OUR MARRIAGE DEAL

AMBER.

I knew something was wrong from the moment I heard heavy steps outside the door. It was nine o'clock at night, the rain was pouring down hard, and the sound was clearly audible, overpowering the roar of the water falling from the roof.

"There's a guest," Dad muttered softly, his voice trembling. But I knew this was no guest.

A loud knock on the door made us all jump. Three times, hard, like a hammer knocking on a coffin. Mom held my hand tightly, and I could feel her palm cold, almost trembling.

"I'll open the door," Dad said, trying to sound brave, but I could tell his voice was losing strength.

He steps towards the door, taking a deep breath before opening it. And there he stood-Vincent.

A tall man in a neat black suit, his face as sharp as a knife, and his eyes as dark as bottomless pits.

Behind him, two other men stood, bigger, more sinister, like shadows ready to strike at any moment.

"Mr. Patrick," Vincent's voice sounded soft, too soft for someone like him.

It was the kind of softness that made my hair stand up.

"I've come to collect your promise."

Father swallowed, taking a step back. "Vincent, I... I need some time. Business is not good-"

"Time?" Vincent interrupted, stepping in uninvited.

"I've already given you time, Mr. Patrick. Three months, more than enough for a man who says he's in charge."

"I'll pay! I just need a little more-"

"A little more?" Vincent chuckled, but there was no humor in it.

Just cold, sharp, and threatening.

"If everyone who owed me money said that, I wouldn't be where I am now," he said, implying a very clear threat.

I stood in the corner of the room, holding Mom who was beginning to tremble. I wanted to step forward, to defend Father, but my body felt heavy.

How could I fight someone like Vincent?

"Do you know what happens to people who don't pay their debts?" Vincent asked as he walked slowly, like a tiger surrounding its prey.

"I don't have time for fairy tales, but I can give you an idea if you want."

"No!" exclaimed Father, his voice desperate. "I'll pay. I just need-"

"Enough." Vincent's voice cut through like a whip. He turned to me and Mom, his eyes stopping on my face.

I felt my heart stop beating for a moment.

"Sweet family," he said with a small smile, but his smile was cold, more frightening than his anger.

"I don't want them involved. But it's up to you, Mr. Patrick."

"Please," Father whispered, his voice almost inaudible.

Vincent gave him a long look, then sighed softly, like someone who had just been upset.

"No, I won't give you any more time! I'm already waiting for you to take responsibility for your actions!"

He turned to me once more before stepping out, and I felt his gaze like a dagger that left a scar.

As the door closed, I slumped to the floor. My body felt weak, my breathing ragged. Mother was crying softly next to me, while Father just stood transfixed, staring at the door as if Vincent was still there.

"Father..." my voice trembled. "What exactly happened?"

But Father didn't answer. He just covered his face with his hands, as if trying to hide his embarrassment, or perhaps his fear.

I knew that tonight was just the beginning of a bigger storm. Vincent is not a man who gives mercy. And I feared that, no matter how hard we tried, there would be no way out of this.

"I told you, Vincent, I'll pay you back," Father's voice sounded desperate, almost trembling.

Vincent, in a low, calm voice that was more sinister than a direct threat, replied, "And I told you, Mr. Patrick, the deadline is up. I've waited too long."

I squeezed the edge of the curtain, holding my breath. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Father's slightly hunched back, a sign that he was feeling cornered.

Vincent sat relaxed on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, his hand playing with a glass filled with a drink. The smirk curving his face provoked goosebumps.

I could already guess that someone like Vincent would be unforgiving.

"But, please... give me more time," Father said again.

"I'm taking care of some assets. I can pay half in a few weeks," Father continued, still trying to be convincing.

Vincent chuckled, the sound like a knife trying to get inside my head.

"A few weeks? Mr. Patrick, you know my world doesn't work like that. I need certainty. Assurance."

"Assurance? I... I don't have anything else."

"Really?" Vincent bent his body slightly, his tone turning cold.

"I think you still have something very valuable."

Father looked confused for a moment. "What do you mean?"

