Contract Marriage To Attorney Shin

SIERRA

"Miss Sierra! Miss Sierra! Do you deny the allegations against you?!" was one of the many voices I heard amidst the horde of reporters fighting to shove their mics to my face as I stepped out of the police station shielded by my best friend, Anna, and a few other police officers. The sounds of their cameras flashing, the sudden heat that choked me, my aching heart, and unsteady breaths, everything was coming at me so fast without mercy. For the first time in my life, I wished the ground could just swallow me. I should have known better that wearing a red hoodie, blue jeans, red sneakers with a pair of black shades and a black nose mask wasn't going to be enough to hide me. I was just like these people after all, a fellow reporter who used to do the questioning but today, I was the one being questioned and I finally understood what it felt like to be tagged a criminal even when you know you're innocent.

"Miss Sierra! Some sources claim to have pieces of evidence that prove you are deeply involved in the consumption of illegal drugs, can you comment on these allegations?"

"Miss Sierra Banks, you are known as one of the country's finest journalists. Who has always made a clear stance fighting for justice but today haven't you betrayed the trust of your fans and the general masses?!"

"The public is deeply concerned about the impact of these allegations on your career and reputation. How do you intend to address this issue?"

My teeth gritted and my chest tightened as my palms almost curled into a fist. I didn't know where to start or how to shape the right words, but my lips moved faster than my brain.

"I understand the concern of the public but I assure you all that I am innocent. I am taking these allegations seriously and I categorically state that I have never involved myself in the consumption of illegal drugs and I never will."

"But the authorities have released a press statement stating that they found traces of Cocaine in your blood. Are you saying this is a lie?"

"Although there might be certain evidence that has been circulating I consider them as false. I am a law-abiding citizen and fully intend to cooperate with the authorities on the ongoing investigation and address these allegations properly. I have sought legal counsel and I believe that the truth will prevail."

"That's enough, Sierra, let's go," Anna tugged at my arm and I obliged.

"Miss Sierra! Miss Sierra!" they kept increasing their pressure with every step I struggled to take toward the black van that had parked before the building. The moment I strolled into the van, only then was I able to catch my breath properly. Our van zoomed off but these reporters still chased after me like hungry dogs.

I pulled my shades and mask off frustratingly and then leaned my head on the headrest.

"Are you alright, Sierra?" Anna asked quietly and I glanced at the petite blonde-haired lady seated by my left.

"How do you expect me to be fine?" I retorted and she sighed.

"It's only going to get worse, Sierra," her voice almost trailed a whispery path. "The authorities have placed a travel ban on you and I got a call earlier this morning from your boss that you have been fired."

Pain panged in my chest, "I haven't even been proven guilty yet and they've thrown me under the bus."

"The outrage against you is wild and the last thing TVN news would want is to be dragged into this mess with you."

"Have you been able to reach Jonathan yet?"

"His phone's still switched off ever since he left the police station."

"That bastard!" my palms clenched into a fist.

"I can't believe your boyfriend did this to you. I've thought about it several times and I still can't figure out what he stands to gain by betraying you."

My eyes twitched, trying to hold back the tears that were about to grace my eyes but I failed regardless. I quickly wiped the tears off my eyelids and leaned on the headrest again. The moment I closed my eyes, my mind immediately wandered to that night, two days ago. I still remember every detail of it. It all started with my accident. Jonathan had called me over to the bar to have some drinks but I barely touched my drink before heading home. On my way, I felt dizzy and I had lost control. Who knew that an accident that had been ruled as drunk driving would take a huge turn to become an illegal drug consumption case? But the more significant question that bothered me was why my boyfriend decided to spike my drink with cocaine and even gave a statement to the police that I've always meddled with drugs.

The more I thought about it, the more it burned me inside. He did such an atrocious act and suddenly disappeared. Anna had never liked him for a second ever since we started dating four months ago and now I was realizing I should have just trusted her instincts. Thanks to him, my career, and the reputation that I had fought so hard to build were going down the drain. The media were going to have a field day with my case and I could already imagine some of their headlines.

'Sierra Banks, the giant slayer has been slayed with the blades of her illegal drug consumption case'

I exhaled deeply as my entirety trembled. I was one of the top investigative journalists in the country known for going after the dirty secrets and shady deals of the big dogs in our society. I used to be revered by the masses but now, I was going to be the new object of shame.

"This is a conspiracy against you, Sierra," Anna mumbled but I refused to open my eyes regardless.

