Love Contract

Outside the emergency ward of A City's Municipal People's Hospital, Selah paced back and forth. She was utterly distraught, and a hint of frantic etched on her face. However, after thinking for a while, she finally took out her mobile phone and sent Mary a message.

"Manager Lu, Mr. Gu is sick. The doctor said that his stomach was bleeding inside and he should be operated as soon as possible. If you have time, I suggest that you come and see him."

After writing this, Selah paused for a while and then added, "He kept calling your name while we were on the way to the hospital."

After sending the message, she slumped on the cold chair in the corridor and heaved a deep breath.

Barry might run his harsh mouth sometimes and blurt out some hateful words, but Selah knew how much he had helped her. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't be a famous actress right now. But after that one night with him, she didn't know howto face him anymore.

It was so obvious he liked Mary so much! And thinking of that made her slightly envious. She wondered if she would ever meet someone who would like her just like that.

While that thought lingered in her head, Selah's phone suddenly rang.

Seeing the caller ID, she quickly sat upright and answered the call. "Hello? Manager Lu? Yes, in Municipal People's Hospital. Alright."

Just as she ended that call, a nurse came out of the operating room, pushing the hospital bed with Barry on it.

"Doctor, how is he?" Selah walked up to the doctor, who followed behind the nurse.

"He's all right now. He needs to take a good rest after leaving the hospital."

"Thank goodness! Thank you, doctor." Selah nodded.

It was shortly after that that Mary arrived, carrying a food box in her hand. Seeing Selah standing in the corridor, she rushed up to her and asked. "Where is Barry?" "He is in the ward. I was told that he is expected to fully recover after a few days of rest. Come with me, Manager Lu."

Mary nodded gratefully and followed Selah into the ward, frowning slightly.

"The doctor said his condition was the result of his overworking, irregular eating pattern, and overdrinking," Selah said.

"I see." A trace of guilt could be extracted in Mary's voice. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Selah shook her head and added, "Well, Manager Lu...Since you're already here, I guess I'm free to go."

"Wait a minute," said Mary, as she stood up and turned to Selah. "Selah, I want to talk with you. Just a few minutes. Would that be okay?"

For some reason, Selah's heart skipped a beat upon hearing her proposal. But although she was slightly nervous, she still nodded calmly.

"Selah, thank you for texting me. Thank you for letting me know." With a slight smile, Mary started the conversation politely.

"It's nothing. I just happened to meet him at the company."

"Do you have a son?" Mary asked her directly.

"Well... Yes, I do." Selah nodded. She didn't know why Mary suddenly asked this question.

"I don't know why Barry suddenly decided to make you famous. I don't know why there was so much news about you recently either," Mary said seriously. "I don't think you are the kind of artist who wants to become famous through improper relationship and scandals." Mary's tone was not insulting, and her eyes bore a soft glance at Selah.

"Of course not!" Selah shook her head immediately. She, too, wanted to know the answers to Mary's questions. Selah didn't understand how she got entangled with Barry this way.

"Then please stay away from Barry. No matter what purpose you may have, please don't get close to him. He has learned a lesson from me. You already have a child. Don't let him be the father of a child who is not his again."

Selah was not too dense; she knew Mary was driving her away. So, instead of staying unwelcome, she left and walked towards Ray's ward while thinking of Mary's last sentence. That warning obviously echoed in her head and would probably stay there for a while. She didn't do anything. Why did everyone think it was her fault? At this point, Selah was really tired of being accused of something she did not do. Her mind was off somewhere when she pushed the door open and walked into her son's room.

"Mom, is that you?" Ray's voice came from the bed.

"Ray, are you still awake?" Selah took a deep breath, trying to adjust her mood before walking to the bed.

"I said I wouldn't sleep until you are here."

With tears welling up in her eyes, Selah hugged her son and said, "Good boy! I'm sorry for coming in late, honey. II

"It's alright, Mom." Ray nestled in his mother's arms and comforted her, "I know you are very busy. You have to make money. Look! I'm in this lovely ward because of your hard work. Thank you for everything, Mom!"

"I won't feel tired if it is for you. I'll continue to work hard until you have fully recovered, Ray." With a sob, Selah touched the gauze on her son's eyes and asked, "How are your eyes? Do they hurt?"

