Two months had passed since Olivia's art exhibition, She checked the calendar in her phone and then she sighed. "It's a long time now" she told herself. However, she couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for her family, particularly her parents whom she hadn't seen since she moved in with Nathaniel.One evening, as they sat in the living room, Olivia gathered the courage to bring up a topic that had been on her mind for some time. She turned to Nathaniel, her voice gentle yet earnest. "Nathaniel, there's something I've been thinking about."Nathaniel looked up from the book he was reading, his expression attentive. "What is it, Olivia?""I miss my mum," Olivia confessed. "I haven't seen them in three months, and I feel like it's time for a visit."Nathaniel considered her words, his brow furrowing slightly. He had been aware of Olivia's distance from her family, but he hadn't realized how deeply she missed them. "I understand, Olivia. Your family is important to you, and you shoul
After their discussion, Olivia went downstairs to the dining room, where dinner was already in progress. The table was set to the taste of everyone. Nathaniel and his parents, Robert and Margaret, were seated at the table, and they greeted her with warm smiles as she took her seat close to Nathaniel.As the meal started, Olivia couldn't help but feel that unspoken questions lingered in the air. She was acutely aware that Nathaniel's mother, Margaret, had a curiosity about their marriage that she couldn't easily dismiss it.Margaret, with her refined manners and polite attitude, began the conversation. "Olivia, dear, we're very excited to have you join us for dinner. Nathaniel speaks highly of your accomplishments and your collaboration on various projects."Olivia nodded graciously, offering a polite smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Margaret. It's been a pleasure to work with Nathaniel, and I'm grateful for the opportunities he's provided."Margaret's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she conti
After the breakfast, Olivia was exhausted. The combination of the early morning gym session, the nature of maintaining pretence in front of Nathaniel's parents, and the ongoing complexities of their contract marriage had taken a toll on her. She decided to stay inher room for some much-needed rest.Nathaniel, on the other hand, excused himself from the table, expressing his intention to have a private conversation with his parents. He watched Olivia as she made her way upstairs, a silent acknowledgment of the effort she had put into accommodating his family's visit.Once Olivia had disappeared from view, Nathaniel rejoined his parents in the living room, where they had settled with cups of tea. Margaret, Nathaniel's mother, looked at her son with an affectionate smile. "Nathaniel, dear, we're so glad you welcomed us to stay. It's been wonderful getting to know Olivia. She's a remarkable woman."Nathaniel nodded, a sense of pride in his voice as he replied, "I'm glad you think so, Moth
Olivia couldn't contain the whirlwind of emotions that had enveloped her. She paced back and forth, her footsteps echoing like the restless beat of her heart. The revelation from Nathaniel about his family's expectations had shaken her to her bone, and her anger and frustration had reached a boiling point.As she moved about the room, her voice echoed in the air, a torrent of thoughts and emotions pouring out like a stream."This is insane," she muttered, her words filled with disbelief. "How could Nathaniel's family expect us to just come up an emotional connection out of thin air? We agreed to a contract marriage, for heaven's sake!"Olivia's hands clenched into fists at her sides as she continued her pacing. Her anger was reflecting in every word she uttered."I won't be a prey in their game. I won't be forced into some pretense of love just to satisfy their archaic traditions. It's not fair to either of us!"With each step she took, Olivia's thoughts grew more tensed. Her feeling
Nathaniel realized that he needed to inform Olivia about the discussion they had just had with his mother. He didn't want any misunderstandings or awkward moments at the dining table, especially considering the state of their contract marriage and what both of them has gone through lately.He made his way to Olivia's room and knocked lightly on the door, hoping she was in a more receptive mood than during their earlier argument. After a moment, Olivia opened the door, her expression guarded."Nathaniel," she greeted him, her tone cautious. "What brings you here again?"Nathaniel gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I wanted to talk to you about something, Olivia, especially in light of what my mother just asked me."Olivia's was curious as her shoulders fell, she stepped aside to let him enter her room. "Alright, go ahead. What has she asked again and What's on your mind?"Nathaniel took a seat, his eyes meeting hers as he began, "My mother asked me about our living arrangements, and
Nathaniel and Olivia stood there without the intention to move or Know whether to, a mixture of relief and anxiety washing over them, as Nathaniel had just assured Olivia that he would support her through their complex situation. Just as they were about to part ways and return to their respective rooms, the door to Olivia's room swung open suddenly.In the doorway stood Margaret, Nathaniel's mother, dressed in a satin robe with a concerned expression written on her face. She had apparently heard the voices and had decided to check on her son and his wife."Nathaniel, Olivia, what's going on in here?" Margaret inquired, her eyes moving from Nathaniel to Olivia. Olivia couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as she met Margaret's gaze.Nathaniel stepped forward, trying to maintain composure. "Mother, it's nothing. Olivia couldn't sleep, and we were just having a conversation. That's all."Margaret's eyes remained fixed on Olivia as she slowly entered the room, her motherly instincts on
Nathaniel had awakened with a sense of anticipation, knowing that his parents were to depart that day. The news of their departure filled him with happiness. "At least, we'll breath in this house!" He said as he pull the dulvet from his body.As Nathaniel got out of bed and began to prepare for the day, he couldn't help but smile at the thought of having the mansion to himself and Olivia once again. He had missed the peace of their private moments and the freedom to be themselves without the watchful eye of his parents.Just as Nathaniel was doing a finishing touch to his dressing, there was a knock at his bedroom door. He called out, "Come in," and the door swung open to reveal his father, Robert Blackwood, standing there with a cheerful expression."Nathaniel, my boy, good morning!" Robert exclaimed, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "I trust you slept well?"Nathaniel returned his father's greeting with a nod and a smile. "Good morning, Father. Yes, I had a restful night. It's go
Olivia expected the conversation with Margaret to end but rather, she continued to talk on and this made Olivia's initial apprehension to gradually transform into a sense of weariness. While she was happy about Margaret's interest in her life and art, she couldn't help but feel that tougher conversations were lingering in the air. The constant need to tread carefully in the conversation and to maintain an unsuspicious appearance took its toll on her.Olivia looked at the big clock on the wall, realizing that she had been engaged in conversation with Margaret for quite some time. She knew she needed an excuse to gracefully have freedom from the situation without offending Nathaniel's mother.With a polite smile, Olivia interupted, "Mum, it's been a pleasure getting to know you better and having this conversation, infact I'd really love us to continue since I'm enjoying every bit of the shared moment we're having, but I have some work to attend to in my art studio. I hope you understand