Jade was casually flipping through the contract again, now that the ink was dry. Her eyes landed on a line she had missed during her dramatic signing moment.
CLAUSE 3:
*Miss Lee is to maintain a graceful, elegant presence in all public appearances as the future Mrs. Ooman.*
She blinked.
Then read it again.
Then slowly turned to Daniel with the most deadpan expression imaginable.
"You… want me to be elegant?" she asked.
Daniel didn't look up from his espresso. "Yes."
She squinted at him. "Like… high heels, soft voice, polite smiles, no swearing, no sarcasm?"
"That would be ideal," he replied without emotion.
Jade let out a dramatic gasp.
"Oh no. So basically, you want to turn me into a high-end porcelain doll who only says 'yes darling' and drinks tea with her pinky up?"
Daniel sipped calmly. "Exactly."
Jade clutched her chest in mock horror. "Do you realize you've just signed a contract with a girl who owns exactly zero elegant outfits and once slapped a guy with a flip-flop in public?"
Daniel finally looked at her, amused. "There's a stylist coming tomorrow."
"Oh great. So I'm not just your fake wife, I'm your personal makeover project too."
"Exactly again," he said smoothly. "You catch on fast."
Jade narrowed her eyes. "Fine. But if I start wearing pearls and saying things like 'how lovely the weather is today', I want double the monthly allowance."
Daniel chuckled. "If you survive one event without insulting someone, I'll consider it."
She leaned forward with a smirk.
"Challenge accepted, Mr. Ooman. But don't blame me when your billionaire friends cry because I don't curtsy before speaking."
.
.
After Jade left, Daniel took the file looking at it. Then he eyes fell on •addendum •that Jade didn't pay attention because it was hidden but Daniel know what exactly was on that last clause.
Addendum – Confidential Hidden Clause (Visible to Mr. Ooman Only)
Sealed & Encrypted Not to be revealed to Miss Lee at signing.
CLAUSE X: Discovery of Classified Information
In the event that Miss Jade Lee, during the course of the marriage, uncovers any confidential information, secret identity, hidden business operations, or other sensitive knowledge concerning Mr. Daniel Ooman's private affairs or background:
- She is forbidden from disclosing said information to anyone, including family, friends, media, or legal authorities.
- This restriction remains permanent even *after the expiration or termination* of the marriage contract.
- If Miss Lee breaches this clause in any way, she will be subject to a legal penalty fine of $10,000,000 USD and immediate prosecution.
This clause shall remain invisible and inaccessible to Miss Lee unless activated manually by Mr. Ooman or triggered by breach.
.
.
.
Back at the Lee household, Jade walked into the living room with the calm of someone who had just signed away her sanity and maybe her freedom.
Her mother looked up from her knitting. Gabriel was pacing, already suspicious.
"So?" Madame Lee asked, eyes narrowing. "You went… and?"
Jade dropped her bag on the couch, flopped down dramatically, and sighed like a queen tired of her subjects.
"I signed it "
Gabriel stopped mid-step. "You what?!"
Madame Lee nearly dropped her yarn. "Tell me you're joking."
"I signed the contract," Jade repeated, reaching for an apple like it was no big deal. "I'm officially the fiancée of Daniel Ooman, billionaire, control freak, possibly vampire who knows."
"You Jade!" Gabriel exploded. "Are you insane?! He literally tried to buy you like, like property!"
"He made an offer," she shrugged. "I accepted. It's business."
"This isn't business!" her mother shouted. "This is marriage!"
Jade bit into the apple and smiled sweetly. "Fake marriage. Big difference."
Gabriel ran a hand through his hair. "So you're just going to move in with him? Sleep next to a guy you barely know?"
Jade looked at him with a raised brow.
"Don't worry, I'm contractually obligated to kiss him every night. But anything more? That's… up to him."
Madame Lee gasped.
"Jade!"
"What? I read the fine print," she said, tossing the apple core. "And honestly? Maybe kissing a hot rich guy every night isn't the worst thing in the world."
"Plus I'm not supposed to tell you all that, it's just because you know what happened so…I please you to act as it's a normal mariage I'm front of all.
Gabriel stared at her like she'd lost her mind.
Madame Lee sat down slowly.
"Lord help me. She's really doing it."
"I am," Jade said, already heading for her room. "Try not to freak out too much. It's just a one-year deal. And who knows? Maybe I'll fall in love with him."
She paused at the door and smirked.
"Or bankrupt him. We'll see."
.
.
.
The next morning, Jade was tying up her hair, getting ready for work like any normal day, when her phone buzzed.
*Daniel Ooman – Incoming Call*
She raised an eyebrow. *Already? It's not even 9 AM.*
She picked up.
"Hello?"
"Good morning," Daniel's smooth voice came through. "There's a car waiting in front of your door for you."
Jade blinked. "A car?"
"Yes. It'll take you to a private showroom. There's a stylist waiting for you there. She'll help you prepare for tonight."
"Wait what's tonight?"
"There's a gala," Daniel explained. "Hosted by one of my father's old friends. I have to attend. And as my fiancée… so do you."
Jade groaned dramatically. "Okay, calm down, Your Royal Gala-ness. I still have a job to get to this morning."
There was a brief silence on the line. Then:
"You're not going to that job."
Jade froze mid-motion. "Excuse me?"
"My fiancée doesn't work in a noisy café where customers yell for extra foam," Daniel said flatly. "It's not… appropriate anymore."
"Wow," Jade muttered sarcastically. "So I'm being fired from my own life now?"
"I'm being generous," he replied. "You get a free wardrobe, a new role, and an unlimited card. Don't be late. The chauffeur is waiting."
Before she could argue again, the line went dead.
Jade stared at her screen, stunned. Then slowly… she smiled.
"Well damn," she muttered to herself. "I really am living in one of those romance novels."