STIGMA

"Don't be so stiff. Lean in closer!" the photographer ordered as he held his camera in his hand.

Mary Lu leaned against the man uneasily.

"Smile." The photographer frowned. He waved his arms around exasperatedly, not satisfied with all the photos that he had taken. "Wedding photos are supposed to be happy and sweet. Relax!"

Well, this wedding was anything but... She didn't even know what the man next to her looked like now. He probably had an indifferent face.

Mary Lu forced a smile into her face as she stared directly at the camera. Soon, the photos were finally taken. The three of them sighed in relief.

When she walked out, Mary Lu could hear the photographer complaining to himself, "I've never seen such a strange couple. They may look like a match, but they act as if they'd just met!"

Mary Lu sighed and shook her head. She really wanted to act natural, but was there really anything natural about the situation that she had just gotten herself into?

Was this marriage anything to be proud of? The only reason she was getting married in the first place was all because of a contract!

It turned out a marriage certificate was also very cheap. In fact, it only cost them nine dollars.

It was drizzling when they got out. Unfortunately, the two of them didn't bring umbrellas.

"Where are you going?" William Lan asked. He was now Mary Lu's husband, especially since they already got their marriage certificate all sorted out.

"Let's go home first." Mary Lu stared at the grey sky. Droplets of rain slid down her cheeks. "I can go back myself."

"What about your mother? Should we go and see her?"

She slowly shook her head. "She's still in a coma. You can go ahead with your work," she said almost bitterly, but he didn't really mind.

"Okay. I'll go back to the company first." Without another word, William Lan strode towards the luxury car across the road. Although Mary Lu didn't know how much it cost, she could tell it was extremely expensive from other people's envious gaze.

Without looking back, he slipped inside the car.

Mary Lu was still in a daze as she watched his retreating figure.

She remembered the first day she met him.

That day, Mary Lu was called into the CEO's office. She was just an assistant manager of the Public Relations Department. Why did the CEO suddenly want to see her? Had she done something wrong?

Filled with anxiety, she entered his office. It was the first time she came to meet her boss, William Lan. At a closer look, he looked like a man without flaws.

He was incredibly tall with a well-defined jaw line. He pursed his thin lips. There was something about his eyes that drew her in. After looking into them for a long time, she felt as if she was falling into an abyss. He was wearing a black suit which highlighted his built figure, but she thought that he would look more suitable in blue.

"Are you Mary Lu? The assistant manager of the Public Relations Department?" William Lan said calmly, holding a document in his hand. He stood up and walked to her side. "It's stated that two years ago, your mother had been diagnosed with cancer. Your father has even abandoned both of you. Are you experiencing a hard time?"

What did he just say? Mary's jaw dropped as she stared at the man standing before her.

'How could a CEO be so concerned over a lowly employee? Did he perform an investigation about me?'

"Thank you for your concern, Sir. I'll be fine," Mary said calmly, trying not to be affected by his words.

"Are you sure?" William leaned against the corner of his table. "What about the treatment fees that you owe to the hospital? Even with your part-time jobs, I don't think that's enough for you to pay them back. At least not until a few more years."

Mary blinked, stumbling backwards. "How did you know all of this?" she demanded. "Are you investigating me? What the hell are you up to?"

William wasn't affected by her demanding questions as he fixated his sharp eyes onto her. "Yes. There was an investigation," he openly admitted. "I want to make a deal with you."

"A deal? What deal?"

"Marry me, and I'll pay all your mother's medical expenses." William didn't even pause.