Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime
Chapter 129: Festival Mission Setup

Chapter 129: Festival Mission Setup

Zephany’s face grew warm, unreasonably so. The mental image was too vivid. It felt almost real. As if it had happened. As if it could happen.

She shook her head, cheeks burning now. Her fingers had stilled on the keyboard, and she realized she hadn’t typed a single word since sitting down. Not one.

Another image.

This time he was painting.

The light from their living room window spilling over his shoulder as he sat by the easel, brush in hand, completely absorbed in his work. Except instead of canvas, it was her. Her face. Her features, rendered stroke by stroke with quiet affection.

What is wrong with me?

She could feel the heat creeping up her neck, practically reaching her ears now.

She turned sharply, eyes narrowing, and glared at Pia who sat just a few feet away at her own desk, still typing away like she hadn’t just emotionally derailed her best friend.

Pia must have felt the stare. She looked up, eyes wide in mock innocence. "What?"

Zephany didn’t say anything. She only gave her a long, accusing look before spinning back around in her chair and slumping against the backrest.

Pia giggled softly. "You’re welcome," she muttered under her breath.

Zephany covered her face with her hands again.

What is happening to me?

It wasn’t like she had never thought Kendrick was attractive. She did. She always had. Even during those awkward, quiet first few days of marriage when they barely spoke unless necessary, she had noticed how effortlessly handsome he was. Gentle. Calm. Almost too calm.

But lately, something shifted.

It wasn’t just how he looked. It was the way he sat on the couch, a mug of tea in hand, reading while soft music played in the background. The way his eyes lit up when talking about his mom and sister.

How he walked silently to the kitchen at night and came back with an extra snack for her without saying a word, or how he always opened the car door for her.

It was the small things. The little pieces of him that weren’t loud but stayed with her long after he had left the room.

And now, because of Pia’s teasing, her brain decided to loop those moments on repeat.

She leaned forward again, resting her chin on one hand as she stared blankly at her monitor.

So this is what Pia meant.

Her breath caught.

So... I do really like him?

The thought landed so quietly she almost missed it. But once it settled, it stayed there, beating gently beneath her ribs.

She didn’t fight it.

Not this time.

---

Cassius stood by the tall windows of his office, his gaze lost in the skyline, eyes half-lidded with thought. The sky was pale with morning light, the city beginning to stir. Behind him, the soft hum of the room’s climate control filled the space, blending with the faint clicking of Sophia’s heels as she entered the room.

He didn’t turn to face her when he spoke. "Sophia. I need you to arrange something."

Sophia paused a few steps behind him. "What kind of something, sir?"

Cassius finally turned, his expression unreadable but with a glint of something sly in his blue eyes. "A festival is coming up, isn’t it? The Spring Lights one, right? The one with fireworks and couples’ events."

Sophia blinked. "Yes. It’s one of the most public and well-covered festivals. Why?"

He stepped forward, hands behind his back. "Our married agents. Kendrick and Zephany. They need to attend. As a couple. A very believable, affectionate couple."

Sophia raised an eyebrow, her face still composed. "You want to use the festival for a mission objective?"

Cassius gave a low chuckle. "Not exactly. Think of it more like... relationship development."

Now she narrowed her eyes slightly, uncertain if he was serious.

"It’s been two months since their arrangement began," he went on. "They’re still dancing around each other like awkward teenagers. When will we see some real progress? A spark, a confession, anything? This is the perfect setting. Colorful, crowded, romantic. Send them together. Let’s see what blooms."

Sophia gave a light sigh, but a hint of amusement tugged at her lips. "You want me to officially assign them to a public display of affection."

Cassius smirked. "Call it a mission. That will make it easier for them to swallow."

She nodded. "Understood. I’ll send the briefing this morning."

---

[112 Days Left to Live]

Back in the quiet of their apartment, morning sunlight poured softly through the windows of the dining area. The smell of toast and eggs lingered in the air.

Kendrick and Zephany sat across from each other, sharing a quiet, peaceful breakfast. The clinking of silverware was the only sound between them until both of their phones chimed at the same time.

