Chapter 9

*JANELLE* I stared at Donovan, nervously. I barely knew him so I didn’t exactly feel safe enough to tell him everything I’ve been through. Or tell him what I wanted from my dad in exchange of marrying him. Since I knew he obviously loved someone else and didn’t want this marriage at all, I will not force myself or him into wanting this marriage. One month was enough. I get something substantial from my dad. We separate and go continue our lives. It was a win-win situation. So I thought of a lie to say to Donovan. “I respect my mom a lot and she had always valued this engagement. She’s not in a really good health right now and I don’t want to disappoint her.” My mom would literally crash out if she heard this lie right now. Donovan eyed me as if he could tell I was lying. “Really?” I met his gaze and my nervousness increased, it was as if he could see through me. His cellphone rang out and I saw his eyes grew tender as he stared at the screen. He said to me in a rush. “Since this marriage will only last a month, there’s no need to hold any extravagant wedding ceremony. Let’s just get the month over it.” I had no choice but to agree. “Okay.” ******************* Two days later, Donovan came to get me. There was no wedding ceremony as he had wanted. We only signed a marriage certificate and got it registered in court. ************ Soon, the car stopped in front of a villa. Under the sunlight, the vase building looked magnificent. Donovan’s personal bodyguard, Brad led me into the house. He was neither enthusiastic nor fawning at me. I guess he knew about Donovan and I’s one month plan. Though the house was huge, I didn’t see much servants. Just one to be exactly. Brad led me to the housekeeper and left. I felt uncomfortable as I looked around. “You can call me Joan, I’m the housekeeper, if you need anything, let me know.”Joan who seemed to be in her fifties said with a smile. I smiled back.”Alright.” As she showed me around, she let out. “Sir Donovan might not come home tonight. Today is Miss Laura’s birthday.”She had a pitiful look on her face as she said that. I had come to know that Laura was Donovan’s woman, the person he wanted to be with. I wasn’t surprised that Joan felt pity towards me. Well, to her, I was Donovan’s wife now and so he was supposed to be faithful to me. But I knew where I stood and I wasn’t expecting anything more. I just smiled at Joan and didn’t explain anything to her. I had no right to interfere with Donovan’s private life and I think I’d feel more at ease if he wasn’t here. I walked into a room and saw the furnishings of the bedroom. The decoration style was unique, black and white, simple and neat. It was luxurious and elegant. “This is Sir Donovan’s bedroom.”Joan announced. I turned to face her and she had a knowing smile on her face which told me that this was also my room now. Since we were married, it was only natural for couples to sleep in the same bedroom. I opened my mouth to request for my own room but I didn’t know if Donovan wanted more people to know that we were not going to try and make this marriage work. I closed my mouth and just nodded instead. I freshened up and then settled into bed. I couldn’t get any sleep and I guess my body was still adjusting to the new environment. As I laid on the bed, I thought about what to do from now on. I had used part of that money I had made from prostituting myself to settle the hospital bills and funeral expenses. I still had some cash left but I didn’t want to stay idle. I couldn’t just be in this house for a month, sleeping and eating. I wanted to keep myself busy and there was nothing wrong in earning more money. I grabbed my cellphone and searched through the internet for job opportunities. I saw an advertisement recruiting interpreters. It was not surprising that the company was recruiting interpreters. But it was rare that they were looking for an interpreter who could speak the language of Argan. Argan was where my mom, sister and I were sent to by my father. It was located in the tropical region. Few people knew how to speak the language. I guess that since the language was rare, they would pay a decent salary. So I sent my personal information. I kept my cellphone and tried to get some sleep. ******** *DONOVAN* I leaned against the window in my car, I was a bit aware of my surrounding and I knew that Brad was driving me home. I had drank too much tonight because somehow, that was how Laura wanted her to celebrate her birthday, by drinking. As the car came to a halt, Brad helped me off the car. I pushed him away a bit and murmured. “I can handle myself.” I believe I wasn’t that drunk, plus, it’d make me feel weak to be supported by someone. Everywhere was spinning around me as I held the wall and tried to locate my bedroom. As soon as I was sure I was in my bedroom, I pulled off my jacket and loosened my tie. I knew where the bed was and I fell on it, sleeping off, immediately. ********* I woke up with a start feeling something warm around me. I blinked and opened my eyes. I wanted to get up from bed but I felt something against me, something so warm. When I looked down, I saw a woman nestled in my arms. Her hair was long, sliding on my arm. Her cheeks were white and her lashes were curled up like the wings of a butterfly. Her lips were slightly opened and her breathing was even. I took her in, her slender neck, exquisite collarbone, undulating chest. She leaned on her side, one arms draped around my body. I could feel her breasts pressing against me. I swallowed the sudden huge lump in my throat. I tried to think about the fact that I was supposed to be faithful to Laura and not feel any lust towards this woman. I mentally told myself to push her away from me and berate her for sleeping in my bed. What was she trying to do? Seduce me?