Love by Contract
Okay, love me some Noah Fearnley. I can’t lie, if he’s in it, it’s good. Even when it’s bad, it’s still good. That’s how I roll. Anyway, this is actually quite cute, and Noah is there too. I think I first saw him in Scents and Sensibility: Two Fated Mates or in the Back of the Unwanted Bride. That was ages ago now…at least in Vertical Drama years :)
The high: Noah, Noah, Noah…and there are some other people in there too. Just kidding, Rachel Coopes is amazing. I have loved her in everything I have seen her in. The seem really sweet together.
All spoilers and no filters ahead.
Viewed on GoodFM; not one of my favorite apps. They only offer 4 coins per ad (20 a day) which is only enough to unlock 1 episode, Also, they are one of those companies that dump bonus coins after 5 days, which is annoying. It seems to take a long time to watch dramas on this app because I WILL NOT PAY FOR IT, cause Fru-Gals and all. They do offer 10 free with ad unlocks, but it’s annoying for EVERY episode to unlock with ads only.
Anyway, I digress. Poor little Nia (Rachel Coopes), wait, no, HOT Nia is taking some selfies of herself in a tight outfit she sends to her husband. Nia works at an adult store and divorce papers are delivered to her at work from her husband Marcus. She tried calling him, but no answer. Instead she gets a call for EXTRA SMALL condoms to be delivered.,,to HER house. Nia is pissed, grabs the papers and heads home. It’s revealed that the woman calling was her half-sister, Arielle. Nia grabs her selfie stick and heads inside. Apparently, her sister is a model so exposing her to the gram might her her reputation. Marcus claims she’s boring in bed and Nia rightly asks and you fix that by cheating on me?!? Marcus insists he’s not cheating because he sent her the divorce papers.
Nia says she’s not going to sign the papers until she sends Arielle’s cheating video to the modeling agency, but Arielle has the upper hand. She has control of her mother’s antiques. Girl, your mother and mine would say “send those antiques to the dump and fuck that guy over!” But Nia caves and signs papers that give up her rights to EVERYTHING. Nia walks out and heads to the bar. She’s drinking her ass off and complains about being boring in bed and Marcus’ micropeen. She tries hitting on Leo, but he quickly sees she’s drunk and tells her so. She doesn’t let that stop her though as she climbs out of her seat and onto him. She starts kissing his neck and then wakes up in a bed confused. She spots Leo and calls him a rapist. And he corrects her that she was ALL OVER him last night. Flashes of the touching, kissing and naked skin (Leo’s) come screaming back. Nia is apologetic and tells him she’ll pay him for his time and tries to rush out.
Leo calls his assistant, Kyle, over to fill her in on all his booty call offers, one lady offering $3 million for just one night. He teases her that if she can’t match that offer, she can marry him. He needs a wife to care for him because he doesn’t have time to find a lady on his own…and he’ll pay her! Nia is like, a “Wife for Hire?” and Leo confirms and places a $3 million check in her hand. When she doesn’t immediately jump up and down and squeal like a promposal he tells her to take 3 days to think it over and contact Kyle if she wants to say yes to the dress.
Nia is standing there stunned when she gets a text that she has an interview for Starlight Entertainment and she rushes off for the interview. The interview is not going well, one is an obvious yes and the other a no. She leaves and runs into Leo waiting in the parking lot. He and Nia take off and she spots a plane. While chatting to Leo she shares a personal story and he tells Kyle to buy her one, she’s stunned. Her phone rings and she got the job! She tries to see if it was Leo’s doing but it isn’t owned by Trinity (Leo’s company), however Leo has paperwork for Starlight Financing that he hides from Nia.
Marcus gets bad news about his business dealings failing and Arielle tries to pump him up and creates a plan for Nia being traded to his business partner for money. Nia is fucking stupid and agrees to meet with Arielle to “talk” about her mother. Nia arrives to Arielle flinging a folder at her and says her parents divorced because her mom was terminally ill but it’s okay because even sick, her mom was a giant ho. Nia is tore up and walks out, right into Arielle’s trap, she’s on the phone with Leo when she is knocked out. She wakes, tied to a bed, with a bald man leering over her. She fights him and pretends to cooperate to get free and hits him with a bottle. She flees and is about to be attacked again when Leo karate chops the guy and saves her.
Nia passes out and wakes in a bubble bath with Leo sitting beside her. She feels grateful and wants to take up his offer, but Leo says, “Naw, forget about it, we’re cool.” Nia interrupts to tell him that she wants to be his wife, but why her? Leo doesn’t answer. They later come to their agreement. Their one year contract is to be secret and they don’t meddle in each other’s lives. Leo tries to hand Nia a credit card but she refuses and when he insists she takes it, she agrees but hides it in a drawer.
