Bound by the Contract Vow

Emma Anderson rolled in bed and struggled in her sleep state to find the switch to the alarm blaring unforgivable in her ears. Cool breeze seeped into her room from the half opened window and she wished she could just lay in bed all day. As she smiled at this tempting thought, images of Hardcase her boss flashed through her mind and she jerked herself out of bed waking up with full force.

Now wide-eyed, she knew she couldn't waste a minute more if she didn't want the wrath of hardcase willy.

She was out of bed in a flash to prepare for work, she got gloomy just thinking of the day ahead with her boss.

Doing a last minute check around her apartment, Emma locked her doors and kept the keys under the flower pot just by the door as she smiled. She didn't know of other places but Hamilton a small city in the outskirts of New York is as peaceful as anywhere can be, with it friendly neighbors, good social services and good security system. They hardly had a fight, except a few brawls from kids here and there and the gangs knew more than to cause a scene on the street. She waved at Duffy the neighbors dog who came wagging her tails as soon as she saw emma expecting a bite. Emma knelt on a knee and rubbed Duffy crooning, " Sorry Duff, Next time I promise you a treat.

She went straight to her RV parked on the front porch and took a minute to admire it as usual, a morning ritual she never missed. Her six(6) Months old baby still looked fairly new and shown in the morning light. She Unlocked the doors with care , entered and zoomed off to work.

As she swerved the car into the lot, she saw the security guy waving at her and she smiled right back. She was in high spirits, probably because she had a smooth ride to Willy and Associates where she worked as a Lawyer.

She stepped into the office and immediately felt the tension everywhere and wished she had tiptoed, her instinct told her something was amiss and today was not going to be friendly.

"Hi" She mouthed to May who's eye was glued to her laptop screen typing frantically away.

May mouthed her response back and Emma confirmed something is really wrong, she checked her wristwatch and noted with relief that she was few minutes early.

She went into her office and barely laid her butt down when May's head came through the door in a low voice

"Williams calls for you in his office now!"

She was about to ask May what it was about but she was gone as fast as she came in.

Shaking her head, she slowly made her way to Hardcase office. Her boss Williams Lawson who every one gave an evil nickname or the other was an Handsome devil's mix of a man. He's sharp cut masculine features drew both gender to him while he's devilish like attitude drove them back.

He's a pro at what he does and he owns Willy & Associates, One of the most successful and popular Law firm in Hamilton. He is also a successful businessman who inherited the family's business and has since expanded it into other cities and countries alike. The sound of the Lawson's name brought smiles to the ladies face and intimidated fellow men. Emma at few times almost asked him why he was running Willy and Associates at all, given how rich he is, without working his generation would have a free walk throughout their life.

Emma was about to knock on his door when she heard angry male voices from the closed door in an heated argument, she wanted to leave and come back but she dreaded Willy's wrath, now that she knew that something was definitely amiss. She stood there contemplating whether to leave or to knock when the door was flung open at her face. Her mouth went "Oh oh" but the man responsible for her expression didn't even look her way and he just stormed off. She caught a glimpse of Hardcase Looking grim just as she concluded she wasn't ready to face Williams just yet, she turned and she was about to Tip-toe off, when Williams barked

"Yes Emma, what do you want"

Emma frowned really?! "Erm sir, May said you called? He looked lost for a while and was like, oh yeah, I need the full files on The Taylors case, every damn thing we have on it.

She nodded and turned to leave when she heard him say again and " I want them today miss"

Oh miss? Emma thought really? It's not Emma anymore, it's now Miss. She was still pursuing this line of thought when he thundered " Cat's got your tongue, Ma'am?

Oh now it's ma'am?

Emma !!!

Sir? Oh yes sir, I heard you quite right. He feigned a disbelieving look and said " I doubt that though"

"I'm sorry sir"

You're sorry?

Yes sir? Emma gave him a questioning look

For?

Oh God! she thought inwardly, what did this case of a man want with her this morning.

" I'm just sorry " she winced unintentionally.

He opened his mouth to probably lash at her but Emma was quick to rush out of his office purposely banging the door on her way.

