Marriage Contract: Love Game With CEO

William had disappeared.

After their quarrel last night, Mary had not expected him to return. But she began to feel uneasy as the hours passed and William did not show up. She thought he must be with one of his friends or colleagues.

The day after he vanished, she learned that William had not been in contact with anyone from work, either.

Around lunchtime, Kevin approached her to ask if she had seen William.

"No," Mary answered.

Kevin frowned. "This is unusual. I've been working with him for several years now, and he's never disappeared like this before."

"Well," said Mary. "There's always a first time."

"There are some documents that need to be signed by the CEO," Kevin said.

"Don't you know where the CEO is?" Jane asked her directly. She shook her head. Jane was confused. "But Mary, you're his wife. Didn't he tell you where he was going?"

Mary tried to hide her uneasiness.

"He... He had a business appointment last night," Mary improvised quickly. "He never came home. I assumed he made arrangements to stay overnight."

Jane looked scandalized. "Mary, you shouldn't be so careless! Never let a man stay out all night without even informing you, or he will get used to such bad habits!"

Mary flushed. "I don't interfere in his business matters."

"Mary, it's time to call him," Jane said seriously. "He hasn't even come to work yet. You're his wife. You have the right to know where he is."

Mary brought out her phone, then hesitated. Assuring Kevin and Jane that she would try to contact him, she walked away from them. But once she was alone, she still did not call him.

She fretted, wondering what she should do. What Jane said to her at lunchtime was vivid in her mind. She should call him, if not as his wife, then as his assistant. However, they had just had a serious argument yesterday. He might not want to hear from her yet.

While Mary debated, Kevin came to her again.

"Mary, I have some bad news," he said in a rush.

"What's wrong?" Mary asked, alarmed by his expression.

, when will he come back?" She knew even as she asked what Lucas would say. He had just told her that William hadn't said anything beyond the fact that he was fine.

"He didn't tell me," said Lucas. He added, "I tried to call him as soon as I received his message, but it was too late. His phone was already turned off again."

"Why is he doing this?" Mary asked. The longer William was gone, the more her anger grew. "What's his plan? Doesn't he care about the company anymore? Is he alone, or is he out gallivanting with someone?"

Lucas hesitated, wondering what he should tell Mary. After a pause, he decided that there was no need to tell her about Frank. There was nothing she could do even if he told her, and besides, that was William's private affair. So he said only, "I'm afraid the only thing we can do now is wait."

Mary gripped the phone harder than necessary. "All right," she said. "Then we'll wait."

"Mary..."

"What?" she snapped angrily. She regretted her tone immediately. She must not take out her anger at William on other people. "I'm sorry," she said. "Lucas, I'm really sorry... I didn't mean it. I'm just so tired and frustrated."

"I know," said Lucas gently. For a moment, there was silence, then Lucas said, "William has told me everything, you know."

"Everything?"

"I know you have a fake marriage," he said.

"Oh, okay," she said quickly, relieved that he was being so kind. "Thank you for not being angry with me."

Lucas sounded like he was smiling. "Really, who wouldn't be angry if such a thing happened to them? William left without warning, leaving his mess for you to clean up. It's all right for you to be furious with him."

"I should save my anger for him instead of snapping at you," Mary said, smiling bitterly.

"Mary. I understand completely. Go to bed now and just wait until he turns up again."

"Okay," she sighed. "Thanks again. Bye." She put down the phone and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was eleven o'clock already. She had been asleep for several hours.