"I know but I still don't understand why Jonathan of all people would be the one that brings me down."

"I think you should be worrying about the bigger problem here. None of the top and experienced lawyers we know wants to take up your case. It seems like everyone is determined to bring you down."

"What?!" I stared at her in shock while she sighed. "There is no credible lawyer that wants to defend my case."

"I tried but..." her voice trailed off.

"Surely there must be someone, right?!"

"I spoke with the CEO Justin of JusticeGate Law firm–"

"I know JusticeGate," I cut her off abruptly, dearly hoping it wasn't what I was thinking.

"He says the only person that can take your case is...Attorney Shin."

My jaw dropped and my heart pounded as if it wanted to break free from my chest. "What?!" I blurted inadvertently.

"Look I know, you and Attorney Shin are not on good terms but he's one of the best you know. He has never lost any case whether big or small. He's the only one that can help–"

"Never!" I almost yelled. "Shin and I are rivals from way back. That guy would rather chew off his foot than defend my case."

"Are you serious right now? Everything you've worked so hard for is about to crash and you're worried about some rival that has long ended since high school?" Anna challenged and my eyes twitched. "He's the only one that can take your case, you don't have a choice. Justin has set up an appointment for you with him, so please, don't screw this up."

SHANE

"Isn't the morning beautiful?" Chelsea, my Secretary beamed in front of me as she knotted my tie in my living room brightly illuminated by the morning rays coming from the Ceiling-to-floor window a few meters behind me.

"I don't think so," I responded and brows inquisitively arched a bit.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked and I shook my head. "Then can I ask what's wrong?"

I reviewed her for a bit, she seemed to have done an extra styling to her long brown hair and she dazzled in her white shirt and pink skirt that clung to her curves perfectly.

I shot her a smile, "nothing to worry about, okay?"

"How can I not worry about you when you seem to be troubled."

"What's my schedule for the day?" I asked and she left my front to pick up her tablet on the glass center table while I glanced at the TV on the wall, they were talking about the famous reporter, Sierra Banks, drugs scandal. My morning had started on a perfect note as usual until I saw the news. It has been years now since we last spoke with each other, it wasn't like we were friends in the first place. More like rivals yet for some reason, I was bothered by this news.

"Justin set up an appointment for you with a client by 3 PM," she said as she came to my side while my gaze reverted to the full-length mirror before me. I was wearing a black suit, a white shirt, and a blue tie.

"An appointment?" I queried. "I already have a lot of work to deal with and you allowed him to make an appointment." I patted the side of my pompadour-styled black hair even though it needed no adjustment, it was a habit of mine whenever I was before the mirror.

"It was a special request from him," she replied.

"And who's this client?" my left eyebrow arched upwards.

"No idea, he didn't tell me."

I nodded.

"You also have Mr. Henderson's celebration party to attend tonight. He especially wants to celebrate with you for winning his case."

"Chelsea, you've been working with me for about seven years now, you know I don't like parties."

She smiled, "of course, I'll inform Mr. Henderson about your tight schedule."

I gave a brief smile.

"Anything else?" I checked my silver watch reading 7:03 AM.

"It seems you have forgotten, but your father asked you to join the family for breakfast."

I froze while my heart skipped a bit. The last person I would ever want to see was my father.

"I know what you're thinking but your father won't be buying any excuses this time," she said, tousling my thoughts. "Please I want you to go." she wore an endearing smile and I nodded.

It wasn't a long drive getting to the highly revered Tristan mansion in New York. Yes, I was the second son of Chairman Richard Tristan of Triad Group but not many people knew that fact after all, I had been keeping my identity a secret since I was little and I didn't mind that the family tagged me as the black sheep.

"I must say, it feels unreal seeing my dear little brother with us after so long," Marcus, my step-brother chirped, he was seated opposite me on the rectangular dining table while my father sat on my adjacent right and my stepmother, Rose, occupied the left.

"The last time we saw our dear boy was your wedding right?" Rose interjected with a beam.

"Yeah," Marcus chuckled but I kept my hands busy with my cutleries, deciding not to pay any attention to either of them. They might be all smiles but they were nothing but hyenas who would jump at the chance to kick me out of the family for good. "You can't blame him though, he's a busy man. I hear he won Mr. Henderson's tax evasion case. We all thought that man was a goner for real."

"Isn't that wonderful?" she gasped. "Congratulations Shin!"

"You asked me to join you for breakfast, certainly it isn't to discuss my work right?" I dropped my cutlery noisily, challenging my father.