I felt a chill run down my spine as Vincent turned his head, his eyes looking directly at me.

My goose bumps stood up.

As if he knew I was peeking, he smiled a small, horrible smile.

"Your daughter," he says softly, each word like a dagger slicing through the air.

My heart seemed to stop beating after hearing him say my name.

"Amber would be the perfect collateral. If your debt is not paid, she can work for me," Vincent says with confidence.

The world around me seemed to stop. I felt my blood rush, my breath catch.

I wanted to scream, wanted to step in and slap the man across the face. But my body couldn't move.

Father was silent, looking surprised. "Vincent, you're not serious."

"Oh, I'm very serious," Vincent replied in a light tone, like he was talking about something trivial.

"She'll be safe, of course. I don't want to hurt her. But you know my world, Mr. Herman. If you can't pay, she will be my asset."

"I can't do that," Father said, his voice breaking.

Vincent stood up, patting Father on the shoulder with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Just think about it, Mr. Patrick. I can't wait for your decision until tomorrow. But if there is no answer, I will consider this offer accepted."

He then said nothing, but his smile was enough to make me feel like I was under the shadow of death.

Meanwhile, my father's gaze moved straight to where I was. He motioned for me not to come into the living room, but I really couldn't help myself.

I strode straight into the living room. I was honestly scared, but I still gave Vincent a sharp look.

"Father..." my voice was barely audible.

He looked up, his eyes red, full of guilt.

"Amber, I don't know what to do."

I want to be angry, I want to yell at him, but I know it's not just Dad's fault. This is Vincent's grip, and I know he won't stop until he gets what he wants.

"I won't bail you out, Father," I say finally, my voice shaky.

"We'll find another way out. Whatever that is."

But deep in my heart, I knew. Any way out would be full of thorns, and Vincent would never make it easy.

My heart pounded like a war drum, and what I saw instantly made my legs tremble.

Vincent.

He stood in the center of the room with two large men behind him, their hands gripping Father's arms as he tried to break free.

Father's face turned red, but his body was too weak to fight them.

"Vincent, what are you doing?! Why did you come here unannounced?!" I shouted, stepping forward without thinking.

He turned his head, that cold smile still plastered on his face.

"Should I? I'm just picking up someone who owes me money. Your father is past the deadline."

"Wait!" Dad tried to speak, his voice full of panic.

"I need more time. I have plans-"

"There is no more time," Vincent cut in, his tone cold and final.

"I've already given you warning. This isn't about money anymore, Mr. Patrick. It's about principle."

I moved closer, my body trembling, but I refused to back down.

"If you want to collect a debt, collect me! Don't take Father away."

Vincent chuckles, his mocking tone making my blood boil.

"You're really brave, Amber. But this is not a negotiation. I've come to take it, and I'll leave with or without your consent."

Just then, Dad struggled, trying to break free, and one of the big men shoved him hard against the wall.

"Shut up, old man," he snapped.

"Don't touch him!" I jumped forward, pushing the man with all my might. But his body was like stone, and I was thrown backward.

"Rena!" shouted Father, his breathing ragged.

I stood up again, this time facing Vincent with my fists clenched.

"If you take my father away, I won't keep quiet. I'll report you to the police. I will-"

Vincent came closer, his face only inches from mine. His dark eyes stared at me intently, like a predator eyeing its prey.

"The police? You think they can touch me? The world doesn't work the way you think it does, Amber."

I felt a chill creep up my spine, but I didn't let him see my fear.

"You can't do whatever you want."

He smirked, and before I could react, one of the big men was already pulling Dad roughly toward the door.

"We're leaving now," the man said.

"NO!" I ran at them, trying to pull Dad back, but they were too strong.

Father screamed, trying to fight back, but that only made them push him harder.

When I saw Vincent holding the door, I knew this was my last chance. With all the strength I had, I grabbed the vase on the table and threw it at the men gripping Father.

The sound of shattering glass filled the room. The man swore, and Father managed to escape briefly, but Vincent immediately stepped forward, gripping Father's arm with one hand.

"No more drama," he said in a sharp tone.

Suddenly, another voice appeared.

