Valerie's POV

I couldn't sleep overnight, I was tossing and turning on my bed. My head is running with unanswered questions. Isn't his wife on a trip? Are they getting divorced?

The ride to the restaurant was longer than I thought. His driver picked me up at six, after having a heart-to-heart talk with my parents, weighing our options when we don't even have one. I put on a blue bodycon long-sleeve dress that stopped at my upper thigh. I didn't wear any makeup and my hair was packed in a high bun.

The car stopped in front of a five-star hotel and I wondered why we were there. I walked into the hotel and was drawn in by the interior designs, the clean and professional outline of the front desk and the accommodating air was soothing. The female receptionist smiled as I approached her.

“Hello, I'm here to see Mr Skavinski,” I said politely.

She nodded, leading me to the elevator. We got into the elevator and she pushed the penthouse buttons. I took a glance at the hotel through the transparent elevator glass.

We walked out of the elevator, and she led me to the first door. I noticed there were only two doors on this floor. I could tell from the setting up of the living room that everything cost a fortune, from the floor-to-ceiling window, where I could practically see the whole city view, to the all-white types of furniture and cabinets and I felt out of place.

I saw him sitting at the dining table, in his all-black outfit, but this time his sleeves were rolled up, and I could see his tattoos, making me want to run my hands on them, feel the muscles in his arms, and ask the stories behind the tattoos.

“Come in” he said, ushered me in, I took my seat opposite him, glaring hard at him, as if that could stop my thoughts from going wild.

“Why did you bring me here and not the restaurant?”I want to know why he brought me here and not a restaurant.

He pressed a small bell on the table and maids walked in with dishes in their hands. I was a little frightened at first seeing them walk out in a straight line while carrying stuff in their hand. He chuckled at my expression.

We ate in pregnant silence as the air got thicker at the end of the dinner. I want to know why he was trying to be nice, because I've heard a lot about him and there's nothing like being nice.

The table was cleared and wine was served, “so what's the deal?” I couldn't hold out any longer.

“This” He passed me a brown envelope and I opened it reluctantly to find a contract drafted on it.

“What's this?” I yelled after reading what was in it," I don't see how this is beneficial for me, I'm sure you don't expect me to sign my life away to satisfy your need for a wife.”

“You get two kids to call you mom, and once they're grown, we can go our separate ways. I know how badly you want to be a mum, so this is a lifetime offer and if you bond well with the kids, that's for life. They already love you, and I'll do anything for those little devils of mine, even if I have to force you” He cocked his gun to show me how serious he was, and I almost choked.

She sat in silence as I thought of ways to opt out of this mess. I found myself but nothing. I stared at the contract in front of me, reading it over and over again. “What's the chance of me getting killed, you know, in those rumored fights among your people?” I couldn't suppress the urge to ask.

“Once you become mine, you get the ultimate protection”, he rested his back while staring at me, giving me the time to think.

I grabbed the pen and signed my life away with shaky hands. With this union, I can clear my name from the mess Tate put me in, I get to be the mother of two children, which is the most important part of the contract.

“Great choice, Mrs Skavinski” he sneered. I just want to go back to my bed and cry till there's nothing more.

“Let's go home” I started at him like he had grown two heads.

“You mean I'll follow you to your house?” I asked with concern. “ Didn't you read the last clause?” He questioned, raising a brow. I opened the contract in haste only to find the last part that says both ‘parties will move together and live together as family immediately after signing.’

“I can't just move in with you, I have to pack and inform my parents and…………..…”

“Your parents are aware, and your things are already in mine, and everyone is waiting to meet you. There's no need for delay”. He cut me off before heading out. It took me a while before I remembered we were supposed to leave together.

The drive to his estate was an uncomfortable silence. I took my time to admire the beautiful night view, houses, and cars, keeping myself busy when I remembered I hadn't talked to Monica throughout the week.

I sent her a quick message to check up on her and also hint to her about what was going on. I replied to messages from my parents and my editors too, before switching my phone off.

By the time we got to his mansion, I was amazed at the sight that I had forgotten where I was for a while, it was exactly that house I'd always wanted as a kid. I spun around, giggling like a kid. The colors, the statue of a man standing in the middle of the wide compound, and a little garden I can see from where I was standing.

“Ehm” I turned to see him staring at me weirdly, his eyes flickered with emotions before I could even figure them out. My cheeks were red with embarrassment as he led the way inside.

It was dark, so I guess they went to bed early. We took the long stairs to the floor where he showed me my room, which was seriously bigger than the apartment I shared with Monica. I turned to ask him where my clothes were when I noticed he had left the room.

I followed the sound of his voice to the terrace, he was talking to someone on call. His words stopped me right on my track as I turned to go.

“I don't have a wife, she's not my wife, she's just here to play the role of a mother to my kids. The background check shows she's a wh*re and covers that up with the book she writes. I'm just glad she's empty. Yes, she can't have kids and that's why she's the best candidate. I'm sure that's why she agreed in the first place.

