Chapter Five

I was in the parlour relaxing when he walked in and seeing him made me realise I had just handed my life to a total stranger.

He walked past me looking totally exhausted from the day's activities.

“Welcome back”, I greeted him warmly.

“Thank you,” he responded.

I handed his black card to him since I wouldn't be needing it anymore.

“You can keep it Diana”, he voiced out.

I shook my head. “No..I can't please”,

“I don't want you to lack anything as long as you are staying here with me…use it to get anything you need”, he said as he gave it back to me.

He didn't utter another word as he found his way to the room to take a warm shower and stepped down to eat his dinner in silence after leaving me star-struck.

I recalled vividly a few days ago I was barely working two jobs to save my broken ass and right now I am holding a card which could literally get me anything I wanted.

It felt like a dream I would wake up from.

The next day. I woke up early and began to arrange my stuff properly, throwing away anything I knew I wouldn't be needing anymore.

I had taken a break from work when I was planning my wedding with David so I didn't have to go to work.

Although there was no honeymoon planned out as I had expected every newly married couple go through, I still decided to make the most of the time I was going to spend.

I sorted my things and threw out those things I wouldn't be needing anymore, especially stuff David my ex got me. I wanted to remove every memory of him from my mind so badly.

When I was done sorting out those things I found my way downstairs to see if there were any workers around so I could get a trash bag to trash out all the things from my ex-boyfriend.

I met one of them in the kitchen.

“Can I get a trash bag?”I said, dropping the stuff on the ground.

She picked it up and left with it.

I turned my back and was startled to see Lucas standing me.

“I didn’t hear you come in,” I said, placing a hand on my chest still trying to catch my breath.

“You were busy,” he replied, his eyes briefly moving to the pile of things the maid had taken away.

“It’s nothing important,” I added quickly.

He didn’t respond immediately. His gaze lingered for a second before he spoke. “Good.”

I frowned slightly. “Good?”

“If it’s something you don’t need anymore, then it’s better gone,” he said plainly.

I nodded, not sure why his words felt heavier than they should.

He walked past me to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.

I watched him for a moment. “You’re not going to work today?”

“I will,” he answered shortly. “Later.”

I hesitated before speaking again. “About… the terms you mentioned yesterday.”

That got his attention.

He placed the bottle on the counter and turned to face me fully.

“We’ll discuss it tonight.”

“Tonight?” I repeated.

“Yes”,

My stomach tightened a little. “Alright.”

There was a brief silence between us.

“I meant what I said,” he added. “About the card.”

“I know,” I replied quietly. “But I’m not used to… all of this”,

“You’ll get used to it”, he responded with a calm voice.

I wasn’t sure if that was comforting or not.

He picked up his keys and left.

I stood there for a while, staring at nothing in particular.

Everything still felt unreal.

He came back in the evening.

The night came faster than I expected.

By the time I stepped into the room, Lucas was already there, seated on the couch with a file in his hand.

He looked up as I entered.

“Sit,” he commanded.

I walked over and sat across from him, my fingers nervously playing with each other.

He closed the file and placed it on the table.

“Let’s make something clear, Diana,” he began. “This marriage is an agreement.”

I swallowed but nodded. Ofcourse, I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me that.

How on earth was I expected to have a chance with someone like him.

“You will stay here as my wife. In public, you act the part. No mistakes.”

“Okay”, my head is already calculating how best to tackle this situation.

“In private, there would be no need for any interference in each of our lives”

That one stung a little, but I still nodded.

“You will attend events with me when needed. Dress appropriately and speak when needed.”

“I understand.”

He watched me for a second, like he was trying to read something on my face.

“In return,” he continued, “everything you need will be provided. You won’t lack anything.”

“I don't want any past issues coming back to ruin anything,” he added.

David’s face flashed in my mind, but I pushed it away quickly.

“That won’t happen,” I said firmly.

Whatever happened between David and I has been taken properly care of.

“Good”, he nodded once, like the conversation was going like he expected.

“Get some rest,” he said, standing up. “We start tomorrow.”

“Start what?” I asked.

He glanced back at me.

“Being a proper Mrs. Bernard.”

I wondered what being a proper Mrs. Bernard entails.

All my life, I had never been exposed to such a life.

I had spent years worrying about bills, working endlessly just to survive.

Now, I was expected to step into a world where class matters more than anything.

Would I be able to survive what comes next?

Chapter Six.

The next morning I woke up to see Lucas already awake and properly dressed for work.

