Nadira didn't go straight to her room after Arkana left her. She remained standing outside her bedroom, thinking about one sentence the man had said.
“We are married.”
Of course they were married. Legally, Nadira was Arkana's wife. Even so, the marriage still felt like a business agreement that happened to use vows and rings as part of its terms.
One year, and then it would be over.
Nadira slowly shook her head and closed her bedroom door. She couldn't let herself think too far ahead.
The next morning was a day off. Nadira went downstairs to the dining room and found Arkana already sitting there. He was reading several documents while enjoying his coffee.
Nadira pulled out the chair across from him. “Morning.”
Arkana looked up. “Morning.”
Silence. Nadira took a piece of toast, then glanced at the documents in Arkana's hands.
“You're working even during breakfast?”
“It's become a habit.”
“No wonder you don't have a life, sir.”
Arkana lowered the documents. “I have one.”
Nadira looked at him. “Really?”
“You're part of it now.”
Nadira immediately fell silent. Arkana went back to reading as if he hadn't said anything strange. Yet that sentence made Nadira lose her appetite for a few seconds. She quickly distracted herself by picking up a glass of water.
After breakfast, Arkana closed the documents. “We need to discuss a few things.”
Nadira nodded. “The contract?”
“No. Our life while we're living together.”
Arkana stood and walked toward the family room. Nadira followed him.
A sheet of paper was already lying on the table.
Nadira picked it up. “What's this?”
“Rules.”
“Isn't the contract enough?”
“The contract governs our marriage. This governs our everyday life.”
Nadira read the first point. “We can't interfere in each other's personal affairs.” She nodded.
“Agreed.”
“Second, we don't need to report where we're going as long as it doesn't involve family or work.”
“Agreed.”
“Third, work problems stay out of the house.”
Nadira smiled faintly. “That one's going to be difficult. You're too annoying at the office, sir.”
Arkana raised an eyebrow. “And you argue too much.”
“Then we're even.”
Arkana didn't argue. Nadira continued reading.
“Fourth, we can't bring anyone else home without telling the other person first.”
“Friends too?”
“Friends are fine.”
“Good.” Nadira was about to continue reading when her eyes stopped on the next point. She frowned. “Is this serious?”
Arkana looked at her. “What?”
Nadira pointed to the words.
‘No getting emotionally involved in this marriage.’
“Why is there a rule like this?”
“To avoid problems.”
Nadira let out a small laugh. “Are you afraid I'll fall in love with you?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“I just don't want either of us to misunderstand this relationship.”
Nadira fell silent. He had a point. Their marriage had an expiration date. If feelings became involved, everything would get more complicated.
“All right,” she said at last. “I agree.”
Arkana nodded.
Nadira then pointed to the line. “Then this rule applies to both of us.”
“Of course.”
“Don't let yourself be the one who breaks it later, sir.”
“I won't break it.”
Nadira leaned back against the sofa. “Are you sure?”
“I'm sure.”
“Good. Because I won't fall in love with you either, sir.”
Arkana stared at her for a long moment. “You're too confident.”
Nadira narrowed her eyes. “What does that mean?”
“I'm just saying there's nothing to worry about.”
Nadira snorted. “Obviously.”
She picked up a pen and signed the bottom of the page. Arkana did the same.
When they were finished, Nadira stood. “So everything's clear.”
“It is.”
“No interfering in each other's personal affairs.”
“Yes.”
“No bringing work problems home.”
“Yes.”
“And no getting emotionally involved.”
Arkana looked at her. “Especially that.”
Nadira nodded firmly. “Don't worry. I won't fall in love with you.”
Arkana stood. “I won't fall in love with you either.”
For some reason, hearing that answer made Nadira feel a little strange. But she quickly ignored it.
“Good. Then this marriage will go smoothly.”
Arkana nodded. “As long as we follow the rules.”
They then went their separate ways to their respective rooms. Nadira closed her bedroom door and leaned against it.
She smiled faintly. Easy. Of course it was easy. Arkana wasn't the type of man who would make her fall in love. And the same went for him.
That night, when Nadira went downstairs to get some water, she found a cup of warm tea on the family room table.
Beside it was a small note.
‘Don't stay up too late. You have work tomorrow.’
Nadira stared at the handwriting for a long time. She knew who had written it. Arkana.
Nadira picked up the cup. She wondered whether a small gesture of concern like that counted as interfering in someone's personal life.
Then she shook her head. “It's nothing.”
She carried the tea to her room, unaware that the rules they'd made so easily might become the very rules that would be hardest for them to keep.