Free The Marriage Contract by Tara Ahmed

of his car, I looked out the window, sighing as the spring air blew past my cheeks. Earlier, I had changed back into my regular outfit of grey t-shirt and blue jeans, while the white gown was tucked in a bag at the back of the car. The radio played some rock song I didn’t recognize, though my fingers tapped along my knees as the beats of the guitar strummed on.
                  “So, I want to know something,” he asked, breaking the cold silence. “Why did you cry?”
                  I shrugged. “I don’t know. It doesn’t matter—“
                  “Of course it matters,” he insisted.
                  I sighed, turning my head towards him.
                  “You don’t care,” I stated. “I don’t expect you to—“
                  “You’re right, Princess,” he said. “But a guy can be curious about his wife’s precious tears—“
                  I groaned. “Wife…that word. Oh, God. I can’t believe the world now thinks that I’m somebody’s wife. I didn’t imagine my married life to be this unromantic. But, it was my decision...for the greater good. Forget it. I don’t know what I’m saying.”
                  He laughed warmly, shooting me a sly smile, his eyes sparkling in that mischievous way of his.
                  “You’re married to a billionaire, Princess,” he said. “What’s there to regret? Sure, we won’t be married long, but after we divorce, you’ll get a good amount of money. Think of it as a gift from me to you.”
                  This time, I laughed. I laughed loudly, but it wasn’t an appreciative sort of laugh, but a bitter one. I could taste iron in my mouth, as I stared miserably at him.
                  “A gift? Thanks so much,” I said, sarcasm oozing from my tone.
                  “I didn’t mean it like that,” he said. “You know what? Honestly, I’m not even messing around…I would date you for real. You’d be my longest relationship yet—“
                  I smiled. “And how long would that be?”
                  He winked. “Two weeks.”
                  “Two weeks? You haven’t been with anyone longer than two weeks? Oh, that’s just sad—“
                  “Hey, don’t judge me,” he argued. “Alright, if my relationship history is so sad, then what was your longest relationship? Go on- spill the beans, little girl.”
                  I hesitated.
                  My mouth went dry, as I stroked my hair back, and chewed the side of my lip.
                  “Well,” I began. “That’s…that’s really none of your…um—“
                  The car stopped on a red light, as he turned his head towards me, his eyes widening.
                  “Oh, no way.” He spoke slowly, looking me up and down as though I smelled like rotten cheese. “Seriously?—“
                  “Just forget it,” I snapped. “It’s not a big deal—“
                  The green light flashed, as he zoomed through the sunny street, laughing loudly.
                  “So…wait…let me get this straight….I’m your first relationship?—“
                  I snapped my head to his- glaring.
                  “We aren’t in a relationship, nor will we ever be,” I corrected. “And…ok I haven’t had a boyfriend yet, but it’s not something to laugh about. I just…I haven’t met anyone that’s made me feel a certain way. So, there’s nothing wrong with that—“
                  “Alright, that’s fair,” he said. “But tell me something. Are you going to end up as one of those forty year old virgins? Hey, I might not be boyfriend material, but I can definitely help in other aspects, if you know what I