Chapter 4

Olivia woke up in shock by the sound of a persistent knock on her door. "How long has the person been knocking?" She muttered as she thought of going to open the door or remain on the bed.  Her heart raced as she tried to shake off the remnants of the dream that had felt so real, filled with intimate conversations by the fireside and moments of a deep connection with Nathaniel.

With a sleepy voice, she called out, "Who is it?"

A soft, familiar voice replied, "Olivia, it's Nathaniel. May I come in?"

Still half-asleep and disorganized, Olivia stumbled out of bed, pulling on her robe. She opened the door to find Nathaniel standing there, a concerned look on his face.

"Is everything alright, Nathaniel?" Olivia asked, her dream still lingering in her mind, making it difficult to differentiate between reality and the dreamworld.

Nathaniel smiled at her and shook his head. Olivia didn't know how she should feel. "Is he feeling sorry for me or what?, I'm not lazy. Because you got prepared for work doesn't mean.." she got distracted by his words. "You sounded distressed in your sleep, Olivia I wanted to make sure you were okay."

Olivia's heart skipped a beat. The dream had felt so real, and now Nathaniel's concern seemed to blur the lines between her slumber and the waking world. She couldn't help but wonder if the conversations they'd had in her dream had any connection to the reality of their relationship.

"I'm... I'm fine," Olivia stammered, trying to hide her face. "It was just a dream."

Nathaniel nodded, his expression softening. "I'm relieved to hear that. Dreams can be quite powerful at times, can't they?"

As they stood there, Olivia couldn't help but feel a strange mixture of disappointment and relief. The dream had felt so real, and it had allowed her to explore emotions that she had desired for in her life. But now, faced with the real Nathaniel, she wondered if those feelings were merely imaginations of her subconscious.

Nathaniel, still concerned, reached out and gently touched Olivia's arm. "If you ever want to talk about your dreams or anything else, Olivia, I'm here for you."

Olivia smiled, touched by his genuine concern. "Thank you, Nathaniel. I appreciate that."

He nodded and gave her a reassuring smile. "Get some rest, Olivia. We have a new day ahead of us."

As Olivia closed the door behind Nathaniel, she couldn't shake the feeling she just had.  " Real or unreal?" She mumbled. The dream had been so clear, and the emotions it had stirred were still very much alive within her. She climbed back into bed, staring up at the ceiling, wondering what the future held for her and Nathaniel, both in her dreams and in the real world.

In the quiet of her room, Olivia closed her eyes, hoping to find answers or perhaps more dreams that blurred the lines between reality and dreams. She couldn't deny that there was something about those dreams, and the man at her door, that had awakened a longing within her she couldn't easily dismiss. She tried to force herself to sleep again, hoping that she would continue exploring the connection with Nathaniel but sleep was far away from her.

She rose and discovered she was alone in the quiet mansion. The dream that had awakened her had left a lingering sense of longing, but she couldn't dwell on it. Nathaniel, it seemed, had already left for work, his absence evident in the way he had appeared before her that morning.

Determined to shake off the dream and make the most of the day, Olivia decided to take a stroll around the mansion. "The rising sun looks promising" she smiled.

As she walked down the staircase, she noticed the inviting aroma of breakfast in the air. Olivia followed her nose into the kitchen, where she found the cook, Mrs. Harris, a kind and motherly figure who had been taking care of the mansion's meals.

"Good morning, Mrs. Harris," Olivia greeted with a warm smile.

Mrs. Harris turned from the gas, a spoon in hand, and returned the smile. "Good morning, dear. I hope you slept well."

Olivia nodded. "Yes, thank you. The dream I had was quite good, though."

Mrs. Harris chuckled knowingly. "Dreams can be a curious thing, can't they? Sometimes, they leave us with lingering thoughts and feelings."

 Olivia sat down at the kitchen table, Mrs. Harris served her a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, freshly baked bread, and a steaming cup of coffee. They talked about life in the from different perspectives, the beauty of the changing seasons, and the joy of simple pleasures they derive from it all.

After breakfast, Olivia decided to explore more of the mansion. She made her way to the laundry room, where she found a middle-aged man named George folding freshly washed clothes. His face lit up when he saw her.

"Good morning, Mrs Olivia," George greeted with a friendly smile.

"Good morning, George," Olivia replied. "You're doing a wonderful job with the laundry."

George nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Ma'am. It's a pleasure to take care of this lovely mansion."

As they continued to talk, Olivia knew some things about George's family, his passion for gardening, and his deep connection to the mansion, which had been in his family for generations. His stories were like history and this made Olivia appreciate it even more.

Feeling a sense of belonging and acceptance in the mansion, Olivia decided to spend the morning in the garden. She strolled through the well-coloured grounds, admiring the colorful blends and the calm surroundings. It was a perfect place for reflection and a welcome distraction from the lingering thoughts of the dream.

