Chapter 35: Chapter 35

“Coming.” She said as she came out of her room. Someone was knocking at the door. Thomas had said that since he rarely lived in the condo, there was no ring doorbell and the security lock was also not installed yet. He was telling all that to her while making small talk the other night.

She felt that he did not look as arrogant at that moment as he always seemed and acted. He was acting normally. She was surprised, but she did not say anything and acted normal as well. She had made his tea and left for her room to rest. She was tired after the events of the day.

Now, there was someone at the door. She wondered who they were.

She opened the door to reveal none other than the grandpa himself. Her eyes widened seeing him there.

He was in his suit looking like he had just come from work. She greeted him quickly.

Thank God, she was not in her nightwear. She had just changed after having breakfast. Thomas had left already, and she slept late that day.

“Good morning, Mr. Walker.” She greeted with a tone mixed with politeness and professionalism. To be honest, he still intimidated her. She did not know how to treat him.

“Won’t you invite me in?” He asked looking at her with the same sour expression he had arrived with. She was caught off-guard.

“Of—of course. Come in, please.” She gave him space to enter while holding the door in nervousness. What was he doing there? Thomas did not inform her about his arrival. She had no idea what to do or say.

She led him to the couch, “Please have a seat.” She said as she saw him giving a disapproving look to the kitchen counter. She had just had her breakfast, so the plate and cup of coffee was lying there. Maybe, he did not like mess. But it was not even that messy.

He sat with a frown and took a deep breath. She sat in front of him and started playing with the hem of her dress. She had no issue in starting a conversation, but he was The James Walker. She had searched him up and came to know how powerful he was. Besides, she was afraid of saying something that would jeopardize Thomas’s stance. She did not know what he had told him about her.

“Thomas is very dear to me. When his parents passed away, I was the one who looked after him. I gave him everything he laid his eyes on—same like how I approved you despite not wanting to.” He heaved a distressful sigh as if talking to her was something he wanted to avoid at all costs but had no choice, “I have approved you as his bride, but this does not mean that you are free to do what you have been doing before. I know that you used to work as a bartender.” His voice sounded like he was in pain as he said that.

And her eyes widened with her brows shooting up. Did that mean he also knew that she was a stripper? Oh God! Thomas had warned her to hide that fact like her life depended on it. He told her that his grandpa must not know about it at all costs.

She waited for him to continue. Her heart was beating so fast. She was expectant that he would mention the fact of her being a stripper. But he did not.

“Our family’s reputation is dear to me, and I won’t allow anyone ruining it. I am willing to forget about your past and accept you as my daughter-in-law only if you agree to live life on our terms. Are you getting me?” He asked to make sure she understood it very well.

She had no choice but to nod her head. It was not like she was going to be the permanent daughter-in-law so she had nothing to fear. It is only one year! She tried to console herself.

“Don’t tell Thomas I was here.” He gave one last order before getting up. She was so anxious around him that she did not ever offer him anything—nor did he give her the chance.

He was out with the blink of an eye. She could only stare at his retreating back.

No wonder Thomas was so full of confidence and arrogance. It was hereditary.

She shook her head and went to wash the dishes. She cleaned the kitchen and started cleaning the counter. Everything was spotless. She knew the credit could not go to Thomas. There must have been someone looking after the condo, but she had not seen any helper coming in those two days she was there.

She played some music while making lunch. She took cooking and food seriously. Her mother always taught her to look after her health. Eat vegetables and fruits, avoid drinking, and avoid ordering food from outside… that was why she told Thomas the previous night that she would cook food.

It was not like she was being controlling or she had accepted the place as hers—it was because she was bored all day now that she did not have a job. She had thought she would convince Thomas that she would work, but the grandpa threw a new bomb at her.

She made Chicken Alfredo Pasta hopping that Thomas liked it. But she could not do anything about it if he did not like it. She liked it, and that was enough.

She was done in an hour. She was wondering if he would come for lunch. She did not know and had not asked him either.

Should I ask him? She thought to herself. She had made the pasta for two people. She hated wasting food unnecessarily. After debating with herself, she picked up her phone and left a text on his number.

Thomas heard the ding of his phone while he was resting on his office chair. He had just gotten free from a meeting. Ever since he started going to office, his grandpa made him understand all the procedures and even made him attend meetings on his behalf. It was tiring at times, but he was glad that he trusted him enough to let him do all that.

He picked up his phone to see a text from Olivia. He sat up straight in his seat.

It was the first time, since they had gotten married, that she had texted him. He was surprised to see that.

“Are you coming for lunch?” A simple text which made him smirk. So madam had already started fulfilling her promise. She had told him the other night that she would be cooking.

“Of course.” He sent the reply immediately.

He had no intention to go to his place for lunch. He always ordered from the restaurant near the office. But since she had asked him, he would surely go. There were a few moments where he felt like he should give the fake relationship some time. They had to live with one another for a year.

She still had doubts and suspicions about him. He wanted to clear the air a bit since it was suffocating to argue time and again.

He left his office and reached his place within a few minutes. He unlocked the door with his key and entered inside. He forgot to install a ring doorbell again. He had to do that soon, he thought.

They had to live there for a few more days. If it was up to him, he would have lived there forever. But he knew it was not possible. His grandpa would not let that happen.

He heard some music coming out from the kitchen. It was not too loud but not too low either. He looked around the living room and did not see her, so he followed the sound and went to the kitchen.

His steps faltered as he saw her moving her body with the rhythm of the music. She was wearing a loose black dress that reached her knees. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail. She had her back towards him and had not noticed him.

“Delicate” by Taylor Swift was playing, and she was moving her hips and hands softly while humming with the song. She was so invested in her vibes that she did not notice him for good one or two minutes as he saw her with admiration. The way she danced at that moment was so different from how she danced at the club.

She looked so innocent and carefree while dancing and enjoying in the kitchen. He folded his arms on his chest and kept looking at her with a smile.

She turned around and noticed him finally. Her hand was in the air as she probably wanted to swing it. Her eyes widened as she saw him standing there from God-knows when.

She quickly stopped the music and caressed her dress as if wanting to smooth it—or wanting to appear less awkward after how he saw her. Her eyes were down. She could feel her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

He could not stop smiling.