Nia’s first day and she is already getting chewed out by her boss. She’s late (on time, but he expects a new hire to be early) and she doesn’t look pretty. Nia is flummoxed. He dumps a bunch of work on her due at the end of the week. Nia meets the other guy Ryan, and through her work montage it’s clear he’s crushing on her and she’s laughing it up with him as well. She turns her work in to her boss and he makes a sexist remark about sticking to what “girls are good at.” Leo sees her working and compliments her and she says she was working on the color scheme for ages. Leo corrects her and says, no, your ideas are good. Nia whips around to look at him. They are within kissing distance and she asks Leo for his professional opinion. He helps her while Nia turns out and stares at his handsome, handsome face. Nia pulls him in for a kiss and Leo returns for more.
Later, Leo sends Kyle to invest in Starlight. Ryan tells her to call in sick tomorrow because her boss showed her proposal to the investors and they hated it. Boss chews Nia out on the floor about losing Trinity’s money forever and Leo arrives. He tells Boss that it was him that was the problem and he’ll invest if Boss resigns because he stole the proposal. Boss puts two and two together and realizes that Nia and Leo know one another and Leo reveals that Nia is his wife. Ryan has an “oh damn” look on his face and slinks away. Boss is all “Nia is great!”
At dinner Leo is still chuckling over Boss’s reaction to finding out Nia is his wife. Leo tells her that she should be the head of talent. When Nia asks about Boss Leo says that guys is a walking sexual harassment lawsuit. Nia worries about the optics, but girl, you married Richie Rich, get your bag. Who GAF if you married and got the job? At the table Leo gets a call from Marcus that he leaves the table to take. Ryan defends Nia when a coworker is all new husband, new job. Leo gives Nia an assignment to meet with a rep to decide if they should do business with another company. He also teases her to do her “wifely duties.” Dirty Leo, hell yeah! Ahh, never mind, he just wants her to be his date to a masquerade party. Lame.
Marcus arrives at Starlight and eww. Marcus is the new business opportunity. Marcus is talking shit to Nia and accuses Nia of fucking Leo for her job. Just then Leo calls Nia to the breakroom to explain her relationship with Marcus. Nia is worried and tries to explain and Marcus makes more “she’s a fucking whore, dude” comments. Leo tells her if he knew she was divorced he wouldn’t have made her deal with his shitty ex. Leo gives him the boot. He apologizes to Nia and she’s like we dodged a bullet.
Arielle is disappointed to hear that Marcus got on Leo’s bad side, but also she’s done with him and tells him to pack his shit and GTFO of her house. Arielle is posting on socials about going to an acting showcase at Starlight. Nia runs into her and Arielle tells her off, but Nia is wearing sunglasses so she didn’t recognize Arielle and Arielle didn’t recognize her. So, wigs, masks and now sunglasses. Man, if criminals knew about these simple and cheap disguises, no one would EVER recognize them at all! Anway, Nia can’t wait to show Arielle she’s the boss. Her first task, firing whoever invited Arielle to audition. Arielle talks shit to Nia the whole time they walk in and Nia enjoys revealing her identity as the director of talent. Arielle tries to backpedal but can’t. Later Ryan and Nia are giggling over the audacity of her sister and Ryan continues being flirty, wiping sauce off Nia’s face when Leo arrives. Ooooh, he looks completely jelly and tells her it’s time to go.
Nia chases after Leo and he tells her that he thinks Ryan should take over some projects overseas. Nia asks what about her and Leo is confident she can run the business by herself. She asks how and Leo tells her that she’s got him. Nia clues in that Leo might be jealous but then they LOUDLY remind each other it’s a contract marriage and somehow Arielle is still there getting the 411 straight from the horses’ mouth (Micro-trope #11)! Leo walks off and Nia chases after him.
At the party, Leo is dancing with a masked woman (Arielle) when Nia walks in. Arielle apologizes for the Ryan stuff and Leo does too. Nia is stopped by a man wearing a half mask that says he’s in charge of a project looking for a talent agency. C’mon Nia, it’s the fucker that kidnapped you before…you can’t see that? So dumb, it’s not like it’s a Vader mask. He wants to go somewhere quieter to discuss business and he leads her straight into his dungeon. Meanwhile, Leo is asking “Nia” about the heels he bought her and when he goes in for a kiss removes her mask and discovers Arielle. Nia is being whipped with a crop by her kidnapper and Leo runs in and saves her.