The young boy shook his head and said, "My eyes are cold and comfortable. Don't worry, Mom. Everything's fine."

"That's good, that's good."

"Mom, when can I have the operation? When can I finally see? I almost forgot what you look like."

"Soon, my baby. You'll have the operation soon, okay? You'll be able to see by then," Selah comforted in a soft tone, caressing his hair gently with so much affection.

The night was getting cold, and both Selah and Ray lay on the small hospital bed. With her arms wrapped around her son, Selah hummed a lullaby.

"Mom, please don't leave tomorrow, okay?" Ray suddenly asked in a low voice, now feeling a little sleepy.

"Go to sleep. I'll hold you in my arms tonight." Selah could only let out a sigh after saying that. She didn't want to give him false hope by saying she would stay. She needed to work and hustle to pay for his hospital bills.

So, the next morning, Selah got up pretty early. She had an appointment that day and was already certain she would leave Ray in the hospital.

After getting out of bed, she kissed Ray's cheeks and walked out of the ward while he was still sleeping.

"Let's go." Selah glanced at her current agent, Jaime, and flashed him a smile.

"Okay." Jaime nodded and looked at Selah pitifully.

The two of them walked out of the hospital. When they were about to get in the car, a nurse ran to them. "Ray left his ward to find you! Please go back and comfort him."

Selah's eyes widened in extreme shock. She hurried back into the hospital and frantically ran on its corridors, desperate to find her son. A couple of minutes later, she saw her son face to face with Barry, who was in a wheelchair.

Ray ran around and bumped into Barry's wound! 'Oh my god!' she exclaimed internally while gasping in utter surprise.

As a result, Selah had been on tenterhooks the entire day during her filming. Everyone in the set even noticed how slightly absent-minded she was. So, when they finally wrapped up, she rushed back to the hospital.

After coaxing Ray to sleep, she still felt her guilt eating her up and sneaked towards Barry's ward.

"Click."

Selah quietly pushed the door open.

"Hello? Who's there?" Barry asked, surprised to hear the door open as he was not expecting any visitors this time around.

"Mr....Mr. Gu, it's me." Selah greeted awkwardly and walked towards his bed.

"What are you doing here?" Barry furrowed his brows and asked in a cold voice.

"My son was too reckless today, I apologize. Please don't be too upset with him, Mr. Gu." "He apologized to me himself. Don't worry, I didn't take it seriously."

A long stretch of silence suddenly filled the ward. Only their breathing, which bizarrely synched, and the light rumbling of the air-conditioning could be heard. And being stuck with him in one room only made Selah even more uncomfortable.

"Well, Mr. Gu, I'll be leaving now." Unable to bear the pressure, she tried to escape.

"Wait a minute!" Barry stopped her and quickly surveyed her from head to foot.

"What's the matter?" Seeing how she was being scrutinized by his sharp, intense eyes, Selah was almost frozen to her feet.

"Be my woman." Although Barry bore an indifferent expression, his words struck like a clap of roaring thunder.

"Pardon me, Mr. Gu?" Utterly stunned, Selah blinked a couple of times before asking, "You... What do you mean?"

"Don't you get it? Being my woman means being my mistress!" Barry sneered and continued, "Did you really think I was going to make you famous and ask for nothing in return?"

Selah staggered and took a step back.

"Be my woman on call." Barry dropped another bomb, not minding if his words pierced through Selah's heart like a sword.

"No way!" Selah rejected outrightly and firmly shook her head.

"Then you'll be fired." Although Barry was lying on the bed, he still managed to throw her a domineering and fierce glare. "Your son is very thoughtful. You probably don't want him to suffer with you."

"No, Mr. Gu. I'll work harder! I can even take less money! Please!" Upon hearing his threat, Selah suddenly lost all her determination. How could she say no in this situation when Barry was clearly threatening her with her weakness?!

"Then, be my woman obediently." He flashed her a devious smile before asking, "Have you already forgotten about that wonderful night we spent together?"

Selah's pale face dictated how flabbergasted she was at that moment. Facing him right now was already too much, and yet here he was, reminding her of that memory she wished to forget.

"Won't you say yes then? If you don't, I will tell Ray how his dear mother sold herself to pay his medical fees. What would Ray think of you after that, I wonder?"