My Mom Wants to Mate
32. Marriage Contract

Karen ate food with emotion. In front of him, the man he had just married did not see him at all.

The clanking of spoons, forks and plates incessantly rang. Karen is so upset that she forgets that her mission is to live by ignoring Daniel.

Why am I angry? I think the other side of me still hopes Daniel can care about me. Don't hope, Karen! See for yourself with your eyes how the attitude of the person in front of you is. (Karen).

After everything is done breakfast, they enjoy the hotel facilities before checking out at exactly 12 pm.

Karen chooses to swim, Daniel follows her. However, he tried to be a good husband to accompany his wife.

Karen changed into the swimsuit she had brought from home. As he came out of the bathroom, Daniel glared at the swimsuit that had its bottom on the knee.

Daniel doesn't seem to like it. "Is there anything else?"

"Emang why? This includes being polite, others wearing bikinis."

Daniel shakes. "Replace!"

Oh, my God, it's so complicated for people. It is also closed. (Karen).

"I don't have anything else, Niel."

Daniel nodded, "Hire!"

Karen finally rented a swimsuit from the hotel. Daniel chose a long-sleeved swimsuit for her. The legs are covered to the bottom, more like a diving suit.

Daniel himself was wearing a closed swimsuit. However, still, the part of his stomach looks grooved to make Karen swallow her saliva.

If you hadn't gotten too tired, I would've eaten you, Niel. Hih, why the hell do people even have a perfect body and look like that? (Karen).

"Can you swim?" ask Daniel.

"It can be" answered Karen, short and somewhat taut.

Hearing confirmation that Karen can swim, Daniel moves into a deep pool and leaves Karen alone.

Shithead! He asked because he wanted to swim in the pool itself. Kirain attention to swim together. (Karen).

They also swim alone in separate pools. Karen tried to neutralize her feelings of regret.

***

Swimming keeps Karen's mind fresh. They packed up and checked out of the hotel.

Karen and Daniel go straight to Daniel's house. They'll stay there.

Karen's clothes have been delivered by Mama Puri and Kendrik to Daniel's house. They cleaned Karen's clothes assisted by Bu Minah.

Without saying much, the newly married couple entered Daniel's house and entered the red room. The design is very unique, but neat.

The situation of his house is in stark contrast to what Daniel said the other day when he did not allow Karen to stop by on the grounds that the house was a mess.

Every time Karen held the furniture in the house, her hands felt that the surface of the items in the house was without dust and dirt in the slightest.

In the room, there are many miniature displays and souvenirs of the superhero Ironman of various sizes. From those that can be held by hand to those as big as a golden dog.

Thankfully, nothing is the size of a human. Karen would be scared if there were.

In a room that is quite spacious it is available bathroom on the left side, in the middle there is a mirror and closet (room clothes) is on the right.

The bed is unique because it is circular. Karen circulated the gaze with hidden amazement.

Daniel went to the kitchen for lunch.

Buset, it's really cold that guy. I wasn't even offered to eat. (Karen).

Instead of starving waiting to be offered a meal, Karen caught up and took food for herself. He ate while looking at Daniel who was fully concentrated on his food.

"Ehem, Daniel, eat up, I'll talk."

Daniel raised his head, looked at Karen and then nodded. Not a word came out of Daniel's mouth.

After lunch, they moved to the television room. Karen considers this a real waste of money because in the room there is also a television.

Karen handed Daniel the paper containing the marriage covenant. "This is our agreement during marriage."

"covenant? If it's too late, we're officially married."

"No, it's a personal agreement between the two of us. Remember, you promised to ignore my request, right, if you're married? Well, my request is this deal."

Daniel thinks this doesn't make sense. However, he still had to fulfill his wife's wishes. Karen read aloud and made clear the meaning of the agreement one by one.

"First of all, we don't have to discuss our feelings. We both know that this marriage is because of an arranged marriage. I know you don't like me, and I don't like you. So instead of wasting time and hurting each other, it is better not to talk about it. I'm telling you, I've never been rejected by a guy, so if you don't like me, keep it to heart."

Never been rejected? Why can't you find your own soul mate? Bizarrely. (Daniel).

"Secondly, this marriage is a year of probation. If there is no match, we separate well and do not complicate the divorce process."

So-genesis? So she thinks this is a fake marriage? (Daniel).

Daniel was angry in his heart. He considered this marriage to be very sacred even because of the matchmaking. His wife did not take this marriage seriously.

"Third, don't ever tell anyone that we're being betrothed. It's to keep your name or mine."

For Karen, matchmaking is something less cool. To him, he looked like a person who was unable to find his own partner.

In fact, it is true. 2 years before marrying Daniel, he did not find a suitable man.

"Fourth, we can have relationships with others out there as long as it is within reasonable limits. So, we can still have a boyfriend as long as we don't go over the line."

"That's what I want to ask" Daniel said as he glared at the paper. "Why is that? Why get married if you're still in touch with someone else."

"Look, this marriage is just to meet social demands. If we do not match each other, we can establish relationships with others, so that later if this agreement expires and we divorce, there are already people waiting."

"Why wait a year? Divorce if you have a relationship with someone else."

"Akh can't do that. A wedding under one year is like what do people say?"

"okay!" With a flat face, Daniel put down the paper of the covenant and glared. "I have a request too."

"Okay, that makes sense. You just write it down let's sign it together."

Daniel did not answer and went straight into his room. He opened his laptop and thought what he would type there.

After steady with his writing, he scored and took it to the television room. Karen received the paper that read only one sentence.

'Exercise the duties and rights of husband and wife as appropriate'.

"Here, what does that mean?" Karen did not not not understand but she wondered why Daniel's request was so.

Did Daniel take this marriage seriously and become the only marriage of his life?

To be continued...

Jogja, May 6th 2021

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