CHAPTER 32

Lisa's POV

My first significant argument with my Grandma is apparently going to end tonight, and the day is going to finish happily.

We have never argued in this way before. She was always kind and helpful.

She came here to make amends with me, and when I saw the grin on her face, I knew she had come to terms with reality.

However, I feel ashamed. She was more upset than I was the moment she discovered that Damien and I had misled her about our marital status.

As I bring her inside and into the living area, Damien follows silently behind us. She gives me another grin.

When we arrived, I forced her to take a seat. I sit next to her and keep an eye on her face to see how she is doing. I regret not coming back to the home to check on her since the other day.

I should have anticipated that her rage wouldn't last for very long.

She's gazing down at my silk satin dress, I notice.

Mother, how are you doing? I inquire, breaking our conversational ice.

When Grandma hears Damien ascend the stairs, she looks up at him when she hears his footsteps.

Like me, he appears humiliated. He gives us a kind nod before apologizing.

She grins and I breathe a sigh of relief as she says, "I'm fine." At least I now understand that this gathering is about healing. This is what it is, I am certain of it now.

I apologize for not visiting the home sooner. Just wanted to make sure I gave you enough time.

How are you doing? She asks me with a worried look on her face and a worried tone.

I grin as she abruptly ends our conversation. When Grandma has something significant to say, she always does that. Evidently, she is far more interested in hearing about how I am doing than anything else.

I nod and crack a grin as I say, "I've been good." I'm so happy she's here. Despite the fact that she hasn't explicitly mentioned it, I'm delighted she has forgiven me.

She sighs and looks down abruptly. My grin vanishes as her hands start to tremble.

What is the issue? I interrogate them as I take her two hands.

I can see tears welling up in her eyes as she lifts her head up.

She merely giggles gently and adds, "I miss you." And concerned about you.

"Grandma, I'm good, and..."

Does he treat you fairly? She begs, uncertainly glancing my way.

I grin unconsciously. Damien is calm and collected with me, which is different from how he used to be when I was his assistant. We have decided to bring out our acting abilities to allow the audience to feel that we are genuine, therefore I doubt he will be harsh during the next several months. "Damiwy is a nice guy, Mother. He has been him forever.

She opposes me, "No, Lisa". "You've always told me about the bad treatment you had from him while you worked as his assistant. Remember when he called you clumsy and stupid?

She speaks before I can finish my thoughts. I'm simply concerned that he won't change his attitude now that you're at his place and this relationship between you two isn't genuine.

Grandma must have accepted the idea that I did this for her at some point.

Even when you presented him to me, I had my doubts because of how often you spoke about how callous and harsh he was, but I was forced to pay attention to you and take your word for it.

Damien doesn't treat me harshly, Mom. Not any longer," I respond, firmly grasping her hands and pondering what more I can say to reassure her that I am okay and that this is just temporary. Because I am now his wife and this arrangement isn't permanent, he is unable to treat me in any way. It only lasts one year.

"A year?" I nod now and then.

"So then you can go your own way and live your own life?" I nod once more. Can you remarry and have children with a different person? I nod and grin. "Someone, do you truly love?"

The final query elicits no response from me. Damien is the only guy I am currently seeing, and I have never been in a romantic relationship.

Will it be simple for me to leave this marriage and look for someone who could be interested in getting married to me?

Since I started working for Damien's firm and felt ready to date, Juliet and I have been frequenting her club party for a year. However, none of the men who contacted me were interested in a long-term commitment.

They just wanted to crawl up between my legs so they could attack the next available woman.

Though I was single, I had no success finding a man. Is it true that I will find it easier to date now that I am married, as the general public seems to think?

Grandma makes a gentle gasp. The question "Do you love him?" Her gaze is fixed on mine.

"What?!" I yell and exclaim. "No!"

Why did she have that thought? Is it as a result of how I persuaded her that Damien and I were in love before the marriage?

Everything was a lie.

"You seem to have. Don't you aspire to wed someday? I mean a true marriage," she asks, her gaze vehement.

I tell her, "Of course, I want to get married someday," and she nods in accord.

We continue to look at each other in silence. I extend my arms to her as she gives me another grin.

We squeeze each other hard till she coolly withdraws. I should go. I've been here waiting for you to return from who knows where for over an hour. Did you pretend to be dating him?

I tell my mother to be quiet as a maid enters via the rear door. I go to the front door with my mum as she gets up.

"I visited Damien's parents' house with him. We went there to have supper as a family. You ought to have phoned me as soon as you arrived.

"I wanted it to be a surprise, but I saw it was becoming late, so I made the decision to leave and return the next day. I first saw you poking your head out the window of the automobile at that point.

I quickly giggle at her feeble effort at comedy.

What went well during dinner?

I reply glibly, "It was fine. I don't see why I should explain what took place there to her. I don't feel the need to update her on every little development in my marriage. Because this is a true marriage and I don't need anyone's interference—just as I made sure that his Mother won't be permitted to meddle in our lives—I will just divulge what is necessary to her and not everything.

Damien and I are the only parties involved.

"Lisa?" Just as we exit the front door, I hear Damien cry out from behind. He had changed into shorts and a T-shirt, so Grandma and I both turned to look at him. He obviously had a fast shower.

He replies to me in a quiet voice, "I want Jude to drive her home," perhaps anticipating Grandma's opposition.

Unexpectedly, Grandma gives him a grateful grin and a head nod.

I assume Damien must have told him to wait for her after we entered since the vehicle was already there.

I turn to Grandma and give her another embrace before she gets in the vehicle and starts to wave at me as Jude starts the engine and drives away.