He was adjusting his watch when he noticed my gaze on him. He looked breathtaking—effortlessly handsome.

“Good morning”, I greeted, averting my gaze to pretend I wasn't admiring him deeply just now.

“Good morning”, he replied. His voice was husky and a bit rough, drawing my attention the most.

I tried to pull myself together.

I nodded my head and swallowed hard trying my best to breathe as I inhaled his fresh cologne and mist spray.

He sat a little closer, still keeping a respectful distance.

“Careful,” he said as I stood up, nearly losing my balance on my way to the restroom.

“Thank you,” I muttered, hurrying off before I embarrassed myself further.

I entered the bathroom and blew a frustrated air finally getting a little bit of privacy felt like heaven.

This was getting harder than I thought.

I slapped myself several times and I washed my face perhaps it would help with whatever I was feeling.

I looked at my face again reminding myself that it was just for a period of time and I would have to forget about him or this marriage.

“Diana”, he called me.

“I am coming”, I responded having been able to compose myself a little.

I entered the room to get to know the reason why he called me.

“Grandpa has asked to see us again so we will be going over at the hospital later”, he informed me.

I couldn't deny that I have also been anticipating my visit with him.

“Okay”, I replied.

He nodded his head in acknowledgement before leaving the room giving me space to finally breathe some fresh air.

I found my way to the shower and washed myself clean before heading down to the dining table to savour the meal that had been prepared by the chef and served by the maid.

I ate alone since Lucas cares more about work than anything else.

The maid walked in and as she was about to clear the table. I used the avenue to ask her if she could arrange lunch to be brought for him.

She did as I instructed and I sent it to him using his office address.

I began to prepare myself for the visit with his grandfather. It was already around the scheduled time that was set.

I wanted to appear my best since I would be going with Lucas who would be back in no time.

I chose a dress from the shopping I did previously.

I wore it and admired myself in the full-length mirror and didn't notice when he walked in on me.

I wondered how long he had been standing there for me not to notice until he coughed a little, causing me to turn around.

“Welcome”, I greeted him.

“Thank you”, he replied as he walked in.

A thousand and one thought ran through my mind.

“Grandpa is waiting…let's go”,

I followed him as we walked outside and headed to his sleek black Benz that was parked in the garage.

We both entered and the driver began driving down to our destination.

I didn't say a word as I operated my phone endlessly needing something to distract myself with.

Lucas averted his gaze to me.

“Thank you for the meal”

“You are welcome”, I replied with a smile.

My stomach fluttered with butterflies.

“I am glad you love it”,

But what he said next shocked me.

“Next time, don’t do what you weren’t told. Stick to the plan.”

My eyes widened in amazement. I was dumbfounded.

What I had planned as a harmless gesture. I couldn't believe he would take it in this manner.

We arrived at the hospital and I walked in to see grandpa.

My mood lightened as I saw him. The way he welcomed me brightened my mood so much that I forgot what he said to me earlier.

“How are you feeling grandpa?” I asked.

“I am great and I am really happy to see you my beautiful damsel”,

I smiled as he ushered me with praises, making me blush hard.

He held my hands and shocked me with his next word.

“When am I going to be expecting my grandchildren”,

My whole body trembled as he spoke those words. “Grandchildren”, I muttered

“Yes”, he responded.

Lucas cut in as he spoke.

“Grandpa, you should focus on getting better first,” his tone was calm but firm.

“My health will improve faster when I have something to look forward to.”

Lucas stepped closer. “We’ll talk about that some other time,” he added.

Grandpa sighed. “Fine, fine. You young people always think you have time.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding.

Lucas’s hand briefly brushed against mine as he helped his grandfather adjust his pillow.

I quickly pulled my hand away, clasping both hands together to steady myself.

“Have you been taking your medication?” Lucas asked, shifting the conversation.

“Yes, yes. The nurses won’t let me forget,” Grandpa replied with a playful grin.

After a while, Lucas checked his watch. “We should get going. You need to rest.”

Grandpa nodded reluctantly. “Alright. But you must both come again soon.”

As we turned to leave, his voice stopped us.

“And Diana…”

I turned back. “Yes, Grandpa?”

“Take good care of him. He may not say it, but he needs you.”

My eyes instinctively shifted to Lucas, but his expression remained unreadable.

“I will,” I replied quietly.

We walked out of the ward in silence.

The moment we stepped into the corridor, the warmth I had felt inside the room faded.

Lucas walked ahead, not once looking back to see if I was following.