CHAPTER 29

Damien's POV

Jude enters the house once the gate opens on its own. I get out of the vehicle as soon as he pulls into the driveway and makes a big stride toward the house.

Since lunchtime, I've been phoning Lisa's phone to let her know about the family meal we've asked her to tonight, but she hasn't answered.

I was a little concerned that she had left the home as a result of the way I had reprimanded her this morning, but I soon dismissed my concerns.

I'm not to fault for this. She was venturing outside of her comfort zone and going beyond the line we should all draw for ourselves.

She was also meant to go shopping with Anna, but after lunch, I spotted Anna in the office. Anna said that her mother had canceled the appointment when I asked her why she hadn't gone to meet my wife at home so they could go shopping.

I was taken aback.

I should have known that my mother would carefully consider her advice about going shopping with Lisa. I assumed Lisa must have left her phone at home after hearing that.

The butler bows politely and says, "Good evening, boss."

I spoke "Good evening" without pausing. I whirl around to face Aaron as I recall that I requested a new bed for Lisa to be placed in my room.

"What about the bed that I requested?" He lowers his head and gives me a guilty expression when I ask.

He says, "I'll take care of that right away," and continues by me.

He neglected to perform what I instructed them to do in the morning.

I resist the urge to correct him and make my way to the living room before ascending the stairs.

By seven o'clock we have a family meal and Lisa and I had to be there. She should be able to locate a great frock to wear to dinner as a result of her shopping trip, so I'm delighted she did.

I go ahead and quickly find myself standing in front of the door. I unlock the door and go in.

"Goodness!" I hear a gasp, and my eyes are drawn to Lisa's partially exposed torso. Before rushing into the restroom, she hurriedly wraps the towel securely about her.

I'm confused for a moment before I understand what just transpired. I briefly blink before locking the door behind me.

I still haven't adjusted to sharing my room with someone else. I currently have a wife, and we share a bedroom.

I'm curious about how we'll both handle maintaining our privacy. This is truly above and beyond what I expected, and I really wish we weren't going to be in the same room.

I also cherish and appreciate my privacy.

She emerges fully clothed in booty shorts and a crop top with her hair down as I enter the room with my arms crossed.

She has really long, thin legs, and the shorts allow me to glimpse her hips. I gulp deeply and turn my head away.

She smiles and says, "Welcome home, husband", as I start to look at her again.

I can smell something odd in the space, but I'm not sure where it is coming from.

Does she use shampoo? Is that her perfume? Is it a refresher for rooms?

Why didn't you answer your calls, I demanded. Instead of responding to her welcome home message, I ask her.

Before rushing over to the side drawer to get her phone, her eyes enlarge. When she notices the several missed calls, her eyes almost bulge out of their sockets.

She says, "I'm so sorry." I did not.

The question, "Where were you?" My face begins to frown. In fact, I'm interested to find out where she went.

Did she leave and not be available to answer my calls? What did she do there? She was unable to answer the call. Who was she with?

"I stayed inside. I spent the whole day reading on the couch after returning from my shopping trip. I assume my phone was in quiet mode," she says, pointing to a book that is partially covered by a cloth on the couch.

Do they both read? I adore books.

I look away from the couch and groan. "I wanted to let you know that we need to be at the family dinner tonight," she said.

She doesn't nod as I would expect her to. Instead, she chews her bottom lips and gives me a contemplative gaze for a moment.

She gets a puzzled look from me.

Finally, she says, "I need to tell you something."

Has she grown weary of this yet?

I fold my arms and say, "I'm all ears", while I wait for her to speak. She may ask for everything she wants, and I will give it to her, but anything that goes against my wishes is off-limits. I will, even if I have to coerce her.

Isn't this the main reason we got married in the first place? Because of my mum and other family members, I married her. It's a no if what she wants is for her to skip the family meal with me.

My jaw goes wide as she says, "I think your mother is suspicious or probably knows that our marriage is fake."

"What?!" I shout out loud.

How? How did she find out?

"I believe she has been watching you and me and she doesn't see how genuine the bond and connection between us is so she concluded that this marriage isn't real and I am nothing more than a gold digger," I said.

I should have anticipated my mother would act or talk cruelly toward her. She seemed to enjoy Lisa ever when they first met, but I didn't consider that.

Shit!

I scream again, my eyes widening, "You won't believe she is willing to pay me to leave you", she continues.

"Yes. She wants to pay me $1,000,000 to go.

"How did you respond? How did you address her? I abruptly cut her off as my heart beat furiously in my ribs, shocking the hell out of me.

Lisa would likely accept Mother's offer to pay her 10 of the money I gave her in exchange for her leaving me. Who wouldn't, I guess?

"No. I rejected her.

"No?"

Should I respond "Yes? She sighs, "You look disappointed," with a scowl on her face and an expression of displeasure at my response.

"What? Obviously not. I nod and add, "I'm delighted you didn't take it.

Wow! She declined the offer. Why?

Why is Mom acting in this way? She coerced me into doing it. Since she entered my room, which is unlike hers, I have been suspicious of her. She didn't stop there; she continued by asking Lisa to strip me off.

Did she notice that she was anxious?

What are we to do? I'm terrified.

What are you frightened of? I turn around to face her once again.

She doesn't say anything but gives an indifferent shrug. What ought we to do?

She says, "I believe we ought to make this very real and act real to the outside world, and when we are inside, we both know it is still fake no matter what."

That's what I said to you before.

"Yes, you did, but it doesn't seem like you're trying. Some individuals are difficult to trick, and I believe your mother to be one of them. We have to behave and act like actual couples. Tell the same tale of our courtship, give each other public kisses, and act a bit tactile. I assumed you were homosexual since you are too frigid for that.

Saying "Stop it!" I clench my teeth and close my eyes as I feel my rage seep through me.

It won't be Lisa who tells me that initially. Mother believed I was homosexual as well, but I'm not. Why the heck are all these folks so crazy?

"Ok." I open my eyes to see the anguish on her face after she responds quietly.

Have I yelled at her? I'm being a jerk as she tries to help. I wish I could ask her why she declined my mother's offer, but I know I can't at this time.

Possibly at a later date.

I observe her expectantly and say to her, "Let's do this, then."

Say what? She begs of me in an unclear manner.

I firmly say, "Act like real couples," hoping I won't be the one to screw things up.

A knock on the door interrupts her as she is about to speak once again.

I murmur, "Come in," and the door swings open. Aaron enters and makes a bow.

Where should we place the bed now that it's here? He still has his head bowed as he asks.

I seem to recall that I requested a bed so Lisa and I wouldn't have to share one, but now that Lisa and I have made the decision to behave like genuine couples, that won't be required anymore.

After all, we are legally wed to one another. We are actual couples; we simply don't feel anything for one another.

This is in contrast to what many individuals who marry for love do nowadays. We got married for another reason than love. All we have to do is convince others that we are in fact in love with one another.

Or is it, not a huge deal?

We need to convince everyone, even the housemaids, that we are passionately in love with each other in order for us to behave like genuine couples.

I beckon Aaron to go. "Stop bothering now. The bed is not needed by us.

Suddenly raising his head, Aaron displays astonishment. He nods and leaves once again since he can't ask me why I don't want the bed again.

I feel horrible for causing him unnecessary worry.

I feel a chilly shudder pass through me when Lisa's hand brushes my arm. Why do you suppose we won't need the mattress once more? Where would you want me to stay?

She opens her mouth in disbelief when I say, "We're going to act like real couples now so we can share the same bed."