Love Contract
Chapter 249 Be My Woman (Part Two)

Too surprised to say anything at first, Aisha let herself be escorted to the table. 'Wow, this handsome guy is certainly straightforward!' She felt her face heat up. "W-wait a minute!" Aisha stepped away from him. "If you're going to grab my hand, at least tell me your name first!"

"What?" William's smile dropped for a split second, only to spring back up. "Okay, silly girl! My name is William Lan. How's that?"

"All right!" Aisha nodded gingerly. William Lan... William Lan...

"Would you like a cup of coffee first?" asked William.

"Yes, sure."

"Got it. Wait a moment." He pulled a chair out for her before making his way back to the counter.

Ring...Ring... Ring...

Aisha's phone rang suddenly. "Hello?"

"Boss, something's wrong. Come back out!" "I'll be right there!" Aisha jumped from her seat and rushed out of the cafe.

William was confused when he walked back to the empty table. He looked around the cafe, but Mary was nowhere to be found.

Did she go to the bathroom?

William was standing by the table when his phone started to ring, interrupting his thoughts.

He picked it up immediately upon seeing the caller ID. "Hello? Where did you go?"

"I'm really sorry." Mary's voice crackled through the phone. "I still have a lot of work left. I won't be able to have lunch with you. Will you be okay by yourself?" "What do you mean?" William furrowed his brows. "Didn't you come down just now? Did you go back to the office?" he asked.

"What are you talking about? Where did I go?" Mary laughed. "I've been in the office this whole time!"

Crack!

William could almost hear his heart breaking in half. His hairs stood on end.

"But didn't you come to the cafe a moment ago?"

"No, I didn't... I have to go now. I'm swamped. Talk to you soon!"

Beep...Beep...

William tried to process the information as the phone sounded in his ear. Grabbing his things, he darted out the shop.

'The hospital! Where is the hospital? I need to go now!'

"Lucas!"

William yelled, swinging the doctor's office door open.

"What's wrong with you?" Lucas was startled. "Are you okay? Calm down, William! You look all shaken up. Did something happen?"

"Yes, something really odd happened!" William panted, gripping the front of the table for support.

"Well, what was it?" Lucas urged.

"I think I saw an illusion... No!" William shook his head. "It wasn't an illusion. It was real! I saw Mary!"

"William... Are you joking right now?" Lucas clapped him on the back, not knowing how to respond.

"No! You don't get it!" William stood up straight. He steadied his gaze at Lucas. "What happened was..." William recounted his unnerving experience at the cafe, with Lucas nodding diligently along. "Isn't it creepy?" William asked. "Did I really mistake someone for Mary? I even held her hand. It just seems so impossible..."

"That's how it sounds," Lucas said seriously. He shot the other man an incredulous look. "Oh, it was just your imagination! It was just in your head! Made up! Do you understand? Not real!"

"You..." William's stomach clenched at his friend's skepticism. "Do you really think I'd be that bored? Why would I have to imagine Mary when I could go see her any day? I saw someone, but it wasn't her!" "Then, I suppose she isn't bored enough to play with you? Trust me, you're going crazy."

William gawked at him. How could Lucas not believe him?

"By the way," Lucas began, "I asked you to get information about Jazlyn Xu. How is it going?"

"You weren't even listening to me!" William exclaimed. He glared at the other man. "I found out about something."

"What? Tell me!" Lucas asked anxiously. "What does she do?"

"I hear she's a reporter."

"A reporter? Unbelievable! Are reporters that good at fighting?"

"Compared to you, anyone could be called good at fighting," William snorted.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Lucas yelled. "I can fight! I'm not a loser! Besides, it's not like reporters can bring weapons around."

"I never said you were a loser!" William jeered. "I don't believe she's a reporter either, but I couldn't dig up anything else on her."

"Really? Maybe she's a gangster!"

"I'm not sure about that, too," said William. He stood up and straightened his clothes. "All I know is she's attending the celebration party of Mary's movie."

"Who? Jazlyn Xu? She's going? I'll go too, then!" Lucas jumped up. "William, can I borrow some of your men to catch her?"

"She's only there for an interview. You want me to arrest her? You're the crazy one!" With a shake of his head, William headed towards the exit. "Bye!"

"You're leaving already?" Lucas massaged the bridge of his nose. "Just keep in mind what I told you. Go home and get some sleep. Don't imagine too much! Or I'll tell Mary!"

"Fuck off!"

William roared from the other side of the door. He knew he shouldn't have come to Lucas. The doctor was of no help. If anything, he only confused William more!

Alas...

