Crazy A Married Life

#18

Contract…

“Yes…”

Although it was only for a week, it was a fake marriage involving money, so drawing up a contract was a natural procedure. In a sense, Idam was Taemin’s employee.

What kind of clauses would be in it? When Idam had used a loan shark through Heo Jitae, the situation had been urgent, and he had signed the contract without properly checking it. As a result, he had suffered inhumane harassment, and Hayun had even been kidnapped. So this time, he intended to review the contract carefully.

Taemin tapped the pad a few times and handed it to Idam along with a stylus. The screen displayed the title “Marriage Contract” along with the conditions. Idam read through each one, touching the screen as he went. It seemed concise and nothing particularly strange stood out, but a phrase caught his attention:

Here, Party B referred to Idam and Party A to Taemin. It felt like a coercive clause. He wanted to object, but the condition “if they are reasonable” made it difficult to argue against. So he continued reading.

“CEO, can the contract be extended?”

Surprised, Idam’s eyes widened like marbles. In contrast, Taemin began to answer with an expressionless face.

“It’s a clause to prepare for unexpected situations. Unless something ‘special’ happens, it will be one week as planned.”

“If it were extended, how long would it be?”

Having already used the 350 million won on the spot, Idam was in no position to complain even if it was extended for life, but he couldn’t help being curious.

“That depends on how Idam behaves.”

In other words, he was elegantly expressing “Figure it out yourself.” Suddenly, Idam remembered how Taemin had forcefully kissed him. Feeling even more burdened, his hand holding the pad began to sweat profusely.

“Then… what am I supposed to do with you from now on?”

“You’re to pretend to be my married partner and stay by my side.”

He continued speaking as if wondering why Idam was asking about something he had already explained.

“Even though it’s fake, there might be times when we have to do things that real couples do.”

Things that real couples do.

Hearing this while the memory of being kissed by Taemin was still fresh, Idam became more convinced that the contract included sex. Although he had anticipated this, actually facing it made his heart sink even further. Feeling his premarital chastity crumbling once again, Idam continued reading the rest of the contract.

“Gasp.”

Idam suddenly wondered if he was entering into a dangerous contract. He was broke and couldn’t even return the principal to Taemin, let alone three times the amount. Idam’s fingers holding the stylus trembled as if hit by an earthquake. Noticing the excessive movement, Taemin tilted his head.

“Why are you shaking so much?”

“Well… I’m not in a position to pay three times the penalty.”

His rooftop room was a monthly rent, and he had barely put down a deposit. Right now, Idam’s only asset was his mother’s gold ring around his neck. Taemin looked at Idam, whose complexion had turned pale, and smiled with his eyes.

“Oh, that’s just a formality. If Idam does his best by my side, it’s as good as a non-existent clause.”

Idam suddenly wondered if he had fallen into a trap. It felt like he was entering as Taemin’s servant rather than his wife. Of course, that wasn’t entirely incorrect. Indeed, the world isn’t easy, and nothing comes for free. Slowly, the corners of Taemin’s mouth twitched, as if he was watching something amusing.

“If you’re not comfortable, you don’t have to sign.”

“Huh? What happens if I don’t?”

Idam felt a little relieved when Taemin seemed to back down. But…

“What do you mean, what happens? The money I deposited yesterday will be taken back.”

Taemin’s statement shocked Idam.

“No, I’ll do it. I’ll sign.”

Startled, Idam quickly signed on the pad.

“Haha.”

At the same time, Taemin chuckled. He seemed to be in a very good mood, but it also felt somewhat abnormally ominous. He took back the pad and fixed his gaze on Idam’s signature.

“Idam’s signature is as soft as a pussy.”

“What?”

Idam’s eyes widened, wondering if he had heard correctly. P… what?

“I look forward to working with you.”

Taemin offered a handshake. Idam felt something off about the look in his eyes, detecting a strange madness, but accepted the handshake. After all, he had received the money and already signed, so there was no turning back now. He decided not to dwell on ominous thoughts and instead focus on being careful not to let his pheromones leak out in the future.

Eventually, Taemin released the handshake. However, Idam’s palm still felt hot from his warmth.

“And I have one more request. Can you take out your phone, Idam?”

“Huh? Oh, sure…”

Idam took out the phone from his pocket. It was a budget phone he had gotten when he met his mother, with a crack in the corner of the screen. The transparent case he had put on it had turned yellowish, making him feel a bit embarrassed to show it to Taemin, but he reluctantly held it out.

Taemin seemed momentarily taken aback by the shabby phone but soon took it.

“I’ll return this when the contract period ends.”

“Are you confiscating my phone?”

“While you’re here, I’d like you to cut off contact with the outside world.”

“Why?”

“I want you to focus solely on me.”

Idam felt like he had entered a prison he never asked for. His head was spinning.

“I have good concentration. I don’t usually contact other people much anyway. More importantly, if I suddenly cut off contact, my friend will be really worried.”