"Let him go!"

It was Mother, standing on the stairs with a frying pan in her hand. Before anyone could react, she swung the skillet at the head of one of the men, knocking him down.

The situation became chaotic. I took advantage of the confusion to pull Father behind me, while Vincent stepped back, his gaze turning cold.

"Don't hurt my father," I said firmly, my voice beginning to tremble with fear.

"Please... rather than you hurting him, I will comply with your request, Mr. Vincent," I said then.

"Amber..."

"Dad, I don't want anything to happen to you. You're sick. I will solve your problem."

"Well, that's interesting," Vincent says, making me turn my eyes to him.

He looked at me for a split second, looking as if he was thinking about something seriously.

"I'll give you a marriage contract. Marry me so I can qualify for the company's inheritance. Only two years."

What?! Has he gone crazy?!

AMBER

I sat in the living room that felt much smaller than usual. The air inside is so tense that it's hard to breathe. Across from me, Vincent sits calmly, his black suit immaculately pressed, like someone who has never known failure. A small smile graced his face, but his eyes were dark, filled with something I could never fully understand.

"I think I've made my words quite clear," he said finally, after a long, suffocating silence.

"I offer you a solution to settle all this. A marriage contract," he continue his words.

His words hit me like a blow. My body tensed, my fingers gripping the edge of the sofa. Dad who was sitting next to me looked transfixed, while Mom held his hand tightly.

"Marriage?" my voice finally came out, sounding weaker than I wanted it to. "You... you want to marry me just to settle Father's debt?"

Vincent shrugged, as if what he said was the most sensible thing in the world.

"I'm offering more than that. A contract marriage for one year. After that, you're free. The debt is paid off. Your family I won't touch again. Simple, isn't it?"

"Simple?!" I rose from my seat, my blood boiling. "How can you think this is simple? Marriage is not a business transaction, Vincent! You can't buy someone like that."

He remained calm, though I could see his small smile fading.

"It's not about buying, Amber. It's about saving your family. Do you want your father to go to jail? Or worse, you want me to solve this the other way around?"

"I don't care about your threats!" I retorted, my voice rising. "You have no right to force things like this."

"Amber, enough." My Father finally spoke up, his voice weak, full of guilt. He looked at Vincent with tired eyes.

"Vincent, we appreciate your... good intentions. But this is too much. I can't let my son do this just because of a mistake I made."

Vincent looked at Father coldly, like a lion looking at its prey.

"Your mistake didn't just affect you, Mr. Patrick. It affects your family," Vincent said like he trying to deliberately provoking my father.

"And I came up with a solution that is fair to all parties. This contract marriage will not hurt her. In fact, she will live much better with me than under this pressure."

Mom grasped my hand, her voice trembling as she said, "Please, Vincent. Don't force us to do this. We'll find another way to pay off the debt. Anything, just not this."

Vincent stood up, his steps slow but stressful. "Anything, you say? Don't make promises you can't keep, Mrs. Lucy. The world is not that beautiful. I'm giving you a chance to get out of this. But if you refuse..."

He paused, looking at me directly with a gaze that made my nape crawl.

"I won't wait forever," He continue his words.

"We won't accept your offer," I replied finally, staring into his eyes undaunted despite my trembling body.

"If you want revenge, do it on me. But don't use marriage as a tool."

Vincent gave me a long look before finally sighing.

"You're really rebel, Amber. I like that. But you should know-stubbornness often ends badly."

His eyes bore into us, like an eagle ready to pounce on its prey.

"You guys really have guts," he said softly, but her voice was full of menace. He strode to the center of the room, ignoring our panicked stares.

"I come with a very generous offer, and you refuse it?!"

"Vincent, please," Father said in a pleading tone. "We just need some time to think-"

"No more time!" Vincent snapped, cutting off Father's words. His hands were clenched into fists, his face red.

"I've given you a choice. I gave you a way out! And you... reject me?"

"You can't force us," I said, standing in front of Father. My voice was shaky, but I looked him straight in the eye.

"Marriage is not a game, Vincent. I will not marry you, no matter what you offer."

