Chapter 4 - His House

The driver pulls up at the City Hall. He opens my door for me. “Madam, please.”

Okay… this would need time to get used to.

We enter the building and about half an hour later we come out as a married couple. Wow! Can one get married this fast? I had no idea!

Without any expression, Kayden walks back to the car. There’s no doubt that my new husband is so handsome that he could incur the indignation of all gods and men. That face with its tall nose, and deep, calm eyes could infatuate anyone. Under his lush hair, his face was pale and clear but devoid of femininity. His lean figure carried an irresistible allure with it.

He turns around and monotonously says, “I’ve already informed my family that there won’t be a wedding.”

“That would be best. It’s supposed to be a secret marriage. I don’t want things to blow up either,” I said.

He scoffed. “After all, if someone were to find out, the method you used, you would only be more embarrassed.”

“Hey… I told you it was an accident and you said you wouldn’t bring it up again. We signed an agreement just now!” I glare at him.

He pursed his lips looking somewhat guilty as he apologizes. “Sorry. I apologize. We signed the agreement and I’m not supposed to mention it again. I was just being impulsive. But you must know I’m not marrying you out of my free will. I have someone I love.”

I can sense the sincerity in his voice and felt somewhat sorry for him. After all, he was suddenly forced into a marriage with a total stranger, and moreover, it was my mistake.

“It’s alright. I can understand. We just got married and we still have to live together in the future. Adjusting to each other is unavoidable.”

“Yes. I’ll get used to it as soon as possible. I hope that you’ll do as the contract terms say.”

“Don’t worry. I’m a professional actress. I’ll take our contract seriously; I’ll act like I’m in love with you in front of your family and play my role well. I also hope that you can follow the contract. This is a fake marriage. Let’s not have any physical contact.”

“Of course. But just so you know we’ll have to live together and in the same room so that no one gets a whiff of this contract marriage.”

“Sure. I said that I would cooperate as long as you don’t interfere with my life.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve never been interested in uncultured and ill-mannered women like you.” Kayden said while his eyes swept over my face.

“Well perfect. Even I’m not interested in men who are just brute and have no skills in bed.”

Seeing his handsome face cloud over with anger I felt somewhat satisfied but soon I realized calling out his bed behavior casually was uncalled for. But I hold my ground. “What… I was just telling the truth and anyway you criticized me first.” I glare at him

“Alright, I’m sorry. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have said it,” 

“Apology accepted. I won’t touch you again anyway, so I won’t mention your skills anymore.”

He looks like he’s resisting the urge to throw me out of the car. “I won’t interfere in your life. You can do what you want, have your privacy, and make friends. I won’t ask about it as long as it doesn’t compromise my reputation.”

“Don’t worry. I have professional ethics. Since I’m married to you, I won’t casually get involved in scandals with other men. We’ll be divorcing soon anyway; I can tolerate this for at least these few years.”

“Okay. It’s a deal.”

“Deal.”

Although married we aren’t anything but strangers. As if he has completed a mission, Kayden didn’t spare me a glace again, and instead turning his head he gestured everyone to follow. I realized now there he roams with an entourage of bodyguards with him. Is he that important a figure… or he just likes to squander money on such measly things I don’t know?

But he might be something big seeing that he’s our Governor’s brother. Plus his younger brother is Kai.

I followed him through the downtown area and into a compound.

There was a three-story villa in the courtyard. The person standing there smiled at me. He looked in his fifties with glasses and white hair neatly tied back with clothes that looked more expensive than hers. His hands were folded and his head was bowed as he said respectfully, “Welcome Madam. My name is Aiden Jones. I’m the butler of this house.”

“Oh.” Dazed, I look inside. The courtyard was wide and spacious with a long and straight road leading in. A lush-green field stretched into the distance. This place was so big that she could not see where it ended.

Kayden looks at me. “You’ll be staying here with me from now on.”

“Oh, you’ll be staying here too?”

“Of course. Are you planning to live separately when we just got married?”

“No, I’m just confirming,”

“My parents don’t usually come over. You can command the servants as you wish. If you don’t like the interior design, feel free to tell Mr. Jones. You can change whatever you want as long as you don’t touch my bedroom and study room.”

How rude would that be! “No, I’m okay.”

He stops in his tracks and looks at me with a distant gaze. The way he is casually leaning against the corner of the table was also elegant. Maybe people with good looks looked good doing anything.

He was doing something with his wallet. His slender fingers looked like they were definitely suited to play the piano.

“Mr. Jones will take you around the house,” he said. “I hope you get used to your surroundings soon.”

Mr. Jones quickly gave me a tour of the house. There were an alarmingly large number of rooms. The maids’ quarters were outside, the kitchen was in the back, the living room was in the front, and the bedroom was upstairs. She felt that she would definitely lose her way if she went around alone.

The Wilsons were doing well in their business but this was a whole new level of rich. I turn to Mr. Jones. “Is this Kayden’s house?”

“Yes, Madam, and from now on this is your house too.”

“Wow, he seems pretty wealthy.”

“Yes he is…” he looks somewhat suspiciously at me and then smiled kindly. “Although Sir seems difficult to get along with, he is a good person. You’ll get used to him eventually.”

I purse my lips and nod. He shows me my room and leaves after bowing his head. I felt awkward that a man twice as old as me is bowing his head but maybe that’s what happens in rich families.

I open the walnut-colored double doors to the bedroom. Immediately, I was faced with a half-naked Kayden as he stood beside what I assumed was the bathroom door.

His lean, honey-colored body appeared more attractive after his recent shower. His muscles were symmetrically balanced on his chest and arms, giving him the perfect V-shaped body. The lines below his hip were also….

What the hell are you thinking… he’s naked!

The white towel is loosely wrapped around his hips that it seems it would fall any minute. I shout in surprise. “S-Sorry!” and ran out of the room closing the door with a loud thud.

I stand against the door with my hands on my chest as I feel my heart beating furiously. Unannounced, Kayden’s naked body reappears in my mind.

This man is really too attractive; his body is so perfect that I almost had a nosebleed. But it was just an accident. Even if he’s my husband, it’s just a contract marriage.