5. Welcome To The Family

What was he talking about? What rules? Even in marriage? Was this the point he would frustrate my life?

I was drowning with mixed feelings, I was puzzled, skeptical and at the same time curious. Steeling myself, I said in a confident voice, "Let's have it."

"First, we are not allowed to butt into each other's private lives. This marriage..." He paused, pointing between us. "Means nothing. Don't get your hopes high and expect some romantic feelings to spark up."

I couldn't hold back my scoff. It seemed he didn't know that I hated him. I can't even stand the same space with him and he was talking about romantic feelings? Such a bluff! I was his doom.

"Don't try acting stubborn with me, wifey. I don't fancy stubborn ladies," he said, his voice suddenly sounding cold.

Duh, I never asked him to fancy me. And I acting stubborn? I couldn't guarantee him that, but I allowed him to go on, not saying a word.

"In public, don't act like we are a thing. We are practically strangers. The only time we can act like a couple is when we are with the family," he added another clause. It sounded fair to me, not like I wanted to go around bragging that I'd gotten a psychopath as a husband.

"You can't ask for a divorce on your own will. We are going to keep this up until I let you go. To put it simple, only I can request for a divorce," he stated, causing a slight frown to crease my forehead. I was fine with the rest, but this particular rule of his was a big no for me. That meant I was stuck with him!

"You have to take that out...."

I was still talking when he spoke, his deep, authoritative voice overriding mine. "And you don't go against me. You have to obey the rules or there will be consequences." His eyes turned darker as he said that.

Shiver ran down my spine, I couldn't say a word as my breath caught in my throat. Though he was saying it normally, but it sounded like a threat to me.

I felt a lump in my throat. Before my brain could think, I found myself asking. "What consequences?"

His eyes scanned me, freely roaming around my body. I wasn't sure where he was staring at exactly, but I felt goosebumps all over, his dark eyes almost boring holes inside of me.

"You wouldn't want to know," he replied, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

The driver opened the door for Diego and he stepped out, and started walking into the villa. I had to open the door myself, not like I was expecting anyone to do that though.

I packed the overflowing gown into a handful, going after him at once, trying to match up with his pace but he was way too fast. The gown wasn't making it easy for me either.

"Such a jerk. A big time asshole. A psychopath," I cursed him, glaring at his back view. He didn't even turn for once to check if I was following.

How many times had I mentioned the word psychopath in just a few hours? I'd lost count, but there was no other word that could perfectly describe Diego.

Getting to the door, it was opened by the guards stationed there. My eyes landed on familiar faces staring at me, like they had been expecting my arrival the whole time.

I knew who they were during my research on Diego, but I had never gotten to meet them personally. They were all his family; starting from the chairman of Fernandez Group to the least member of the family which was Clint Fernandez, Marley's only son.

I swallowed into nothing, unsure of how to react. Was I to wave at them with a smile? Or a bow? Perhaps, a hug would do. I wasn't thinking straight. The looks on their faces couldn't give me a clue if they had accepted me or would throw me out in the next second.

What was this husband of mine doing? He should at least say something to ease the tension. I knowingly moved to him, standing beside him.

"Meet my wife, Dad and Mom," Diego eventually said. "I didn't get to introduce her to you at the venue since you left early."

"Should I have stayed when you went behind my back to get married to someone from nowhere? We already agreed on Jasmine, her father had been a good partner and friend for years," Chairman Fernandez said, his voice deep, carrying an air of authority.

Was it always a thing for rich families to marry for financial benefits?

To my surprise, Diego took my hand, locking our fingers. "I love her," he declared in a steady voice, without mincing words.

Oh.... My...Fucking...God!

I'd had enough shocker for today. Who was loving who? I turned to face him with wide eyes, but he wasn't even sparing me a glance.

He went on. "We've been in a relationship for about three years now. At first, I was reluctant to bring her home and introduce her to you both. But If I was going to get married, it had to be her."

His words were so smooth and believable that I almost fell for an obvious lie. He would fit a really good actor.

"You should have told me and I wouldn't have gone ahead with the marriage. How are we going to fix this with the Parkers? How can we strengthen our bond again?" the chairman asked.

"You can leave that to me. I'll take care of it and we can be good partners again," Diego reassured him, sounding so confident. His ego was on another level.

"I'll trust you with that then," the chairman said, slowly loosening up.

"Dad!" Marley exclaimed. "You let him bring a total stranger into the house and you just let it go like that? How can we even trust his words about strengthening our relationship with the Parkers?" His words were bitter and with clear envy. "He is on the verge of shattering a partnership that you've built on for years, Dad, and you are just going to let him go?"

"Be quiet, Marley. I trust Diego for his words," the chairman shut him up at once.

I just stood there, drowning in my own thoughts and confusion. Was it always like this? And all they ever talked about was business? No one even acknowledged me into the family.

"What were you expecting, Ellie?" My subconscious mind asked. In a family where they supported a killer, buried his crimes, would there be any normal and sane person in it?

"You are so beautiful," Scarlet, Diego's mother, said, standing up with a smile. "I must say, my son made the right choice."

I returned the smile, her gentleness moving my heart. I take back what I said about no sane one in the family, this woman was pure, her smile was natural and not forced!

When she got closer, I gave a bow, but instead she pulled me into a hug. "Welcome to the family, dear."