Part 4

Half an hour passed, and Veronica still hadn't come out of the bathroom. Worried, Frans entered the room to check on her.

Inside the room, Frans couldn't find Veronica. A sense of concern washed over him. He headed towards the bathroom and knocked on the bathroom door. "Vero... Veronica. Are you okay?" Frans continued knocking on the bathroom door.

"I-I'm fine, Sir," Veronica replied softly from inside the bathroom. She had finished showering earlier but didn't have any spare clothes with her. So, Veronica remained in the bathroom, trying to figure out how to exit without embarrassment.

"If you're okay, come out! Spending too much time in the bathroom can make you catch a cold," Frans knocked on the bathroom door again because Veronica still didn't want to come out.

"I can't come out, Sir," Veronica closed her eyes, too embarrassed to admit her situation to Frans.

"Why, Vero? Are you feeling unwell? Come on, open the door, Vi!" Frans grew increasingly worried and turned the door handle.

"I didn't bring spare clothes, Sir," Veronica whispered from inside the bathroom.

"Oh, I see. Well then, come out! I'll bring your suitcase here," Frans shook his head, imagining Veronica's state inside.

He quickly returned to the living room, picked up Veronica's suitcase, and brought it into the room so she could change.

"Veronica... I've placed your suitcase in front of the door. Come out!" Frans closed the bathroom door and waited for Veronica in the living room, scrolling through his social media while he waited.

Before leaving the bathroom, Veronica checked the situation outside. She peeked her head out from behind the door and, seeing that there was no one in the room, quickly left the bathroom. A smile spread across her face when she saw her suitcase near the door. She immediately opened her suitcase and found her clothes. After changing, she walked out of the room and met Frans in the living room.

Seeing Veronica approaching, Frans smiled and said, "Please, have a seat." He patted the sofa next to him.

With hesitant steps, Veronica followed Frans' instruction and sat on the couch beside him. She immediately lowered her head when Frans looked at her intently.

"Vero... is my face so hideous that you'd rather stare at the floor than at me?" Frans lifted Veronica's chin with his index finger.

Veronica's breath caught in her throat when their faces were so close, and she felt her heart race.

"Vero... why are you daydreaming?" Frans flicked his finger in front of Veronica.

Veronica's breath hitched as their faces were close. She also felt her heart pounding.

"Vero... why are you daydreaming?" Frans snapped his fingers in front of Veronica.

Veronica immediately snapped out of her daydream and lowered her head to avoid Frans' gaze. She couldn't bear to look at Frans up close. His handsome face, with strong jawlines and a perfectly shaped nose, would make anyone forget that he was already thirty-three years old. Frans' perfection only made Veronica feel even more inferior in his presence.

"Vero... are you okay?" Frans held both of Veronica's hands because she had drifted off into another daydream, ignoring Frans sitting next to her.

Veronica blinked her eyes several times when she saw that her hands were already in Frans' grasp. She quickly withdrew her hands from his grip. "I'm fine, Sir, but there's something bothering me in my heart," Veronica finally dared to look at Frans.

"Please, tell me," Frans said gently.

"I feel like I don't belong here, Sir. I don't want to trouble you," Veronica wiped away her tears. "So, please allow me to return to my home. I can take care of myself. You have your own life, so I don't want to be a burden to you, Sir," Veronica reluctantly expressed her feelings. She didn't want to be a burden to Frans, even though they were officially married. Veronica believed there should be boundaries between her and Frans.

Frans wasn't surprised to hear Veronica's words because he could already sense what was on her mind. Frans smiled and gently stroked Veronica's chubby cheek. "You're my wife now, so you're my responsibility. Don't ever say things like that, Vero," Frans looked straight into Veronica's dark eyes.

"But, Sir..."

"Shhh!" Frans placed his index finger on Veronica's lips. "No 'buts.' You are my wife now," Frans brought Veronica into his embrace. An unfamiliar warmth washed over Frans as he held Veronica.

Veronica closed her eyes. Being in Frans' arms made her feel comfortable and calm, easing some of the sadness caused by the loss of her parents.

"We'll continue the embrace later. For now, let's eat. I don't want you to get sick," Frans pinched Veronica's chubby cheeks and extended his hand to help her stand up.