My father placed his cutlery on his plate gently and wiped his mouth with his napkin. "I see you still haven't learned any manners."

My teeth gritted as our eyes locked in a way I couldn't dare waver. As much as I hated him, I still feared him. We all feared him especially when those blue eyes of his carried this much iciness. It was one of the many reasons I hated myself, I took after those eyes rather than my mother's loving hazel eyes.

"How do you intend to be my successor if you lack manners," He stated.

"What?!" Marcus and his Mother exclaimed at the same time while I frowned. I was just as perplexed as them too.

"I'm getting old, it is high time that I find a successor to inherit the Group," My father said. "As far as I'm concerned only one person gets to inherit everything between the two of you," his eyes wavered from me to Marcus.

"Dad!" Marcus protested.

"You seem to be lacking your manners too," My father snapped at him and he lowered his head immediately.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

My father's domineering gaze reverted to me. "When are you getting married?"

"I already told you, I don't have any intention of getting married," I retorted and I immediately noticed the glimmer of anger in his eyes.

"You're no longer a child, you're thirty-two, it's high time you throw away that rebellion nonsense of yours."

"It is my choice–"

"You are a Tristan, you have a responsibility to the family!" he thundered and fear ruled my insides. "You should learn from your brother, he's been heading one of the companies with great success."

"I have my own–"

"Do not interrupt me!"

I gulped down my saliva as my left palm clenched into a fist.

"I have given you more than enough time but it seems you're hellbent on remaining the spoilt child that you are. Get married before the month runs or else, you will cease to be part of this family!"

My eyes exclaimed in horror, "There's only about two weeks before the month is over, how do you expect me–"

"None of my business, Shane! You have been useless to the family and the business for far too long. If you can't prove yourself, then you don't deserve to wear the Tristan name." He said and left the dining table furiously.

There was an awkward silence in the room before Marcus laughed mockingly. "Every time you come home, you must always make a big fuss right?"

I glared at him but he smirked.

"He is the son of a mistress after all, shameful like his mother," his mother interjected.

"Triad Group is mine, the race might be between us but you should know better, a bastard like you don't even deserve to be a candidate," he stood up. "I look forward to your wedding."

"Wedding? He's a loner," his mother said as she stood up. "All that handsome charm of his and he's unable to get any lady."

Both of them laughed as they eased out of the dining room. I couldn't contain my rage that in oblivion, I banged the table.

I was against marriage but I couldn't risk losing my place in the family. My father would make my life miserable, besides, I still had a score to settle with the three of them. Then again, how was I going to get married in the coming weeks when I had no ladies to choose from?

SHANE

I closed my laptop in frustration and rotated my swivel so I could face my window blind behind me. Several hours had drifted by since I left the Tristan Mansion but I still couldn't bring myself to concentrate on my work. I combed through my hair frantically, anger coursing through my body like a gentle river unable to forget the insults hurled at me.

*******

"None of my business, Shane! You have been useless to the family and the business for far too long. If you can't prove yourself, then you don't deserve to wear the Tristan name."

"Wedding? He's a loner. All that handsome charm of his and he's unable to get any lady."

*********

My teeth gnashed and my palms clenched once again. I should have known better not to have gone to the mansion this morning. The problem now was finding a wife. Perhaps I should go to one of those dating sites. No, I don't think that would work for me. I could simply meet Justin, he hangs out with a lot of ladies, and he was most definitely the perfect solution to my problem.

The landline telephone rang causing me to turn to my executive desk.

"Yes Chelsea," I answered.

"Your client has arrived."

"No problem."

I checked my wristwatch and it was just 3 PM. I exhaled deeply and relaxed on my swivel. Hopefully, whoever this client was, their case would be enough to distract me from my raging thoughts. The door a few meters before me opened for Chelsea to saunter in but the client that followed next was someone I would have never imagined walking through this door in my wildest dreams. Her long red hair was still as charming as I remembered, her green eyes reminded me of the feeling I had gotten seeing her for the first time back then, so alluring that I wished for nothing but to get lost in them. She was wearing a black body hug gown complemented by a cream trench coat and black knee-high boots. The famous Sierra Banks.

My jaw dropped for a split moment. I mean I had always seen her on TV but seeing her before me after so long, gave me a bubbly feeling in my chest in ways I couldn't understand. Was it the faint disappointment I felt that this lady had once rejected me back in high school or was it the fact that she became my rival throughout the rest of my high school years? Perhaps it was the feeling of astonishment. Back then, she was the only lady that I was genuinely interested in, and now, it felt like she had sparked that interest again.

