MatchMakers

Chapter 25: The Contract

A/N: It's been forever, yes I know, all is well on my end and I hope you all are staying safe during this pandemic. I know I originally said this story wouldn't exceed 25 chapters but new ideas came to mind and it will be a bit longer. So enjoy. Please don't forget to favorite, follow, and review.

A week had gone by since me and Goten split ways and even though he told me not to feel guilty about his pain I couldn't take his wise words into effect. At school I acted my usual self, but at home I sulked. Trunks would stop by occasionally if he wasn't working, bringing a box of tissues to poke fun at me before seriously telling me to cheer up and not blame myself. It was easier said than done while I wish it was the other way around. He also kept going on about how Goten would want me to be happy but at the same time how could I be happy if he wasn't happy, it wasn't fair.

I threw my book across the room, irritated that I was killing myself over this. I wanted things to go back to normal. But normal wasn't coming back anytime soon. I got up to pick up my book to hear my mother yelling Trunks was outside. He hadn't texted me he was coming, I looked out the window to indeed see a limousine parked out front. But he hadn't rode one to my house in months since I told him his grand entrance was going to blow his cover.

I made a quick call, not in the mood to leave the house. In the end I was leaving the house, he just told me to come down and said he had a surprise for me. Me being half curious and actually wanting some form of joy right now took his bait. And man did he reel me in for a surprise.

As I entered the limo I was met with his mother who gave me a small smile as she ushered me to sit. The only time I ever seen her was when we first met as she was always at work and I tried my best to avoid her since I was the cause of Trunks inheriting a new attitude of sneaking out. I wanted to shoot Trunks a dirty look for tricking me but I refrained myself.

"Hello Mrs. Briefs," I said as politely as I could.

"Bulma is fine, but it's nice to see you again Marron. You're all Trunks talks about or sneaks out to see..."

I felt her shade being thrown on me, but I choose to ignore it. I just wanted to know what was going on, was this an intervention Trunks trapped me in? I really wanted to punch the guy if that was the case. I glanced to the door on the side of me and saw how inviting it was.

"You're not in any trouble."

She seemed to have read my intent to escape. But even being assured that I wasn't in trouble didn't put my mind at ease, if I wasn't in trouble why am I here?

"I know you're wondering why you're here or why I'm here for the matter and before hand I want to apologize. We tried to break this part of the contract but were unable to."

She handed me a thick packet and I skimmed through the pages but it was the last page in the packet in very little fine print is what I read in horror.

"No, no, no, no, this can't be real." I read it over again and wasn't seeing a loophole.

It was a contract Trunks and his mother signed with the Matchmakers to find him a suitable match after his accident.

In agreement to our terms and conditions when we are able to locate a compatible match for Mr. Briefs said match is hereby authorized to participate in several promotional advertisements for our company till her service is no longer needed. If you disagree with these demands we will be unable to comply with your needs.

I was trapped, in an agreement I had no say in. This couldn't be happening. I looked up at Trunks he wouldn't look back at me, I turned to his mother and she just threw me another apology. I brought my attention to the window, finally noticing we were moving all this time. They were kidnapping me. Oh Trunks is so going to face my wrath when we get out the car.

I didn't know where exactly they were taking me but I knew it involved a place with lots of cameras. Curiosity sure killed the cat. I should've stayed in my room, curse my luck. When the car finally stopped I stared at the building Trunks held all his photo shoots in pure horror. I didn't want to go in and I wasn't going to be used as propaganda. I was a human with rights, not a thing they could use till they grew tired of. Trunks exited the limo first while I was ready to leave behind him and make a run for it, until Bulma held me back, saying she wanted a word with me alone. Foiling my elaborate plan to run where my feet would take me. Having no choice I stayed and for a couple of seconds we were in awkward silence till she coughed and finally decided to speak.

"Again I'm sorry you have to do this, I was a desperate mother wanting to make my son happy after his accident that I agreed to this contract without thinking how this will affect you. Trunks is really sorry but I ask that you not blame him, he had nothing to do with it. But he suffered many sleepless nights with this guilt and spent half his days trying to negotiate with them."

"It's fine," I tried to wave off her apology even though this situation was far from fine. I was locked in this contract. "But if it weren't for you I wouldn't have been matched with Trunks…so thanks," I said with a small smile, not able to meet her eyes with a face flushed with heat.

She hugged me, causing me to look up in surprise while my body tensed. I didn't like hugs especially surprise ones.

"Thank you," she whispered before ending the hug.

"I didn't do anything."

She chuckled lightly at my response, "Trust me you've done a lot. It showed me that I haven't been the best mother to Trunks. You really are a match sent from heaven, it's been so long since I seen him that happy in over a year. When he talks about you his face lights up and I'm grateful to you. I ask that you please continue to make my son happy."

I felt myself blush harder, I really wasn't anyone special but the way Trunks and his mother described me I was like an angel.

"I'll try my best," I responded to her request of continuing to make him happy. I really didn't expect her kind words as what I really expected was her scolding me for being somewhat of a delinquent and a bad example for Trunks.

She let me out the car saying she was delaying the photo shoot which I had totally forgotten about. My plans to runaway was spoiled as I saw two bodyguards standing near the door of the limo I assumed were for me to prevent me from escaping. Trunks knew me too well.

Once I entered the gated building I found Trunks sitting on a bench, slowly drifting off to sleep.

"Are you sure you can do this sleepyhead?"

His eyes shot open and his body jumped a little, my sudden appearance spooked his drowsiness. I held in my laugh.

He gave me a small smile, "Nothing coffee can't fix," he yawned.

"Didn't expect you to be a coffee person."

"With this job you come to like it."

I examined his face with a frown, his mother was right when she said he spent sleepless nights. He had a few bags underneath his eyes and darkened circles around his eyes.

"Oh, don't worry about this. That's why makeup and photoshop exist," he chuckled a bit as he reassured me once he noticed I was looking at his eyes.

I smirked a little at his humor but felt uneasy as he was casually speaking about being overworked, he was 17 for Pete's sake!

He got up and stretched, "I know you hate me now but I want you to know that-"

"It's okay, I know its not your fault," I interrupted his apology.

"But-"

"Come on man I'm rebuking your apology."

He cared enough to lose sleep and try to construct a new contract to prevent me from doing this, although he failed he was not to blame. It was the thought that counts right? Yet I also knew someway somehow things were going to unfold the way they had, contract or no contract me being matched with a celebrity meant goodbye to my normal life, but I also didn't think I would've made it this far, as I was planning on breaking it off the minute I was matched.

He chuckled a bit at my words, "I…" he couldn't find words but just broke out with a genuine smile which I should've predicted would lead to a hug. Why was his family huggers?

He held me tightly as if I were to disappear once he let go, "What did I do to deserve you?" He whispered sweetly into my ear.

My face grew red with heat from his words and his closeness. And he claimed to be shy. I didn't know how to react to his words except with silence.

"Alright lovebirds let's save the passion for the shoot," Pat who was making his way by the bench interjected.

He let me go, trying to hide the redness on his face from me but he failed.

"Well I'm glad you both could make it," he said cheerfully, handing Trunks a cup coffee.

I held my tongue even when I badly wanted to say we had no choice.

"So let's begin," he clapped his hands as he ushered us inside.