It was particularly awkward because he had told Hayun, who was worried that he might be going on a shrimp boat or something, that he would contact him frequently.

“Explain to your friend that you won’t be able to contact them for a week.”

Taemin handed the phone back to Idam and ordered. Feeling resistant, Idam’s cheeks puffed up unconsciously. He felt this was unnecessary, but he had no position or right to argue further, so he took the phone without saying anything.

With his pink fingertips, he sent a long text message to Hayun. He explained that he wouldn’t be able to contact him for a week due to work, and added greetings not to worry and to take care.

Come to think of it, he wouldn’t be able to go to work at the detective agency anymore. Fortunately, today wasn’t a work day, so he avoided the worst-case scenario of an unexcused absence. He thought about suggesting that he would only be absent for a week and return to work after that, but it seemed too presumptuous for a part-timer who had worked just over a month, so he decided to quit instead. Besides, this part-time job had a higher hourly wage compared to the work, so they would quickly find someone else. He felt sorry for resigning with just a text message like this, but given the circumstances, he had no choice. He wrote a detailed message to Youngchun, though not as long as the one to Hayun, and sent it. He also sent a message to Mr. Yang, the owner of the rooftop room, just in case, before finishing up.

Was there anyone else he needed to contact…

‘Yeo Idam, I received the principal well. Let’s talk again later.’

He remembered Heo Jitae’s sinister smile. It felt like a lead weight was pressing on his chest, making it hard to breathe. What more could he want when the principal had been fully repaid? But he expected that there wouldn’t be any contact within a week since he had just given him a large sum of money. So he decided not to leave a message and create unnecessary trouble.

“Are you done with your contacts?”

Taemin, who had been staring intently at Idam’s fingers, asked as if to confirm.

“Yes…”

Idam handed over the phone that had finished its business. It felt like his connection to the world was disappearing by Taemin’s hand.

“But how will I contact you now?”

Even if they lived in the same house, Taemin was a businessman and would likely be absent at times. However, instead of answering, Taemin looked at the door.

“Bring it in.”

At the same time, a man in a black suit entered. It was the same man who had driven them to the Korean restaurant before and to this mansion. The scar on his forehead and his sturdy appearance contrasted with Taemin, even on second glance. He was holding a black box in his hand, which he placed on the table.

“We’ll use this to communicate from now on.”

Taemin opened the lid of the box. Inside was a new phone with a soft cherry blossom color. It was the latest model phone that he had seen plastered on advertising boards every time he went to take the subway.

“Look.”

Taemin placed the new phone in Idam’s hand. It was already activated and fully charged. Idam awkwardly fiddled with the phone. The screen was larger than his old phone, and apps opened faster. As he was playing with it, he came across the address book and opened it.

Ji Taemin.

Secretary Kang.

Only these two numbers were saved. Of course, this was natural since he would only be staying here for a week and would have limited contact with others. Taemin was one thing, but…

“Who is Secretary Kang?”

“That would be me.”

The man who had brought in the phone bowed slightly towards Idam.

“Oh… I see.”

He had assumed he was just a driver, but he was actually a secretary.

“From now on, please call me Secretary Kang.”

“Understood, Secretary Kang.”

Idam bowed his head politely in greeting. The man’s expressionless face and fierce appearance made it impossible not to be respectful.

“Secretary Kang is gentle and kind, so you don’t need to be afraid.”

“I see…”

Secretary Kang had the kind of face that wouldn’t look out of place twisting someone’s neck with one hand. So the words “gentle” and “kind” weren’t at all convincing. Idam wondered if the “kind person” he knew and the “kind person” Taemin knew had different meanings. It seemed clear.

“Then please continue your conversation.”

Secretary Kang politely bowed to Taemin and Idam before leaving the reception room. It felt like a huge boulder had entered and then left.

A moment of silence fell. Feeling awkward, Idam explored the new phone a bit more. Being the latest model, it had unfamiliar functions and was quite diverse. Even though it was just for a week, he felt like an employee carrying out a mission by Taemin’s side. As he was moving his fingers, he suddenly realized something. He thought he should bring some valuables and clothes from home. Even though he would only be away from home for a short time, he didn’t feel entirely comfortable.

“CEO, would it be alright if I went home briefly this afternoon?”

“Why?”

Idam expressed the thought he had been considering. However, Taemin maintained a stubborn expression.

“I’ll bring them for you.”

Idam’s mouth gaped open at this unexpected response.

“What? Are you saying you’re going to rummage through my house?”

“Why can’t I?”

Taemin’s eyes seemed to ask why he was questioning something so obvious. Dumbfounded, Idam’s mouth opened and closed like a carp. Of course, the money Taemin had lent him was a large amount. Thanks to it, Hayun and he had been able to avoid a situation where they might have had to make the worst choice.

But even so, wasn’t this crossing a line that should be maintained between people, a matter of courtesy? However, Idam, being in the subordinate position, had no choice but to follow his orders.