Contract Marriage: The Replacement Groom

*Unedited. Didn’t get enough time. I’ll do it later. I’m sorry for the trouble.*

Right on time, Maverick was just coming out of his office with Rex behind him when he saw his wife and son. Unintentionally, his lips stretched into a faint smile.

"Plum," Jeslyn called with a cute voice. She knew Valen wasn’t allowed to leave the mansion. Although the child wanted to go out, she wasn’t sure Maverick would allow it. Secondly, they didn’t inform him beforehand that they wanted to go out with him. What if he has an important meeting that cannot wait?

"Rex told me already, let’s go." He replied and walked up to them.

"Uncle Rex is so lovely," Jeslyn gave Rex a thumbs up.

Rex’s pride flared up like how a peacock would raise its feathers. "I told you I’m the best." He said.

"Oh please..." Jeslyn rolled her eyes before pulling the mask to rest on her jaw and the glasses to her head, revealing a ravishing face.

Maverick subconsciously glanced at the guards, they were all standing with their heads down. He side-eyed his brother and saw Rex looking at his wife like he was thunderstruck. He furrowed his brows and his legs moved on their own to stand in front of Jeslyn, blocking Rex from ogling at his wife’s face.

"Ahem..." Rex coughed. "Don’t be so selfish. You could have let me memorize her features more. In case she chooses to undergo plastic surgery in the future."

"Why would I do that?" Jeslyn looked at him in wonder.

"Have you no idea that your face is too beautiful to be in the entertainment industry in Country M?" Rex gasped like he couldn’t believe she doesn’t have such basic knowledge. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Jeslyn sighed. "I think I can manage."

"Manage? Hahaha....let’s see how true that is. But let me warn you about something very important. Don’t keep enemies around. Get rid of them as they come. I’ve seen several cases where an artist would want to keep enemies around, probably for fun or whatever reason they have, and in the end, those minor enemies join hands with other minor enemies and they become giants. You should understand what I mean."

Jeslyn nodded, even though she knew this already.

"Let’s go." Maverick brought the glasses down and covered half of her face with the mask. His wife is too beautiful and he doesn’t want others to have free access to her beauty... just yet. If possible, he would have preferred she stayed at home while he pays her but knowing how stubborn she is when she makes up her mind, he knew he’d be causing a fight if he stops her from achieving her dreams.

All he can do now is to be her strongest backer and motivation.

"Ehm, Plum, Valen isn’t strong enough to walk on his own. How about you carry him? He’ll be embarrassed rolling around in a wheelchair." That’s not her main reason. She understood that Maverick and Valen don’t share as much closeness that a normal dad and son shares. What she wants is for their relationship to be as great as the one she and her grandfather shared.

Maverick glanced at Valen. The child looked back at him but none said anything.

To Valen, being carried around like a girl by his father was too girly and cute and he doesn’t like that but he wasn’t going to allow Jeslyn to know of it.

Maverick knows that his son wouldn’t like that but he didn’t object, so he lowered himself and carried Valen.

Rex wanted to laugh but he didn’t dare. The family of three was staring daggers at him.

They left the company’s building, heading towards one of the best restaurants in town.

Inside the car, Valen was sitting in the middle of the back seat while Rex took the front passenger seat.

Valen looked from one to the other, they weren’t talking or looking at each other. However, Jeslyn’s hand was not on her body nor on his. ’Where is the hand?’ he asked himself before he made it his job to look for it.

Darting his eyes around, he found the hand behind him. It was being stroked by his father who put on a straight face and was looking at his phone.

Valen narrowed his eyes at him and roughly pulled his hand away. Maverick and Jeslyn turned to look at him after the little disturbance.

"Son, what happened?" Jeslyn looked at him with tenderness.

Still staring at his father, Valen answered: "A mother should look after their children, not grown-up men."

"Hahaha... Valen..." Jeslyn sighed helplessly.

Rex turned from his seat and looked back at them. "Your father doesn’t have a mother. He only has a caring wife." He butted in.

"Then, let him find one or get used to it. I need my mother to grow up healthy." He glared at his father who was still staring at him.

Jeslyn couldn’t stop laughing. ’Is this the joy of a mother that people talk about?’ she thought.

"Let your father enjoy a little bit of affection, will you? When a sister comes soon, your father will be thrown away for good... and you too–"

"Uncle Rex, who called you here? This is my family, go make yours." How dare his uncle talk about something he had been thinking about since he found out Jeslyn was his real mother?

Valen had been thinking since morning about what would happen if his mother suddenly gets pregnant and gives birth to a girl child. She didn’t watch him grow up, but she would his little sister. Wouldn’t that mean that the love will be different? He’ll be cheated!!

"Ah, that’s a good idea. I think I’m old enough to be a father now. However, hehe... your sister will steal away your mummy’s love. Hohohoho..." Rex gave an evil laugh.

"Stop it, Rex," Jeslyn pulled Valen into her bosom while smiling brightly. "You are such a bully. How can you bully a child?"

Rex sighed. "I just spoke the truth though."

"You lied." She looked at Valen and cupped his face. "Sweetheart, mummy is not giving birth anymore. You have mummy all to yourself until you grow old. I’ll also stay away from exercises that bring children. It’s not healthy anyway. Ok?"