He gave a short laugh, but there was no humor in it.

"You talk as if you have a choice, Amber. Have you forgotten who stands before you? I'm not a man you just reject without consequences."

Mom stepped forward, holding my arm tightly. "Vincent, please. This is our home. Don't bring your anger here. We can talk."

"Talk?" Vincent turned to her, his tone sardonic.

"Do you think I came to talk? I came to take what is rightfully mine."

I gasped at his words. "I'm not property, Vincent, you have no right to me, to my family. We reject your offer, and that is final."

Vincent moved closer, only inches away from me. I could feel his hot breath.

"You think this is a game, Rena? You think I'll just walk away just because you said 'no'? The world doesn't work like that."

He waved a hand, and one of the big men behind him stepped forward, grabbing Dad's arm roughly. Father groaned in pain.

"LET HIM GO!" I shouted, trying to pull Dad out of their grip, but the man was too strong.

"This is only the beginning, Amber," Vincent said, his cold smile returning.

"You have two choices now. You come with me and marry me, or I'll take your father out of this house. And believe me, he won't come back safe."

Mom was crying loudly behind me, while Dad could only look down, his face full of fear.

"You're a coward," I said in a low, but firm voice. "Threatening weak parents just to get what you want. That's not strength, Vincent. That's stupidity."

His eyes narrowed, his jaw hardened. But before he could answer, I stepped closer, challenging him.

"You want to destroy us? Do it. But I won't give in to your crazy games. Not today. Not ever."

She gave me a long look, her cold smile fading. I could see anger on her face, but also something else-disappointment.

"If you refuse, you must pay the money to settle your father's debt now!" Vincent emphasized his words.

I was torn. On the one hand, I didn't want to accept Vincent's crazy offer. On the other hand, I couldn't let my father get into trouble.

"Fine! I'll accept your offer!"

AMBER

My steps felt heavy, even though the two large men behind me forced me to keep going.

The low-heeled shoes I wore made a small noise on the cold marble floor, but it wasn't loud enough to drown out the whispers and glares of the Vincent family sitting in a row in the large room.

I felt like a goat being led to the slaughterhouse. Vincent walked in front of me, his steps firm and confident, as if he was carrying something valuable.

I knew that, in his family's eyes, I was just something unwanted.

"Are you really serious about this, Vincent?"

A middle-aged woman's voice broke the silence. I turned my head and saw an elegant-looking woman, who was obviously his mother, looking at me with an appraising gaze.

"A woman like this? To be your wife?"

That sentence stabbed me instantly. I wanted to answer, wanted to defend myself, but I knew this wasn't the place to talk.

"She's more than enough," Vincent replied in a calm tone, though there was firmness in it. "Amber is my choice."

"But, look at her," an older man, probably his uncle, interjected in a dismissive tone. "No background. No big name. And she comes from a family that-"

"Don't finish that sentence," Vincent cut in, this time in a sharp tone that made the room quiet.

I clenched my jaw, trying to contain the heat in my chest. I knew they were talking about my family-about Dad, the debt, and all the mess that brought me here.

"I don't care where she comes from," Vincent continued. "She's going to marry me. That's all you need to know."

The woman let out a long sigh, looking at Vincent with a mixed expression of disappointment and disgust.

"Vincent, you've always been stubborn, but this time, you made a stupid decision. You can't bring a woman like this into our family. What will people say?"

"I don't care what they say," Vincent replied sharply. "Amber is mine. And I'm not asking for anyone's approval."

Hearing that, I felt my blood boil. Yours? Does he think I'm property?

I finally could no longer remain silent. "I never agreed to this, Vincent," I said, my voice shaking slightly, but I forced up the courage.

"You can force me to stand here, but you cannot force me to be your wife. You have no right."

All eyes were on me. Some were shocked, some were angry, and some were full of contempt. But I didn't care.

"Amber," Vincent said, his tone low but full of menace. "Don't make this harder than it has to be."

"Difficult?" I laughed bitterly.

"You're the one making all this difficult, Vincent. You brought me here against my will, and now you want me to accept this humiliation?" I turned to his mother, my gaze sharp.

