Contract And Marriage

Maximus

“Sir, your coffee,” said a voice as a cup of coffee was placed on my table. I had just arrived at my office and had barely sat down when she knocked and entered. The moment I hired her, I always looked forward to seeing and hearing her voice.

“Thank you,” I said without looking up. Hearing her voice was enough to remind me of Sarina.

The last applicant I interviewed a week ago had a voice like my wife’s. I was disappointed when I saw her face, which wasn’t Sarina’s, but I still hired her to lessen the loneliness I felt in my heart.

“Do you need anything else, sir?” she asked.

“No, thank you.” I felt her turn and walk towards the door when I remembered I needed Aries to prepare for the meeting with the marketing team. “Ah, Bella,” I called out, lifting my head just as she turned to look at me. For some reason, I saw Sarina’s smiling face, making me shake my head.

“Sir?” she called out, returning my attention to her. “Are you okay? Maybe you should rest for a while.”

“Huh? Why?” Suddenly, a feeling of happiness overwhelmed me. She just told me to rest, and it’s no big deal. But why did she sound like she cared? Grandma and even Midori always remind me not to overwork. But I never felt this way.

“You always seem out of yourself,” she replied worriedly, looking at me furrowing her brows.

“I just thought of something,” I said. “Anyway, tell Aries to prepare the marketing team for our meeting later. And make sure you’ve prepared the important points they need to know.”

“Yes, sir.” She turned and left while I watched until she closed the door.

I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes. Talking to her for a week made me feel lighter, even though I missed my wife whenever I heard her voice. But it’s okay; I still feel lively whenever we talk, even if it is only because of her job.

Aries sent me my lunch, and I ate alone in my office and went back to the documents I was studying. Around two in the afternoon, she knocked on my office door again, poking her head in and smiling. “Sir, it’s time.” she reminded me.

“Okay,” I said, standing up and heading out to the meeting room with Bella following me. But after a few steps, I saw someone who could ruin my day.

“Hi, babe!” Midori greeted me. When will she stop calling me that? “I just talked to Granny, and she told me to visit you here.”

“I’m busy, Midori,” I said flatly, turning to Bella, who had also stopped walking. “Let’s go.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Wait, who are you?” Midori asked arrogantly, holding Bella’s arm.

“Excuse me?” Bella replied, raising an eyebrow, clearly not pleased with Midori’s reaction.

“You bitch, stay away from my fiance!” Midori yelled, making Bella’s eyes widen.

“I think you’re barking up the wrong tree,” Bella said sharply. “Bitch!” she added, which made me look at her, seeing Sarina’s angry face glaring at Midori. The way she talked to Midori was exactly like my wife. Is this just plain coincidence?

“How dare you-” I turned to Midori, hearing her speak, but it was too late to stop her hand from slapping Bella. However, my secretary quickly blocked it.

“You have no right to hurt me in any way. You don’t know me, and I don’t even know you.” I was amazed at how Bella handled Midori. I’m pretty sure she was only holding herself up and wanted to slap her as well.

“Have we met before? Why do you sound familiar?” Midori asked Bella, examining her closely as if trying to figure out who she was. Does she hear Sarina’s voice in my secretary, just like I do?

***

Bella

“My wife,” a man’s voice said. I didn’t know who he was; I couldn’t see him and only heard his voice.

“Hmm?”

“My wife,”

“Hmm?”

“My wife!”

I jolted awake, drenched in sweat, and felt an inexplicable thrill.

My wife.

Whose voice was that? Why do I often hear him in my sleep? Why do I always respond to his call?

I’ve been working as Mr. Maximus Lardizabal’s secretary for a week. Since then, I’ve been experiencing this kind of dream. I see nothing but darkness, no objects or people, just that voice saying those words.

My wife. Who is this voice calling out to?

Me?

I shook my head before looking at my child, still sleeping peacefully. I kissed his forehead before getting up and leaving our room to drink some cold water.

As I passed through the living room, I glanced at the wall clock and saw it was already half past four in the morning. I wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep now, and with my work schedule, I might be late and get fired by my boss if I did. So, I decided to start the day.