She released her breadth once she was out of harm's way, That was close, she thought aloud.

Williams was flabbergasted by what happened, did she just walk out on him? Or run out rather? He almost laughed at his own dry joke. Not that she committed any crime but Emma was one to always get in his bad book and he never think she's ever been in his grace before. She was one stubborn girl and he must admit albeit only to himself that he admired that about her. She's not like one of those people who kiss up to his feet just to get in his grace and today is not one of his good days either. Williams couldn't help the hint of a smile that played on his lips. He admired Emma's boldness and refusal to be belittled.He felt sorry for her and felt sorry for himself, the conversation he just had is not helping his mood at all.

He went deep in thought and occasionally shook his head, he was at a crossroad and does not know which direction to head to, he wished he was back home in Manchester. He would have just gone into his farm and speak to his fishes, they always seemed to have the answers to everything. He smiled in spite of himself, back home, he had more animals companion than humans, they seem to soot his sores.

Williams Lawson, Willy for short mostly referred to as Hardcase Willy by his employees, sat slumped in his oversized leather chair, his face buried in his hands. He couldn't shake off the feeling of overwhelming dread that consumed him that morning. The discussion he had just engaged in with his friend and Family Doctor Marcus, had left him reeling. He felt the life of his grandfather is in his hands, the future of Willy & Associates was at stake, and the weight of that responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Lost in his thoughts, he barely registered Emma's presence in his office, has she returned so soon he thought to himself? When she knocked on his door, he snapped out of his daze and barked, "Yes, Emma, what do you want?" His tone was sharper than he intended and he immediately regretted it. Emma frowned but quickly regained her composure, responding, "I'm here with the Taylors file sir"

He paused for a moment, struggling to gather his thoughts. He needed the distraction of work to take his mind off the looming crisis. "I thought I said the full files on The Taylors case," he replied brusquely, "Every damn thing I repeat, She was about to explain but he cut her short with "Leave now"

As Emma turned to leave, a surge of anger surged through her. She was tired of being treated with disdain by her boss. Before she could stop herself, she turned back and retorted, "So now, I should leave? Make up your mind, sir." Williams was taken aback, he tried to explain but she excused herself. She replied sharply, " I have brought the files just as you requested and now you are asking me to leave, should I leave sir? He shook his head not finding his tongue while she just moved to his desk and dumped the files there.

He glanced at the stack of files on his desk, the weight of his predicament weighing on him once more. His mind went back to the farm again and be wished he could escape to his farm, far away from the pressures of running a successful law firm. The peaceful sanctuary of his animals always brought him solace. But he knew he couldn't run away from his problems this time. He had to face them head-on.

Meanwhile as emma let out a sigh of relief as she escaped from Willy's office. She knew his foul mood would linger throughout the day and she didn't want to be the target of his frustrations. She couldn't help but wonder what had caused his gloomy disposition that morning. She had seen glimpses of a softer side to him, but those moments were rare.

As she walked back to her office, the tension in the air was palpable. The usually bustling law firm seemed to be enveloped in a somber atmosphere. She passed by May's desk, who looked up from her laptop with concerned eyes. Emma mouthed the words, "What's wrong?" to which May silently mouthed back, "I'll tell you later."

Emma couldn't wait to hear what May had to tell her, it must be a very important piece of information since may never whispered. Soon it was their lunch break and everyone was relieved as they went out in troops, Emma soon found herself Walking side by side with May just as she begged her to spill it. May said she heard from the grapevine that Hardcase grandfather was sick and he needed kidney transplant very soon, Emma expression showed she didn't see how that should be a problem since they could afford it, she replied with

"so?" Emma replied

"The cake on the icing is grandpa refuses to have surgery unless his darling grandson meets a particular condition" May said with smiles on her face as if she has just revealed an information that could save the world. Emma looked confused and asked " What's the Condition " Sadly May said nobody seemed to know what it was. Emma looked disappointed.

They came back from break and she noticed hardcase didn't leave at all, the day progressed with a heavy weight hanging over everyone's heads. The normal buzzing energy of the office was replaced with hushed conversations and worried glances. Emma focused on her work, trying her best to block out the negativity swirling around her.

