He slowly wrapped her arm with a bandage after disinfecting it.

"All done"

"Thank you"

There was an awkward silence between them.

"What you said earlier, did you mean it?"

"I do"

"Why?"

"You asked me to marry you, so I want to hear your reason"

"I asked first"

He perceived a feeling of déjà vu

She pursed her lips. "I need you. I want to use you" she said point-blank.

His brows wrinkled.

"I answered your question, now your turn"

"What if I decide not to say it?"

"I think we're good, as long as there's no love involved"

Another round of silence.

"Let's say I agree, and you use me for whatever it is you need me for, what will you offer me?"

"I....." Cressida thought long and hard about it.

She realized she had nothing to offer. He lacked nothing materially, and she didn't have much anyway.

She pressed her lips together. "This can't work. I have nothing to offer. Thank you for dressing my wound and for saving me. I promise to repay you" she should not have agreed in the first place when she had nothing to offer.

He dipped his hand into his pocket, staring at he for so long that she squirmed under his gaze.

"What are you staring at?"

"I agree"

"What?"

"I'll let you use me"

"Didn't you hear what I said? I have nothing to offer"

"It doesn't matter"

"Why?"

"I have feeling you don't want to know. I have to leave now" he picked up his coat. "We will talk more about this tomorrow. Some of my men are outside the door to protect you. Goodnight"

She went to her room to get changed guessing whether she made the right decision or not. She had only said that at the spur of the moment, but she knew she needed protection from someone who had a very huge influence in the city and that could be none other than Cedric.

She had no idea who was after her. Gavin? Maybe he was trying to get revenge for what Kevin did to him. But the text messages, she started getting them the moment she entered the city.

The first thing she got the next morning was a message from Cedric, but his number wasn't saved.

"This is Cedric. Don't go anywhere today. I'm coming over"

She didn't intend to go out today so he didn't have to tell her. She didn't need to ask how he got her number having submitted her personal details at Sinclair group. She went to the kitchen to get a cup of water when the doorbell rang.

Cressida wasn't expecting any visitor except from Cedric, and it couldn't be him..... could it? He had only sent a message some minutes ago.

She opened the door. It was Cedric. Why was he here by this time? It was still too early.

"I wanted to make sure you are okay" he explained when he saw the quizzical look on her face.

She realized a little too late that she was putting on a night gown. It was a thin fabric that outlined her breast perfectly and was just a bit below her butt.

Gasping, she shut the door closed and ran to her room to get changed before returning to open the door. He was still standing in the same spot. Her face burned hot.

"Come in"

He crossed his legs on the couch. "What can I offer you? Tea? Coffee?"

"Coffee please"

He finally got a good look at her apartment. It was painted white with a touch of gold. There were a lot of drawings on the wall. He knew she drew all of it and they were beautiful.

One was the drawing of a large tree with long extended branches. Another was the face of a lady, the other side of her face was replaced with colorful flowers.

He was still admiring when she returned with his tea.

"Thank you" he took a sip. "You make great coffee"

"I worked at a restaurant, remember?"

"Of course I do. How could I forget?"

She cleared her throat.

"I thought about what you said last night, so I came to a conclusion"

"What conclusion?"

"I think we should draft a contract"

"A contract marriage?"

"I think that is what is best. We will only be together for a stipulated period. We don't want any problem in the future when we part ways, right? I already drafted a contract. I'll go get it"

She came back a minute later with a piece of paper in her hand with the contract clauses printed on it.

"Here. You can read through it and tell me if you want to make some corrections or additions"

He studied the content. He was party A, and she was party B.

His brows creased when he saw one of the clauses.

Party A cannot, in any circumstances, interfere in Party B's private life and vice versa.

He frowned.

Party A is free to be with other women as long as he doesn't get caught and cause a scandal.

His brows creased even further.

"What is this?"

"Is there something you don't understand?"

"I can be with other women?" Astonishment was written all over his face.

"Why not? It's a loveless marriage, and you might want it once in a while, just that you can't get it from me" she picked her nails as she said this.

He noticed she only did that whenever she was nervous. She had done the same at the presentation too.

"How nice of you" his voice dripped with sarcasm. He looked angry too, but she didn't understand why. She did nothing wrong and was only being considerate of his sexual needs.

Party A will not have any expectations for children from Party B.

After divorce, there will be no need for division of assets.

This contract takes effect on the day Party A and Party B registers their marriage and shall continue to be effective within 1 year after the contract takes effect.

"One year?"

"Is that too much?"

"Are you certain you will be done with what you need me for after one year?"

"I am. Is there anything you would like to add?"

"Must I sign this?"

"Why do you ask? Is something wrong with the contract?"

"Some of the clauses are ridiculous"

"I'm guessing there are some you would like to remove"

"The first one. It said I can't interfere in your private life, so how am I supposed to help? The attack on you yesterday, it had something to do with you agreeing to marry me, right?"

She nodded.

"Then if you really need my help, we have to erase that clause"

"You are right. Any other one?"

He looked through the contract again and shook his head.

"No. That will be all"