The Contract Marriage of Two Billionares

"Luxe entertainment agency owners David Harvey and Emily Hurby reportedly died in a single accident that occurred in San Diego. It was due to the foggy weather in the surrounding hills that the car they were driving skidded while going up the slope. The bodies are currently being evacuated by rescuers to Los Angeles."

Click.

I turned off the television broadcast that was reporting the deaths of my parents. It was suffocating. My mom and dad died in an accident while they were preparing for their wedding anniversary party. They were supposed to be immersed in the festivities today. However, this incident ruined all their plans.

"Miss." Uncle Scott stood next to me. I turned my head slowly. My eyes were puffy, and I could see that Uncle Scott was surprised to see me.

"What's wrong, Uncle?" I asked him. Uncle Scott was my father's most loyal assistant. He had worked in this house for almost twenty years. Probably since I was born into the world.

"I've been informed that the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. have arrived at the hospital. Will you be there tonight?"

I got up from my seat. I nodded my head.

"Prepare the car, Uncle. We'll leave immediately," I ordered.

"Okay."

Uncle Scott left as soon as he got the order. I grabbed the thick coat that was sitting on the center sofa. Before long, I had arrived at the courtyard and entered the luxury car that was in front of me.

Within half an hour, the car had arrived at the hospital grounds. I got out, followed by Uncle Scott and some assistants who often accompanied me. In front of the funeral home, there were two policemen standing at attention behind me.

They turned around and reprimanded me. "Ah, Miss Angela. Introduce me. I'm Phil. I'm in charge of receiving the evacuation of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey's bodies."

The policeman extended his hand to me, and I returned it.

"Thank you for helping us. Is there anything we can do for you?" I asked.

"Ah, nothing. In that case, we'll take our leave. Here's my business card; if you need help, you can contact me or the LAPD police station," he said, handing me a business card. I smiled as I read it.

"Thank you. Be careful on the road."

I went inside the funeral home, followed by Uncle Scott. The cop looked at me for a moment and then left.

I sat next to the coffins of my mom and dad. Uncle Scott said they were found two hours before the news on television. I wanted to cry, but my tears were nowhere to be found.

"Miss," Uncle Scott called out to me. "I've prepared a funeral service for Mr. and Mrs. tomorrow."

"Atson's uncle and aunt couldn't have come. They only sent a text message earlier. Do as planned, Uncle Scott," I ordered.

Uncle Scott nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

At eleven in the evening, Uncle Scott and I left. The funeral will be held in private tomorrow. No reporters, celebrities, or colleagues would come. I didn't want to talk much or see a crowd of them around my parents' funeral area.

"Miss, it's here." Uncle Scott opened the car door. I woke up from my reverie and got out.

"Uncle Scott, take a rest." Uncle Scott just smiled and nodded. His face looked very tired, and I couldn't bear to look at it.

"Yes, ma'am."

"What time is the funeral?" I stopped my steps before climbing the stairs. I looked back.

"It's scheduled for the afternoon, miss." I nodded slowly. There was still time for me to rest for the day.

"Alright. Thank you, Uncle. Have a good rest."

I resumed my steps toward my room on the second floor. It felt like my body was extremely tired today. After cleaning up, I laid my tired body down on the bed. I tried to close my eyes, but suddenly the image of mom and dad flashed through my head.

"Good night, dad, good night, mom."

***

Knock knock

Someone knocked on my bedroom door from outside. I woke up with puffy, reddened eyes. I couldn't seem to get out of this bed. I sighed as the knocking sounded again.

"Miss, breakfast is served." was the voice of the maid who used to wake me up. I glanced at the small clock on my bedroom table. Ah, it was already eight in the morning.

"Alright, I'll be down in a moment. Thank you!" I shouted from inside the room.

"Yes, miss."

I quickly stood up and moved from my bed to the bathroom. This morning, I couldn't cry anymore. I did last night after coming home from the hospital. I don't know; maybe I missed my mom and dad.

Breakfast was neatly laid out on the table. The waiter who woke me up stood beside me. She poured a glass of tea and also put a hard-boiled egg on my plate.

"Miss, Mr. Scott said he would be a little late," the waiter half-whispered in my ear. I nodded.

"I told him to rest. Ah, uncle and aunt Hurby in Linz have any news?" The waitress next to me shook her head. "Why hasn't anyone come?"

"I've told Mr. Scott. But there's been no reply."

I shouldn't have been surprised to hear that. This was the umpteenth time this had happened. The uncles and aunts of the Harvey and Hurby extended families never cared about my parents. They broke off family ties because of a marriage that was never approved.

"Ah, thank you, aunt Meghan."

"Miss, can we help you again?" Aunt Meghan seemed to be changing the subject. I shook my head. My breakfast was over, and I was about to get ready for the funeral.

"Auntie, I'll go to my room first. If Uncle Scott comes, please let him know," I told the waitress, whom I called Aunt Meghan.

"Yes, ma'am."

At exactly two in the afternoon, Uncle Scott and I stood up to attend mom and dad's funeral. I was in tears again after crying all night and into the morning.

As their coffins were lowered, my chest rumbled. My breathing was labored, and my hands were clenched into fists against the pain. Uncle Scott knew that I could no longer stand comfortably. He quickly approached me and held both my shoulders to prevent me from falling.

Uncle Scott also took me into his warm embrace. To me, he was the best father substitute.

"Miss." Uncle Scott rubbed my head. "Don't be sad anymore. You still have a long way to go."

"I have no one in this world." I complained to Uncle Scott. My voice almost disappeared.

"There is still an uncle accompanying you, Miss."

I felt a little relieved. Uncle Scott had brought back my zest for life. I let go of his embrace to smile at the middle-aged figure I had come to think of as my own father. I wiped away the tears that were rolling down my cheeks.

"Thank you, Uncle Scott." I smiled back at him and raised my head to the sky.

"I miss you, mom and dad."