As the hours dragged on, Williams locked himself in his office, his mind in turmoil. He couldn't escape the constant reminders of the crisis he was facing. The once vibrant colors on the walls seemed dull and lifeless. He longed for a moment of respite, somewhere where he could find peace amidst the chaos.

In the afternoon, when the clock finally struck five, signaling the end of the workday, Emma packed up her things and headed towards Williams' office. She knew she had to talk to him, to find out what was really going on and probably apologize for her attitude this morning, she might later end up blaming it on Cramps. Knocking gently on the door, she waited for his permission to enter.

Williams looked up from his desk, his eyes filled with exhaustion. He silently motioned for Emma to come in. She took a seat in front of him and waited for him to speak.

"Emma," he began, his voice tired and deflated, "I apologize for my behavior earlier. I'm afraid I'm dealing with some personal issues that have affected my mood today."

Curiosity sparked in Emma's eyes. Williams didn't usually talk about his personal life, so for him to open up even just a little, meant something significant must be happening. "Is there anything I can do to help, sir?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Williams sighed heavily, his gaze falling to the floor. "I wish there was, Emma. But this is something I must face alone, at least for now. Thank you for your offer, though."

As Emma listened to her boss's vulnerable words, she felt a surge of empathy towards him. Despite their rocky relationship, she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of compassion for the man sitting in front of her. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to Hardcase Willy than met the eye.

"I hope everything works out for you, sir," Emma finally replied softly, her voice filled with sincerity.

Williams looked up, meeting her gaze with a flicker of gratitude in his eyes.

"Thank you, Emma. I appreciate your understanding."

With that, Emma rose from her seat, leaving Williams to his thoughts. As she walked out of his office, a newfound determination ignited within her. She was determined to find out what was troubling her boss and, if possible, help him through whatever storm he was facing. A little part of her wondered what was her business and since when did she start to care what happened to Hardcase willy? She shrugged it off as she swiveled her RV onto the way home.

Little did she know, the journey she was about to embark on would change everything, not just for her, but for Williams and Willy & Associates as well.

The next morning, William sat at his desk in his office, frowning as he stared at the spreadsheet in front of him. The numbers weren't adding up, and he couldn't figure out what was wrong. He had been up late the night before, trying to make sense of the files, but he was still at a loss. He was supposed to present the quarterly report to the board of directors involved in the Taylor's case in an hour, and he felt the pressure mounting. He couldn't afford to make a mistake, but he was starting to feel like he was in over his head.

As he stared at the numbers, William found himself thinking about the events of the previous day. He knew he had to do something to about it, but he didn't know where to start. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. A timid voice called out, "Mr. Lawson? The board is ready for you." William took a deep breath and rose from his desk.

As he walked down the hall to the boardroom, William could feel his heart racing. He opened the door and was greeted by the stares of the board members. They all seemed to be waiting for him to make a mistake. He took a seat at the head of the table and began to speak. "I know you're all waiting for me to present the quarterly report, but before we get started, I'd like to make an announcement." He paused, taking a deep breath. "I'm getting married" when he got no response, he went further, "I'm starting a family "

There was a moment of stunned silence. No one knew what to say. Hardcase William had always been known for his hard-nosed approach to business, and this was a shocking turn of events. "Mr. Lawson," one of the board members finally spoke up, "we appreciate your commitment to you telling us this, but what does this mean for the company and our case?" William took a deep breath. "I'm still committed to the success of this case, but I need to find a time for my personal life. I'm not sure how I'm going to do that yet, but I promise you, I'll figure it out. In the meantime, I'd like to ask for your patience and understanding as I make this transition." William looked around the table, meeting the eyes of each board member. He could tell that some of them were skeptical, but he could also see a glimmer of understanding in a few of their faces. He finished his statement, "Thank you for your time, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to make this case a success." He stood up and left the room, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders.

Willy laid in bed and reminisced the events of the past few days, he needed to find a bride and fast. His mind replayed the discussion between he and marcus his Childhood friend who stopped by his workplace few days back. Marcus is a Doctor and is like family to the Lawson, many thought he was their son. Marcus came to deliver a message from his grandfather who has been diagnosed with Kidney problem and needed transplant as fast as possible.