"Mr. Shin, please meet Miss Sierra Banks," Chelsea said and only then did I get a hold of myself. I slightly nodded, acknowledging her presence and Sierra did the same too. "Please sit," Chelsea escorted her to one of the black two-seater couches a few meters away from my desk.

"Would you like to have any refreshments?" she asked Sierra.

"Tea," Sierra answered.

"Alright," she said and left my office. I cleared my throat and left my swivel to join her. I sat on the two-seater opposite her with a small rectangular glass center table being the only medium separating us. The awkward silence in the room was as loud as a club's party and I couldn't even look her in the eyes even though I felt her eyes bore holes in me. None of us said a word to each other until Chelsea had served her tea and left my office.

"Shane Inglis," a tiny smile graced her rosy red lips.

"Sierra Banks," I smiled back and she crossed her legs. "I prefer to be called Shin though."

Her smile deepened. "So I heard. It's been a long while."

I nodded while she took a sip of her tea.

Justin must have owed her a huge favor for him to have fixed an appointment for her despite my busy schedule.

"I'm sure you've heard about the latest gist in town," she said.

"I'm terrible at keeping up with gist," I replied and she frowned slightly.

"My drug scandal."

My lips formed into an O.

"I want you to be my attorney."

'Why me?' That was the first question that came to my mind but I chose not to let them out.

"Are you innocent or not?" I asked.

She frowned.

"Don't get me wrong, I need you to be completely honest with me before I know the next course of action."

She exhaled deeply as pain briefly reflected in her eyes. "I didn't do it."

I inhaled deeply, and for some reason hearing that relieved me. At the same time, it bothered me a bit, her tone carried so much pain and somehow I could resonate with it. The pain of losing everything. Even if she was guilty, I still wouldn't hesitate to help her.

"Tell me everything in detail," I muttered and she nodded before explaining. "I can defend your case." I asserted when she was done. She smiled but it didn't last the next second.

"That's a relief, for a moment, I thought you would–" she paused as if she almost spilled something she wasn't supposed to. "I hear your fee is quite exorbitant, I'm more than willing to pay more if you can help me win this case. My life...depends on it."

My gaze darted to the table and for some reason, I remembered my father's words. He was going to kick me out if I failed to get married before the month ended. I might be against marriage but since I had no choice, I have to marry someone I can feel comfortable with at least. Being an introvert, there were not many people I was comfortable with besides, my friend, Justin, and my secretary, Chelsea. Sierra and I didn't get along in the past but I've always felt at ease with her in a way.

I inhaled deeply, knowing fully well this wasn't going to sit well with her but I had no choice either.

"About the fees, you won't be paying," I said and she sported a quizzical look. "How about I make you a proposal? I want you to sign a contract with me and in exchange, I will win your case, Miss Sierra."

"What type of contract?"

I gulped down my saliva. "A marriage contract. We'll be married for one year."

"Excuse me?" she bemused. "Is this a joke or something?"

I shook my head.

"Then it better be! I'm in a serious shit hole and you're proposing we get married? Me? To you?!"

"I–I–"

"For fuck's sake I know you and I haven't had good history in the past but that doesn't mean–"

"Miss Sierra–"

"I consider this an insult! It feels like you're messing with me right now."

"Miss Sierra, I do not intend to insult you."

"Then what the hell is the meaning of this?" She stood up fiercely.

"Miss Sierra, please listen to me," I calmly stated as I stood up. She still had that dramatic attitude I knew way back. "I have no intentions of getting married but as it is now, I have no choice. It is the only way I can save myself from my family. I can't go against them any longer."

Her brows frowned deeper.

"Just take it as I'm employing your services just like you're doing mine."

"Why me? I mean you're quite the popular one and I'm pretty sure you have tons of ladies at your beck and call."

"I do not."

She scoffed. "I must be gullible if you think I'd believe that."

"Believe whatever you want, I just want you."

She scoffed, "You're still as twisted as I remembered."

"It's not what you think," my lips twitched for a moment, hoping she wouldn't misunderstand me as usual. "I feel like you're the perfect person for the job. If you sign this contract with me, I assure you that you will win this case. Besides, getting married to me would help save your dwindling reputation for the time being so consider it as good PR."

She peered at me deeply for a while and then heaved a sigh. "Just for one year?"

"Just for one year," I assured her, and she returned to her seat.