Was it a different woman who looked just like Mary? No, it had to be Mary. If it wasn't, then why didn't she dodge when William tried to kiss her? Or was it really just a figment of his imagination? William clicked his tongue, getting more frustrated by the minute.

Sitting back down at the desk, Lucas grinned smugly to himself.

'Ha ha ha ha... Jazlyn Xu! I'm not letting you run away this time!'

The night of the celebration party rolled around. Guests milled about the five-star hotel.

Mary stood in the hall, wearing the dress that William had given her. She graciously received the multiple congratulations from the crowd.

"Manager Lu, well done on your movie 'Be Together"!"

"Thank you! Welcome to the party!"

"Maybe we can work together sometime!"

"Of course!"

"Oh, wow, Mr. Lan is also here!" "Yes, hello. How are you?" William appeared behind Mary, placing his hand on her back. He smiled at the guests warmly. "Mr. Li, it's a great honor to have you here!" "The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Lan!"

Mary could feel the warmth of William's hand through her dress. "Mr. Lan, you are here as a guest invited by the GM Universing Studios and me. Don't act like you're hosting this!" Mary whispered, stepping away from his touch once no one was around. "Don't get too close to me," she said.

"But, Mary!" William pursed his lips. What if he saw another Mary again tonight? Not to mention, Mary's dress was far too revealing.

"Mary, I regret this!"

"What's wrong?"

"This dress doesn't suit you at all."

"What do you mean?" Mary asked. "Didn't you buy this for me? I don't think it looks ugly!"

That was definitely not the case. On the contrary, the dress perfectly showcased Mary's body. With her small, curvy figure and elegant smile, the rest of the celebrities there paled in comparison. Mary looked stunning, and all eyes were on her. Some of the eyes on her seemed rather ill-natured... William stuck beside her and wrapped his arm around the exposed part of her back, warning other men. "Come on, now," said William, almost pouting. "I just think you look too good. Look, that bald man over there is practically drooling over you. You look amazing, but I should be the only one enjoying your beauty."

"Oh, shut it." Mary blushed and stole a shy glance at William. "Whatever. You bought it yourself anyway."

"I know, it was a mistake," said William, taking her hand. "I'll take it off for you myself later tonight. Don't wear it again."

"William! That's enough!" Mary scolded him. Her cheeks were a deep shade of scarlet.

When Barry arrived at the hotel with Selah, he instantly saw Mary and William whispering something in each other's ears.

"Let's go." Barry's eyes darkened, and he tugged Selah along.

"Okay..." Selah followed him nervously. Mary had asked her to leave Barry alone, so she wondered how Mary would react, seeing her with him tonight.

"Hi, Mary!" Barry called, striding towards the pair.

"Barry, hey!" Mary answered. She turned to face them, and her gaze landed on Selah. Frowning, she said, "Ah, Selah, you're here too."

"Yes... Yes, Manager Lu," Selah said, avoiding her stare.

"Oh, Mary, Selah is my girlfriend now." A forced smile pulling up the corners of his mouth, Barry raised Selah's hand and kissed it. She instinctively tried to pull away, but he only tightened his grip on her hand. "Barry..." Mary blinked in disbelief at the couple. 'What is this?'

Trying desperately to suppress the bitterness in his heart, Barry nodded at Mary and William. "I'll go in with my... girlfriend. We'll just be over there." Internally, Barry waited for Mary to stop them and object to the relationship.

Mary watched them walk away, dazed. She cocked her head to the side and murmured, "How did that happen..."

"Mary..." William wasn't expecting this outcome, either. He was unsure about how to comfort Mary.

"I'm going to the bathroom," Mary said. She quickly disappeared into the crowd.

William didn't chase after her. He sighed defeated ly.

"Ouch, boss, slow down!" Outside the venue, Jazlyn was clambering out the car. She shut the door and rubbed her heels. "I can't go any faster in these high heels!"

"We're already late. Hurry up!" Aisha rushed into the building, clad in the exact same dress as Mary.

"Wait for me!"

Aisha entered the hall and took a few deep breaths to calm herself.

"Manager Lu, congratulations!" someone said behind her, smiling.

"Hmm?" Aisha raised her eyebrows and smiled back politely. "Oh! Yes, congratulations!"

"Mary, thank you for inviting us!" another girl said, running up to her.

"Ah, well... Ha ha..." Aisha laughed nervously. What was this?

"Boss, do you know all these people?" Jazlyn watched, stunned, as others came over to them, congratulating her boss.

"No, I don't." Aisha shook her head determinedly. "It doesn't matter. We're reporters now. Let's show them our professionalism." Jazlyn stared open-mouthed at her boss' overconfidence.