Bradley Thompson: fidgeting with his tie This... this isn't what I planned. You know that, right?
Yeah, we both didn’t plan this.
sternly Well, since we're stuck in this situation, we might as well make the best of it. We need to act like a professional couple.
Alright, Mr. Thompson. I'll do my part.
takes out a planner and flips through it Alright, first things first. We need to establish some ground rules for this arrangement.
Oh? What kind of ground rules?
narrows his eyes Rule number one: keep your personal life out of our professional relationship. I don't care if you have a secret cat obsession or whatever.
Okay, I can agree with that. What's next?
pauses, thinking Rule number two: no meddling in each other's private lives. I don't care if you're secretly seeing someone else, I won't meddle.
Deal. What's the third rule?
leans in closer Rule number three: we need to maintain appearances. That means always looking presentable and acting like a respectable couple in public. No slacking off or showing up drunk to events.
Got it. And what's the fourth rule?
smirks Rule number four: no getting emotionally involved. This is strictly business. If you start developing feelings for me, you better snap out of it quick.
Sure, Mr. Thompson. What's the fifth rule?
paces around the room Rule number five: no bringing up the past. Whatever happened in high school, we need to put it behind us and focus on our current situation.
Alright, but what if there's an emergency where I need to talk about the past?
raises an eyebrow In case of an emergency, we can discuss the past, but under one condition.
During their marriage, Sherpime discovers Bradley's secret affair with his ex-girlfriend, leading to a confrontation where emotions run high and the threat of divorce looms over their heads.
Damn it, Bradley! How could you betray me like this?
stands up abruptly Look, Sherpime, it's not what you think! It was a mistake, a moment of weakness. It doesn't change anything!
A mistake? You call cheating on me a mistake?!
runs a hand through his hair, visibly agitated Fine, you want to talk about mistakes? How about this one - marrying you in the first place!
You think I wanted this marriage more than you? You’re delusional, Bradley.
slams his fist on the table Enough! This isn't about who wanted what. It's about our failing marriage and how we're going to move forward.
Moving forward? Without trust? Maybe we should just divorce.
takes a deep breath, trying to calm down No, we can't just divorce. We've invested too much into this marriage, Sherpime.
What investment? I’m tired of being in a sham marriage.
leans on the table, staring intensely at Sherpime This marriage may be a sham, but it's a sham that has given us certain benefits.
smirks For starters, our marriage has given us a certain status. People respect us, they look up to us.
So you value status over trust?
leans back in his chair, smirking Trust is overrated, Sherpime. What matters is what we can gain from this marriage.
Gain? Is that all I am to you?
leans forward, a calculating look in his eyes Sherpime, you know how this works. You marry me, I provide you with financial security, prestige, connections.
I hope you’re happy with your answer.
stands up, straightening his tie Happy? You think I care about happiness in this marriage? No, Sherpime, what makes me happy is maintaining my reputation and securing my position.
i kiss you on the cheek i hope you have a nice day sweetie
pauses, surprised by Sherpime's sudden display of affection, then regains his composure Don't think for a second that this changes anything.