Love Contract novel Chapter 49

His slender fingers danced across the piano's black and white keys and the corners of his mouth curved up in pleasure. William glanced up at Mary from time to time, with a gaze so gentle it could melt a heart.

He played the song "River Flows in You".

This particular piece of music was her ringtone and so she was quite familiar with it.

She had not expected him to play it, let alone play it so well.

He looked so handsome and strong, like a prince.

Mary stood a few steps away, looking on at him with yearning, expectation and even surprise, but she did not make a move.

Everyone in the studio stopped what they were doing, quietly taking in the picturesque scene unfolding before them. Director Cui saw this as the perfect opportunity to start filming and took it. He got the camera ready and silently began shooting.

William shook slightly, his eyes half closed as he appeared deep in some sort of trance, right until he played the very last note. He turned his head to Mary and stood with a bright smile emerging on his face, "Mary, come here."

His voice was bewitching and enchanted Mary, who unconsciously walked up to him.

"Did that sound good?" William asked innocently.

"Yeah," Mary nodded. "It was great." Her voice was soft and tender and they spoke to each other as if they were the only ones in the universe.

William smiled happily, like a kid in a candy store, and took Mary in his arms. "As long as you like it," he said with his eyes closed as he pulled her into him, holding her tight.

Hugging him was still so intoxicating.

Mary wrapped her arms around his slim waist and indulged herself in his warm embrace, unwilling to wake up from this dream she was now in.

She had thought he was simply playing the piano, but then she noticed the camera out of the corner of her eye. It seemed the shooting had begun.

She was acting, being filmed and hated him, but she still could not resist his... temptation.

'Mary, you are hopeless, ' she thought to herself sadly. "OK, cut!"

Director Cui suddenly broke the silence that had fallen over the studio. "Very good, very good, very good!"

That snapped William back to reality and he realized they were filming an advertisement. 'What has just happened, ' he wondered, recovering from his daze. Mary nodded blankly and an urge to hug her came over him. And he did!

Mary smiled, abashed, and congratulated William, "Well done!"

He frowned, wanting to explain but not knowing what to say. Did she say that thinking he was acting just then?

"To you too. You did a good job," he replied.

"You too," she said still slightly embarrassed.

Director Cui strutted over grinning, "The CEO and his wife have a really great relationship. The scene we just captured was so beautiful. I don't think we even need to edit it."

"I'm flattered, Director Cui," William smiled.

"The next scene will be a piece of cake," Director Cui responded, smiling back.

"Not necessarily," William said raising his eyebrows at Mary. "My wife seldom cooks at home. I'm afraid she won't know to act it out properly."

"Why would you say that?" Mary hated others exposing her shortcomings and flaws more than anything else. She stood up straight and puffed out her chest. "I promise not to make any mistakes, as long as you don't make any either, boss!"

"Let's wait and see."

"Let's wait and see!" Mary lifted her chin and turned to the dressing room to go change.

William watched her walk away, staring at her back, smiling and shaking his head at her arrogance. 'I'm a little relieved to see you still so full of energy, ' William confessed to himself.

"The actor and actress at the ready. Lights, camera, action!"

Mary was the picture of a typical housewife. She stood in a kitchen wearing an apron, her usually high coiled hair tied only loosely.

William came in, taking off his suit jacket, leaving only his white button-up shirt beneath.

He walked up to Mary slowly and put his arms around her from behind. He buried his head in her shoulder, breathing her in and asked, "Is dinner ready?"

"You'll have to wait a minute," Mary answered stiffly. "Okay," William groaned, still holding her close. He then whispered in her ear, "Mary, push me away if you can."

Mary's face darkened and she looked around, clearly upset.

William had not expected her to even move, but to his surprise, she turned all the way around, grabbed a handful of flour off the table and threw it at him.

He retreated back in a hurry but the flour still sprinkled on his face and his clothes were all a mess. He stood dead still for a moment, utterly stunned and disbelieving.

"Hahaha..." chuckled Mary giddily. She didn't care whether they were being filmed or not, seeing William embarrassed gave her joy.

"Mary!" William's eyebrows raised as his anger began boiling up as well. He was about to burst and let his rage out on her, when he saw the bright smile beaming on her face. How long had it been since she had smiled so happily?

She was having fun, so William played along, grabbing a handful of flour himself and sprinkling it all over her as well.

"Wait," the propman was about to stop them when Director Cui held him back. "This is a pure, real scene. Keep rolling!"

"Mary," William grinned devilishly, "Do you dare to laugh again?" "Don't push your luck, William!" Mary looked around at the flour spread all over them and the floor between where they stood.

The director just let them keep going until they had had enough.

Mary was a little confused. "Director, did you film that, just then?"

"Yes," Director Cui replied excitedly. "It was exactly what I wanted. Sweet and natural. It was great! Magnificent!"

"Ha ha." The corners of Mary's mouth twitched uncomfortably. "That's good, that's good."

"Thank you, Director," William said dusting the flour off himself with a towel.

"Oh, you're welcome, Mr. Lan," said the director. "It's a pity you two haven't had a child yet. The image of a happy family of three is even more heartwarming!"

Child? Child?!