I’m Bella McClaire. I came from Los Angeles and ended up here in Manila after escaping my abusive husband. I couldn’t defend myself because I had no memory of my past; I just woke up one day, saw his face, and found myself pregnant with my only child.

At first, he treated me well. We were both excited for the baby’s arrival. But gradually, things changed. He didn’t hurt me yet, but I could feel his temper rising, especially towards our child when he turned one year old.

He started taking it out on the child, too, and as a mother, I couldn’t bear to see my son get hurt or spoken to in ways that he shouldn’t be hearing from adults.

I would have thought he wasn’t my husband if I hadn’t seen the photo of us together on our wedding day. How did I marry someone like him? But even people who knew us testified that we were indeed married. We have common friends who visit us occasionally until he forbids them from doing so.

I was so grateful when a police officer helped me escape his control and suggested I live here in the Philippines with her nanny’s Filipino friend.

So now, my son Chase and I are staying with Aunt Marga, her only daughter, Eunice, and her old maid sister, Aunt Amor, who takes care of my son while I’m at work.

I took a deep breath and started taking out food for breakfast from the refrigerator. My beloved son peeked out by half-past five while I was setting the table.

“Good morning, my dear,” I greeted him with a smile before opening my arms. He ran to me, and I enveloped him in a hug. I kissed him on both his cheeks and tickled him a little for our morning routine.

“M-Mmmom,” he stuttered. I pulled him back slightly but kept holding him by the shoulders. I looked closely at his face and was so happy to see that his aura had changed.

“Are you happy, my son?” I asked, though it was obvious. He nodded quickly, so I lifted him to sit in his high chair to feed him.

Chase always wakes up early. Even though he is a special child, he’s not hard to care for. I am the luckiest mother in the world because even though he isn’t like other children and requires more care, he doesn’t give me a hard time or trouble, which makes Aunt Amor adore him as well.

I started feeding him and eating with him since I had work. Soon, Aunt Marga and the others would wake up, and I’d have to prepare to leave.

I’m fortunate to have ended up with such a kind family. They’ve covered all our expenses since we arrived two months ago.

Eunice told me about the job opening at the Lardizabal Group. She warned me that my boss was strict and that almost all his secretaries resigned despite the high salary because of his attitude. But I tried anyway and was relieved when Sir Aries told me I got the job.

Sir Maximus is okay; sometimes he seems lost, but he hasn’t yelled at me. That surprised me because it’s well-known how short-tempered he is in the company.

I was initially nervous and scared, but my first day went smoothly. Except yesterday, when that bowlegged woman showed up. Hmph! She acted like I would steal her fiance. I think she’s just feeling insecure because if she weren’t rich, I’d surely be prettier than her.

“Good morning, Bella.”

“Good morning, Tita Amor,” I greeted the smiling elder.

“Go ahead; I’ll take care of our handsome boy here; get ready for work.”

I nodded, stood up, and went to get ready. I showered, dressed, and put on a bit of makeup. As a secretary, I couldn’t look unpresentable at the office. I represent not just the company but especially my boss. So, I had to look respectable at all times.

I kissed my son goodbye and bid farewell to Aunt Marga and Eunice, who were already awake. I left the house and got on the Angkas rider I had booked.

Our office is in BGC, and we live in Pasig. I don’t understand why people keep saying Manila when we’re in a different city. Well, I guess because of its proximity.

Since it was still early, I got off a bit farther from the office building to walk a little. That was my way of exercising. I paid the rider and started walking on the sidewalk, which residents often use for jogging.

I was in deep thought and didn’t notice a man jogging and accidentally bumping into him.

“Oh, sorry!” I said, looking at the man.

“It’s okay,” the man said, frowning, raising his eyebrows, and staring at me. I was about to leave when he stopped me and said, “Wait.”

“Yes?” I asked, turning back.

“Have we met before?”

“I don’t think so,” I replied. Why do so many people ask me that?Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“You seem” he said but didn’t continue. He smiled and introduced himself, “Anyway, I’m Jason.”

“It’s Bella. It’s nice to meet you, but I have work, so I must go.” I smiled and turned away.

I was close to the company building when I suddenly stopped and looked back. Why did I give my name to that man so quickly? Do I know him? Why does he feel familiar?