Liam sighed after reading and signing the agreement brought to him that night by the stern-looking woman standing across from him, wearing a black suit.
He didn't expect that Sonia would move that fast.
In fact, he didn't even think that there were so many benefits waiting for him. He wasn't greedy for what he didn't work for. Although if it was before, he might have been angry at the thought of being kept but with few months remaining to live. Receiving that monthly allowance would be a lot for him to take care of his family after his death.
He wasn't sure if he could give her a child, but fate has its ways, right?
Moreover, this agreement was more beneficial to him. So, he didn't mind signing.
"I'm done," he said with a faint smile as he raised his head to look at the lawyer.
Queen Rivers looked at the fresh young man her best friend had picked from god knows where but still smiled as she took several steps forward to take the agreement from him.
"Um, thanks for your cooperation. Now that you have signed, you shall receive your copy tomorrow after getting the marriage certificate," she flatly told him as she put the agreement into her bag.
Liam nodded acquiescingly without daring to mention another word.
When Queen saw that he was obedient, she nodded with satisfaction before turning around to leave. However, when she was at the door, she stopped in her tracks and turned back to look at Liam, who was still sending her off and said, "She doesn't like cowards. Whether you are with her for a day or a month, make sure you stand your own ground and don't embarrass her!" before leaving truly without waiting for his answer.
Liam was left baffled by that sudden attack and advice. It took him a while before he got back to his senses and when he did, he couldn't help but burst into dejected laughter, finding the whole situation truly fascinating and unexpected.
'Liam, you need to man up!' he cheered for himself as he patted his cheeks in frustration.
After sorting his feelings out, he reached for his phone and turned it on. Shortly after doing so, messages started pouring in. Upon seeing the sheer number of them, a wry smile appeared on his face, thinking about how crazy it was going to be.
Nonetheless, he couldn't run away just because he wanted to. He could only face it. That way, he wouldn't embarrass her when the time comes.
***
Meanwhile, Queen, after leaving the hospital, hurriedly went to the parking where she got into her car.
The driver started driving off once she was seated. As the car glided away, she took out her phone and clicked her tongue as she made a call.
Ring. Ring.
After a few rings, the other party answered, [How did it go?]
Queen rolled her eyes at hearing that and answered, "Not even a hie?"
[Tche. How many times should I greet you, madam lawyer?]
Queen chuckled heartily when she heard that, tears pooled in her eyes. She wiped them gently as she responded, "As many times as you can, madam CEO."
[Fine. How about I send you a thick red envelope?]
Queen's eyes lit up when she heard that, and she shamelessly responded, "I will be looking forward to it. After all, I have completed the mission smoothly without any hiccups" before boasting about her work.
[Hehe, I know that I can always trust you. Wasn't he upset with the conditions?]
"Nope. He simply read through the whole thing and didn't bother to question me. He signed it. Now you can go and marry in peace!"
[That's good. Don't forget to deal with the matter of termination tomorrow. I want him free as soon as possible!]
Queen's brows rose as she listened to her friend's impatient voice. That was the first time Queen had seen her friend so eager to tie a man to her side that badly.
Thinking about her friend's misfortune all these years, she couldn't help but ask, "Are you certain about this one?" her tone full of concern and worry, thinking about how badly it had gone previously.
[Sigh ….. I am not sure myself, but without trying, how can I know? Moreover, whether it is or not. When the three-month deadline approaches, he would be nearly in his grave. I won't suffer much,] Sonia's response came, but Queen could hear her despair and helplessness.
Queen massaged her aching temples, her head aching from all the stress of the pain her friend was going through because of her love debts.
"You …. Fine. As long as you are happy. Let's see where this one will go. But I sincerely hope that you will make it."
[I hope so too. I will do my best. If it fails, then I guess I will accept my fate. Adopt cute children and raise them. I will have people to take care of me during old age.]
Queen exhaled deeply, closing her eyes as she looked to the car roof, trying to calm down upon hearing what her friend had just said.
[Anyway, it's late. You better go home. I need to have my beautiful sleep. Thank you and good night,] Sonia hurriedly said and without giving Queen a chance to respond, hung up the call.
Queen snapped her eyes open and looked at the dark screen with a complicated gaze.
Nevertheless, she didn't dare call Sonia back, knowing that she might be overthinking at the moment.
She could only leave her to that and hope that this fourth marriage would work for the best despite being short-lived.
Who made her friend's eye a short-lived husband?
'Ah! I am losing it!' she cried with lamentation as she removed her suit jacket, feeling a bit hot with frustration.
*****
"Ma'am, your outfit has been prepared!" a friendly-looking young woman politely said to Sonia, who was coming out of the bathroom wearing a white robe with her hair tied in a towel.
"Um. Thank you for your hard work," she said in response as she passed the other before making her way to the dressing table where she sat down.
As soon as she did so, the young woman walked forward before standing behind Sonia and began to remove the towel with familiarity.
Sonia closed her eyes as she allowed the other to do what she did best and also listened to the other's small chatter.
"Ma'am, today I shall be styling your hair into a high ponytail. It will highlight your beautiful neck and go perfectly well with the jewelry that I have picked out," the young woman was quite a talker and her voice was quite soothing to listen to every single day.
This woman was her life assistant who was in charge of her wellbeing at home. Because she was usually busy with work and other things, she tended to forget to take care of herself. As a result, her best friend Queen suggested that she hire someone who could help her with that.
While Gerald was good in every way, he couldn't be with her 24/7 and he was a man. There were other things that only women could help her with, thus the need for Sandy, her life assistant.
Her duties were pretty simple. Help her pick an outfit to wear daily and match it with the accessories. Keep tabs on her diet and itinerary at home. She also liaises with the butler. Her job was to make her life at home comfortable, and Sandy was very good at it.