7. Down Payment?!

Finally, after spending two days in the hospital, Mario returned to his parents' home. His younger sister Meirasty picked him up from the hospital on her motorcycle.

"Brother Mario, aren't you teaching fitness classes anymore? Why did you join a boxing match instead?" Meirasty asked curiously, looking at her older brother’s battered face.

Holding on to his sister as she drove, Mario replied, "Work has been slow, Mei. Just pray that I can be successful again like I used to be, Little One."

Once they arrived at their parents' house, Mario’s phone buzzed with a WhatsApp message. He opened it right away.

"Good afternoon, Mario. This is Inez. Would you be available to teach private fitness sessions at my home tomorrow morning?"

A happy smile spread across Mario’s face. Ms. Inez was asking him to train her at her place. He quickly typed a reply.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Inez. Yes, I can make it. Could you please send a location share for your home address?" Mario responded.

Shortly after, a reply came from Ms. Inez. She sent her location and said she would be waiting for him the next morning.

With some hesitation, Mario thought about how he would tell Ms. Inez he was ready to accept her offer of a contract marriage.

He found himself wondering what his duties would entail as her contract husband. Would he be expected to be intimate with her as well?

Hmmm ... it had been a long time since he’d been close with a woman. The last time was probably six months ago, with his ex-wife. It would certainly be awkward.

The next morning, Mario put on his workout clothes under a jacket and rode Mirasti’s motorcycle to Ms. Inez’s house after dropping his sister off at school. He didn’t have a vehicle of his own right now.

Ms. Inez’s home was magnificent, with grounds as spacious as Bogor Palace, Mario thought in awe. The sight made him feel even more self-conscious. He pressed the doorbell.

Before long, the gate opened on its own, likely operated by an automatic system. Mario drove into the sprawling yard, searching for the main house. He felt like a country bumpkin visiting a high-ranking official.

Ms. Inez emerged from the house onto the terrace, wearing workout clothes that hugged her sleek, attractive figure. She waved to Mario with a bright laugh.

"Come here, Mario!" she called out from the terrace, gesturing for him to come closer.

Mario smiled as he parked the motorcycle in front of what felt like a palace.

"Good morning, Ms. Inez. Is it okay if I park my bike here?" he greeted her, asking about the parking spot.

Ms. Inez smiled warmly in response. "Of course, please make yourself comfortable. No one will mind it there. Come inside!"

They spent the fitness session together in high spirits, much like old times. The only difference was that once they trained at Mario’s gym, and now they were at Ms. Inez’s home. Still, her home gym had all the same equipment as his old place.

After two hours passed, the private training session came to an end.

Ms. Inez invited Mario to relax with her by the swimming pool. Lounge chairs sat under large umbrellas, and they settled there beside the wide, crystal-clear water.

"So Mario, what have you been up to lately?" Ms. Inez asked casually, smiling as she looked at him.

"Umm ... I’m still looking for work, Ms. Inez. It’s been hard to find something ...," Mario answered honestly.

Poor man, Ms. Inez thought to herself. She could still see bruises and a small cut near his temple and lips. Of course, she already knew what he’d been through. Mr. Rahardian had kept her updated on his activities.

"Have you still not considered my offer from before?" Ms. Inez asked gently, careful not to hurt his feelings.

Mario paused, unsure how to respond.

"Is that offer still open, Ms. Inez? It looks like I’m ready to accept it," he said shyly, looking down so he wouldn’t have to meet her eyes.

Hearing his answer, Ms. Inez beamed with joy. "Thank you, Mario. I promise I will respect you if we go ahead with this contract marriage."

Mario cleared his throat and lifted his gaze to meet hers. "I guess I’m just nervous ... I don’t feel like I’m good enough to be your husband."

"Hahaha, what are you talking about?! Relax, you don’t have to be scared of me. If anything, I’ll be the one taking care of you!" she teased.

Mario blushed deeply and nearly choked on his breath.

"Here, have some water," Ms. Inez said, handing him a bottle of mineral water.

She continued, "Do you have time tomorrow? We could go to the civil registry office with my notary to sign the contract documents."

"Yes, Ms. Inez. I’m ready whenever you are," Mario replied firmly.

Ms. Inez playfully nudged him. "Babe, can I ask for a 'down payment'?"

"Down payment?" Mario looked confused.

"Yeah, something to seal the deal ... would it be okay if I asked for a kiss?" she said with a laugh.

Mario shifted his seat closer to her, gently cupped her face in his hands, and pressed soft kisses to her lips. Her heart fluttered wildly, she hadn’t expected him to take her joke seriously.

Now it was Ms. Inez’s turn to blush, flustered by the sweet, tender gesture. The man she’d dreamed of had kissed her that afternoon, and she felt like she was floating on air. What a wonderful dream she must have had the night before, she thought happily to herself.