Oh, please, having her doesn't mean I can't bang other girls. And when I'm ready to have her as my plaything, I'll make sure to run every possible test on her” My knees buckled at his words.

Valerie's POV

I stared back at my reflection in the mirror, my eyeshadow smeared across my eyes with dark circles showing my lack of sleep, as I kept tossing and turning all through the night. I glance around the luxurious bathroom, everything here screams expensive, from the golden bathtub to the computerized toilet seat.

I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a blue towel around me. Picked out blue jeans with a pink crop top. I was packing my hair when I heard a knock at the door. I opened it to find Leonard standing there.

“Hey, how did you sleep? I came to call you for breakfast, "he said softly.

Lord, his morning voice! I shiver slightly.

That's probably the after-effect of just coming out of the shower.

“Okay, I'll be done in a minute” I replied with a nod, shutting the door immediately.

I rested my head at the back of the door. It's my first day as a mommy and after what I heard yesterday, I can boldly say I'm not ready.

I finished packing my hair in a ponytail before walking out of the room in search of the dining room.

“Good morning madam, come with me ma'am, Master is waiting for you in the dining area,” The maid said, bowing lightly.

I nodded before following her to the dining area. I heard a voice coming from the room.

“Daddy, Is she coming to eat with us?” I heard Layla asking her Dad.

“Of course, I'll eat with you,” I answered as I entered the dining room.

“Valerie!” Layla shouted, running to me. I opened my hands widely to carry her when she got to me.

“Hey baby, did you enjoy your night?” she nodded happily as I walked with her to the chair. I settled in a chair, putting her on my lap.

“Where's Landon?” I asked after eye-searching the room for him.

“He left for school” the maid answered instead.

“Daddy said you're our new mommy, is that true?” I shifted my eyes from Layla to her father, our eyes met for the first time today. I looked away immediately.

“Yes baby, I am your new mommy,” I said, glancing at my new so-called husband. He was dressed in grey sweatpants that fit him perfectly. His broad shoulders flex through the armless crew neck top.

He sits on the chair like the king that he is, as he watches the maid serve his food.

Layla's tight grip on my hand took me out of my thoughts. I smiled widely at her. I savored the smell of the food as the maid served us the spaghetti with sauce.

I couldn't eat the way I wanted because I could feel his gaze on me and the maids were still standing, which was making me uncomfortable. I picked at my food, trying to be a modest lady even when I was nowhere near that.

I kept stealing glances at him, he hadn't said a word to me since I got here and that shows he meant what he said yesterday. I looked up at the sound of his chair to see him standing already.

“Malia will show you around once you're done”, he murmured, before leaving along with Layla. The air in the room lightened immediately after he left.

I looked around the room to see the maids still have their heads bowed. This is my chance, I thought to myself as I stuffed my face in the flavored spaghetti and sauce. I let out the sound I've been holding back since I took the first spoon.

“That sound should be reserved for other purposes” I heard an unfamiliar voice say behind me. I could die of embarrassment right now, but it got worse when I felt a hand hold my hair for me as I lifted my head to see the stranger.

This was worse than when Monica walked in on me using a sex toy. I shrink at the memory of how she tormented me for months.

I looked up to see who it was. As the universe was against me, I choked on the remaining food in my mouth, I grabbed the glass of water beside me to see it was empty.

“Here you go. Milady” He handed me a filled glass of water, I took the glass from him with a nod and almost choked for the second time when he started patting my back.

“Easy, easy, relax” he whispered close to my ear as he patted my back gently.

I close my eyes at the heartwarming gesture I'm receiving. It's been a while since someone cared for me like this.

He removed his hand from my back and, to my surprise, I missed the warmth it was giving me. I gasped slowly when I saw his face. Is this a real-life demigod?

“ You must be the new mommy. I mean the new bride. I'm Mateo, your husband's best friend and right-hand man”. He extended his hand with a smile that showed his cute dimples. And I must say God took his tune to work on him, and I'm impressed.

Is it creepy to say I have a crush on my husband's best friend?

“Hi Mateo, nice to meet you” I responded, taking his extended hand in mine. You can tell he's manly from his grip on my hand. I stared directly into his alluring eyes and I swear I saw our future together with kids.

“Sir, Master is waiting for you in the study,” a maid said to Mateo, making us break eye contact.

“Okay Milady, see you around,” he said with a wink as he left the room. I watched his broad back till he was out of sight and I couldn't stop thinking about the warmth I felt from his hand and how comfortable I was having him around.

“Hi dear, I'm sorry I wasn't there to welcome you last night. My name is Malia Smith. I'm in charge of the maids and housekeeping duties here. Come dear, let me show you around”, Mrs Smith beamed with pride as she pulled me with her to the kitchen. She introduced me to everyone and I got to know their names, the kids' favorite food, and allergies.

