Marry Me: After Divorce

"Don't you want to marry me?"

"Yes!?"

"Sorry, I meant contract marriage with me. We'll go for a period of time that I've set."

"Huh?"

"I need your answer, not just a hah-heh. Answer!"

"Crazy!"

"You!?"

Who wouldn't react like that if they were suddenly asked to marry, even if it was a contract. Kinar Dewi never imagined that her life would be tested like this.

The CEO of the publishing house where her books were printed, maybe there was a mistake in his brain while setting it up. This was their first meeting and there was a proposal scene that was not romantic at all. The romantic proposal that Kinar always writes about in her novels doesn't actually happen in real life. Seriously!

"I'm serious!"

His words stunned Kinar. What did he mean, anyway? Kinar really didn't understand the mindset of the handsome human in front of him right now.

"I have no other choice but you."

"What do you mean? I'm your last choice? Why?"

Both his shoulders were squared with a super flat face. But the look in his eyes painted a million hopes especially Kinar's answer.

"We have a contract marriage according to my agreement. You just have to go with the flow."

"Wait!" Kinar shouted although not loudly. "I haven't given an answer to accept or reject."

"And I do not accept rejection!"

Firm and straightforward. Kinar wanted to rage but he held back. This was a public place and it was not his style to get angry in public anyway. Kinar's sense of shame was still functioning. Unlike this man who was currently looking at him with interest. It was uncomfortable, but the feeling of being challenged rose without Kinar knowing why. Damn!

"I have the right to accept and reject because this concerns my life." Kinar tried to negotiate. "Why should I accept you when I haven't even met you or known you personally. This is strange."

"We don't need to know each other and you don't need to worry about your life. How much do you want?"

Kinar's face showed a ridiculous expression with eyebrows swooping upwards. The man before him was really strange. And Kinar's breathing got heavier. The 27-year journey of his life suddenly became a drama like in the movies and novels he wrote. Kinar couldn't explain it, his brain was stuck exactly like the traffic conditions in Bandung in the morning.

"You can name any amount but I don't accept rejection. You have to marry me, contract marriage to be more precise."

Yes, and the phrase contract marriage continued to be uttered from his lips which made Kinar even more furious but there was no power to fight it. Kinar's life was so dramatic.

"What is your goal?" Kinar asked quietly. Even Kinar's personality, who loved money too much when asked how much he wanted, immediately evaporated somewhere.

"I will explain later. Now you only need to accept and mention how much money you want or is there something else you want? Say it, I will fulfill it as long as you want to marry me."

"Crazy!"

A second time and Kinar shook his head with a mocking smile.

"Yes I am crazy and I don't have time to waste like this. So what's your answer?"

"No!" Kinar refused firmly. "I don't want to marry you, let alone contract marriage. As far as I know, you are already married. So why are you forcing me to accept this crazy proposal?"

"Whether I'm married or not is none of your business. You are strictly prohibited from involving your feelings and you are even prohibited from falling in love with me."

"Wow, I admire your confidence. But sorry, I still refuse. I am here and sitting in front of you just for business. Perhaps you are mistaken or have forgotten that the contract we are referring to is about our cooperation agreement and me publishing my books in your company. Not a contract in the concept of marriage. Excuse me."

"If you reject me, don't expect your career to be fine." Kinar's steps faltered at the publishing owner's voice. It sounded cold with a sense of emptiness. "I withdraw all your works and you pay the penalty we agreed upon."

"Why?" Kinar was attacked with frustration. Panic and anxiety mixed together.

"I told you that I don't accept rejections."

"Mr. ...."

"Pradipta. Anan Pradipta."

Kinar had heard the name of the publishing house owner many times but this was the first time the two of them had met which was not sweet at all.

"Dear Mr. Anan Pradipta, this is not something you can do as you please. This is about me and my life. I decide what my life will be like in the future. You are nobody and only an outsider." Kinar said curtly.

"Why can't this company be mine and I am free to have what I want including you."

"My life belongs to me. You don't understand, do you?"

"And I bought you."

How rude is that?

Kinar was stunned where he stood. His hands were suddenly trembling even though this was not something complicated. It only required a yes or no answer. And refusing was not something Kinar was good at. His livelihood only came from writing and when all his contracts were revoked, Kinar would lose his source of income.

Sitting back down was the only thing Kinar could do. He took a sip of his iced coffee, which was no longer cold. Kinar's throat was dry as if he was standing in the desert. And the CEO's gaze did not leave for a second. It was too intense and Kinar began to imagine the strange things that would happen between him and the CEO.

Wow, the impact of being single for too long makes Kinar excited just because of a look. Come on brain, please cooperate.

"Why me?" asked Kinar inexplicably.

"Because I want to." And Anan Pradipta's answer was completely beyond reason. A normal human being would never give such a simple answer.

"Why?" repeated Kinar because he did not understand why it had to be him when the CEO was already married.

Was his home life unhappy?

No way!

Kinar knew exactly what the rumors were. The CEO loved his wife too much and vice versa. If the answer is 'because I like it' everyone can do it, right?

"You're noisy!"

"What?"

"You should just say yes and it's done. You don't need to ask this and that which is a waste of time."

"Then you shouldn't be here and buying me." Kinar emphasized with a cynical face. "I'm also not an item that you can just bargain with."

"I think it's my right because I can afford it. Kinar ...." Anan called in his raspy wet voice. "No matter what, you must be willing to contract marriage with me. I need you."

"Why?"

"You're chatty and ask too many questions!" Anan chuckled in annoyance. Women had always been complicated. They couldn't work together to cut down on time.

"This concerns my life."

"And I guarantee your life. In the future you don't even have to worry about finances. I will cover all your needs. Even your family too."

"Wait! I don't understand what you're saying."

"I can't wait anymore. Answer yes and everything will be done this very second. I promise and guarantee everything."

Kinar was silent. His brain was blank as if frozen by Anan's answer. The offer Anan made was tantalizing. There is no woman who is not seduced. But for the stubborn Kinar, being fiercely independent was something he had always done. And undergoing a contract marriage, especially becoming a second wife, was not something Kinar had imagined.

"Can you not make my life difficult? I am already very difficult in various ways, not just economically. There are many burdens and responsibilities that I have to carry. And besides, you're ridiculous."

"Which part is ridiculous?"

"You're already married, why should you get married again and why should I?"

"That's none of your business!"

"It's my life!" Kinar panted.

"Okay it's your life. Marry me and you can still enjoy your real life."

Oh my God!