The Contract Marriage (Completed)
Chapter 36

One certain day

“Sorry, I’m late.” Teresa bowed to everyone as she entered the conference room.

Thank god meeting hasn’t started yet. She sighed with relief, she went and took her seat. They’ve got a new project, building a resort in Europe, Italy and today’s meeting was all about the project discussion with the board members.

She reviewed the file in front of her, “hmm, nice.” She thought. “I’m the in charge of this project.” She read her name. “Wait! What?!” She screamed.

All eyes fell at her, smiling nervously she apologized again.

She then glared at her husband’s direction, who else could have done this? Obviously the mighty demon! He truly is a demon and he plans to murder me by giving me frequent heart attacks.

I want to break his head. She thought glaring at her husband who just smiled back at her.

But I don’t need to worry, there’s no way the board of directors will agree to let an amateur handle such a big project. She assured herself and smiled.

There was a huge discussion on this and she too denied heading the project. She didn’t mind being a par of it but was totally against to be the in charge, she was just learning and it was a big project that too in another continent, she couldn’t even dare to think taking on this big responsibility.

But of course Ryouma had other plans, he had to open his mouth and now there were 2 groups, the one supporting him and the other opposing his decisions. Ryouma won’t step down from his decision neither would the opposing party especially with me denying to take the charge, the issue was expected much but the big problem was that, a rift was created between the dad and son too and she was the one who was feeling guilty.

Home

Dinner

There was a huge awkward silence. Teresa looked at her mother in law and plead her to do something.

“Ryuu, didn’t I warn you not to bring your office affairs at home?” Midori glared at her husband while Teresa glared at hers.

“What did I do? I know how to keep my personal and professional affairs separately. Why not talk some sense into your son? He’s the one who’s getting angry for no reason.” Her father in law said shrugging.

Well that was true, He wasn’t the one who started the fight. He just kept his opinion and her arrogant husband declared a war upon him. Teresa sighed.

“So you doubt my decision?” Her husband glared at his dad.

“I do.” She was the one who replied. “And I am thinking how the hell did you become a no.1 business man? Because letting an amateur handle such a big project you’re just out of your mind.” She told him exactly what she thought, except the part that she doubted his business skills or maybe she did, but she was so angry that she didn’t care about what escaped from her mouth.

“Really? You’re doubting my business skills? You’ve handled the company quite well for the past 4 months. You even worked at your dad’s office for 2-3 years. After all the big achievements you’ve made last month, you’re still calling yourself an amateur?” He glared at her.

“Okay I may have had my luck but that doesn’t mean that I’ll head the project? Didn’t I already tell you how I used to work?I’ve never been a part of such big project let alone heading it. Seriously? You could have given me any other project, why are you staking your dream project on me? I mean it’s seriously ridiculous.” She raised her voice.

“Yeah and you should understand that I’m letting you handle my dream project and you should know me well by now that I don’t do the deals in which I’ll bear any kind of loss. I must have seen something in you to let you handle the project? And you’re opposing my decision?”

“Ridiculous, I don’t have the confidence to do this, why are you being over confident? And you should have discussed with me before announcing your stupid decision. I will not do it.” she got up and slammed her hands on the table.

“Actually dad, you’re right. When she doesn’t have confidence, I am a mad to have faith in her.” he got up and went to the room stomping his feet with anger and they hear the door shut with a bang.

Teresa flinched. What’s wrong with him? This wouldn’t have happened if he discussed with me beforehand. And he’s the one who’s getting angry? She sighed holding her head, whenever she decides not to quarrel with him anymore, just then everything reverses and all they do is yell at each other, tears filled her eyes and she slumps back into her seat.

“Can we talk for a while?” Her father in law approached her and patted her head.

They went to rooftop sitting on the swing, her mother in law prepared coffee for them, she handed the coffee mugs to them and left them for the talk.

“I don’t think I can do this, I did work in my dad’s company for 2 years, but I wasn’t heading any department. I didn’t attend any meeting neither dealt with the projects, I wasn’t even regular to the office. But your son is making me handle the entire thing now.” Her father in law just nodded as he listened her complain. “Of course I don’t have the confidence. What if I mess things up?” She sighed.

“and top of it, he didn’t even bother to tell me about this, he just dropped the bomb at me ’bam!’” She gestured with her hands. “I’m sorry, I’m badmouthing your son but he’s an arrogant jerk and after all this he’s getting angry at me instead.”

“I know he’s an arrogant jerk.” her father said totally agreeing with her, taking a sip from his mug. “But you won’t know unless you try right?” He added after a pause.

“I thought you also agreed with me? You’re the one who supported me today at the meeting.” she looked at him.

“I did say that Ryouma needs to rethink about his decision, not because I think you’re an amateur or I don’t trust his decision, I entirely trust him, he didn’t reach this place just like that, he’s gotten himself to this position all by himself and I’m proud of him. And if he thinks you are capable, I know you are.” He smiled at her.