Veronica blushed when she saw Frans smile so genuinely. She still couldn't believe what she was experiencing. She had never dared to imagine marrying someone as kind and handsome as Frans. She couldn't even fathom it.

Never feel inferior, because it can hinder your progress. Believe that there's someone out there who can accept all your flaws.

Living together with Frans had a calming effect on Veronica's heart and mind. Frans' gentle demeanor had transformed Veronica from being introverted into someone who talked more, even if it was mainly with him.

While Veronica stayed in the apartment, Frans didn't live there with her. He didn't want Veronica to feel uncomfortable living alone with him in the apartment. However, even though he didn't live there, Frans still visited Veronica's apartment and returned home before the evening.

For them, that was enough to be together and learn to live together as a married couple. Although there was no definitive story from Frans about whether he would take this marriage seriously or not.

Veronica commuted to school using public transportation. She didn't want to be driven to and from school by Frans because she still felt shy around him.

It wasn't because of anything else, but even though they were married, Frans was still a stranger who had married her to fulfill her father's last wish. And Veronica's status as Frans' wife didn't yet convince her to accept all of his assistance, let alone hope to be a complete wife.

Veronica's days went on with little change, the same routines continued. Veronica and Frans continued to lead their separate lives. Before entering class, Frans always waited for Veronica near the campus gate, maintaining a sufficient distance so Veronica wouldn't see him. If Frans didn't have a class, he still came to campus just to make sure his wife was okay.

Frans' part-time job as a lecturer, initially just to cope with his broken heart, eventually consumed his time and energy. Especially after marrying Veronica, there were many responsibilities to handle, such as watching over Veronica from a distance.

Although they had been a married couple for two weeks, Frans still felt busy with his work. This sometimes required him to keep his distance from Veronica. However, thanks to Frans, who always defended Veronica, other students began to reduce their bullying, making Veronica feel more comfortable. Although sometimes she still faced unkind treatment when Frans wasn't on campus.

But the weather was not friendly today; heavy rain had been pouring since the beginning of classes until it was time to go home, trapping Veronica there. Making the situation more challenging, she had forgotten her wallet and phone because she rushed out in the morning. Luckily, there was some money tucked into her bag to pay for the motorcycle taxi she took this morning.

With determination, Veronica gazed at the sky, which seemed to want to keep raining. The girl glanced at her new luxurious watch, a gift from Frans just two days ago. Frans was truly skilled at treating a girl right. One more hour, and Frans would pick her up at the apartment.

But Veronica felt afraid being alone on campus, especially because other students had gone home. Only a few students remained conducting research. Veronica also regretted forgetting her wallet and phone, making her situation even more challenging.

After half an hour passed, the rain was still pouring down heavily on campus. Veronica decided to walk back to the apartment, ignoring the rain soaking her. She didn't want to make Frans worry if she arrived at the apartment late. On her way, Veronica occasionally cursed herself for forgetting her wallet and phone, which made her situation even more difficult.

The journey back home was quite far, forcing Veronica to run, even though it wasn't easy with her heavy body. She occasionally stopped to catch her breath along the way. When she finally reached the apartment, her body was drenched from the rain. Veronica felt relieved when she saw that Frans hadn't arrived yet. She immediately went into the bedroom to take a warm shower, not wanting to get sick and worry Frans once again.

After showering and getting dressed, Veronica exited the room, coinciding with Frans, who was about to knock on the door of her room.

"Have you been here long?" Veronica blinked her eyes several times, looking at Frans' hand still hanging in the air.

"Not too long," Frans scratched his non-itchy head. "Let's eat! I brought something for you. I hope you like it." Frans extended his hand to Veronica.

Veronica bit her lower lip and nodded quietly before she took a step forward, leaving Frans with his hand still outstretched. She really wanted to accept Frans' hand, but she refrained. She was afraid of the strange feeling growing in her heart, becoming more prominent and deep. She needed to establish boundaries with Frans. Even though they were married, they were still strangers to each other.

Frans shook his head; this wasn't the first time Veronica had rejected him. Unbeknownst to Veronica, she was the first woman who hadn't melted under his attention.

This made Frans even more certain about making Veronica his wife completely, after considering everything that had happened in their marriage.