Back home Nia is “fine” the kind of fine you know is NOT FINE and Leo insists on letting him help her. He’s icing her arm, pretty sure it’s her ass and back that need attention, but sure. Leo explains to Nia that Arielle and him were just dancing and the contract says do your own thing. Nia said if that’s true then when did you try to send Ryan away. Leo half heartedly explains he wasn’t jealous and then finally confesses he’s worried about losing Nia when the contract is over. Nia leans over and kisses him telling him he won’t lose her.
The next morning Nia is walking down the stairs looking for Leo when another woman with suitcases is calling for Leo. It’s his grandma! She’s pissed she didn’t know about the marriage and gives Nia the ultimatum that she better convince her she’s worthy of her Leo. Nia is freaked and even googles “How to be a good wife” for answers (cute!). Leo reassures her that Grandma wants him to be married and would even set him up on blind dates. Nia asked if he didn’t like any other them and Leo says the funniest line, “I believe it’s easiest to find true love through contact marriage.” Hahahahaha, Nia chuckles along with him and says she still has to convince grandma. Leo suggests a home cooked meal. Nia says let’s go!! Cute cooking montage of the couple flirt cooking together.
Grandma asked if Leo helped and he lies and says it as all Nia. Grandma tells Nia it’s awful after the first bite and need a big swallow of wine. Nia feels terrible but Grandma surprises her by telling her she’s going to make a great wife. She was spying on them and saw them working together to support one another. She knows Nia is a special lady for her Leo and she gifts her with a present from Leo’s dad a beautiful diamond bracelet. Nia runs to her bedroom and pulls out a matching diamond necklace she has in her nightstand. Nia goes down the next morning and probes Leo about it. His dad killed himself when Leo was a kid. Nia is confused. Grandma starts questioning Nia about Leo being an adequate husband (she’s really asking if he’s good in bed, lol) because he’s only had one relationship before. Then asks if Leo told her anything about Sadie. Grandma flees and Leo turns to Nia to explain about Sadie, but Nia is like, calm down everyone has a past. He explains they were old family friends and he’s not even sure they’re still friends because he didn’t talk to her after they broke up.
The doorbell rings and it’s SADIE looking stupidly beautiful. Nia’s eyes get WFT big and Leo comes to the door. Sadie cries in Leo’s arms that no one can help her, her brother James said he’ll kill her if she doesn’t pay off his debts. She just wants to stay there and lay low. Nia tries to make Sadie feel welcome but when Sadie makes a “I’ll keep my distance” comment, Nia says it’s all good. Leo told her all about you. Nia is on the couch watching Vertical Dramas, LOL, that is hilarious, so meta. Grandma takes off and says she’s not staying in a house with Sadie there. She loves Nia and promises to come back when she needs her. Nia saids goodbye and Arielle walks in with two thugs to show Nia what it’s like to be ruined. Just as they are approaching Nia, Sadie jumps in the middle of it.
The thugs grab Sadie and twist her ankle. Leo runs in with a “what are you doing and the thugs run off.” Leo picks up Sadie and tells Nia to call an ambulance. Leo comes back from the hospital and it’s going to take Sadie awhile to recover from a deep cut. Nia goes to get Leo food and he’s all, Babe, I couldn’t leave her there. Nia says she knows, but she’s a little jealous. They’re connected in a way Nia and Leo aren’t. Leo tells her that Sadie is his past and Nia is his present and future. Leo picks up Nia and they start kissing and leave the room. In the bedroom Nia spots Grandma’s gift, a box of vibes and they decide they can’t let it go to waste. LOL.
Basking in the afterglow the next morning, they’re going to make love again but are interrupted by Sadie screaming at James to leave her alone. Leo leaps out of bed and grabs his clothes. He stops James from hurting her with a weak “You’ll go to jail threat.” Sadie cries and bleeds in Leo’s arms, but when she asks for his help changing her bandage, Nia says she’ll do it. Sadie did not look pleased by that offer. Sadie makes fake nice with Nia telling her that Leo loves her because he gave her the family jewels, but isn’t she curious where it came from, since it matches her mom’s jewelry? Nia asks how she knows that but Sadie says she knows that and more. Sadie tells her Leo’s father was her mother’s lover and that he died for her, not the suicide story Leo told her. Sadie implies that if Leo knew Nia was Heather Cooper’s daughter he wouldn’t love her anymore.
Nia says then you better go tell him. If Sadie wants to start trouble between Leo and Nia then go do it. But Nia knows Sadie is nothing but a pathetic ex-girlfriend. Later Nia changes and stomps past Leo to go to work and he offers her a ride. She doesn’t answer but I guess Leo took that as a yes. In the car he asks her what’s wrong, is it Sadie? When he explains that she’s an ex and he’s not going anywhere, Nia isn’t super reassured, she also didn’t think her shitty husband would cheat on her either.
