Faux Vows, True Desires
Chapter 146

"Mr. Martinez, can you give me a few days to think about it?" Cecilia pleaded.

Owen chuckled bitterly, "It's not that I don't want to give you time, but my grandpa won't allow it. He demands that we get the marriage license tomorrow."

Cecilia sighed in resignation, "He's really pushing too hard."

She guessed that this might be because Ruby's detention was about to end.

Once Ruby got out and found out Owen was already married, she would definitely lose it.

After thinking of this, Cecilia felt slightly less resistant to the idea of a fake marriage with Owen.

After all, Owen wouldn't fall for her, and she was well aware of her situation. She didn't expect Owen's love.

Once they get the marriage license, they'll be a secretly married couple living separate lives. After Trenton passed away, she could regain her freedom and receive a hefty compensation.

"Mr. Martinez, I know you've helped me in the past, and now that you're asking me to do this, I can't refuse you. But for our future, we should sign an agreement to avoid any disputes." She proposed. Owen asked her, "So, you're in?"

"Do I have a choice? You said it yourself; it's my way of repaying you. I sought your help; now it's my turn to return the favor."

Owen praised her, "You're a good person; you keep your word. Lucinda is lucky to have a friend like you."

In another perspective, she was in this mess because of Lucinda, but Owen didn't voice this out.

In the end, it was not Lucinda who got Cecilia into this, but Cecilia's own kindness that led her to seek Owen's help, hence the need to repay him.

Owen quickly drafted an agreement on his computer and printed out two copies.

He handed a copy to Cecilia, "See if there's anything you want to add."

Cecilia found this situation familiar.

Lucinda once rented Stefan as her boyfriend to fend off her mother's nagging about marriage, and they signed an agreement.

And what happened?

Stefan didn't stick to the agreement and refused to divorce after getting the marriage license.

Lucinda thus became his real wife.

As Cecilia looked at Owen, she thought that although they were also signing an agreement, the outcome wouldn't be like Lucinda's because Owen wouldn't fall for her. He was just trying to secure his position.

Once his grandpa passed away, she could regain her freedom. Then Owen's wife will be Ruby.

With this in mind, Cecilia began to seriously read the agreement.

Owen was very generous, promising her a large villa with a front and back yard, two luxury cars, and three prosperous stores to ensure her future after the divorce. During their marriage agreement, he'll give her $30,000 per month as pocket money, which she could spend freely or save up.

He would also occasionally give her bonuses.

It seemed as if she were working for him.

The only condition was to keep their marriage a secret, not letting anyone, including her parents, know of their marital status.

After marriage, whenever they need to put on a show in front of Trenton, he'll arrange everything to ensure nobody else knew about their marital status.

This was also to minimize the impact and harm on Cecilia after the divorce.

"Any objections? If not, we'll sign the agreement."

"I have no objections."

Cecilia originally wanted to add a clause about not interfering with each other's private lives after marriage, but considering his deep affection for Ruby, she didn't see the need to meddle too much, so she didn' request for this clause to be added.

Both parties signed the agreement, and two copies of the agreement were made, one for each person.

"Nobody can see this agreement. If it reaches my grandpa's ears, I'm toast."

Cecilia responded, "This isn't something to boast about. I won't go around blabbing."

Owen looked upset, "And it's not something to be ashamed of either. After all, I'm young, handsome, and rich. Even if we're only having a fake marriage, you shouldn't act like you despise me. That really hurts my ego."

Cecilia retorted, "I thought you had no ego left."

Owen was speechless.

For Ruby, he had often thrown his ego to the wind.

"Give me the money." As Cecilia packed away her copy of the agreement, she urged Owen to give her the money.

"What money?"

"The money for helping you out. You promised me $30,000 as a service fee every month."

Owen's face changed again, "Who always claims to be noble and never cares about money? That's your allowance, not a service fee."

But he still transferred $30,000 to Cecilia.

After receiving the money, Cecilia exclaimed, "Some say it's better to marry well than to work well. Now I see why. Lucy and I couldn't make $30,000 in a year with our shop, but now I'm getting $30,000 every month just by signing an agreement with you."

Owen was speechless.

"Mr. Malicious, don't worry; I'll make sure everything goes smoothly."

Owen looked grim, "Cecilia, I told you not to call me Mr. Malicious. When you need my help, you call me Mr. Martinez. You're so cunning."

Just moments ago, she was politely calling him Mr. Martinez.

Cecilia got up, "Our deal is done; you're still Mr. Malicious."

Owen was speechless.

"See you at nine tomorrow morning."

Owen also stood up, "It's pretty late; do you need a ride home?"

Cecilia declined, "Not tonight. After we get the marriage license and you've had a drink, I won't refuse your offer. If you die in a drunk-driving accident, as your legal wife, I'll inherit your fortune."

"Right now, we have no ties. If something happens to you, that huge fortune will slip through my fingers. That'd be such a shame."

"Cecilia!" Owen yelled in frustration.

Cecilia laughed, fearing that he might get angry, and quickly left the room.

Owen wanted to catch up with her but stopped after a few steps. Moments later, he laughed and said, "If I really got into a car accident after drinking, do you think you'd be safe in my car? How could I let you leave on your own? Let's just die together, like a couple on a heavenly vacation."

In the end, Owen had Webster arrange for a driver to take Cecilia home.

Luckily, he previously couldn't stand Cecilia's crying and pleas and agreed to help save Lucinda, which made Cecilia feel hugely grateful towards him.

That's what allowed him to easily convince Cecilia to marry him in order to protect his social standing and to handle his grandpa.

Once his status was secured, Owen sank back into the couch, poured himself another drink, and started imagining his days with Cecilia. He even started laughing quietly to himself.

He totally didn't consider that Ruby would be out of jail soon.

He would keep his marriage a secret from Ruby, but would Trenton keep it hush-hush for him?