A Contract Marriage with My Professor

CHAPTER 4:

ZACH GARDON'S POV

"Mom, didn't I tell you not to go out alone without me?" I asked seriously while we were at our own restaurant.

We weren't supposed to eat here, but she had been very stubborn. I had no choice but to follow her and pick her up. I still had so much work to do; I was busy preparing for enrollment at Gardon University. As the owner of the University and a professor, I needed to be there. But my mother didn't seem to understand my job; she just wanted us to be together. She was always reminding me of things, which only added to my stress.

"I just went to get groceries, Zach. And I also looked at some baby clothes at the mall," she explained.

She never ran out of explanations. It was hard as my parents got older; even when they were wrong, they still wanted to be right.

"That's the point, Mom. You went out at a time when I was fast asleep. You didn't even ask the driver to go with you. You even took a taxi," I said, feeling annoyed.

I didn't want to lecture her, but sometimes she went too far. It was like she was turning back into a child. I knew this was part of growing old, but with my career, I couldn't handle taking care of her and being a professor at the same time.

"Son, I'm sorry. I just wanted to have some fun. I'm bored at home. That's why I've been asking you to get married. That way, you can give me a grandchild," she said, slipping in her long-time request.

She made it sound like finding a wife was easy. She didn't realize how hard it was to enter a relationship. I was already struggling to find a decent woman, yet she wanted me to get married right away. I had high standards when it came to finding someone to share a home with.

"I don't want to get married yet, Mom. I've told you many times that I'm not ready for that life. I'm too lazy to even look for a girlfriend, now you want me to look for a wife," I told her.

It was the truth. I didn't want a relationship yet. I could barely handle taking care of her; I didn't want to deal with another woman. I wasn't an expert on women, but I knew how they acted. Just dealing with my mother's stubbornness made me feel like I was losing my hair.

"But son, you're in your 30's now. And I'm already a senior citizen. When do you plan to give me a grandchild? When I'm dead? You know I have health problems. Don't you want me to be happy?" she asked softly, sounding hurt.

I was Zach Gardon. I was a Math professor and a businessman. We owned the university where I taught. I loved teaching and I really loved my job. I focused entirely on my work and growing the business, so I didn't have time for a love life. I felt like women were just a headache.

Take earlier, for example-the girl I had bumped into was so talkative. I admitted it was my fault for entering through the exit, but I didn't understand why she had to attack me so fiercely. That was why I didn't want a relationship; I was a serious person and I couldn't handle talking to people like that.

The girl I bumped into was small, so I saw her face clearly. I was sure she was the same girl I had given a thousand dollars to because I thought she was a pregnant beggar. It was a small world. Fate must have been playing with me because that was the second time I had seen her.

"Oh? Why are you staring into space, son? Did you find a girl you like?" Mom asked, pinching my side.

My attention snapped back to her, and the girl disappeared from my mind.

"You're imagining things again, Mom. Can we just eat? I'll take you home after this," I said.

"Whenever I talk about a wife or grandkids, you change the subject. Don't tell me you're gay, son?" Mom asked, judging me.

"Mom, please. I'm not gay. I just don't want to get married yet. And if I do get married, I'll choose a woman who doesn't talk too much so I won't be stressed," I said, taking a drink.

It seemed like no matter what I said, she wouldn't listen. I decided to focus on my food so we could finish and go home. But I suddenly choked when my mother spoke again.

"I met a girl earlier today, son. She dressed and acted very simply, also she's beautiful. And she was very concerned about me, just like you. It's a shame I didn't ask for her name. You two would have been perfect together," she said.

"I'm going to the office, Mom. My head is starting to hurt from all this talk," I said quickly.

I stood up without finishing my meal.

"I'll just call the driver; wait for him here. Okay? Bye, Mom," I said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

This was my usual excuse whenever she tried to set me up with someone. I didn't have time to listen to her stories. I walked out of the restaurant and headed to my car. I was going to Gardon University. I had an office there, and it was my escape whenever I felt pressured to get married.

I didn't mean to brag, but many women liked me. Many chased me and many waited for me. Sometimes I laughed because even though I was the man, they were the ones trying to court me. But honestly, I didn't like clingy girls. I would rather love a woman who didn't care about me at all.

I started driving. I listened to music to reduce my stress; it always helped to hear my favorite songs. But suddenly, I slammed on the brakes because I almost hit a puppy. It was a tiny white dog.

"WHITEY!!!" a girl screamed, chasing after the dog.

When she picked it up, I recognized her.

"Oh my god, Whitey! I just bought you, and you already want to leave me," I heard her say, almost crying.

The puppy looked traumatized as it hid against her chest. I wanted to apologize for what happened, but the girl suddenly banged on the hood of my car.

"HEY! WHOEVER YOU ARE, GET OUT! HOW DARE YOU?! DO YOU HAVE ANY MANNERS?!" she screamed.

Here we go again. Our paths had crossed for the third time.

"What?! Are you a coward? Get out here so I can teach you a lesson! Do you think I'll let this go? I'm ready to file a case against you for traumatizing my pet!" she shouted again.

I took a deep breath before facing her.

"It's not my fault if you were careless with your dog. So please, Miss, don't blame me for your own mistakes," I told her.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly hating what I had said.

"You actually have the nerve to talk to me like that?!" she said, her face red with anger.

I secretly smiled at her reaction.

"You know, Miss, you're in the city now. It's a crowded place. You shouldn't bring a dog if you can't watch it properly," I said.

I took out my wallet, grabbed five thousand dollars, and handed it to her.

"Here. If your dog is traumatized, take it to a vet. Now we're even, and this doesn't have to become a bigger problem," I said, hoping she would stop talking.

"You're trying to bribe me? What do you think of me? That you can buy my dignity? Hey-" I didn't let her finish. I turned my back on her.

"Hey! You're so rude! I'm still talking to you!" she screamed after me.

But I didn't look back. I got into my car and drove away. As I passed her, I left the five thousand dollars with her.

"Hey, rude man! I don't need your money!!!" she yelled loudly.

She was like an "angry bird" - always mad.