Chapter 5- The Night He Claimed Me

9 PM. Montenegro Mansion. Master bedroom.

After class and the scene in the parking lot with Jake, Lucian and I went home together. We were quiet in the car the whole ride. He was obviously still jealous, but he wasn't talking. Me, my heart fluttered at how jealous he was.

When we arrived at the mansion, we went straight to the room. The pillow wall we made in the middle of the bed was still there. Since the first night, we never removed it, but it always ends up falling on the floor every morning because we both toss and turn in our sleep.

"I'm just going to change," Lucian said and went into the walk-in closet.

I sat on the edge of the bed, took off my shoes and massaged my feet that hurt from the heels. First day as Mrs. Montenegro at school, and I was so tired from walking and avoiding Clarisse.

Lucian came out, just wearing a white t-shirt and gray pajama pants. His hair was still wet, he just came from the bathroom. I could smell his cologne and the soap he uses.

He looked at me, from head to toe.

"You look tired," he said.

"Just tired. It's my first day being Mrs. Montenegro for the whole day," I answered.

He came closer and sat beside me on the bed, close but still with distance because of the pillow barrier.

"Bea, about earlier at school, about Jake," he said, a bit serious.

"What now? Jake and I don't have anything," I answered immediately, defensive.

"I know. That's not my point. My point is, from now on, you're my wife. Even if it's just a contract. And I don't want any other guy touching you or coming close to you like that."

"You're jealous," I said, grinning.

"I am not jealous," he answered, but his ears were turning red again. "I am possessive. There is a difference."

"Possessive? But we're just a contract?"

"Contract or not, you are still my wife. My Mrs. Montenegro. And for one year that we're married, you're only mine."

It felt like a rock dropped in my chest. You're only mine. Three words that made my heart race.

"Lucian, what do you mean?"

He looked at me, straight on. His dark brown eyes, no longer cold, had a different emotion.

"I mean, since we got married, I can't stand seeing another guy touching you. I can't stand seeing another guy looking at you like—"

"Like what?"

"Like he wants to take you away from me."

I went silent. I didn't know what to say. My heart was beating so fast.

Slowly he moved closer, removed one of the pillows blocking us in the middle, and held my hand.

"Bea, I know this is just a contract. I know you hate me. I know I was arrogant and conceited since high school. But since I saw Clarisse spill coffee on you and you didn't fight back for your scholarship, since you fought back at dinner the other night, since I saw you sleeping on my chest this morning—"

He stopped and took a deep breath.

"I think I am starting to like you, Bea Reyes. Not as my contract wife. But as my wife."

My eyes widened. Lucian Montenegro, the man I hated, the arrogant man, is telling me he is starting to like me?

"Lucian, you don't have to—"

"I'm not done," he cut me off. "I know you hate me. I know you don't like me yet. But give me one year. One year of you being my real wife, not just contract. I'll show you I'm not the arrogant guy you hated before."

I looked at his hand holding mine. Warm. And real. Not cold like before.

"And if after one year, you still don't want me, I will let you go. The 5 million is still yours. But I hope, give me a chance."

I didn't know what to say. I wanted to say he's still my enemy. I wanted to say I only wanted the money because my Lola needs it. Because in the past few days, I saw that he's not just an arrogant CEO. I saw that he can also pick up my books from the floor in front of the whole class. He can also get jealous. He can also worry.

"Lucian," I whispered.

"Shh," he said and slowly moved closer. "Can I?"

"What can I?"

"Can I kiss you? Not as my contract wife. But as my wife."

The whole room was quiet. All I could hear was the aircon and my loud heartbeat.

I didn't answer. But I didn't pull away either.

Slowly he came closer, and kissed me on the forehead, long, warm, and real.

"That is for now," he whispered on my forehead. "Good night, Mrs. Montenegro."

And he lay down beside me, but removed all the pillows blocking us. No more wall in the middle.

For the first time, the two of us slept in one bed, no barrier, but still with a little distance.

And for the first time, I wasn't scared to be beside my enemy. My heart fluttered instead.

To be continued in Chapter 6: Pregnant? The Test That Changes Everything.