But she pointed to a room I was not allowed to enter. She called it the ‘forbidden room’, and I'm curious to know what's behind the door.

Valerie's POV

I spent the past few days in my room, thinking about the Mateo gesture, and the forbidden room. Mom called almost every day, and we talked for hours on the phone because she couldn't help but worry about me.

She kept sharing tips on how to make kids love you, along with some careful warnings.

I was editing my unfinished business when I heard a small knock. I muttered a ‘come in’ thinking it was a maid and was surprised to see Landon and Layla holding a plate of cookies and a glass of milk.

“Hey there” I beamed brightly at them,

“Are these for me?” I questioned as I walked towards them, but I noticed they weren't smiling. it was obvious they had something to say.

“Is there a problem?” I pulled them into my room and sat them down on the blue sofa in the corner of my room.

“You can always talk to me,” I said again when I noticed how uneasy they were. Like they're not comfortable with what they're here for.

“I told everyone in school that I have a mom now, but they didn't believe me, and you didn't pick us up from school today,” Landon said sadly while looking at his feet.

“They were making fun of us today, they called Landon a liar because you didn't come to school” Layla sniffed back her tears “We're the only ones in school that don't have a mother”. She finished with tears streaming down her eyes.

I pulled them into a deep hug. They were too small to feel rejected and lonely.

“I'll be the one to drop you off at school and pick you up at the end of the day,” I said, patting their backs softly, giving them the little comfort I could offer.

“Really? You promise?” Layla questioned cheerfully, jumping up happily. I felt my chest tighten strangely while looking at the bright smile and happiness on their faces.

I was strangely getting attached faster than I thought, and I knew right there I would do anything to have this feeling again.

I hold them tightly to myself, seeing them like this makes me curious about how long they've stayed without their mom.

“I promise you” I gave them a hearty smile as I disengaged from the hug. Running my hand through Layla's hair with different thoughts running through my head when Landon pulled me by my hand, urging me to stand up.

I've noticed Landon is a guy with few words, he's either shy or something has happened that makes him say little to no words.

He took me to his room and I realized I had never really checked the kids' room out, I'd been all by myself forgetting the primary reasons why I was there in the mansion. He showed me his video games and toys. You could easily tell he doesn't have any friends, and he's all by himself.

“How do you play these games?” I said to him playfully as he was eager to show me his moves but was shocked to see I was a pro. I spent time playing video games with my dad while growing up as an only child. We went on for hours playing games and this was the happiest I have been since I moved in.

Then we went downstairs for dinner, and I was glad Leonard was not back yet. He's the type to change the mood in a room by just stepping in.

I put the kids to sleep after eating. I read bedtime stories to them. Landon was a fast sleeper, he was out before I finished the first paragraph.

“You promised to take me to school tomorrow, right?” Layla asked for the umpteenth time since I promised to come to their school, proving people must have let her down in the past.

“Of course baby, mommy is coming with you tomorrow” I reassured her again, running my hand through her hair as she was dozing off already. I tucked her in properly with a kiss on her forehead and did the same to Landon.

“Holy crap!” I screamed, shocked to see Leonard on the way, when I turned to leave.

“I didn't mean to scare you,” he said with a smirk. He was standing with his hands in the pockets of his black suit and was wearing a complete suit, he looked dashing and more handsome even though stress was written on his face, but he was not as handsome as my Mateo.

My Mateo?! No

“It's fine” I responded with my head bowed, he has intimidating eyes which I, avoid at all cost. I scurried out immediately and made my way downstairs to the maid's quarters, but she wasn't there. I needed to talk to Mrs Smith.

I saw her coming in through the back door and I rushed towards her. She is the nicest person in the house, and it's probably because she is the only mother figure in the house.

“Mrs Smith, I checked for you everywhere,” I told her, standing right in front of her.

“Oh dear, I was in the garden. Is anything the matter? I'm sure you've seen your husband”, she said with a sweet smile.

“Everything is fine, I need to ask you about something, and I'll need your help with some information too if that's okay,” I told her nervously. “ I don't know if it's okay to ask, but you're the only person apart from Leonard. I can ask” I am completely already thinking of backing out.

“It's okay dear, you can ask me anything, that's why I'm here for you”. I took my hand in hers and pulled me deep into the kitchen.

“I didn't mean to prey, I just want to know more about the kids' mother, when the kids last saw their mother and how dirty their divorce was.

Those two have been alone without a mom for so long, I want to know the situation, so I won't do anything to trigger them, you know………..”

“And who do you think you are to want that information? You are here to be their mother, not poke nosing, trying to root out things that don't concern you. I hate people that are people that don't mind their business”. Leonard cut in from the stairs, walking closer to me. “Curiosity killed the cat, let this be the last time you'll ever go around asking my staff silly questions”, he snarled harshly, his face hard with anger and his eyes cold as hell. I knew immediately I was in trouble.