CHAPTER 34

Lisa's POV

Damien is shifting in his sleep when I suddenly find myself wide awake, placing my hands on his chest. My heart is thumping furiously in my chest as I get out of bed, opening my eyes wide and taking my arms off of him.

Why the heck not?

I remember the moment I touched his body. I inquire to no one in particular while checking to make sure the light is on throughout the space.

Why did he not turn off the light before going to bed?

I pull my goofy self slowly to the couch and place my hands on my cheeks. As I fall to the sectional couch, something strikes my butt. I leap to my feet to grab whatever it is, and as I do so, the book I'm meant to keep hidden from Damien comes into focus.

I let out a loud cry as terror started to take over my whole being. Yesterday, this book has been sitting on the couch, and I'm wondering whether Damien has seen it or not.

How am I supposed to forget this? He will learn that I invaded his privacy by coming to his office and looking through his belongings if he discovers the book.

I conceal the book behind me and attempt to maintain a composed demeanor as he stirs in bed once again. I dash over to my bag and toss the book inside as soon as he stops moving and becomes motionless again.

I let out a relief-filled sigh unconsciously.

I shake my head at my foolish actions and consider what defense I would have offered him if he had discovered me carrying the book.

He could just tell me to go home. Without giving a damn about this so-called marriage, he will ask me to go.

There must be more to that location. There is information about him concealed there, and despite my dread, I still want to proceed and solve the puzzle in front of me.

I like sudoku. I'm curious about the piece of paper that came with the book since its contents are confusing.

I sigh once more and start to return to the couch when I look around and find Damien sitting up in bed. I scream and spin around in terror.

What is the issue? He nearly gets out of bed as he asks.

I'm not sure whether I was shocked to find him in bed so soon or if I was afraid he may have seen me with the book while I thought he was sound sleeping.

"Oh, my goodness!" With a sigh of relief, I crouch down. "I apologize. I was shocked.

"Oh!" I'm even more relieved that he didn't see anything since he just whispered.

I wait for him to return to bed while there is silence, but instead, I observe him get up from the bed and go to the restroom.

Is it dawn yet? Why is he making his way to the restroom?

I raise my head to look at the time on the wall clock next to the bed. 5:00 a.m.

"Oh!"

I returned to the couch and sat down while still feeling bad. Now that I can't sleep again, I truly wish I could ask Damien for the book I've been keeping. Even though I know I can't because of what I saw and what I did behind his back, I wish I could ask him freely for a book so I may read in his company.

I can't simply stay at home all day without doing anything because he would be angry with me if he found out.

My jaw is supported by my hands while I start making plans for the day. Damien will leave for work after I have a bath, which will ensure that we have privacy, and I will then explore the house.

When I'm done with that, I'll go grab Grandma some groceries before going to her house. I'll check with her to see if she's still keen on going so I can tell some of the bodyguards to assist her tomorrow.

We can chat for the whole day since there is so much to discuss. I'll return home when it gets late.

I contemplate going to see Grandma and consider whether or not I should let Damien know I'll be gone.

He kept asking me where I went when I went out the previous time.

I should let him know.

After a little while, the bathroom door opens, and he out with water trailing down his chiseled, ripped physique and a towel wrapped around his waist.

It's likely that he washed his hair. He washed it yesterday, didn't he? Are guys washing their hair as often as women?

He raises a similar brow at me, and that is when I see my brows are wrinkled. I take a swallow and turn my head away.

Without looking at him, I say, "I want to go see Grandma today."

He has a gorgeous physique, and if I continue to see him every day for the next 360 days, I may not come out of this marriage the same way I did.

I mentally smack myself at the idea.

"Ok? She's moving today, right?

I grin and respond, "I don't think so, but I will ask her when she wants to move." First, I'm going to fetch her groceries.

Ask one of the maids to bring you them.

I interrupted him by saying, "There is no need for that; I can do that myself."

He gives me a stern look. If you don't feel comfortable, I can give you Anna for an hour so she can handle it.

"Anna?" My eyebrows furrow in perplexity. "Who is Anna?" you ask.

You're unaware of Anna? He seemed astonished that I didn't recognize the person. "Of course, my new Assistant. The woman I invited to go shopping with you the other day, appeared relaxed and at ease with it.

"Oh!" I just asked why his assistant must do these tasks for me in my statement. The question is, "But why her?"

"Why her?" you ask. As he puts his business attire on and places it on the bed, he asks me. I'm curious about the occasion today since the suit is expertly designed in Italy. He pulls out a matching pair of suede shoes to complete the ensemble. "Nothing, I'm just feeling like asking her to do that for you."

Will she object to being assigned such a duty when she knows me as the boss's wife? I'm trying to imagine myself in her position.

If I were given such a duty, would I too be furious?

His possible grin causes me to become more perplexed. How, after I left the position, did he ever hire another Assistant?

Does he recognize her?

He murmurs, "I have my reasons, Lisa", and then turns away from me. I turn my head away as he wears his trousers.

I had to share this with you. I'm curious about his motives.

"Can I hear your argument or arguments?" I lightly ask, hoping that he would respond rather than dismiss it like the last time.

As the silence grows, I start to gnaw my bottom lip in sorrow. I shouldn't have questioned him in that way. I should become better at staying inside the lines. I shouldn't be feeling so privileged.

He is completely clothed and facing me directly as I turn to look at him.

He eventually responds, "Because Anna is the woman my mother wants me to marry," and I shake my head to understand what he has just said.

Mrs. Russell is pushing for him to wed Anna. His new assistant? Does he have this as a motivation?

Mouth wide open, I say.

"I won't be the one to dismiss her; instead, I'll wait patiently for her to give me a letter of resignation. My jaw is still hanging open when he gives me a wicked grin and says, "Please let Anna do the grocery shopping for you. I'm sure she will do that soon." He then picks up his luggage from next to the drawers and walks out the door.