Zephany blinked and picked hers up. Kendrick reached for his. They both read Sophia’s message in silence.

Sophia:

Operation: Spring Lights

You are to attend the Spring Lights Festival as a loving married couple.

Full-day coverage.

Blend in, record footage, gather observation data.

Maintain your cover — no slip-ups.

Cassius is watching.

Enjoy yourselves.

Zephany let out a sigh, setting her phone down beside her plate.

Kendrick exhaled through his nose and gave a short chuckle. "Seems we have a married couple task today from Cassius."

Zephany nodded slowly. "Yeah. You’re right. Another... mission."

They both looked at each other, and the mood shifted slightly. Just for a moment, the air felt heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Zephany looked away first, focusing on her half-eaten toast. The reminder of their contract marriage settled awkwardly between them.

Kendrick lowered his gaze, thoughts churning. He hadn’t even thought about the contract lately. They’d fallen into a rhythm—peaceful breakfasts, casual conversations, quiet evenings. It was easy to forget it was all just part of a mission. Easy to forget they weren’t... real.

Zephany played with the edge of her plate, cheeks slightly pink. Her heart beat just a little faster. They had been comfortable lately, like housemates learning to coexist without friction. This sudden reminder, however, reset everything.

Trying to lighten the mood, Kendrick spoke again. "Well, we better get ready. I guess they want us looking... convincingly in love."

Zephany let out a small, nervous laugh. "Right. Let’s... do our best."

He stood, giving her a small nod. "I’ll go change."

"Okay," she replied softly, gathering their dishes.

As they moved to their separate rooms, the silence that lingered wasn’t uncomfortable—but it held a strange kind of warmth and tension. A growing realization.

---

An hour later, the black car Sophia arranged pulled up in front of the apartment complex. It gleamed in the morning sun, sleek and polished. The driver stepped out, opening the rear door.

Kendrick stood on the sidewalk, dressed in a navy button-up and a pair of dark jeans, casual yet smart. He spotted Zephany emerging from the entrance and couldn’t help but stare for a moment.

She wore a soft yellow sundress that complimented her figure, paired with a denim jacket and white sneakers. Her hair was loosely tied back, strands framing her face. When she noticed his gaze, her steps faltered slightly.

"You look... nice," Kendrick said, meeting her at the car.

Zephany’s cheeks turned pink. "Thanks. You too."

He gestured toward the open door. "Shall we?"

She nodded. "Let’s go."

He placed a hand lightly at her back as she got in, then followed her. Once inside, the doors closed and the car smoothly pulled away.

For a while, the silence remained. Outside the windows, the city passed by. The streets were lively, decorations already up for the festival—strings of lanterns, flags, and flower arches stretched across roads and alleys.

Zephany shifted in her seat and stole a glance at Kendrick. "So... do you think they’ll actually make us hold hands or something?"

He smiled faintly. "Probably. Wouldn’t be a convincing couple otherwise."

She sighed. "I’m not really good at... pretending."

He tilted his head slightly, watching her with curiosity. "You’ve been doing a great job so far."

Zephany blinked at him, surprised. She looked down at her lap. "Thanks."

Kendrick turned his gaze out the window again, but a soft smile remained. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.

"You know," he said after a while, his tone casual but warm, "We should probably come up with a few believable backstories. Just in case someone asks. How we met, our favorite things, that kind of stuff."

Zephany nodded. "Right. Like a script."

He chuckled. "Exactly. So... where did we meet?"

She hesitated, then smiled shyly. "A bookstore. You were browsing poetry, and I thought that was strange because you don’t look like a poetry guy."

He raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh really? And what made you talk to me?"

"You were muttering about how none of the books had the ending you wanted," she said, surprising herself with how easily it came. "So I gave you a recommendation."

Kendrick nodded thoughtfully. "That’s actually pretty believable."

They shared a smile, the earlier tension dissolving. Maybe, just maybe, this mission would be easier than expected.

And maybe, pretending wouldn’t feel like pretending at all.

Because if they were just honest with themselves, they would see they were actually falling for each other, a little more with each passing day.