Love Contract novel Chapter 13

Mary's heart pounded wildly as she sat with William in the car, his face gloomy and frightening.

"Du, du..."

The phone in the car rang but did not distract her from her discomfort.

"Hello," William answered the call as he put on a Bluetooth headset, "This is William, when... Okay, I'll pick you up... Okay."

Mary sat idly twiddling her thumbs, uninterested in other people's phone calls.

They approached a large intersection and William suddenly turned the car hard.

With a screech of the tires, the car swung around to go in the opposite direction.

Mary was given no warning and taken completely off guard. The car spun and sent her reeling, grabbing at the window crank and screaming. "Ah! Help!" she squealed.

"What are you screaming for?". William asked calmly, interrupting her scream while he set the car the right way. "I... I was scared to death..." Her face was pale and she was still in a state of shock. "Why... Why did you turn like that so suddenly?" she complained.

"I have to go pick someone up at the airport." "Pick someone up? Who?"

"My father."

"Your... Your father?" Her heart was just starting to calm down again but now began fluttering wildly once more. "I... Am I going with you?"

"Yeah." William seemed amused by her nonsense and astonishment, shooting sideways glances at her. "My father heard that we're married, so he rushed back from the United States, for you. Get ready."

'Get ready? Are you out of your mind! We'll arrive at the airport in less than an hour. How could I possibly get ready ?'

Mary cursed him in silence and then asked, "Is your father strict?"

"Yes, he is."

"Isn't it impolite for me to dress like this in his presence?"

"Yes it is actually."

His nonchalance angered her so greatly she could hardly breathe. "Then what am I to do, my CEO?" she asked, her words brimming with derision.! She was not very good at containing her anger.

"Play it by ear. Improvise."

'Oh that's helpful!' she thought. Suddenly she forced a smile, 'Are you trying to test me? I'll show you my three years in the Public Relations Department was not in vain!'

She tried adjusting her clothes to calm herself. She sat there, like a man burning with a fighting spirit.

The airport was crowded with people. As they entered, a middle-aged man immediately came up to them.

"Mr. Lan. Mrs. Lan."

'Mr. Lan seems normal enough, but it's so strange hearing someone call me Mrs. Lan!' Mary remarked to herself.

"Where is my father?"

"He's here, waiting in the VIP room. I am to escort you there."

"Okay." William then took Mary and they walked to the VIP room together.

The door opened and a rush of cool air blew out at them.

Sat on a leather sofa within, was a man older than 50 years. He was strong and healthy, and the way he looked at Mary with his bright eyes gave her a sense of calm and awe.

This was William's father; Timothy Lan.

Mary recalled when she was still in training at the company and was learning of the company's development history. The director had spoken of Timothy Lan with great pleasure and admiration. She was very excited to actually meet him in person.

"Father." William stopped three steps from him and bowed.

"William!" Mary rushed to William's side and turned to Timothy Lan, "Dad... It was actually my idea. I told William to postpone the ceremony."

"Mary..." Timothy Lan began, "Don't speak for this boy. If there's anything you need, you just ask me, okay?"

Mary had almost been moved to tears. This sweetness warmed her heart.

"Dad... It really is my wish. When I'm ready for the ceremony, I'll let you know, okay?"

"Okay, girl, I like you," said Timothy Lan with a smile from ear to ear. "I hand my naughty son over to you then. Thank you."

"Please, Dad, William and I take care of each other."

"Okay, okay," Timothy Lan replied, still seemingly brimming with joy.

Mary turned and shared a glance with William, just between them. William couldn't help laughing and shaking his head.

"Father, it's getting late. We should head back," William interjected.

"What is the time?" Mary looked at her watch and exclaimed, "It's so late. Oh my, how time flies!"

"Yes, how did that happen?" Timothy Lan got up and took Mary by the shoulder. "Mary, let's go home and have a talk."

"Sure," she replied, following Timothy Lan out.

William followed behind them, looking at the two of them chatting away happily. He wondered what they were saying and thinking.

"Why don't we take my car, Mary?"

"I'm sorry?" she replied in shock. She then stuttered, startled, "I... I think... I think I'd better go back with William... I'm fine taking his car..."

"Ha ha," Timothy Lan laughed. "I get it, you two have only just been married and you want to spend all your time together... We'll talk when we get home." "Okay, no problem." Mary breathed a sigh of relief and thought, 'It's not because I want to be with him all the time... It's that I'm afraid everything will be exposed when we're left together!'