As if that was not enough, Grandpa Lawson insists he won't have surgery unless Willy got married, Marcus stated that if he didn't get surgery on time, it's dangerous and he might loose his life to kidney problem. Willy thought about the letter he also received weeks back that got him all riled up. It was a dark and stormy night when Willy received the letter. It was an old-fashioned, hand-written letter that had been sent by courier. He opened it with trembling hands, and his heart sank as he read the words. The letter informed him that his company was in dire financial straits.

**********

Willy began the search for a bride in earnest and it was turning out fruitless but he was determined to find someone to marry. He had been to countless dinner parties, but none of the women he met seemed like the right fit. They were either too shallow, too materialistic, or just plain uninteresting. He didn't just want a female figure but one he could at least be able to walk with in public and who would understand the assignment without loosing focus. He didn't want some random girl falling for him or taking off with his money, he wanted a woman who could act the part.

**********

As she came to work that morning, Emma couldn't help but feel a renewed determination to prove herself. She knew that she had the skills and the intelligence to excel in her career, even if her boss didn't fully acknowledge it. She also knew that she deserved respect and recognition for her hard work. And she needed extra doe to pursue her career in Arts. She was lost for a moment as she thought of all the beautiful pieces of art lying helplessly and carelessly in her attic, her spirit lifted just thinking about it and how she's going to take the world by awe when she finally launched her own Art Gallery.

With a newfound fire in her heart, Emma poured herself into her work, putting in extra hours and going above and beyond . She stayed late at the office, filling in the gaps and finding solutions to any obstacles that came her way.

Willy still wasn't successful in his quest for finding a bride and he was about giving up making up his mind to tell his grandfather straight up or drag him to surgery if he had to. One evening, as he was leaving the office late, Willy spotted Emma still hard at work. The sight of her dedicated focus stirred something within him. He walked over to her desk, his voice softer than usual. "Emma, you've been working so hard. Why don't you take a break? You've earned it." Emma looked up, surprise and curiosity glimmering in her eyes. "Really, sir?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

Willy nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yes, really. You've proven yourself time and time again, and I should have recognized that sooner. I admire your dedication and commitment, and I want to apologize for not acknowledging it."

Emma was taken aback by his words. It was the first time he had ever apologized to her, the first time she ever heard him utter an apology at that. and it meant more to her than she could put into words. She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate your words."

From that day forward, the dynamic between Emma and Hardcase Willy began to shift. They developed a mutual respect for each other's work and dedication. Hardcase Willy became more open to listening to Emma's ideas and suggestions, and Emma felt valued and appreciated in her role. He found himself walking up to her one day and requesting her help in his quest for a bride. He explained the situation he was in and explained it was going to be a contract Marriage. Emma was skeptical but was secretly glad her cold boss was asking her to do this with him.

Together, Emma and Willy embarked on a search for a bride. They navigated through countless potential candidates, facing challenges and obstacles along the way. They secretly set up meetings with ladies of all kind, scrutinized them but William found it hard to pick any, it's either they were faking it a lot or they gave him frightening looks, he always found a fault with them or another. Emma was having fun throughout and when she got home each day, she always had something to laugh about.

During one of their never successful interview, William suggested they cool off and not check any other lady out for the day as he has had enough. The particular lady they interviewed last, lied so much that he felt his stomach start to turn, he could not take it no more.

They stopped by the closet restaurant to Emma's apartment and ordered dinner, since it was well past 6:00pm. They ate in silence watching each other and they soon finished and ordered for desert. Before the desert came, they began talking about events of the past weeks and they laughed through it, remembering the ladies with Emma mimicking some of them. Williams could not help but notice the rich sound that filled the air anytime she laughed and the rise and fall of her chest when she laughed, he also noticed she had a very pretty face especially when she smiled.Even her set of teeth was attractive and the arrangements wasn't so bad he thought to himself, was she always this attractive or it was because he was paying so much attention to her right now? He felt a soft tug on his arm.