Chapter 4

“Welcome to my humble abode”, Nek says, I can’t help but snort, so much for a humble abode; this house looks a palace, I’m sure it has more than 12 rooms.

“Ehn…, it could do better”, I coolly say, he looks a bit downcast, but quickly hides his emotion.

“Could you show me to my room, I need to shower and rest; you’d agree with me that today has been an eventful day”

“Sure, let me take you to your room” Nek takes my hands and guides me upstairs. I’m led into a very large room. “The room is an adjoined room” Nek says as he leads me through a door which leads to another room.

“Beautiful” I can’t help but say, I notice Nek smile, but it’s also gone as fast as it came. One of the rooms is painted in a flowery manner, with a touch of purple.

“I love it, how did you know I love purple?”, I ask Nek

Nek smiles, “I noticed you like to wear a lot of purple outfits and you only paint your nails different shades of purple”

“I’m glad you like it, because I’d have to repaint the entire room”, Nek says as he continues to show me my room

For a moment there I forget that this is a contract marriage, and I let myself to feel this love.

No guy has ever noticed this about me, I’m touched, “Thank You” I say

“If you’re going to be here for 5 years, then it has to be comfortable for you too” Nek says.

“Thank you still” I say half cast, I’m brought to the reminder that it’s just a contract marriage

Nek goes on to explain “Our room is separated by an inner door; the staff here would think that we sleep in the same room; only us and the two maids I’ve chosen to clean our rooms would know we don’t sleep together”

“Understood” I say, “I need to take a bath so please excuse me”

For a split second, it looks like Nek is considering not leaving, like he wants to continue talking to me; but he decides against it, “see you at dinner” he says as he leaves the room

“See you too” I say

I take a shower, then wrap myself in the bath robe so conveniently provided. This place could pass for a hotel, I think to myself as I fall into bed.

“OMG”, I just forgot a very important detail. “What do I tell my parent”, I won’t be home for a long time, I’m racking my head for a lie, and I think I’ve finally got one.

I search for my phone and dial mums’ number, “Hello” I say, “How are you mum”

“I’m fine, could you please buy some groceries for the house on you way back; I’ll send you the list” Mom says

“Unfortunately, mom I can’t do that; I was just posted overseas for work for a year, I couldn’t pack, and my boss wouldn’t let me stop at the house to say goodbyes”, I sigh, “you know how he can be like”

“That’s quite sudden, I guess that’s how all personal assistants’ jobs are; I’ll inform everyone at home, don’t worry too much and eat well”, mom says

“Thank you ma, love you”

“Love you too”, she responds, and the call abruptly comes to an end.

There are two people who always abruptly cut the call to my annoyance, my boss Nek and my mom. To be honest I’m grateful that the call was abruptly ended, if the call had been prolonged then I probably would have been caught. For how long will I keep this facade, at some point my parents will find out; do I tell them now or watch how things play out, I think to myself, as I fall asleep.

Someone lightly taps me; I stir a bit while mumbling that the person should let me sleep; I guess the person got the memo, because I’m left to sleep.

I wake up 30 minutes after, “arghhh, why are you here” I scream in shock at seeing Nek, “You look cute when you sleep”, he lightly chuckles. “Come down for dinner”, and with that he exits room.

What a weird man, I think to myself; It’s just going to be Nek, some staff and I, so I’ve decided to wear a light purplish gown. It looks sort of a night wear, it accentuates my figure, but doesn’t reveal anything. After deciding that I look okay, I head downstairs.

I almost get lost, but Thank God for the staff, who’ve kindly directed me. I walk towards the hall, into the dining room. As I enter, I notice Nek look transfixed as his eyes wander on me; I smile “Hello Nek, funny seeing you here” I joke.

It takes a while for his gaze to reach mine, but when they do it only stays; our gaze is locked, and it takes one of us to break it, luckily, I’m hungry, so I break it.

“The pleasures all mine”, Nek replies half smiling

“We may begin”, Nek says as he signals to one of the staff. The staff nods, a moment later the chef and his assistants come in carrying different types of delicacies. I have a taste of everything served; I’m going to enjoy being Mrs. Cellos I think to myself, it’s not so bad.

“Let’s discuss our marital affairs” Nek says suddenly

I grunt “do we have to do that now; I’m enjoying a lovely and peaceful dinner; can’t we postpone it”

“As much as I hate to disturb you, we need to discuss and go over some rules of this marriage”, Nek says

Why now I think to myself, I don’t want to be perceived as stubborn, so I respond “sure, here or somewhere else”

“My office” Nek replies, he signals to the staff to leave us alone, they bow their heads and exit the room. I wonder how much it cost to pay the staff in this house I think to myself, am I considered a staff too; I let my mind wander a bit, before I hear Nek call my name.