"I may be a nobody in your eyes, but I will never allow myself to be treated like this, " I said again with my firm tone.

The room fell silent again. For a moment, I could see the tension on Vincent's face, but he said nothing.

"How dare he," muttered someone in the corner, and a few people chuckled.

I clenched my fists, restraining myself from losing control.

"This is the final decision," Vincent said finally, his voice cold. "And I will not discuss this again."

He turned, gesturing to the men who had brought me here.

"We're leaving."

I followed them out, but as the massive doors closed behind me, I knew one thing for sure-I may not have much choice now, but I wasn't going to give up. Vincent may think he can control me, but I will find a way to get out of this. No matter what happens.

***

I never meant to eavesdrop. Really, no. But my steps came to an abrupt halt when Vincent's voice came from behind the thick wooden door at the end of the corridor. His normally calm voice now sounded urgent, almost angry.

"Grandpa, I've done everything you asked," she said, her tone low but stressful.

"I've found the woman I'm going to marry. What else is missing?"

I took a slow breath, trying to digest what I had just heard. The woman to marry? He was talking about me, wasn't he?

His grandfather answered in a heavy, authoritative voice.

"Vincent, marriage is not enough. You know that. This family is not built on marriage alone. You must show that you deserve a larger share of the inheritance."

"What else do I have to show?" Vincent sounded increasingly frustrated.

"I've done everything. I took care of the family business. I took care of the family reputation. And now I even brought Rena here. The woman you thought was impossible for me to conquer."

I gasped softly, my hands gripping the wall to hold my suddenly limp body. Conquer? So what am I in his eyes, a game?

"That woman is a nobody, Vincent," his grandfather said in a scornful tone.

"You think bringing a woman like her will make me trust you? She has no name. No wealth. No influence."

"It doesn't matter!" snapped Vincent. "She is my choice. And she will be my wife, no matter what you think."

His grandfather paused for a moment before replying, his voice turning cold again.

"Then prove it. Prove that you can control her. Prove that she is part of a bigger plan. Otherwise, don't expect me to change the division of the inheritance."

I felt my blood freeze. So all of this-the marriage, Vincent's demands, even the destruction of my family-were all just tools to fulfill his ambitions. I was nothing to them, just a pawn in the family's big game.

"Just wait," Vincent said finally, his voice calmer but determined. "I will make her do what I told her. She will have no other choice."

I backed away slowly, my steps silent on the marble floor. My breath caught, my eyes hot. I didn't want to be here any longer, didn't want to hear anything more.

Once I was far enough away from the door, I ran to my room, closed the door, and locked myself inside. My heart felt broken. Vincent, with all his promises and stern looks, only saw me as a way to get more inheritance.

I felt angry, disappointed, and hurt all at once. But above all, I felt my resolve growing stronger. If he thought I would comply, he was wrong. I would find a way out of this trap, and this time, I wouldn't let her win.

***

I waited for him in the spacious living room, with my hands shaking even though I held them tightly to look strong. When Vincent walked in, dressed in his always neat dark suit, his steps were so relaxed like it was nothing. But I couldn't help myself.

"We need to talk," I demanded matter-of-factly.

He raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "You look serious. What's wrong, Amber?"

I stepped forward, looking him squarely in the eye.

"I heard everything, Vincent. About your grandfather. About the inheritance. And about this marriage."

His face changed in an instant, his jaw hardening.

"You were eavesdropping?"

"Not intentionally," I retorted, my tone sharp. "But now I know. You wanted to marry me not because I was meant for you, but because I was your tool to get a bigger share of the inheritance."

He let out a long breath, then stepped towards the sofa, sitting calmly like nothing was wrong.

"Amber, it's not what you think."

I gave a short laugh, full of sarcasm.

"It's not what I think it is? You manipulated me, Vincent! You forced my family to surrender, dragged me here, then you pretend that it was about love or whatever nonsense you said. But in fact, this is all just your game to get more money from your family!"

She looked at me with her sharp dark eyes, but I didn't back down.

