CHAPTER 25

Lisa's POV

I get up from my seat at the table and choose to take a tour of the home after ensuring that Damien's mother has left after dinner.

My husband and his mother are eating supper with me for the first time at the table. I didn't even eat before going to bed last night. I was too afraid and worried about my first day as a married lady, sleeping in the same bed as her husband, to even consider eating. My so-called husband didn't ask whether I would want to eat anything or not.

I've already had a late lunch at Grandma's house, so this scrumptious spaghetti pie casserole will be my second meal of the day.

Well…It is no longer a huge concern for me since I am so used to missing meals.

Damien advises me to stay the night in his room, but I'm not sure I want to. I don't want to trouble him again in two days, and I also don't want to make a fool of myself by sliding off the bed once more.

Since I haven't seen Paulina, I have made the decision to transfer my belongings tonight and am looking for a decent place to stay for the night.

I've already seen two rooms, but none of them are suitable for me to stay in. The gym is in the first room, while the storage room is in the second. I'm unsure of the location of the room that Damien said he had instructed the maids to prepare for me previously.

Damien didn't respond to my query. I surprised him by asking him why he married me, and as soon as his mother's voice could be heard downstairs, I hurried outside.

I still want to ask him again tonight before I go. I must be aware. I was so foolish to go into this without first finding out why we are doing this, or rather, why he is doing this.

I want to know why he is pretending to everyone, even his mother.

I enter the third door and discover a store of empty furniture within. I sigh deeply and quickly lock the door, wondering where my room is and why Damien would want it so far away from his. I also look at the other doors that are lined up.

I don't think so. In case anything occurs and I need to quickly get to his room whenever a visitor arrives, I'm confident that my room is near to his room.

Now that I think about it, it seems ridiculous. I feel stupid. But when money is involved, who am I to blame?

I give up trying to accomplish this myself and spin around on my heels. I ought to search for Paulina. I don't need to be uncomfortable about the fact that she knows about this situation between Damien and me.

Simply said, I'm curious to know her reaction to me and what the other maids would think of me. Aside from Paulina, I also want to know whether the other maids are aware.

I carefully down the stairs while focusing on anything other than Damien, my marriage, Juliet, and Grandma. I do a U-turn and go up the stairs to Damien's room, where I pack my belongings.

I'm not sure whether he's returned to his room. He had gone with his mother as she was leaving the house. I would just pack my belongings if he came back and ask him to assist me in getting Paulina so she could assist me to the room.

The door to his room opens before I can down the last flight of stairs, and he emerges, peering about in his shorts and a white t-shirt.

He doesn't seem to be getting dressed for bed as I do; rather, he appears to be going for a walk.

I'm really in a nightgown, but I've resolved never to wear it again after hearing his mother call it cheap.

Simply because it is good, I enjoy it.

The question "Where have you been?" When he sees me, he asks. He frowns, his lovely features becoming glum.

I respond, moving closer without pausing, "I went to look for my room."

I wonder why he's giving me the evil eye. He leaves the door open for me before turning around and entering.

I enter and discreetly shut the door behind me. "Didn't I say you'd be sleeping here tonight?"

As I enter, he has his back to me. "I'm sorry, but I don't want to cause you any trouble. After what occurred yesterday, I can't let you sleep on the couch once again.

"What happened?" you ask. He asks as though he is unaware of what occurred.

I stop talking. "Lisa, you're not performing your job correctly. We are supposed to be a couple and behave all mushy-gushy like a couple would, but you aren't fulfilling my expectations or pleasing me in this regard.

My mouth fell open. "Lovey-dovey?"

How am I expected to do that when he returns after being out all morning asking me to change into night clothes since his mother is here, then we go to dinner, and then we go back to his room? At least no one can see us here, so I don't have to be all mushy with him.

And I shouldn't be the only one doing this, either. We both enrolled in this. I can't be the only one who pretends to be in love with him.

I was beaming on the day of our wedding, but he was not. It seemed as if I was the one dragging him to the altar when in fact I wasn't.

So what kind of charge is this?

I even asked him why we got married, and he hasn't responded. Should I also question him in a similar tone, expecting him to shoulder the majority of the burden, why he isn't doing his own share as well?

It ought to be fair. When two individuals are married to one another, they often show their affection for one another. Even if it could not be in the same manner, reciprocity is expected.

He says that like he's reading my thoughts. "I'm aware that I haven't been active either, but I have high expectations for you. That's why I choose you, really. I could have chosen any of the following: a party girl, a whore, an actress, or a model, but I went with you since I know I can trust you to handle it correctly.

"Why did we get married?" you ask. I snipped him off. He hasn't responded to my query. When it's just day two, we need to have discussed that rather than how I haven't been doing a good job in my duties.

Is he attempting to annoy me? Why the heck am I in this situation? He first threatened to break the contract if I misbehaved before the marriage, and now he claims I am not performing my job. What does he want from me specifically?

He raises his palm in the air as his scowl widens. "Why even are you asking me that?"

"Because I'm curious. I should have asked you this before the wedding, but I was too preoccupied to even consider it, so now I'm asking it.

He cuts me off as I begin to express my worry by saying, "Let's forget about that." I should have anticipated his response to the inquiry.

I stop talking and nod, remembering that he is my employer and that I need to use appropriate language and body language.

He tells me, sitting on the side of the bed and looking at me intently, "I have a plan." I nod once again, pleading with him to continue and inform me of the idea he is describing.

I should have known that the foundation of my year with him would be plans, plans, plans, contracts, and almost nothing else based on reality.

I have no idea how I got to be this way. I never would have thought that I could act like someone's wife the way I am today. I used to have trouble playing along. I am open about my feelings and am truthful.

Please take a seat. He insists, continuing to look at me.

I swiftly make my way to the white L-shaped couch and cautiously take a seat there before looking up.

He starts by saying, "You don't need to move into any room anymore.

"What?" I scream. Where shall I remain if I don't enter the chamber that has been provided for me?

Yes, you will remain in this room for tonight. However, after tonight, I will order the servants to bring in another bed for you, in which you will stay.

A different bed? I take a quick look around. The room could really fit another bed, but I'm still uncomfortable with the concept.

What if I start to sleepwalk at night? What if I disturbed his sleep by misbehaving throughout the night? What if he is in the room and I want to get dressed? We aren't even chatmates, so how can we be in the same room together?

What will we discuss when we are alone ourselves in the room? Should I find a new activity and likely devote the whole of my day or evening to it whenever he is there before retiring to bed?

That is a wonderful concept. We won't have to feel awkward with one another if we do it this way. Only when I'm tired will I enter?

I am aware that there is a gym and an indoor pool. I can take up gymnastics or swimming as a pastime. I'm not sure what else is in here, but if there is a gaming house, I'll go there next.

I can take a year off from getting up early, racing to the bathroom to take a fast bath, frantically searching my wardrobe for suitable clothes to wear to work, and rushing off to work in order to avoid being fired for being late. After all, I don't have a job.

What do you say, then?

I'm at a loss for what to do since I really don't have an option in this situation. I just have to agree to whatever dumb ideas he proposes.

I nod my head slowly in answer to his inquiry.

"Good," he says, rising abruptly. I'll be gone for a little while, so you may go to bed now. He strolls to the door and says, "See you.

As I watch him go, my attention drifts to the wall clock, and I start to consider why a married guy would leave the house at this hour.

It is 10:30 p.m. now.