As she walked among the flowers and listened to the gentle rustling of leaves, Olivia couldn't help but wonder about the complexities of her relationship with Nathaniel. The dream had stirred emotions she hadn't expected, and she found herself yearning for a deeper connection with him, one that went beyond their contract marriage.

With the scent of fresh flowers in the air and the warmth of the morning sun on her skin, Olivia resolved to cherish the moments she had in this  setting and to explore the unexpected paths that life might lead her and Nathaniel down. "The day is still young, and the possibilities are endless, trying something new will be nice" she said aloud as she changed direction.

Olivia reached the poolside, a beautiful place surrounded by  greenery and the elegance. The sparkling water of the pool reflected the clear blue sky above, and the gentle sound of a bubbling waterfall in one corner created a soothing sight.

As she stood there, Olivia couldn't help but reflect on Nathaniel's wealth and the world he had introduced her to. The dream that had awakened her earlier still lingered in her thoughts, and she found herself admiring the magnificence and luxury that his wealth afforded.

She gazed at the neat garden and the meticulously designed pool area, thinking about how different her life had become since entering into their contract marriage. It had thrust her into a world of privilege and extravagance she had never imagined. The mansion, the environment, the staff and everything spoke of Nathaniel's affluence.

Yet, as she admired the wealth and magnificence around her, Olivia also pondered the complexities that came with it. She knew that the life of a billionaire was not without its challenges, responsibilities, and expectations. It was a world where privacy was scarce, where demands were relentless, and where decisions held tremendous consequences.

In her mind, Olivia began a silent conversation with herself, contemplating the path she had chosen.

"Is this the life I truly want?" she wondered. "Is wealth and luxury worth the sacrifices and complications that come with it? And what about Nathaniel? What does he truly desire, beyond his wealth and success? We asked as she tried to touch a butterfly. What about me, what do I want?"

As Olivia continued to ponder these questions, she felt confused. On one hand, she appreciated the opportunities and experiences that Nathaniel's wealth had provided her. On the other hand, she couldn't help but wonder if there was more to life than material possessions and the trappings of affluence.

Her thoughts then turned to Nathaniel, the man who had entered her life in such an unconventional way. She had seen glimpses of  his kindness, and his desire to support her passions. It left her yearning for a deeper connection with him, beyond the confines of their contract.

"What is it that Nathaniel truly desires?" Olivia wondered. "Is there a forbidden desire within him as well, one that reflects my own? And if so, what would it take for us to bridge the gap between our worlds and find true happiness together?"

Lost in thought, Olivia continued to stand by the poolside, Nathaniel's wealth contrasting with the complexity of their emotions and desires. She knew that the journey ahead would be filled with challenges and uncertainties, but she also felt a growing determination to explore the depths of their connection and discover the true desires of their hearts.

Olivia was deep in thought, her internal conversation about her life, her desires, and her connection with Nathaniel continuing to occupy her mind. She stood by the poolside, looking undistracted at the interplay between wealth and complexity when she felt a  vibration in her hand. Startled, she pulled her phone from her pocket and saw a notification that took her breath away.

It was a message from her bank, indicating a significant credit alert. Her heart raced as she opened the message, her eyes widen in disbelief as she read the contents. Nathaniel had transferred a sum of  7 million to her. 

She blinked at the screen, unable to comprehend the magnitude of what she was seeing. It was a sum that most people could only dream of, and it left her feeling both astonished and overwhelmed. Nathaniel's gesture was not just an act of generosity; it was a part of the contract and a message that spoke volumes about his feelings and his desire to provide for her.

Tears gathered up in Olivia's eyes as she tried to process the worth of this gift. Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to hold the phone. She knew that this wasn't a mere financial transaction; it was a reflection of his ability to stick to agreement and a  profound declaration of his emotions.

"Is this his way of expressing his desire, his affection, and his commitment to our relationship?" Olivia wondered. The dream, the conversations by the fireside, and now this generous gift? it all seemed to point to something deeper, something more profound than their contract marriage. She thought within her.

Still in a state of shock and surprise, Olivia quickly texted Nathaniel to express her gratitude and her surprise. She knew that mere words would not suffice, but it was the only way she could convey her emotions at that moment.

"Thank you, Nathaniel," she typed. "I don't know what to say. This is beyond anything I could have imagined."

As she hit send, Olivia couldn't help but feel a mixture of gratitude and curiosity, and a growing sense of affection for the man who had become such a significant part of her life. She knew that their journey together would take an unexpected turn, and she was eager to see where it would lead.

With her phone still in her hand, Olivia continued to stand by the poolside, her thoughts a filled with  emotions and questions. The world of wealth and complexity that surrounded her had just become even more complicating, and she was on the mind of discovering the true depths of her connection with Nathaniel. Just as she was about to take another step to have a change of position, her phone beeped. "I guess he's replied" she said, trying to open the message. "It's fine" The message reads