“But...”

“But.... seeing you underestimate yourself is what scared me.” He sighed. “Look Teresa, I know you have doubts and it’s good but use it to make yourself better, work hard, don’t just give up without even giving a try. Believe in yourself, Have faith in your abilities, your faith can move a mountain but waves of uncertainty and underestimation will wash away every possibility of your victory. No matter what others do, however they help you, no one can do anything unless you don’t have confidence in yourself, unless you believe in yourself.” He patted her back.

“But, what if I mess up? It’s his dream project and I don’t want to ruin it. He declared at the meeting with such confidence but what if...” She shook her head, she looked back at him when she heard him chuckle.

“You’re scared because you don’t want to let him down which you fear you would? How sweet.” He smiled.

“hmm... what is swee-t... I-i just don’t want to make a joke out of me in front of everyone.” she said blushing, avoiding his eyes.

“At least have faith in his faith in you, instead of what if I can’t replace it with what if you can, what if you actually perform well and give it a try and even after trying if you still think you can’t, then that’s fine at least there won’t be a regret that you didn’t try at all. Your husband too, if he didn’t take his chance he wouldn’t have achieved success. You won’t know unless you try.”

Teresa thought for a minute.

“And it’s not that just because Ryouma or I say that you’ll head the project and you’ll get it, you have to prove it to us that you are capable and you can.” He added.

“Hmm?” Teresa looked at him in confusion.

“of course there will be a mock test for you, that will be decided by the board members.” He replied. “Ryouma believed that you would prove your worth but before that, you flatly refused to do anything at all. Of course he is angry his wife let him down.”

“That is true but none of this would have happened if he discussed with me before throwing me into a battlefield, its normal I would panic.” She sighed.

“So what have you decided?” He asked.

“Maybe as you said, only I can help myself so I guess I should give it a try.” She smiled.

“Now that’s the spirit.” They high fived.

She got up and hugged him. “Thanks dad.” “and I think I should go and apologize to my arrogant husband because obviously he won’t.” She added.

She was so thankful to her father in law, a heavy burden was lifted off her chest. Actually he’s right my narcissist husband loves his work more than himself why would he let me ruin it? Maybe I should have self confidence. Well why not give it a try? It’s not like I’ll die if I fail, it’ll be a new experience. She smiled to herself.

She went back to her room and thought she’ll immediately apologize and tell him about her decision before he could say anything but he was not there. Where did he go? She called him but of course he didn’t answer. God he’s so angry. What to do? She called him again and thankfully this time he picked the call.

“Hello sweetheart.” Instead of angry voice of her husband, she was greeted with a cheerful one.

“Rihito?”

“Yeah. And sorry but your husband is in no mood to talk, I was afraid that he might make you cry if I let him talk.” He answered her struggling with the phone, because the devil beside him was trying to snatch the phone shouting at him as why did he even pick the call in the first place.

“Does he even talk? He only knows how to get angry and yell at others” She answered as she could hear him scream at the background, “and I’m used to him now, I won’t cry.” She assured him.

“Oi, Ryouma what are you---” Rihito struggled but Ryouma took the phone and threw it on the ground breaking the phone.

“Hey Rihito?”

*Beep* *Beep* All she could hear was the tone of disconnected call.

Looks like the demon broke his phone again, she thought. It wasn’t new for her, within these 10 months with him he’s probably broken more than 50 iphones?

“Why is he so short tempered? He doesn’t hear anyone, just wants everything to be his way as if we’re not human beings and we don’t have our own opinion.” She yelled, staring at the screen of the phone which showed her husband’s name saved as evil, arrogant, Mr. Monkey, say bye to her calm self who came to apologize, her anger was back again.

“Wait it’s February already?” Her mobile phone changed the date to 1st Feb.

Wait! it’s already 11 months? She blinked. Wait..wait...I only have a month? I’m out of time and all we’re doing is fighting. We can’t keep this going! I cant waste time anymore! no!! I’ll sort out everything tomorrow itself. She nodded determinedly.

****

It’s been two days since our fight and I didn’t get a chance to talk to him at all! He’s been ignoring me!

He’ll have to talk to me, he can’t avoid me like this! Teresa entered his cabin but he didn’t even spare a look at her and continued staring at his laptop, totally ignoring her presence. She took the seat at the other end of the table, opposite him, trying to get his attention. After a while, he handed her a file. Déjà vu. She remembered her their first official meeting.

“What is this now? Another contract?” She asked sarcastically.

She opened the file to find a piece of paper, something written on it.

“Are you a kid? I’m not talking to you so let’s converse writing in papers? huh?” She laughed waving the paper.

He didn’t answer, continued his work on his laptop she sighed and read the content.

