“Whether you like it or not, I’m going to marry you, Jillian,” Sir Zach told me. His face was dead serious, as if he had already made up his mind.
​”What do you mean, marry me? Hey! Just because you’re rich doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want! There is no reason for me to marry someone like you!” I snapped at him.
​It felt like he was trying to dictate every single thing I did, even though he wasn’t even my boyfriend.
​”I have a reason to marry you, Jillian. Something happened between us, don’t you remember? You were actually the one who kissed me that night you were completely wasted,” he reminded me, a smirk playing on his lips.
​I swallowed hard at his words. Right. Something did happen between us. But it wasn’t intentional. Someone had drugged my drink, which was why I acted that way the night he pulled me away from the “friends” I thought were genuine.
​”So, there’s no reason to say ‘no,’ my future wife,” he said with a wink.
​It looks like there’s no way out for me. I’m actually going to be the wife of Sir Zach-my professor and the one person I’m always at odds with.
A Contract Marriage with My Professor Chapter 1 (Misunderstood Pregnancy)
JILLIAN’S POV
“BARTOLOME, JILLIAN,” I recited my name aloud as I scanned the list posted on the classroom wall.
I nearly choked on my bubble gum when I saw the results of the entrance examination for Gardon University. It was one of the most prestigious institutions in New York City. And guess what? A simple girl from the province like me had actually passed.
“Congrats, Jillian! You’re so smart!” my classmates cheered. They were all celebrating my achievement, but I could hardly believe it myself; it felt like a dream.
“Thanks, guys! Congratulations to you, too. You all did your best,” I replied with a wide smile.
I headed home floating on air, eager to share the news. I knew my parents would be incredibly proud of the scholarship I had secured.
“Ma?! Pa?!” I shouted, calling out for them. I headed straight to the farm to break the news. My parents were farmers, and it warmed my heart knowing how much they had sacrificed to support my education.
“Oh, Jillian? Didn’t I tell you not to come out here? You’ll get mud on your uniform,” my mother said, looking concerned about my white blouse.
“Mama, please. It’s my last day of high school, so it’s fine if it gets a little dirty,” I answered, excitement still bubbling in my chest.
“Your daughter has quite a smile on her face, Lourdes. I think she has something to tell you that you’ll love,” my uncle remarked, as if sensing what was on my mind.
“You’re right, Uncle. I do! I got a SCHOLARSHIP TO GARDON UNIVERSITY IN NEW YORK!!!” I announced. I felt like my voice echoed across the entire field.
“Really? You passed? Does that mean you’re going to study in the city?” Mom asked, clearly bursting with pride.
“Yes, Ma. I’ll be studying there for free. Best of all, I’ll receive a generous allowance because of the scholarship. You and Papa won’t have to struggle to put me through a University anymore,” I said, beaming. I saw a tear escape the corner of my mother’s eye-tears of pure joy.
“Me and your father are so proud of you. Study hard there, Jillian. And no boyfriends yet,” she reminded me.
Papa approached and gave my shoulder a gentle pat. “Don’t worry, Jillian. When your mom and I have time, we’ll visit you in New York. Be careful there. Tell me immediately if anyone tries to court you, and I’ll have my machete ready,” Papa joked.
“Pa, Ma, you’re being silly. I won’t get a boyfriend there, I’m not even that pretty. Besides, the students at that University are all rich-no one will probably even look at me,” I pouted. That was the first worry that hit me when I thought about the big city.
“Get that thought out of your head, Jillian. I’m telling you now, you are beautiful. You have a classic beauty. So don’t ever say you’re ugly, because it isn’t true,” Mom said, boosting my confidence.
“Yes, Ma. Thank you. I love you both,” I replied affectionately.
After our talk, we had a small celebration at home to mark my high school graduation and my admission to Gardon University. I was excited but also a bit nervous; this would be my first time away from my parents. I’ll get used to it. I had to stay strong for my family.
“Congratulations again, Jillian!!!” the farmers cheered happily. They were like family to me; I often worked in the fields with them on weekends, and that was how we had bonded.
“Thank you so much!” I waved back at them.
That night, I packed my things. I couldn’t sleep because I was too restless-that’s just how I get when I’m excited. Even though there was still plenty of time before the semester started, I decided to head to New York early to familiarize myself with the place. It was better to know my way around the streets and the subway before classes began.
