Chapter 3 THE MARRIAGE AGREEMENT

"Read that part again."

Ruby stared at the document in her hands.

Tessa was sitting beside her on the sofa, eating a packet of chips.

"Which part?"

"The part about living together."

Tessa swallowed.

"Oh, that."

Ruby turned towards her.

"You're not taking this seriously."

"I am. I'm just hungry."

Ruby sighed and continued reading.

The document contained several conditions concerning their proposed marriages.

Both women would receive a generous monthly allowance, live in luxurious homes and have access to everything they needed.

Their families would also receive financial support.

In return, they would marry the Sterling brothers, attend important family events and maintain a respectable public image.

There were also rules concerning privacy, personal independence and the duration of the marriage agreement.

Ruby stopped reading.

"Two years?"

Tessa looked up.

"What?"

"The agreement lasts for two years."

Tessa grabbed the document.

"Two years of being rich?"

"Two years of being married."

"Ruby, don't ruin the beautiful part."

Ruby shook her head.

"There's more."

She pointed to another section.

"Separate bedrooms."

Tessa smiled.

"Now that's a marriage I understand."

Ruby laughed.

"You're impossible."

"I'm practical."

Tessa continued reading.

Then she suddenly sat upright.

"Wait!"

Ruby looked at her.

"What now?"

"Where is the shopping allowance?"

Ruby stared at her.

"Are you serious?"

"Very."

Ruby took the document back.

"We haven't even signed anything."

"Exactly. That's why we need to negotiate."

---

At Sterling Mansion, Adrian was reviewing a business report when Dominic entered his office.

"Good news."

Adrian didn't look up.

"What?"

"Our future wives haven't run away."

Adrian continued reading.

"That's not good news."

Dominic dropped into the chair opposite him.

"You're impossible."

"And you're wasting my time."

Dominic grinned.

"I spoke with Grandmother. The girls have received the agreement."

Adrian finally looked up.

"Good. Once they understand the conditions, we can proceed."

"There's one problem."

Adrian frowned.

"What problem?"

"Apparently, Tessa wants to negotiate."

Adrian stared at him.

"Negotiate what?"

Dominic burst out laughing.

"Shopping allowances."

Adrian slowly put down his pen.

"You're joking."

"I wish I were."

Adrian leaned back.

"Tell Grandmother I'm not changing the agreement."

Dominic raised his eyebrows.

"You might want to tell your future wife that yourself."

"She isn't my wife."

"Not yet."

---

The following afternoon, the girls arrived at Sterling Mansion.

Ruby stepped out of the car and stared at the enormous building.

"Oh my goodness."

Tessa stood beside her.

"Ruby..."

"What?"

"I think our landlord would faint if he saw this place."

The mansion had beautiful gardens, enormous windows and a driveway that seemed longer than their entire street.

Ruby looked at her friend.

"We're really going to live here?"

"Hopefully."

They entered the mansion and were greeted by Margaret.

"Welcome, girls."

"Thank you, Mrs. Sterling," Ruby replied.

Margaret smiled.

"Please, call me Margaret."

Tessa looked around.

"Your house is beautiful."

"Thank you, dear."

"How many rooms does it have?"

Ruby gently stepped on her foot.

"Tessa!"

"What? I'm admiring the architecture."

Margaret laughed.

"More than enough for everyone."

She led them into the sitting room.

Adrian was already there, looking through some documents.

Dominic sat nearby with his phone.

"You're late," Adrian said.

Tessa checked her watch.

"We're three minutes early."

"I prefer punctuality."

"And I prefer people who greet others before complaining."

Dominic laughed.

Adrian looked at him.

"Something funny?"

"No. Continue."

Ruby sat beside Tessa.

Margaret placed the marriage agreement on the table.

"Have you both made your decisions?"

Ruby nodded.

"We've read everything."

"And?" Margaret asked.

"We have a few questions."

Adrian sighed.

"Of course."

Tessa turned towards him.

"Do you always sigh like that?"

"Only when necessary."

"Then you must be exhausted."

Dominic covered his mouth.

Margaret shook her head, smiling.

"Let's hear your questions."

Ruby opened her notebook.

"First, we want to know whether our families will receive their financial support immediately after the marriages."

"Yes," Margaret answered.

"Second, we want to know whether we can continue working or pursuing our own interests."

"Certainly."

Tessa raised her hand.

"Third, shopping."

Adrian closed his eyes.

"Here we go."

Tessa ignored him.

"We need a proper monthly shopping allowance. Not something that makes us calculate the price of every dress."

Dominic leaned forward.

"How much do you want?"

Tessa named an amount.

Ruby nearly dropped her notebook.

Adrian stared at her.

"Absolutely not."

Tessa folded her arms.

"Then we have a problem."

Adrian looked genuinely surprised.

"You are negotiating with me?"

"Yes. Is that against the law?"

Dominic started laughing again.

Margaret looked between them.

"I think we can reach a reasonable agreement."

Ruby quickly nodded.

"That's all we're asking for."

Adrian picked up the document.

"Fine. We'll discuss the figures with the lawyers."

Tessa smiled.

"Wonderful. I knew we could get along."

"We aren't getting along."

"Let's not focus on the negative."

Dominic laughed so loudly that Ruby joined him.

---

An hour later, the meeting was over.

Margaret had arranged for the lawyers to prepare revised documents.

The girls were escorted towards the entrance.

Before leaving, Tessa turned around.

"Adrian?"

He looked at her.

"What?"

"One more thing."

He looked tired already.

"What now?"

"Does your mansion have a cinema room?"

Dominic burst into laughter.

Adrian stared at her.

"Yes."

Tessa smiled.

"Excellent. I love movies."

Ruby pulled her towards the door.

"Goodbye, everyone!"

Once they were outside, Ruby turned to her friend.

"You are going to give that man a headache."

Tessa shrugged.

"That's not my responsibility."

---

Back inside the mansion, Dominic was still laughing.

Adrian picked up his documents.

"What's so amusing?"

Dominic shook his head.

"Nothing. I just think your life is about to become very interesting."

Adrian gave him a cold look.

"I don't need interesting. I need peace."

Dominic smiled.

"Then you definitely chose the wrong woman."

Adrian ignored him.

But for some reason, Tessa's confident voice remained in his mind.

And he wasn't sure whether that was a good thing.

Two marriage agreements were being prepared. Two weddings were approaching. And neither brother had any idea what they were getting themselves into.