Chapter Four.
“Come with me”, Lucas said walking down to a room. He opened the door.
The staff bowed as they saw him.
I followed him. I noticed that the room was occupied but neat.
“We will use this room together”, he said as I gasped with shock.
“I thought you would give me my own room”, I voiced out.
“My grandfather has eyes watching and in no time he would realise that we aren't together”,
Although I knew he was telling the truth. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
“Don't worry, I won't touch you and I hope you also don't have any of such intention towards me”,
I nodded.
“perfect”,
“I have cleared out some parts of the wardrobe and cabinet so you can keep your things in there”, he announced.
I began to arrange my stuff while he stood there staring at me.
I was beginning to feel uncomfortable.
“Are these all your stuff?” he asked.
“Yes”,
I knew he was used to quality items but this stuff here were things I don't use to play.
“Don't you think you need a change of clothes”,
My eyes widened in amazement. Is he trying to insult me?
“This is my card, use it to get yourself some new clothes”, he said, pulling out his wallet and removing an unlimited card.
“There won't be any need for that Mr. Lucas”, I responded.
“Take it and use it you can consider it an appreciation from me for helping me today at the court”,
“We still have to discuss the terms of the marriage but I will let you settle in first”,
I collected the card and looked at it. He moved to the door.
“You can ask the driver to take you wherever you want to go…I am off to work”, he said without giving me a chance to speak.
I sighed and relaxed my body on the bed. Looking at the card. I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a few things for myself.
I realised a few bucks to my credit card debt wouldn't be a bad idea.
Finding my way downstairs. I met one of the maids.
“Ma, dinner is set”, she informed me.
“I am Diana..please call me Diana” I said feeling weird being addressed as ma.
“I am sorry, I can't do that young master would be mad at me”,
I proceeded to leave her alone to do as she pleases.
I found my way to the dining table as I salivated seeing the huge bouquet which I had prepared already.
Lucas has gone to work and I wondered when he was going to be back.
Was he always this busy? If he always is. Then I am sure I wasn't going to be seeing him frequently.
I didn't know if I should be happy or sad.
His unlimited credit card is still staring at me in my face.
The meal I ate was the best I have eaten in a long while.
I stood up from the dining area and watched as they cleared the place clean of every single dish that has been lying down here previously.
“I would love to get a few things for myself”, I voiced out.
“Lucas said one of the drivers can take me”, I informed her. She simply nodded.
“Let me tell him to prepare the car”, The maid said bowing before leaving my presence.
The drive to the shopping mall was smooth. I arrived and walked in with full confidence like someone who owns the place.
A place I have always admired from afar stepping inside and knowing that I could practically afford anything I wanted.
Thanks to my husband. Lucas.
I began to make purchases on everything I saw and I love.
For the first time not checking the price tag of anything feels so wonderful.
My phone which was in my bag rang. I picked it up and put it in my ears.
“Hello, Diana”, I quickly recognised the voice. It was David. It still sent shivers down my spine and I couldn't deny it.
“Hello David”, I responded, seeing the tears falling down my eyes again.
All the memories of what happened that day flashing through my head again.
“Why does it say you got married to Lucas Bernard”,
I was disappointed thinking he had called to beg me to accept him back but it dawned on me that the reason he called was because he heard that I got married.
“How do you know?”, I asked, fuming with rage.
“Your pictures and names are scattered all over the news and Internet”, he added.
“How did you meet him”,
I decided to give him a piece of my mind now.
“How is that any of your business”, I answered, allowing my emotion to flow.
“I just want to know”, his voice low.
“It’s no business since you moved on with my friend Ophelia…I decided to move on and got married to him…are you jealous”, I muttered.
“You cheated on me and dumped me so don't you ever call me again”, I yelled.
I had seen the reg flag when I introduced Ophelia to Lucas.
We had been together but my need for companionship made me ignore the signs for goodness sake.
My fist tightened into a fury as I ensured that I passed the message successfully before ending the call and blocking his number this time.
Wondering what I was doing, wasting my time answering his questions.
I hate myself knowing I still have leftover feelings for that bastard who cheated on me
I hated myself for settling for less
I was married to a stranger and I had just the bare minimum interaction with him but he has treated me better than the years I wasted being with David.
I wasn't in the mood for shopping anymore as I found my way out.
The drive to the mansion ended and one of the boys who ran errands helped me with my bags.
I entered my room and found my way to the bathroom to wash myself properly.
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 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?