I gave my parents a tight hug before boarding the bus. “Goodbye! I’ll call you once I arrive in New York!” were my final words.
I took my seat and, eventually, exhaustion claimed me. I didn’t know how many hours the trip took, but I woke up to the driver calling out the final stop.
“Miss, we’re in New York City. Last stop,” he said.
“Okay, thank you,” I replied. I hurriedly grabbed my luggage and stepped off the bus.
I was feeling hungry, so I started looking for a place to eat. Since it was my first time in such a massive city, I felt overwhelmed by the noise and the thick smell of exhaust fumes.
“Ugh. This is hard. I think I’m going to be sick,” I muttered to myself. I sat down on the sidewalk, massaging my temples to fight off the dizziness.
Suddenly, someone stopped in front of me and held out a bill. A one-thousand-dollar bill. I stared at the money in total shock. Slowly, I lifted my head to see who it was, but his face was hidden behind a mask.
“Just take the money. I hate seeing beggars on the street corner,” he said, his voice cold and sharp.
Wait-beggar? Do I really look like a beggar to him?
“Look, I don’t know your story. But I hope you’ve learned not to get pregnant so early so you don’t end up in this position again,” he added.
Before I could find my voice, he dropped the money into my bag and walked away. I couldn’t even chase after him; I just stared at the thousand dollars.
“Arrogant jerk. He really thought I was pregnant? With a body fit like this? Tsk,” I grumbled, annoyed.
I was about to stand up when I felt the soft, small pillow I had tucked under my dress. I had a habit of placing a pillow against my stomach when I slept to keep it from aching during long trips.
“W-wait… was it because of this that he thought I was pregnant?” I realized, finally putting the pieces together.
A Contract Marriage with My Professor Chapter 2 New City, New Friend
JILLIAN’S POV
Despite that guy’s rude attitude, I still chose to be thankful. At least he added a lot of money to my savings.
New York City was really something-apparently, if you just sat in a corner, people would hand you money. How fancy was that, right? For a second, I almost thought about becoming a beggar just for the cash. But of course, I was only joking. My mother would probably fly here just to yell at me.
“Ma’am, I’ll have the beef stew and one rice, please,” I said as I ordered at a small food stall.
After walking for a while, I finally found a place to eat that fit my taste and my budget. Most of the places I passed earlier were fancy restaurants for rich people. I couldn’t afford to eat there.
To put it simply, I had to save my money. Life here was going to be hard. Since I was new, I wasn’t used to the fast pace yet. I needed to know my limits.
“Hmm… delicious!” I whispered when the food arrived.
I didn’t waste any time and ate immediately. I needed to move fast because I still had to find my boarding house. I didn’t want to be out when it got dark. I planned to ask for directions to make the search easier.
“Here is my payment, Ma’am. Your food is great. Thank you!” I said, handing over the money. I made sure to give the cook a nice compliment.
I walked fast and asked people for directions to the house my uncle mentioned. He was the one who told my father about a relative in the city who rented out rooms. But it took me a few minutes, until I finally found it.
It was a success; the house looked nice and clean. It was very pleasant to look at.
“Your name is Jillian?” a woman asked. She was old, and I guessed she was the owner. She looked very strict.
“Yes, Ma’am. I’m Jillian Bartolome,” I replied quickly. I didn’t want to make her wait.
“Then come inside so I can show you your room,” she said loudly.
I felt a bit nervous. Just by looking at her, I knew we wouldn’t be close.
“Hurry up. I have a card game to play,” she added, and I followed her.
We went up to the second floor.
“This is the girls’ room. There are four of you in this home. Also, in this house, therr is only one bathroom. So, learn how to get along,” she explained. “Power and water are free, but there is a curfew every night.” She didn’t stop talking as she told me the rules.
She said a lot, but only one thing stayed in my mind.
“Wait… a curfew?” I asked.
“Yes, a curfew. I don’t want girls staying out late and getting into trouble. Is that clear?” she asked with her hands on her hips. She was very honest and direct.
She probably thought I was a wild girl. But I have been single since birth, so she had nothing to worry about. Besides, I didn’t plan to find a boyfriend in the city. After meeting the guy from earlier and this lady, I was already tired of how people acted here. Everyone was so quick to judge.
