Love Contract novel Chapter 54

William's expression was unreadable as he considered Mary's request. "How many days do you plan to be gone?"

"A week," she replied.

He shook his head. "You have five days," he said coldly.

"Five days?" Mary repeated, frowning. 'It will take me a whole day just to get there, then another day to return... what can I do in such a short time? Five days isn't enough, ' she thought. She stared at William, wondering what she could say to persuade him to let her leave for a week.

As though he could read her mind, William spoke again, forestalling any objection. "This is not a negotiation. You have five days. End of discussion."

"But-"

"Or maybe you don't want to go back at all," William interrupted.

"All right, all right," Mary said, deciding it was time to retreat. "Five days."

She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. It seemed she had no choice but to compromise in her battle with the CEO.

"When will you come back?" he asked.

Mary mentally counted the days. "Tuesday." William shook his head again.

"That won't do. Be back by Monday night," he said. His tone left no room for argument.

"What?" Mary exclaimed. She looked upset. "It will take me one day to go home!" she said. "Now I have only four days instead of five?"

William's face was implacable. "I need your cooperation on Tuesday."

Mary sighed. "I know.

All right, I'll return on Monday night." William turned away from her, effectively ending the conversation. "That's all. You can leave now."

"Yes, sir," said Mary. With a dejected air, she left the room.

As soon as the door closed behind her, William picked up the landline phone on the table. He dialed.

"Hello? Manager Lin, I need to speak with you," he said.

"Boss?" said the alert voice on the other end of the line. "What do you need? Do you have instructions for me?" William said, "Yes. What's Victor's upcoming schedule?"

"Oh, Victor is going to Z City to attend a fan meeting over the next few days," replied Manager Lin.

"Has he already left for Z City?" asked William, unable to conceal a note of anxiety.

"Ah, let me check," said Manager Lin. He was a little confused. Since when did the CEO care about such trifles? After a moment, Manager Lin said, "Yes, boss. His flight left this morning."

"Fine. Thanks for letting me know," said William. He hung up the phone without waiting for Manager Lin's answer.

He stood and paced the room. 'It's too late to stop them now, ' he thought. 'Did Mary choose these days on purpose, so she and Victor would be in Z City at the same time? Or is this truly by chance?'

The next morning, carrying her suitcase, Mary went to the hospital. Then she hurried to catch the train home.

As she traveled home, she thought about her past. The family was broken. Two years ago, her father had sold virtually everything of any value that he could get his hands on. Indeed, if it wasn't for the fact that it was her mother's name on the certificate of ownership, he would have sold their house—her childhood home—as well. If her father had succeeded in selling the house, she reflected glumly, she wouldn't even have a place to call home.

The train pulled to a stop, and she got off. As soon as she stepped onto the platform, she felt a wave of heat.

There were people waiting outside the train station —not for loved ones, but for customers. As soon as Mary emerged from the exit, she was surrounded by people calling out to her.

"Miss, would you like to book a room? It's very cheap," said a man eagerly, waving a pamphlet with room rates in her face.

"My taxi's over there. Do you need a ride? Better to ride now than to wait around in this heat," said another man.

"Are you a visitor here? Where are you going? Would you like to join a guided tour and see some of our most scenic locations?" offered someone else.

Mary refused all of them except the taxi driver. She did feel somewhat like an outsider, having left home a few years ago, but she definitely didn't need a room or a tour.

What she did need was a ride. When she was about to get into a taxi, to her surprise, three men in black suits and sunglasses suddenly walked up to her, preventing her from getting in. They looked like bodyguards. Mary stepped back, a bit frightened. Onlookers stopped to watch what was happening. Mary clutched her bag as the three men came closer to her. "Who are you?" she asked. "What do you want? I think you have the wrong person..."

All three bodyguards bowed slightly to her. One of them said, "Madam, we were sent to provide security for you. You're Mrs. Lan, right?"

Mary nodded without thinking. The corners of her mouth twitched. "William sent you?" she said.

"Yes, madam." One of the bodyguards stepped forward. "Madam, please allow us to escort you to our car. We will drive you to your destination."

'Is this for real?' Mary thought. With a faint, apologetic smile at the nonplussed taxi driver, she allowed herself to be led off by her new bodyguards. They took her suitcase and carried it for her.

As they walked, her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Have you met up with the bodyguards?"

On the other end of the line, William sounded calm, unaware of the fright he'd given her.

"Yes," she said uncertainly.

"Have you gotten into the car yet?"

"No... I didn't realize you had sent a car." "Of course," he said brusquely. "After all, the public knows you as my wife."

"Well," said Mary. "All right. Thanks." Without another word, William hung up.

The dial tone sounded in Mary's ear.

Mary was startled. "Hello? Hello? William, are you still there?"

But there was no answer. William really had hung up on her.

For a moment, she was slightly annoyed by his rudeness in not even saying goodbye. Then she realized that the bodyguards surrounding her had stopped walking.

"Madam, shall we get in the car?" said one of the bodyguards respectfully.

"Okay," she said. The first bodyguard got into the driver's seat. The second one opened the door for her and helped her get in, while the third one stowed her luggage in the trunk of the car.

She couldn't suppress the small grin on her face. So this was the treatment that could be expected by the CEO's wife!

Mary sat in the spacious interior of the car, looking around. She tried engaging the bodyguards in conversation, but they were scrupulously polite and distant. They never said anything besides "Yes, madam" or "No, madam." The scenery rushed by outside the car window. Suddenly, Mary leaned forward as she caught sight of a huge billboard featuring Victor's face, plastered on the side of the International Trade Building.

The billboard announced that a fan event for Victor would be held at the International Trade Building from August 20th to 23rd. Mary brought out her phone, then hesitated.

'Does this mean Victor is also in Z City now?' she thought. 'Should I call him?'

"Madam, where should we take you?" asked the driver.

Mary's attention returned to the bodyguards. "Keep driving, and turn left at the next intersection," she instructed.

"Yes, madam."