"I do need that inheritance, Rena. But I never thought of you as a tool. You-"

"Stop!" I cut him off.

"Don't say that. Don't you dare try to justify all this with the nonsense that I'm important to you."

She stood up, approaching me with slow steps. "Listen, Amber. I have a big responsibility in this family. I want to make sure my position is strong. Otherwise, everything I've built will be in vain."

"And that's why you think you can use me?" I stared at him, my eyes heating up. "You don't care about my feelings, about my honor, or even about what happens to my family. You only care about yourself."

"It's not just about me!" he snapped, his voice echoing in the room. "It's about power. About protecting what is mine."

"And I'm part of it?" I asked, my tone low but full of anger. "You think I'm part of your collection? Something you can display to show how great you are?"

He paused, his face tense. For the first time, he had no answer.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "I will not marry you, Vincent. Not for your inheritance, not for your family, and not for any reason you think you can use to persuade me."

She reached out her hand, as if to touch me, but I took a step back. "Rena, you misunderstand. I-"

"I didn't misunderstand," I cut in. "I'm just finally seeing you for who you are. And I hate myself for having believed that you were different."

I turned around, leaving her standing there, silent and still. My steps were heavy, but I knew one thing-I wasn't going to let myself become a pawn in Vincent's dirty game. No matter what happens next.

"You won't be able to back out of our agreement anyway," Vincent said in a haughty tone.

Vincent then placed a document on the table.

A thick black folder that he had just placed on the table in front of me. On it, it was written in bold letters: Marriage Contract.

"Read it first," he said in a flat tone, as he sat in his majestic chair, like a king giving a decree. "I want to make sure you understand everything before you sign."

I swallowed, hands shaking as I opened the first page. Vincent's eyes never left my face, like a predator watching its prey.

I began to read chapter after chapter, and every sentence written there made my chest tighten. I thought this would be a difficult deal, but I never thought he would include rules like this.

"Article 3, Paragraph 2: The second party-that's me-is not allowed to make any decisions concerning personal or family assets without the first party's consent."

I raised my face, looking at him sharply. "So I can't even manage my own finances?"

He just shrugged. "I'm in charge of all that. You don't have to worry."

I snorted, continuing reading.

"Article 5, Paragraph 1: The second party is required to attend all family events of the first party without exception."

I looked at him skeptically. "So I don't have the freedom to refuse, even if I don't want to go?"

"It's necessary to maintain the family's image," he replied without a trace of guilt.

Then my eyes fell on one of the sections that took my breath away.

"Article 7, Paragraph 4: This marriage is valid for five years with a renewal clause based on the agreement of both parties. If the second party breaches the contract, all rights to assets, allowances, or facilities will be revoked."

I slammed the folder onto the table. "So, this all has a time limit? You've even planned when this marriage could end?"

Vincent looked at me with a cold face, as if my question made no sense.

"This is no ordinary marriage, Amber. This is a covenant. I offer you security and status, and you give me your position by my side. It's fair."

I laughed bitterly, even though my tears had already begun to well up.

"Fair? You're not even talking about love or feelings, Vincent. It's all about control. About making sure I have no choice but to submit to you."

He leaned back in his chair, his strong arms linked in front of his chest.

"Love, Amber, is a fragile thing. But an agreement like this provides stability. You'll be safe, and your family won't lack for anything."

"And me?" I asked, my voice almost a whisper. "Am I just going to be a puppet in your life, following all the rules you make, without ever being my own person?"

His eyes stared at me for a long moment, but he didn't answer.

I shook my head, taking a deep breath. "I don't need this kind of security, Vincent. I don't need a marriage full of rules, no heart, no feelings."

He stood up, approaching me with slow steps. "Amber, you know this is the best way out for you. Your family cannot survive without my help. You won't find a better option."

I rose to my feet, looking at him with tears on the verge of falling. "You're wrong. I'd rather fight on my own than give up my life for this game."

I picked up the folder, slammed it into his chest, then turned to leave. But before I walked out of the room, I paused for a moment.

"You may have all the power, Vincent, but you will never be able to force me to love you. It will never be in any contract you make."