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I was so desperate to hide that I didn't even check who he was and I ran a few steps ahead of me, grabbed his collar and kissed him straight on his lips. I squeezed my eyes shut due to the anxiety growing in the pit of my stomach. But his lips felt so soft and warm that I forgot everything for a moment. It felt so warm, sweet and pleasant. This feeling. What is it that I'm feeling right now? Does everyone feel like this when they kiss? When I got a hold of myself after breaking the kiss, I looked up at his face. I had expected a curse but not what I was seeing. He was.. frozen at his place. Meet Sarah Jenkins: a typical university student who just wants to live a peaceful and uneventful life, away from her– cough– nice and rich relatives. But what happens when an accidental kiss with a stranger leads that very stranger, or rather the top student of her university, to ask her to be his fiancée in return for the kiss? Will she accept it? Well, whatever happens, it's certain that she won't forget this mistake for the rest of her life.
Life's a mess. Well, life is a mess for everybody. But I thought my life was going pretty smoothly until that day. It was a nice day, the sun shining brightly in the blue sky, nothing unusual, just my fate wasn't with me that day I guess. I still remember that moment very clearly. Did you know the most embarrassing moments are never forgotten in your mind? They haunt you day and night until you are used to them. But I'm not used to it yet! Yeah, you guessed it right. An embarrassing moment that was, which I'm talking about. So, I'll start my little story now.
I swear that I checked my emails the very last night before going to sleep. But when I woke up, there was a freaking important email saying that today is the meeting day of the student council. And it was sent two days ago. I rubbed my eyes, maybe I was still dreaming. I pinched myself and duh, it wasn't a dream! It was fucking reality!
Why didn't anybody tell me about this at the university?! I could have prepared myself earlier.
Ugh, there's nothing I can do now. Except getting myself ready in under thirty minutes and reaching the university even if I look like a bear who has just woken up from its six-month deep slumber, with my hair all tangled up on top of my head.
Anyway, so I got ready and put everything in my bag; all the stuff that I might need today.
"Meeeow."
Oh right. How can I forget her? I looked up at the ceiling and sighed. Then I looked down at the bundle of furs rubbing against the fabric of my leggings and smiled.
"Mewww?" She looked up at me, blinking her crystal blue eyes. I had always found them mesmerizing, and comforting whenever I felt like I couldn't take it anymore.
"You want me to pet you? Hmm?" I picked her up in my arms gently and pecked her on her head while stroking her soft fur with affection. Her name is Meridith, my cat. And I love her more than anything, just like she loves me⎯
"Ouch." I winced as she bit me on my finger.
Or not. I take my words back.
"Hey you!" I ran after her as she jumped out of my arms and sprinted towards the kitchen. "You were just being nice with me because you wanted food, huh?" I put my hands on my waist and narrowed my eyes at her, her forelegs pawing at the cabinet door where I always keep her pet food.
"Fine, someday I'll get my revenge on you," I grumbled and opened the cabinet, taking out her food cans and serving breakfast for Her majesty.
After that, I went to the café near my home and grabbed a takeaway sandwich and coffee, and dashed off to the university. I don't care if I'm looking like a starving beast eating its meal devilishly while walking, but I need to feed myself before a long day ahead of me.
I have to hurry because I don't think Camila is going to forgive me this time. She is the leader of our council and God knows, she was already pissed off at me. Last time that I got late and messed up the documents in the meeting she had said, "I'm telling you, Jenkins. One more time and I'll throw you out of here." I had just nervously laughed that time, which I'm currently doing too.
I think it's time to get eaten alive by the she-devil.
I was on my way to the entrance of the university building but my heart stopped when I saw them in the distance. It was my uncle and aunt standing there, right in front of the entrance gates. And they didn't look pleased at all. Why, God, why did they have to be here today?
Taking a deep breath, I crossed my fingers, and started walking past them. I pulled my baseball cap a little down more towards my face so that my face wasn't in plain sight. I just hope they don't recognize me.
"Sarah?" A woman's voice called from behind me just as I managed to reach a few feet away from them. "Is that you?"
I winced.
Shit. How can I forget my aunt's eyesight is like a hawk?
I considered running as an option then, but.. wouldn't it make it obvious to them that I go to this university? And then boom, all my dreams and desires will shatter to the ground in a million pieces.
A boy with earpods stuffed in his ears and a bag slung over one shoulder passed by me, and I think my head wasn't in a great state at that time because the idea that popped up in my mind would be a freaking nightmare for me for the rest of my life.
I was so desperate to hide from them that I didn't even check who the guy was and, running a few steps ahead of me, I grabbed his collar and kissed him straight on his lips. I squeezed my eyes shut due to the anxiety growing in the pit of my stomach, making its way towards my chest. I would have died with embarrassment on the spot but his lips felt so soft and warm that I forgot everything for a moment. It felt so warm, sweet and pleasant.
This feeling. What is it that I'm feeling right now? Does everyone feel like this when they kiss? Then again, I haven't kissed anyone ever before on the lips, so how could I know, right?
I didn't notice my uncle and aunt turning away from us and going into their car, but when I heard the car's engine starting and its voice fading away in the distance, I broke the kiss and pulled back my hands from his shirt. My heart was beating so loudly that I thought it'd have already exploded if I hadn't broken the kiss. I was breathing heavily because of the loss of air in my lungs, considering I was never good at holding my breath, even in my swimming classes.
