CHAPTER 28

Lisa's POV

After Damien's outburst, I started to wonder whether it was really true that I believed we were starting to get along as friends should.

I wanted to inquire about Helena but was prevented from doing so by his icy look.

I walked outside and strolled around the front and rear of the mansion with my arms crossed and my thoughts elsewhere since I didn't want him to see me inside the room by the time he returned from the restroom.

Who would have imagined that I would eventually become my boss's contractual wife?

I value marriages and believe in love, yet right now I'm defiling the marital vows.

Grandma is now back on her feet, which fulfills my wish, but I'll still be trapped in this marriage for some time.

I get to the pool and stand there admiring how serene the water is, thinking I could live a similar existence.

But I am unable.

Damien and I got married, so that calm existence is no longer mine. Now, I seldom ever leave the house without being observed. I seldom ever leave the house without drawing attention.

I am unsure of how I will manage going shopping by myself with Damien's new assistant.

With a groan, I leave the pool with the idea of entering later to prepare for Anna's call and take a bath. Yesterday at 1 PM was the designated time for shopping, and I am certain that today will be the same.

When I was still working for Damien, it was the break time at work, and I'm certain that nothing has changed since then. We typically take an hour-long break, and I have no doubt that we will finish our shopping by 2:00 pm.

When I hear a horn coming from the driveway, I make my way back inside the house. I wait impatiently at the doorway, unable to see through the sun on my face which had just pulled up.

Immediately, the Mercedes Benz driver exits the vehicle and goes to the passenger's side to open the door for the visitor.

Despite the fact that she appears quite different today than she did yesterday when she goes outside, I immediately know her as Damien's mother.

She has her long brown hair neatly bunched up and is sporting a sleeveless knee-length bateau satin Lace and high shoes.

She yells out "Hey" when she sees me. Are you still not prepared?

She approaches me magnificently as she inspects my pajamas. My face becomes more confused. "Ready? To what end?

When she gets near enough, she gives me an eye roll and lightly taps my arm. "Don't say you forgot about our shopping at all. Get ready because we're heading out shopping.

I sit next to her while making an attempt to keep my composure and hide my anxiety and irritation at sharing a shopping-related vehicle with her.

One more time, I made an effort to persuade her, but nothing worked. Despite my desire to meet Damien's new secretary, Anna, she begged me to cancel our meeting, and I complied.

She said, "So," turning her head to face me.

I nervously grin at her while patiently anticipating what she wants to discuss with me. She seems to have some inquiries for me, but I really hope they have nothing to do with my engagement to her son.

How did you meet Damien, exactly? She looks intently at me as she asks.

My brows furrow without any display of emotion. "How will we connect?"

She gives a silent "yes" nod. He said you were his assistant, therefore...

I abruptly interject, "I was." "Damien and I had never met outside of the office."

I immediately feel bad after saying that. I should have known better than to say anything since this lady is the original cause of all of them and will have me figured out in a matter of minutes.

Damien said he is doing this for her, so even if the rest of the world doesn't believe our narrative, I must make sure she understands that Damien and I are in fact in love.

You never spoke outside of work, right? She asks while widening her eyes in amazement. So there was a relationship developing at work?

I utter "Something like that" quietly while averting my gaze from her. It serves no use to dispute what I stated. It is already available.

"Ok. How did the two of you start dating? She again insists, which causes me to furrow my brows.

How did we come to be in love? I continue, and she nods.

Is there a justification for falling in love? I've never been in love, but I can tell from what I see on TV that it simply occurs without any rhyme or reason.

She gestures to me and asks, "Has it been going on for a while, or has it just happened recently and here you are." I'm starting to believe that this lady is suspicious that this marriage isn't genuine or maybe she is suspicious that I am just here for the money.

"It occurred lately, but not recently. I explain that both of us have been trying to deny it, but we have been unsuccessful, so here we are. I sigh hard because I'm sick of the inquiries.

She grins faintly and turns her head away. We have a little period of silence, and I assume she is through asking questions.

I glance out the window while leaning my head back on the leather vehicle seat and breathing a sigh of relaxation. I also wrap my arms around my chest.

However, the consolation is short-lived as she starts to speak again.

"When Damien informed me he wanted to marry you, I didn't immediately like you. I was against it," she says as our eyes contact, giving me a second grin.

I should have seen she dislikes me. Maybe this is why I don't feel at ease with her.

But as soon as I met you, I liked you. Despite the fact that I like you, I worry a lot about a lot of things. I've decided what to do and would appreciate your help. As the automobile makes the right turn, she says, "If you help me.

The thought of what she might say next made my pulse race. I have no idea what she is talking about, but I have a bad feeling about it.

She says, "I have an offer for you", which piques my interest.

"Offer?" I seem to be completely lost. She sometimes nods while looking directly at me.

She blurts out without holding back, "If you are here for the money, just tell me what you want and I will pay you off."

"What?!" I scream out, letting go of my hands, twisting awkwardly.

Has she discovered this? Is it because I act like a beggar and she thinks I'm just here for the money Damien will give me? Is it really so evident that I didn't have a lucky start in life? Has she learned that the marriage is a fraud?

"I know you need money, so I'll give you a million dollars to leave Damien. Or not a deal? She challenges me with her looks, but I am unable to give in to her demands.

I'll start by upsetting Damien's plans and becoming labeled a money digger.

I speak swiftly while sometimes shaking my head. "Not a deal!"