Chapter 7 Crazy Idea

“No. I don’t want to. Why don’t we start by just calling each other by our names,” Regina firmly refused his unwelcome suggestion.

Henry’s gaze sharpened. “We’re supposed to be a loving couple. If we don’t use affectionate terms, who will believe us? Regina, it’s not like you’ve never dated and used endearing terms before, right?”

Regina touched her neck, prompting Henry to sneer. “Seriously, you’ve never dated anyone? Has no one ever called you ‘darling’? Am I going to be the first?”

“Stop mocking me. I’m not like you, throwing around pet names to every girl you sleep with. Don’t lump me in with them!” Regina snapped, standing up from the sofa, eager to end this. “Are we done here? I’m leaving.”

Henry quickly hugged her from behind. Regina stiffened at the unexpected contact. He whispered in a lower, more intimate tone that tickled her sensitive ear. “Then call me ‘husband.’ You’ll be the first to do so.”

Henry’s voice was soft and seductive, like a magnet for women. Regina shrugged off his arms and turned to face him. “Mr. Henry, why do you want me to call you that? Don’t tell me you secretly long for me?”

Henry smiled bitterly. “No way. I’m doing this to make us appear more natural. My wife has poor acting skills; I need to train her.”

“You can say it so naturally, my husband.” Regina emphasized the last word and forced a smile.

Regina hurried out, ignoring the smirk on Henry’s face.

Henry chased after her. “You’re just leaving? Do you know where you’ll sleep?”

“I’ll ask a servant,” Regina replied indifferently.

Henry wrapped an arm around her waist. “We’ll sleep in the same room. I’ll escort my wife.”

Regina grabbed Henry’s hand, pushing away his unwelcome embrace. “I know you’re used to touching women casually, but don’t do that to me.”

“Do you think I want to? Look, there’s a servant secretly watching. Play your part properly,” Henry whispered, tightening his grip. “Your waist is too small, your body as thin as paper. How could I be comfortable holding you in bed?”

“Find another woman to hold,” Regina whispered back, her face smiling to hide her irritation. It was only the first day, but Henry had already insulted her too much. She couldn’t imagine living with this man for five years.

Regina quickened her pace, pushing his hand off her. They finally arrived at the bedroom on the second floor.

The room was spacious, decorated predominantly in gold and white. Regina remembered something.

“I forgot my suitcase. Lend me your car, I’ll sleep at the office tonight.”

“It’s our first night together, and you’re leaving your husband? Don’t worry about clothes.”

Henry opened the closet on the left. “If it’s pajamas, I have some that will fit you.”

Henry handed her a pair of pajamas. Regina looked at him suspiciously. “Is it okay for me to wear your girlfriend’s clothes?”

“I’ve never brought such women home,” Henry quickly denied. “If you don’t want them, fine, but I won’t let you leave.”

Regina reluctantly took them. “Then whose are these? Don’t tell me you have a habit of dressing like a woman.”

“Don’t ask too many questions. Just change and go to sleep. I’m a busy man; my time is too valuable to waste on your questions.”

Henry pushed Regina towards the bathroom. “No need to push, I can manage.”

Regina stepped inside and locked the door.

***

Regina emerged wearing soft-colored pajamas that fit her perfectly. The short pants showed off her long, fair legs, and her hair was left down. She walked towards the bed.

Henry was already lying down with his eyes closed. Regina shook him. “Hey, are you going to sleep in that shirt?”

“Do you want me to take it off? Is it okay if I sleep without clothes?” he replied without opening his eyes.

Regina ignored him and grabbed a pillow. “Do whatever you want; I’m sleeping on the sofa.”

Henry caught her slender hand. He opened his eyes, looked at her, and pulled her, causing Regina to fall on top of him.

“Henry, what are you trying to do? Don’t mess with me,” Regina panicked.

Henry smiled and gently pushed her onto the bed. “You don’t need to move. I won’t do anything to you.”

He released her. The handsome man turned off the light and lay down with his back to Regina.

Regina remained anxious. “Are you really not going to do anything?”

“Yeah. If you don’t sleep soon, I’ll do something you’ll regret.”

Regina immediately fell silent and drifted into a deep sleep. Henry turned to face her, staring deeply.

***

The next morning,

Regina had just woken up to Henry’s sharp gaze. “No wonder Grace’s company isn’t doing well, with a lazy CEO  like you.”

“Henry, it’s too early for your sarcasm,” Regina retorted, smiling bitterly.

“Hurry up, we’re going to the civil affairs office to register our marriage.”

Regina’s sleepy eyes widened. “You’re really going to make our marriage official? We’re only married temporarily.”

“Isn’t that in the agreement? Don’t pretend you’ve forgotten our deal!”

“No. I was just thinking, why not forge a marriage certificate? You must have some inside connections, right?” Regina suggested.

Henry frowned. “I can’t believe you’d have such a crazy idea.”

“But isn’t it a good idea given our situation?”

Henry sighed. “I paid a fortune for that land just to get a fake marriage certificate. Regina, isn’t that cheating? What if I swap the official land certificate I gave your family for a fake one and they end up in prison if it’s discovered? How about that?”

Regina fell silent. Despite her resentment towards her family, she didn’t want them to suffer.

“Hurry up!” Henry threw some clothes at Regina. “Put these on, I’ll wait outside.”

After Henry left, Regina looked at the dress he gave her. “Where do these women’s clothes come from?”

***

Regina finished getting ready and was about to sit at the dining table, but Henry pulled her away. “Let’s go now!”

“Dad, why don’t you let Mom eat first?” Kevin chased after them, looking worriedly at Regina being dragged by Henry.

“No time.” Henry pushed Regina into the car and sped off.

Kevin stood outside, muttering, “Dad hasn’t changed at all.”

***

“Henry, why are you in such a hurry? It’s still too early,” Regina protested.

“I told you I’m a busy man. The earlier, the better.”

Regina was too tired to argue and remained silent for the rest of the drive. When they arrived at the civil affairs office, she was shocked by what she saw.

“Hey, Henry, did you know they would come?” Regina asked.

“Regina, it’s time for us to face them together.”