CHAPTER 24

Damien's POV

While I am still sitting there, acting as if nothing is wrong with what I just said, she perks up and her eyes open in surprise.

I have no idea why I said it, either, but she shouldn't find it significant. Even if we both know deep down that this is nothing more than a façade, we must make it seem as though it is true.

What if my mother is still listening in on our chat from behind closed doors?

My mum is a wonderful, wise lady. I sensed something was up when she ordered Lisa to strip me off, and I have a hunch she already knows this marriage is a fraud or is at least guessing it.

Whatever it is that has her harboring these doubts will soon be dispelled. Isabella has a lot of work to do here, but I will make sure to clear it up.

"Ignore it!" She still looks at me in disbelief as I wave her off.

As I get up from the couch, she lets out a big gasp.

This is when I recall how much pain I had in my body this morning from sleeping on this couch. I felt bad for not using the bed.

I suddenly realize that Lisa won't be able to transfer her belongings to her own room now that Mother is here, and we may have to put up with sharing a room once again tonight.

Shit! I curse silently.

I have no idea what my mum is doing in this place. And for how long she intends to be here.

What ought I to do? Should I give Lisa this room and look for a different one for myself only for tonight?

What will happen when she eventually relocates and my mother suddenly materializes, only to discover that we aren't acting like a couple?

We don't qualify as a couple since we sleep in separate rooms, and I truly want to dispel my mother's concerns. To persuade my mother that marriage is not for me, I must make the most of this situation.

Not me here, exactly. is marriage. The issue is women.

Should we just demarcate the bed and lie on it as we did last night?

Why did she not even stir when I woke up? I want to know why she hasn't moved her stuff yet and why she canceled the shopping appointment with Anna, even if it worked out for the best for us.

"Why haven't you moved your things to the other room since the morning?" I ask her as I remove my suit and half-loose tie as I stand in front of the mirror.

Is there a problem? You also canceled the shopping appointment.

She remains quiet, and when I turn around, she is still seated on the bed with her head down.

My shirt is undone as I approach her and I stoop to inspect her face. "Lisa?"

She jolts out of her daydream and turns to face me. I wanted to yank her hair from behind her ears since it was falling in a pleat over her miserable face.

Why does she seem depressed? Did I say anything incorrectly?

"You said what?" I asked. She asks out loud.

What's wrong with you, I ask? As I sit up straight, I ask her.

She aggressively shakes her head while saying, "Nothing," her untucked hair tumbling off in several folds. "I'm good. I assume you're wondering why I canceled the appointment.

My arms are crossed as I observe her with interest. And why haven't you yet relocated your belongings?

"Oh!" She says, "I went to see Grandma."

Your grandmother? And you recently returned? She nods, and I cast her a wary look.

Lisa and her Grandma had a fight last night, and as far as I know, she's still upset with her.

She spent the whole morning getting there, but the lady is plainly upset and not willing to listen to her.

Did she succeed in persuading her?

Did you two converse? I want to know whether what I'm thinking is correct, so I ask her to support it.

She regretfully shakes her head in "no."

No? But she stayed with her all day. Why is it so difficult for me to accept that she genuinely went to her grandmother's house?

"Are you certain that's where you went and the reason you postponed the shopping date with my secretary?" I let my ideas out, and she gives me a silent gaze for a time.

"Sure," you say.

I put up my hands in submission. "Ok."

Although I really don't want to think about it, I won't like it if she wants to start dating right away. It is still too early and ought to be kept a secret from many people. If anything happens now and others start to suspect that she is cheating on me, I won't like it.

This would have been a solid basis for our divorce, but I'm not going to do that.

I want everyone to be shocked by the divorce so that my mother would realize that marriage isn't right for everyone, particularly for me.

If Lisa is accused of cheating, my mother could take advantage of the situation and label her as such, assuming that this is the reason why we would file for divorce in a year. The only people who will know the cause of the divorce are our roommates, however, assuming Lisa stays faithful until the end.

Isn't it about time we pretended to be authentic to our roommates, too?

Perhaps one of my maids or guards is a spy for Mother, and they have already informed her that Lisa has a private room, which I requested them to arrange before she arrives.

This is going to be more difficult than I anticipated, but I will come up with a solution. In the end, it's just for a year.

Does your mother intend to remain for dinner? I hear her question coming from behind me as I get ready in front of the closet.

"I suppose we would have to go downstairs for supper in order to figure out that as well. I'm starving.

"Ok." She gets out of bed, and I assume she's going to meet my mother outside so I may dress in solitude and after a quick shower. However, she pauses in the center of the room.

I had a thought at that very moment.

She jolts me out of my contemplation with, "Do you think I should go shopping with her tomorrow?" Regarding the query, I shrug.

"It is up to you. The mother may be difficult.

She says, "Yes, I know," before going back to being quiet.

I tell her, pulling off my pants, "You will spend the night here tonight, but you can move first thing in the morning." I then go through my belongings for a towel to tie around my waist.

Yes," she says in a hushed tone.

Although I am expecting her to go at this point, she is still standing as if she has more questions for me to ask.

Without taking off my jeans, I encircle my waist with the towel and spin around to face her directly.

She looks up from the floor to my face and then down to my exposed, wide chest as I hear her take a large swallow.

She seems uncomfortable seeing me in my underwear, which makes me start to feel uneasy. I don't want us to share a room because of this. We need quiet. We need our own room.

She says just as I am about to order her to go. Why did you marry me, Damien?

My face glides with confusion, and I spout. "What?!"