He quickly explained. "My company is facing financial difficulties, and I need to get married to secure my grandfather's investment. I heard you're against marriage, so I thought we could pretend to be a couple by agreement. Don't worry. I won't interfere with your life, and I'll pay you fifty thousand a month."

My heart sank immediately.

I had indeed mentioned previously that I didn't want to get married.

I was flooded with mixed feelings and finally said, "Can I think about it for one night?"