Jesus. What did I just do?!
When I got a hold of myself, I looked up at his face. Silent emerald eyes slightly widened, pale skin, and blonde locks falling down on his forehead. I had expected a flood of curses enough to make me drown, but not what I was seeing. He was... frozen in his place. I guess I really should say something before he reports me to the cops.
"I-I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to– I mean I panicked. I kissed you– I'm really really sorry. Please don't report me. Just forgive me, please." I checked his face for any kind of reaction but found none, he still wore a blank expression.
What is he? A robot?!
I squeezed my eyes shut again and gathered up all the little courage that was left in me to say⎯
"Sorry!" I screamed and ran off after that. Yeah you heard it right; without giving a proper explanation, I just ran off. I mean I was never like this, but after doing what I did, I think I have lost all my senses. I should've given a proper apology at least.
You are a disgrace, Sarah. You're a disgrace to yourself, your cat, your whole clan. How could you kiss a stranger like that? What are you gonna do now?! My inner self said, as though I already am not ashamed enough.
"Hey, Sarah! What's up, girl?" Vivianne, my best friend, who was leaning on the wall chewing gum, said as I entered the hallway. "I thought the council members were supposed to have a meeting around this time?"
"Yeah. I know. See you later, Viv."
I grimaced knowing I didn't even say hi to her properly. It's not really like me, but what can I do because I can't take my mind off what I just did on my way here?!
Anyways, the main concern right now is to make it out alive out of the meeting.
"Oh, Sarah. You came at the right time! Can you help me with these bundles, please? I have to take them to the library," Mrs. Jones asked nicely, making me stop in the middle of one of my long strides across the hallway. She was a really sweet lady in her forties. Dark brown hair always in a neat bun, light pink lipstick which was barely noticeable as it went well with her light complexion, and a motherly look in her eyes behind those glasses. She and I have become really great friends since she's the uni librarian and I, being the bookworm I am, go to the library very often. I couldn't refuse to help her so I nodded and took half of the heavy bundles from her hands and carried them to the library. No doubt I'm gonna get eaten alive by Camila today.
I opened the door to the council room very cautiously and tiptoed to the empty seat where I was supposed to sit. I slipped down on the chair quietly. Cassandra, my other best friend, noticed me and whispered from her seat, "You are late."
"I know, but I'm here now," I whispered back.
"Jenkins!"
I sprang out of my seat as the sudden, loud voice of Camila came shooting through one ear to the other.
"You think you can slip inside the meeting without me noticing? This is the fourth time in a row that you're late. For God's sake, Sarah. Why do you keep making it difficult for me?"
"I am sorry. I know that it's my fault but I had some technical issues in my inbox and the email showed up just today when I woke up. That's really not an appropriate excuse, I know, but I promise I won't mess everything up next time. I'll do my best, Camila."
She sighed and rubbed her temples trying to calm herself down. "Fine, whatever. I have much more important problems to deal with right now than you."
Phew. I am saved. My stiff posture relaxed as I sighed.
But then I think I heard my fate laugh at me saying, "As if!" because the person I spotted sitting right across from me was none other than the boy who I just kissed!
He tilted his head when he caught me staring at him and leaned back in his chair, putting his finger on his chin while studying me from my head down to the toe.
Hmph! Doesn't he know it's rude to do that?!
Well, I shouldn't be the one to say that after what I did just minutes ago, but– I swear a look just passed through his eyes– which was the most expression I have seen on his face except the blank one– when I huffed an annoyed breath at his behaviour. He had an amused expression while looking at me like I'm some kind of dolphin in an aquarium who just showed him a tail-walking trick.
Camila cleared her throat, grabbing everyone's attention but him. He still gazed at me with those alluring dark emerald eyes of his. His dirty blonde locks covered one of those eyes, giving a shade down on them and goddammit. How can someone look so breathtaking without even doing anything!
"So, everyone! I was going to introduce you all to our new member, Max. As you all know, he is our top student and we have been trying to get him to join our council for a very long time. And fortunately for us, he agreed to help us now! So welcome him warmly." Camilla started the applause and everybody clapped to welcome him.
Wait a minute here. Did she say, 'Max, a top student'? I sat back down quietly in my seat and whispered to Cassandra, "Hey, is he Maximilian?"
"Yeah," she replied.
"The Maximilian Collins, who has a bad reputation in our university?"
"Yeah, you guessed it right. Apparently, he's our top student too." She shrugged.
I gasped inwardly.
Soo... I just kissed a bad boy today?!
"Kaelyn, do you know how many guys want you?" I asked her. She shook her head, I could see a hint of confusion in her eyes. "What are you talking about? No guys 'want' me. I'm just plain old me," She mumbled. I shook my head. I tried to grab her hand but she yanked it away. "Kaelyn, have you not noticed how many guys check you out in the hallways at school? It disgusts me, they look at you as if you are a piece of meat." I started. Butterflies began to erupt in my stomach. "But, I'm not like that. I look at you as if you are a beautiful, smart, and funny girl. You have no idea what you're doing to me," Without even knowing what I was doing, I crashed my lips onto hers. I tried forcing all my feelings into the kiss, but none were returned. I instantly regretted the whole talk when she pushed me back. "I know what you're doing Collins, and I will not be another pawn in your game." She spat. She turned around on her heels and walked away. I leaned back against the lockers, I was about to punch something. I messed up again. When will I be able to get her to trust me?
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"