At work, Nia is distracted and Ryan helps her. He talks her up about there being a ton of options for her and he’ll always be there for her when Leo walks up and tells him to get his hands off his wife. Nia tries to diffuse the situation but Ryan keeps running his mouth upsetting Leo and he punches Ryan. Leo takes off and she returns to her office to find a vase of roses left for her by Leo. Kyle teases Leo for his “spurned lover role” and he doesn’t want to be home alone with Sadie so he stays are work. Kyle messages someone the prey is out and the person messages back to bring Nia to them..OMG! It better be Grandma, cause if it’s Sadie I’ll hit him with the car myself.
Yay! It is Grandma! She tells Nia she knows men are idiots and Leo is no exception, so let’s get our shop on. Grandma says “Charge it” even though Nia tries to get her to stop. Shopping montague but she flashes back to Leo being jealous of Ryan. Grandma is all spend, spend, spend and Nia freaks out! Grandma reassures her that Leo loves her and only her. She gets home to Leo sitting in the dark, worried she was out with Ryan the whole time. They fight again about Ryan and Sadie and Leo tells her that Sadie is gone. He overheard her plotting to be Mrs. Mitchell and planning to give money to her brother. Nia kisses him but they get a message that Grandma is in the hospital.
They are told by the doctor to keep Grandma calm and excitement free. Sadie finds Nia and confronts her with the contract. She threatens to go tell Grandma if Nia doesn’t leave Leo. Nia is comforting Leo and she tries to tell Leo about her mother and his father, but Leo already knows and doesn’t care. The next morning she texts him that she wants a divorce. Maybe you told Leo and he puts guards on Grandma’s door to protect her. ERRRRR!
Nia is sad at her desk and Ryan brings food. He finds out Nia left Leo so he asks if that means there is still a chance for him. C’mon dude. Ryan decides to help Nia by helping Leo. He asks Ryan to keep an eye on Nia while he deals with Sadie. Ryan asks what would stop him from putting the moves on her and Leo tells him to go ahead, but he’s pretty sure his wife only sees him as a friend. Leo meets up with Sadie. The next day, Nia is signing the divorce papers when Ryan is trying to slow her down and texts Leo asking wtf is he. Nia gets an announcement that Leo and Sadie are getting married. Nia is devastated. Ryan calls Leo but reaches Kyle instead who tells him Sadie shot Leo at the wedding. Together, Ryan and Nia head off.
They arrive back at the house to a torn up event and hearing Sadie screaming in the background. Kyle tells Nia Leo is sorry he forced her to marry him and Nia declares her love for Leo that she would marry him 100 times over again. Leo asks if she means it as he walks out the door with a huge grin on his face.
Nia is relieved to see him okay and he asks Nia to marry him. She says yes and asks if it was a joke. Ryan said he didn’t know about the wedding and Grandma pops up and says it was her that made Leo marry Sadie. Flash to Grandma is the hospital complaining about it being bored and wanting to see Nia. Sadie walks in and reveals they are divorced. Leo asks what she’s doing there. She says she’s there for Grandma and asks if she’s feeling better. LOL, Grandma says she was until she walked in the door! HAHAHA Sadie is confused because their families used to be so close. Leo says it’s only because of their family he paid off her brother’s debt over and over again, but he’s ungrateful. Sadie tries to say she’s different because she loves Leo. Grandma interjects that Sadie isn’t worthy. Sadie says well neither is Nia, and hands her the contract. Grandma surprises both Leo and Sadie by saying, and? Marriage is a contract already. And Sadie is nothing but a greedy guts. Sadie storms off and Grandma WTFs Leo. Leo tells her he thinks Sadie bullied her with the contact and Grandma asks where the hell were you when that happened? Leo swears to get her back. So Grandma plots the crazy wedding to get Nia back. Leo goes to Sadie and tells her he’ll pay off her brother’s debt ONE LAST TIME but only if she signs a contract promising to never hurt his wife.
Back in the now: Leo bends down and asks Nia if she will marry him. She says yes and they kiss. The end! Cute!
Spicy Highlights
Episode 5: Flash back of Leo shirtless kissing Nia
Episode 43: Nia and Leo kiss before he lifts her up to him. She wraps her legs around him and still kissing Leo carries her up the stairs and out of the room.
Episode 44: Still kissing they walk into the bedroom and fall onto the bed. Nia stops for a moment and sees Grandma’s gift. Nia opens it and it’s a box of dicks, LOL, vibrators actually. She lifts one out and Leo grabs it out of her hand while using the other to wrap around her and pull her back down to the bed under him.
