Chapter 7: The Fake Marriage

The document spelled out a handful of terms. They had signed a one-year agreement, living together as husband and wife, with Wesley moving to wherever Katie chose, but they'd sleep in separate rooms.  They'd use separate bathrooms, and each one was strictly off-limits to the other.  No forced intimacy of any kind.  Neither party could, for any reason, meddle in the other's life.  Whenever Katie needed Wesley, he would show up at her side as her boyfriend or husband, no excuses. After the year was up, they'd go their separate ways and stay out of each other's lives. The first few clauses seemed reasonable enough. Then things got weird. Wesley couldn't go into Katie's room unless invited. That rule didn't go both ways.  No bringing any other woman home without her say-so.  Only Wesley had an 11 p.m. curfew.  He had to dress neatly, brush his teeth morning and night, rinse after meals, and keep up his personal hygiene.  No peeking while Katie changed.  And so on, with a whole list of fines to go with it. Wesley's head throbbed at the parade of "must nots," but he kept quiet.  He picked up the pen and signed his name at the bottom. Katie frowned, surprised at how readily he signed.  Her clear, bright eyes flicked over to him.  "You really don't have any questions?" Wesley spread his hands. "If I do, I'll keep them to myself." "Pfft!" Katie couldn't hold back a small, satisfied laugh, like she had finally gotten the upper hand. "Serves you right for bullying me," she thought. She'd had enough of being pushed around. Just this once, she turned the tables. She was already beautiful, but when she smiled, she was downright stunning.  Even Wesley lost focus for a moment. After a while, he let out a soft sigh. Whitney had been just like this, too. Footsteps clattered up the stairs. A woman came straight up from below and flung open the door to the private room. Wesley glanced over. Another tall stunner. Side by side, the two of them could turn every head in the place. "Pretty girls travel in pairs," he thought wryly. The newcomer strode over to Katie. "Katie, are you really going to marry him?" As the woman spoke, she shot Wesley a look. Her eyes lingered on his courier uniform, a flash of disdain crossing her face. "I've made up my mind. Don't say another word." Katie's tone went cold. Then she turned to Wesley. "This is my best friend, Caroline." "Pleasure," Caroline said, extending her hand. The instant Wesley reached for it, she snatched hers back. She turned away with her chin lifted, oozing superiority. The slight was deliberate. "Damn it!" Wesley muttered.  What a character. He couldn't be bothered to spar with her. Katie, though clearly displeased, let it go. She quickly picked up the contract and signed her name. "Hey!" Caroline lunged to stop her, but it was too late. Katie finished, tore off a copy, and handed it to Wesley. "Don't think you can actually marry a beauty like her," Caroline said, folding her arms, smugness curling at her lips.  "You're just a decoy to fend off suitors. If you so much as lay a finger on Katie, I won't let you off." "If you've got so much to say, why don't you marry her yourself?" Wesley shot back. Caroline's chest heaved, and words stuck. Even if she wanted to, she didn't have that option, and frustration left her tongue-tied. "Enough, Caroline," Katie cut in, then told her, "Go to the front desk and get him a $50,000 check." "Hmph!" Still scowling, Caroline stalked out. She came back soon and set a check on the table. Katie picked it up and handed it to Wesley. "Your advance. Take it." He accepted it with a mild smile. Before either woman could react, he lifted the check and, right in front of them, tore it. Both women froze.  Then, almost at the same time, it clicked. Caroline crossed her arms and let out a chilly little laugh. "If you think that stunt will win Katie's heart, dream on. She's never going to fall for you." They assumed Wesley had torn up the money to prove he wasn't a gold-digger, hoping to impress the Norman family's icy heiress. "You've got no money, which is your problem, not ours," Caroline pressed on, relentless. "Katie's not going to cover that for you." "Torn-up money is my business. What does it have to do with you?" Wesley said evenly. "If she never falls for me, I'll count myself lucky. Do I need to chase her? Are you kidding?" "You… Katie fell for you? Are you out of your mind? Who do you think you are? A courier boy, and you want her to love you? Keep dreaming." Caroline was practically sputtering. "Enough, Caroline." Looking tired, Katie stopped her and turned to Wesley. "You tore up the check, but I won't give you another cent, at least not for now. I expect you to keep your end of the bargain." "Relax. Since I accepted the deal, I'll honor it." Katie could only stare. With him, it was like punching a pillow. Wesley looked at the two women. Sharp tongues aside, Caroline and Katie together were, he had to admit, a sight for sore eyes. "All right, if we're done here, I'll head out." He finished his tea and stood up. "Go get ready and bring your ID. I'll pick you up first thing tomorrow to go to the civil affairs bureau and register the marriage," Katie called after him. "Got it, wifey." "Already calling me that?" Katie stood there, dumbstruck. How was she supposed to survive living together with Wesley? Caroline pursed her lips and snorted. She turned, ready to try to talk Katie out of it again, but Katie stopped her. "Caroline, don't. My family is pushing me to marry a bastard. Do I really have any other choice right now?" Caroline opened her mouth, then closed it without a word. Out on the street, Wesley figured he had nothing else to do, so he flagged a cab and headed back to the courier depot near the slum. He walked in, only to be told he was fired.