You’re not a part of the project anymore, happy?

“But I was here to tell you, I’ll do it.” He finally looked at her and raised his left eyebrow.

He wrote something on another paper and passed it on to her.

What’s with you? Saying you won’t do it then again you’re willing to do it? Is this some kind of a joke?

“Excuse me, I wanted to talk about this that day itself but you’re the one who ran off to Rihito’s place and you’ve been ignoring me the past two days so there was no way I could tell you.” She complained.

“I thought that if you are trusting me with your dream project then I should at least give it a try. So is it you who’s heading the project now?” She asked.

He didn’t answer but the answer was obvious, yes he is.

“Okay then, if you’ll head the project then I’ll be a good secretary and learn everything properly.” She smiled.

“No need, you’re fired.” He spoke.

“Huh?” She looked at him in confusion.

“You’re not my secretary anymore.” He announced.

“But why?”

“Because according to you I’m brainless and you even think it’s wrong how I am one of the top businessmen. I think you’re right and I know you wouldn’t want to work under a foolish boss so I’m helping you, you can learn from whoever you want.” He faked a smile.

“That’s not what I meant.” She tried to defend.

“But I mean exactly what I said. You’re right you are not fit for this responsibility and I’ll handle everything by myself, okay? You just go and enjoy, running away will make you learn faster.” he taunted her.

“But I want to do it. I know I was stupid to run but I am saying I want to try.”

“Everything doesn’t go the way you want. You think some kind of joke is going on here? First say no then out of nowhere you want to? Go and do some easy jobs. This isn’t your cup of tea.” He gives her a cold glare and walks out.

Conference hall

“I’ve decided I’ll head this project myself and I’ve already got my team ready for it.” He introduced his team mates him, Rihito and Sara. Wow a perfect team. Seeing Sara on his team she was happy about it, so there aren’t any bitter feelings anymore. She smiled to herself, admiring them.

“I wasn’t thinking clearly to let an amateur handle my dream project. I can’t let my company’s name drown now can I?” Her husband looked at her direction and rolled his eyes.

Okay, I get that he’s super angry but does he have to make it obvious? I can’t believe this chameleon, just few days ago, he was the one who was supporting me and now he is insulting me in front of everyone. But I don’t get to complain either, I am the one who turned the situation against me. She pouted.

She found her father in law looking at her direction and raised his brows. Huh? What? She looked at him in confusion. Just then I realized everyone’s eyes on her. She looked around with a puzzled expression on my face.

“What’s your opinion?” Her father in law asked out aloud.

“About what?” I stared blankly.

She heard her husband laugh. She then realized that they were asking for her opinion as her dad’s company tied up with theirs, right now she was the co-owner also a major shareholder, her opinions mattered too.

“I don’t think we need to ask a person whose head is in the clouds.” Her husband mocked her.

“I...” She stammered totally embarrassed. Her father in law was looking at her, his eyes questioning about her decision and his smile assuring her whatever decision she made he’d support her.

She took a deep breath, this was the moment she need to decide. “I want to work on this project.” She announced with courage.

Everyone in the room looked at her with a shocked expression which made her want to sit back but she didn’t, it was now or never. Stick to your decision Teresa! She said to herself.

“The girl who didn’t want to until yesterday now she wants to work on this project? You think it’s a joke?” Her husband taunted her.

“I am serious.” She replied.

“You can’t even decide what do you want, how will you handle this project? What if you come and say you can’t do this anymore again? And you were wandering in your dreamland just now, how do you expect us to take you seriously?” He was literally not sparing her with the insults.

She got angry and threw a challenge.

“Really? Then what about we have challenge? I heard the board was going to give mock test anyway so why not we make our own presentation and let the board members decide who’s capable?”

“You want to lose that badly?” He smirked.

“I want to win that badly.” She glared back.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I think she’s not able to think clearly. Let’s just go ahead with our discussion.” he continued, ignoring her.

“You shouldn’t underestimate your opponent, Mr. CEO.” Her He father in law smirked at her husband.

“Really, Mr. Carlton? You’re taking her seriously, when you were the one who suggested not making her lead this project?” Her husband narrowed his eyes.

“I never did anything of that sort, I said she should be the one to decide and here we have it and I don’t see anything wrong with the challenge, we’ll just be able to see her potential and I think we may discover a new talent?” Ryuu Carlton kept his views.

“And I think we’ll just be wasting our time with this meaningless challenge.” He retorted.

"As far as I remember, you’re the one who proposed we let her handle it. Are you changing your words now?" Ryuu Carlton raised his brows at his son. The board members discussed with one another.

“We would like to see a face off too, Mr. Carlton.” said Mr. Ryan Parker, as the representative of the rest of the members.

“Fine then, I’m ready for that too.” Ryouma glared at his wife.

And another war is declared.

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