“Yes, Ma’am. Clear,” I answered. I wanted to say more, but I got scared everytime she stared at me.
When I was on the bus, I even prayed my landlord would be kind. I guess I was wrong. She was like a scary dragon.
“Good. The rent is five hundred dollars a month.” She held out her hand for the money right away. “Maybe you want to pay now so I can use it for gambling later?”
I frowned. She was so fast-no small talk, she just wanted the money. Unbelievable!
“Huh?” was all I could say. Because I was scared of her eyes, I quickly took three hundred from my wallet and gave it to her.
“Here it is. I will pay the other two hundred later,” I said.
She grabbed it without saying thank you. I shook my head, realizing my money would be gone soon. I really needed to be careful with my spending.
“She charges so much. I thought I would get a discount. I feel like I’m being scammed,” I whispered to myself.
Just then, a girl came out of the bathroom. She had just finished a shower. She was pretty, and I felt better just seeing her. She smiled at me, and I smiled back. I could tell she was friendly.
“Are you the new roommate?” she asked.
“Yes. Hi there,” I said.
“I’m Roxane. Nice to meet you. I hope we become friends!” she said, offering her hand.
“I’m Jillian. And yes, I want to have a friend here. It’s my first time in the city, and everything feels so different since it’s a big city,” I said.
“Yes, the city is huge. But it’s not always safe. There are thieves and bad people, so you have to be brave,” Roxane warned.
Her words made me a little scared. In my small town, “trouble” was just neighbors shouting at each other.
“Well, don’t worry. Even if bad things happen here, there are many handsome guys too in this City. Maybe you will find a boyfriend. But anyway, why are you here? Are you looking for a job?” she asked while brushing her hair.
“Not really. I’m here to study. But if I can, I might look for a part-time job,” I told her.
“You’re a student? Wow! Congrats! Most people from the provinces come here just to work for high pay. I’m glad you’re studying. So, where?”
“At Gardon University. I got a scholarship,” I replied, sitting down next to her.
Roxane looked very shocked. I tapped her shoulder and laughed. “Hey, why that face?”
“Are you serious? You’re at Gardon? Oh my god! Don’t you know? The students there are children of famous leaders and rich businessmen. They are the elite.”
“I know. That’s why I feel lucky. How about you? Are you still studying?” I asked her.
“I’m not. I work at a call center. I wanted to go back to University, but I like my job now,” she said.
Roxane and I talked for a long time. She was a good person. She talked a lot just like me, so I knew we would be close.
Like I promised my mom, I called them to say I arrived safely. I missed them already, but I had to be strong for my future. This was just the start. I had a lot to face, and I would be brave.
“I love you, Ma. Don’t worry, I will tell you everything. Just please… take care of my water buffalo. He must be alive when I get back,” I joked, trying to hide that I was homesick.
I didn’t want my parents to think I was weak, or they might make me come home. They always worried too much when I cried.
That is how it is when you are an only child, you are loved very much.
A Contract Marriage with My Professor Chapter 3 Applying for a Job
JILLIAN’S POV
​Three days had passed since I moved to the city. My stay was going well, mostly because Roxane had become my best friend. Enrollment at Gardon University was only a few days away, though classes hadn’t started yet.
​”Hi Roxane, have you eaten yet? I cooked breakfast. You might be hungry,” I said to her.
​She usually came home in the early morning, right when I was waking up at 5:00 AM. To thank her for being so kind to me, I had made it a habit to cook for her. We shared our food budget, so while I had no classes yet, I chose to do the cooking at the boarding house. I was used to waking up early back home anyway, so I did it every day.
​”Thanks, Jillian, but I’m so sleepy. Maybe I’ll eat later,” she replied before throwing herself onto her soft bed.
​Roxane’s job was really tough. Working at a call center meant she never got enough sleep. You really need a lot of patience for that job if you want to earn your own income. Since she was tired, I ended up eating my fried eggs and garlic rice alone. I rarely got to eat with Roxane at this hour because she was always exhausted.
​I decided that since school hadn’t started yet, I would try to find a temporary job. I didn’t want to spend all the money my parents had given me. I felt bad relying on them; we are not rich, and their budget was tight. I didn’t want them to work so hard while I just waited for them to send money. I couldn’t let that happen, so I went out to look for a part-time job.
