The Best Friend's Contract

Kenna

"Sixty-five thousand dollars?!" I exclaim before turning to look at Aidan who seems slightly surprised at my sudden outburst while my mother and Diana are discussing with our wedding planner but has turned to look at me, causing him to cup onto my mouth. He smiles at them as he pulls me towards the back of the wall and instantly making me push his hand away before trying to control my voice without causing a scene, "I changed my mind and I don't want to have a wedding here, anymore. Sixty-five thousand dollars is a huge deal for me... Aidan, and you know that more than anyone else," I say, frowning.

"Well, your list was filled with expensive venues and you expect otherwise?" He raises an eyebrow, leaving me speechless. "You knew about the price of renting the public library. At least fifty thousand dollars and you didn't say anything about it earlier?" Both of his brown eyes are looking back at me with slight justice, knowing I was too excited to notice the price.

I stutter, "Maybe... I didn't realise how expensive it was fifteen minutes ago. Now, I really just want to get the hell out of here and find somewhere else to held the wedding."

Honestly, I've forgotten about how badly mad I am in trying to keep things at bay especially when it comes to spending money. Ever since my family went through a terrible experience with the company, I was too scared and probably in vain on spending money carelessly. Yes, it's not going to be a problem for Aidan because it would not affect him, financially. Both of our parents are currently successful in their business and spending sixty-five thousand dollars on renting a venue for the wedding would not even be an issue for them. No matter how hard they will try to persuade me on agreeing, I'd still feel a slight regret.

"No, we're going to have the wedding here and that's final. Kenna, just try to really be open about this and just tell me what the hell you want. This is me, trying to repay you for helping me in this and I want you to know how sincere I am," He replies, "The ring, the dresses, the wedding plans, just please don't hesitate to go through with it. Don't bother about the prices,"

"You know why I'm like this," I mutter.

"I know and I want you stop being like this. It's not because I want you to carelessly spend money on unnecessary things but I want you to plan the wedding to your heart's content. Don't hold yourself back because of the price or how badly you think it might burn a hole in my pocket because this is going to be your day," He grabs onto my hand, "It's not going to last forever but at least it's going to be a part of our friendship," He adds.

That's the thing. Spending a lot of money on something that wouldn't last for more than a year has made me question it, endlessly. What's the whole point on renting a public library? If, the whole marriage isn't going to last nor will it be a huge part of our lives-just to help him go through the phase... of his mother's undeniably request.

"Is everything alright?" We both turn to look at my mother who seems worried. She raises an eyebrow at me before smiling, "The public library is available to rent for your wedding. You can start planning the decorations in a few days," She continues to speak.

"I'll go and settle the bill," Aidan says, caressing the side of my cheek with the back of his hand before making his way towards our wedding planner, Marie. My eyes wander back to my mother who seems a little bit confused yet she stays quiet, noticing that the venue is bothering me to a point, I can't even come to accept it.

"I know what you're thinking but your father and I are doing very well for the past years. What happened when you were little was very terrible but we've been fine and we will, too for the years to come. Ever since your father joined with Marc, he has never complained about any financial problems. You should worry less, sweetheart." She rubs onto my arm.

Marc Ashton, the man behind it all and also Aidan's father. He was the one who helped bring my parents' business back up on track when they were slowly going bankrupt. Everything has been going on well very and I can't seem to deny that but for some reason, I'm just too traumatic about it on ever happening again.

It's not the money that I'm worry

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about but the worries in my parents' faces. They were really devastated about it and it was killing me-as child, for not being able to help. them They were arguing more and more every single day, affected me, too and they wouldn't even stop talking about how much money they were losing with every passing

minute.

It happened because of a traitor. One traitor in the company who had sell the company's share and ruined it all.

"I'm just worried, mum." My voice came out as a whisper, "If it ever happen again, I don't know if I'm able to cope-I'd do anything to help and this is me helping," I furrow my brows.

"No. This is you, worrying. You're

worried about the possibilities of the future but honey, the possibilities of it ever happening again is something you should never worry about. Your father and I realised the mistake we both made-it was also our fault on trusting the wrong man to handle

the company's money." She

breathes out, "Believe me... we'll be

okay,"

Both of my parents wanted me to become a businesswoman. Other than being a heiress to their business, they also wanted me to have one my own while taking care of theirs when they think it'd be the right time. Unfortunately, it was my part to disappoint them on becoming a doctor-it has always been in me, to help others.

Apart from that, I've never liked business. I hated the fact of trying to deal with other clients or companies in order to achieve something bigger.

At first, my father was too upset about it but my mother supported me the whole way. When he was busy saying how he wanted me to

become a businesswoman and to take over the company when time.. mother was only encouraging me to take theth!

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want to take. He disapproved when I applied for medical school but Aidan helped to convince him.

Aidan's university was close to mine and he had listed the pros and cons of me going to medical school-apparently, the con was one. The pros were mostly because I was closer to him and that he'd be able to look out for me; my father trusted him more than anyone else and especially after his father had helped him through his worst.

"The bill's settled. What's next?" Aidan smiles as he stops near my mother and I, Diana trailing behind him.

As my mother walks ahead with Diana, Aidan tries to follow them but I hold him back by grabbing onto his forearm-causing him to turn and look at me. Both of my eyes meet his, trying to figure out words to say but nothing came out; leaving me staring back at him in silence.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"I'm sorry," I mutter under my breath as my lips curve up into a small smile, letting him smile back at me. "You're right. Maybe, I'm just overthinking or too paranoid about it but I should let it go. It felt as if something bad is going to happen again and I wanted to avoid that as much as I can... that's why I hesitated," I add, slowly.

He clenches his jaw as he sighs, "You don't have to apologise for anything. I understand if you felt pressured about it. In fact, we can still cancel the booking-" He continues to speak but I stop him by pressing harder onto his hand, causing him to raise an eyebrow at me. "No. I want to have our wedding here," I cut him off.

Just as he's about to say something, Diana has already called for us to walk ahead-knowing we don't have much time left until lunch. Then, Aidan will be heading towards the office for his meetings.