Chapter 5: Chapter 5

It has only been a month since she told Devlin she’ll marry him. But to Violet, it felt like a long time ago. So much has happened in the past weeks that she felt utterly exhausted. Violet had to meet Devlin’s grandmother – a confident, authoritative, intimidating woman. Elora welcomed her openly but told Violet she expects her to act in a way that befits their station. What that means exactly, Violet didn’t care for. Not when she’s worried sick for Amara.

Then she had to tell Max what she was about to do. Max loves her cousin dearly and for Violet to tell her that she was about to marry the man whom Summer loves brought her great shame. Max accepted it but Violet knew that she was deeply disappointed.

And there were the wedding preparations. Her wedding dress. The venue. Guests. Food. Her mind was not in it. So she let the wedding planner pick everything. Violet told Devlin she didn’t have a lot of friends. Only Amara, Bella, Max, and a couple of friends from work would be her guests. So he agreed to hold a simple ceremony and reception.

Yesterday was the big day. Amara walked her down the aisle. Violet forced herself to smile like it was the happiest day of her life, but she just couldn’t muster up the excitement. It felt more like a sentence than a celebration. She couldn’t remember much about what happened after. She just nodded, shook hands, and waved her hands at the people who congratulated her.

When Devlin noticed she could barely keep her eyes open, he told everyone it’s time for them to go. The guests roared and cheered them on. Even Amara, who never doubted what Violet and Bella told her about her and Devlin’s love story, applauded. Only Bella and Max looked as if someone had died.

Violet pulled back the bed covers and looked at her phone. 6 AM. She didn’t want to get up yet but sleep eluded her. She might as well eat breakfast and think about what she would do for the next six months. Elora told her to quit her job as an analyst as it didn’t fit her image as Devlin’s wife. So now she had nothing significant to do.

She made up the bed, brushed her teeth and washed her face, and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

A woman who looks to be in her 50s, wearing a black dress uniform with white apron tied around the waist, was preparing food. She looked up when she heard Violet’s footsteps.

“Madam Violet! Good morning. Did you have a good night’s sleep?” she asked, her face glowing.

Violet smiled, “Hi, good morning…? Sorry, what’s your name?”

She slapped her hands over her forehead. “Goodness, where are my manners? I’m Rosa, the new housekeeper. I just started two weeks ago. If you need anything, just let me know Madam.”

Ah, Amara’s replacement. It was not easy but Violet managed to convince Amara to quit her job so she could focus more on her health. “Great to meet you, Rosa. Just call me Violet, please,” she urged.

“I can see you two had made your introductions.” Both Rosa and Violet swung their heads to the door. Devlin casually strolled forward and picked up an apple. He took a bite and turned towards Rosa. “Rosa, can you bring us food to the veranda please? Violet and I need to talk.” He tilted his head towards Violet and gestured for her to follow him.

Violet looked around her. It felt weird. More than a month ago, she was here to do some cleaning. Now she’s here as Devlin’s wife. What a strange turn of events.

Rosa arrived with a tray of food. Violet was starving since she couldn’t eat much last night. She dug in her food eagerly. She was too focused on filling up her belly that she forgot Devlin was there. When she looked up, she saw him smirking at her.

“What?” Violet asked.

“You look like you’ve been starved for a week.”

Violet rolled her eyes at him. She reached for the glass of milk, drank, and wiped her mouth. “What is it you want to talk about?”

He straightened his shoulders. “I want to set some ground rules.”

“Okay.”

“One, we don’t meddle in each other’s personal business. Our marriage is merely an arrangement, one that would be dissolved once six months is up. That means you don’t interfere with my affairs and I won’t interfere with yours. Second, don’t be shy to splurge. Use the

credit cards I gave you. You now carry my name and that demands a certain level of expectation in both appearance and behavior. Buy yourself new clothes, shoes, makeup. Whatever you need.”

Violet clenched her fists. Devlin makes it so obvious he thought her appearance shabby. “Anything more?”

He looked at the sea and made tapping sounds on the table. “I guess that’s it.”

“Good. If that’s all, please excuse me. I’ll be going to Bella’s.” Devlin bought them a six-bedroom house near his. Bella was reluctant to accept at first but Violet insisted. If she had to marry for money, might as well make the most out of it.

“Violet?”

She looked back. “Yes?”

“It wouldn’t look good to Nana if she knew you’d go visit and spend every day in Amara’s house.”

Violet raised her brows at him. “I thought you said we shouldn’t meddle in each other’s business?”

“Right. But I want to remind you that Nana still holds power over us. If you want to check on Amara, feel free to do so. Just don’t do it every day. Understood?” he commanded.

“Yes, Sir.”