​After breakfast, I took a bath and put on a simple outfit: just a T-shirt and jeans. Even though my clothes were simple, I felt confident. Many people back home had told me I was pretty, so I kept that in mind to stay positive.
​It was exactly 7:00 AM when I left the boarding house. I immediately smelled the exhaust from the cars. Smelling the city air made me miss the fresh breeze of the province.
​”Where should I apply?” I asked myself. “Maybe a small shop? Or a fast-food place? Well, I’ll see where I get lucky.”
​I walked around, keeping my eyes open for “Hiring” signs. While walking, I saw an old woman who was having a hard time crossing the street. I didn’t think twice; I went over to help her.
​”Good morning, Ma’am. I don’t mean to meddle, but it’s dangerous for someone like you to walk here alone. The cars drive very fast,” I told her.
​I felt a bit shy saying it, but I was worried about her. She was old and shouldn’t have been crossing in this street by herself. The people around here didn’t seem to care; no one else had offered to help.
​”Thank you, dear. But I’m not crossing the street,” she said.
​I was shocked. I felt a little embarrassed. I had tried to be a hero, but she didn’t actually need my help to cross.
​”Oh? You’re not crossing? Then what are you doing here, Ma’am?” I asked. This old lady had really given me a scare for nothing!
​”I’m just waiting for my son. He’s taking a long time, so I keep looking at the cars, hoping he sees me,” she explained.
​”I see. But please be careful. Don’t stand too close to the road,” I advised her.
​”Thank you,” she replied simply.
​”You’re welcome. Well, I’ll be going now. Take care, Ma’am! And please tell your son he shouldn’t leave you waiting like this. If I were your child, I would go with you everywhere,” I said, waving goodbye.
​I couldn’t stand the thought of a parent waiting like that. Why couldn’t the son just stay with her? In my mind, that son had a very bad attitude. But then again, why was I worrying about that? I was starting to act like a gossip.
​As I continued my job hunt, I found a fast-food place. The manager was about to interview me, but there was a problem-the owners arrived. The staff had to hurry to serve their boss.
​So, my interview was canceled. What a bad luck! I almost had a job, but it slipped away.
​”Just come back and apply another time, okay? Maybe tomorrow. Our bosses are here, and we need to serve them. It’s rare for the mother and son to visit,” the manager told me.
​”Sure, no problem,” I replied.
​It was such bad timing. But who were these owners? They must have been very rich. The restaurant was beautiful and looked very expensive.
​”Sir is here! Hurry, Madam is with him!” I heard the manager shout.
​I wanted to see who they were, but it was too crowded. I didn’t get a chance to see them, so I decided to just head back to the boarding house.
​But as I walked out the exit, I accidentally bumped into a man. I hit my head against his chest. His body felt like stone-he clearly spent a lot of time at the gym.
​”Ouch! Watch it! That really hurt. You should learn how to look where you’re going!” I snapped at him.
​I didn’t know if he was just confused or being rude. I was clearly at the exit, and he had tried to come in through there even though there was a separate entrance! But the guy didn’t even say sorry. He just walked straight inside.
​Unbelievable! I didn’t even get to see his face, and I didn’t care to know him anyway. What a rude person!
​”You’re lucky I’m applying here tomorrow. If not, I would have punched you,” I muttered angrily.
​That was the second time I had met a man with no respect and no manners. I walked home in a bad mood, and Roxane noticed it immediately. She was awake and eating when I got back.
​”What’s the problem? Did you get into a fight?” she guessed.
​”Not exactly. I just don’t understand the men in this city! On my first day, a guy judged me and thought I was pregnant. Now, another guy bumps into me and doesn’t even say sorry! It’s too much!” I complained.
​Roxane just laughed at my reaction.
​”You’re cute, Jillian. I don’t know if I should feel sorry for you,” she chuckled. “Anyway, I told you the city is different from the province. People here are different. You’ll get used to it. If a man won’t respect you, then punch him to wake him up.”
​I nodded in agreement. She had a point. The problem was, I didn’t even see the guy’s face.
​”Fine. I won’t let any man look down on me again. They’ll taste a punch from a province girl. I have a strong grip,” I said bravely.
​My body was used to hard work, so I knew my punch would be strong enough to knock someone out. I wasn’t a fighter back home, but here in the city, I was ready to show my tough side.