Page 2 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

I arrived to find everyone dressed in Halloween costumes, already half-drunk, laughing in the poorly lit, Halloween-decorated living room. Loud music blared. I found my brother dancing and laughing in his police costume, complete with an ugly mustache and fake glasses. Looking around, I was glad I was there, to make sure things didn’t spiral. His unit was packed. He was close to breaking the building code. Another reason I had to stay.

My brother’s friendliness is great, but a few people know he’s my younger brother, which makes him a target for some women who want to get close to me and some guys who want favors.

Over the years, Osei has learned to weed them out, but his good nature still attracts some people with hidden agendas. I, on the other hand, can count my friends on one hand. He’s a one-woman-at-a-time kind of guy, and I’m the more-the-merrier type with a few repeats in between. Hence the ring that felt heavy in my pocket. I had the jeweler pick one that would suffice and deliver it to me. No need for emotional attachment; this was to be a pure business arrangement. Though, I was still unsure if it was a wise decision to even think about taking such a step, yet it seemed like the acceptable decision with my gut churning and refusing to check on that decision.

I watched as the guests’ numbers grew. I found a spot away from the noise but kept a close eye on Osei. Soon, I noticed a woman walk in, and Osei was all excited, hugging her tightly. She was wearing a half-face lace Venetian mask, hospital scrubs, and Crocs.

Like me, the Venetian mask seemed to be the only effort she had put into her Halloween costume. My brother kissed her cheeks, holding her hand and smiling widely at her. They seemed pleased to see each other; whatever he whispered to herbrought a bright smile to her face, but her smile also captivated me. That smile should be for me only. Someone soon called Osei’s attention, and he let go of her hand. I moved closer as she surveyed her surroundings.

Finally, she looked my way, and our eyes locked. We held each other’s gaze, even as the party around us continued, but for us, time stopped. We alone existed in that moment. I had heard about the look felt across the room, but not once had it happened to me—until that evening. I was captivated, my heart pounding.

Our gaze was abruptly interrupted when a drunk clown bumped into her, jolting her. I looked away, but longed to look back at her. I didn’t understand what had happened, but I wanted to explore it.

I looked back and noticed she was now in the kitchen, filling her plate, then leaning into a corner to eat. She was attentive, watching the party, seeming content in her corner. Just as I seemed content watching her, curious about who she was and, more importantly, who she was to Osei.

I moved closer and grabbed some food. She didn’t notice me, but I found myself drawn to her. My body reacted in a way I had never experienced—a burning desire for her. I moved away immediately to avoid whatever magnetic force was drawing me to her and returned to my corner to continue my watch.

I’ve never dabbled in emotions, and I’ve always kept them at bay, especially for a serial dater like me. But I was genuinely feeling emotions for her—though I didn’t even know her name.

Osei went to check on her, and she smiled at him. He held her hand and whispered in her ear, making her laugh. Even with the mask, I could tell it was a cheerful laugh. Osei left, and I watched her head out to the balcony. Without my mental permission, my legs followed her direction.

It was a bit chilly in Chicago—not cold, but rare for October, almost November. She spread her arms out and lifted her headto the dark skies to take in the air. I watched as she breathed it all in. She must have felt my presence and turned to look at me, hands down, a slight smile curving her lips.

“Hi.” Her soft voice was a subtle calm to my stormy mind.

“Hi,” I responded to her with a fucking wide grin slapped across my half-covered face.

“I needed some air. It’s stuffy in there, plus I’ve been inside all day.”

“Yeah, me too. I need fresh air as well—too stuffy in there.”Fucking liar.

“Good,” she said, looking up again to inhale and exhale the air. I watched subtly, finding myself more drawn to her. She sat on one chair; I sat too. We sat in palpable silence, watching the city, the cool air cocooning us. The music boomed behind us, but my body was attuned to her presence.

I could sit with her forever.Where the fuck did that thought come from?You know it’s true. That’s fucked up. I didn’t need any “forever” shit. What I needed right now was the perfect arrangement that I planned to make with the ring in my pocket. In that case, go back inside.

Fuck that! I’m staying.

“The view is better on the other side,” I found myself saying impulsively to her, which was never me. Osei is impulsive, and I’m controlled, but something about her made me lose my usual self-control.

“There’s a better view than this?” She asked, looking my way, her voice tinged with curiosity and hesitation. I couldn’t see her eyes behind the mask in the dim light, but her voice was one my brain had now etched into my central system.

“Yes, I can take you there if you want.” I answered, noticing her quick hesitation.

“That’s okay, this is fine,” she said, turning her attention back to the view. That’s just buildings with lights and nothing interesting.

“I assure you, it’s better, and we won’t leave the unit. I just know where to look.” I noticed she wanted to say no, but then her body relaxed. Somehow, I noticed her resting heart rate was calm, a stark contrast to my own racing heart as I sat next to her—a strange juxtaposition. I needed to nip whatever this was; it’s definitely messing with my well-crafted sense of control.

“Okay, as long as we’re not getting into Osei’s things.” Did I detect a warning in there?

“He’ll be fine,” I said, chuckling. I rose, and I swear something inside me flipped when she rose, too.

I led us back into the unit and bypassed more party groups, with bodies in costumes gyrating to the music. I headed toward the second bedroom, which was off a small office. A bee and honey jar were making out on the sofa in the office. I opened the bedroom door, and she hesitated.

“I just want to show you the view, nothing else,” I said. She nodded, and the bee and honey jar making out on the loveseat didn’t look our way. I opened the door and left it open, dashing toward the sliding door that led to the balcony. Opening it, I pulled back the curtain and turned to see that she was still at the door. I widened the door so she could see the view of Navy Pier and the moonlight kissing Lake Michigan. She slowly ventured into the room, leaving the door wide open.

We stepped onto the balcony. “It’s more beautiful, isn’t it?” I watched her smile. I liked seeing her smile. She inhaled the air again, wrapped her arms around herself, and stared at the open view. I watched her, trying not to ogle her. The half of her face I could see—mostly her full lips—had me intrigued and wanting to see what she looked like.

“Thank you for showing me this,” she said. I nodded. She dug into her pocket to get a scrunchie and pulled her braids into a ponytail. As she moved, it revealed a scar on her arm. Without thinking, I grabbed her arm. Unexpected fury built up in me at the thought of someone harming her.

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