Summer trembled when the warm palm of his hand touched her skin. It frightened her. She did not know what to do.Her racing heartbeat only calmed down after a long while. “Why do you want to marry me?” she spelled out her words.She was not an eighteen-year-old who still fantasized about a fairy-tale relationship anymore.While he had power and money, yielding dominant influence in Santabaca, she was just an ordinary teacher. Not to mention that they had only met six times.The only time they had an intimate encounter was the night when they got drunk and slept together. Had he been fascinated by her body since then?Absolutely impossible. She felt ridiculous just by thinking about it.So why did he want to marry her?There was silence for over ten seconds, and the cigarette between his fingertips still shimmered. He then opened his mouth.“I need a partner to marry. And you, whom I don’t hate, are the best candidate.”Looking at his penetrating eyes, Summer could see a fain
The phone rang for a long while before a drowsy voice picked it up. “Hello?”“You have five minutes. Either you come down, or I go up,” he frowned and said with a no-nonsense voice.He disliked waiting, but today was an exception. He had been waiting for over half an hour, and his patience had run out.Summer was jolted out of her sleep. She gasped in fright. ‘How... how could it be him?’“Five minutes. If you agree, bring your things and come down quickly. If you disagree, we will go to the hospital. Now, there are still four minutes left.”He reminded her again and hung up before she could say anything.He raised his eyebrows, wondering if he was really so frightening to her that she had to gasp in horror at hearing his voice?With one minute left, Summer appeared in front of the black Land Rover. She gritted her teeth and opened the car door.Her hair was pointing everywhere, and there was a stain on the corner of her mouth.Her appearance startled Mark, but just for a seco
She instantly blushed, wishing the ground would swallow her up.Last night, after having her chicken soup, she was too exhausted and crashed out without cleaning herself up.Also, he threatened her in the early morning. She was afraid of waking her neighbors, so she hurried downstairs, not realizing…“Turn the car around!” She patted his seat from behind.“What do you want to do?” He smirked, asking the obvious.“Going back to wash my face.” She was almost whispering.“You know what, Miss Hart, I don’t mind at all. Just keep it this way.” He did not plan to stop the car.Summer could not describe how embarrassed she was. Yet, she could do nothing about him except threaten him. “If you don’t turn around, I am not going to get out of the car at the Civil Registry Office!”Mark scanned the surroundings. He then swirled the car around and stopped on the opposite side of the road.“Get out,” he snapped.“I want to go home!” She looked at the surroundings and shook her head.“Do y
After a moment of hesitation, as if she had been through a bloody struggle with herself, she lowered her head and solemnly put down her signature.This simple procedure changed their relationship tremendously.They went from slightly above strangers to becoming a couple who slept together.It was 8:30 am when they left the Civil Registry Office.The salt grain-like snow had turned into flakes, covering the ground in white.Cold air rushed into her nostrils as she took a deep breath. She could not help shivering.The temperature had dropped so low overnight.But the thought of her going from being single to married overnight made the changes in weather seem to be not much of a surprise.Many things could change overnight.While her mind ran wild, Mark was walking out of the Civil Registry Office with two staff members. They followed him from behind and were very respectful when they spoke to him.Mark opened the car door and motioned for her to get in.She still could not get
“Yes.” He sounded naughty. “Teachers should know how to improvise and adapt. I have full confidence in you, Miss Hart.”“Who told you that a teacher should know how to improvise and adapt? Do you think I am a wild survivor?” She retorted irritably.“You really know a lot.” He started the car and left.‘How could this man be so dictatorial? He never listens to others at all.’ She thought to herself with a frown.But then, she could not deny that he looked charming when he raised the corner of his mouth as he was leaving. Summer got off work and walked out of the school in the afternoon. A middle-aged man in a suit walked up and stopped her.She frowned, wondering what this man was up to. When she was about to ask, the man spoke, “I am Billy Day, Mr. Valentine’s secretary. He asked me to bring you to the apartment.”No wonder. She could not refuse but to get into the car. She first returned home to pack her belongings.Only then she went to the apartment with Billy.It was an exp
Charlie spoke up, “We were there with him as well, so we brought him back.” Flabbergasted, Summer just stood there watching them carry Mark into the bedroom, and they came out after laying him on the bed. “We’ll leave Mr. Valentine in your care now; he’s all yours!” Charlie kicked Billy in the back as soon as the words left his lips. Sighing, he said, “Don’t take his words to heart. We’ll be leaving now. Good night.” With that, he brought blabbermouth Billy along with him and left. Summer then went into the bedroom, and her gaze fell upon the sleeping figure on the bed. To have fallen into his current state, he seemed to have drunk a lot. However, it gave him an extra touch of nonchalance and an air of gracious informality on top of his gorgeous appearance, making him look even more attractive and desirable.Walking over to his side, she bent slightly and took off his leather shoes. She thought to herself, ‘This man always looked so mature and collected. What could have
She coughed lightly to snap back into reality and explained, “I did not intend to sleep here; you didn’t let go of me.” Recollecting himself and keeping his emotions from showing, his lips slightly tilted upwards and said, “Where do you intend to sleep, if not here?” “…” Summer was speechless. He continued to press on, “Shouldn’t we sleep together? We are married after all.” She wetted her lips and felt nervous as she could not come up with a logical excuse. “I thought it would probably cause inconvenience for you,” she answered. His brows raised at her answer, “Are you really worried about me? Or is it you who would feel uneasy?” ‘Always so straightforward and direct, this man,’ she thought to herself. “I tend to toss and turn when I sleep and I’m not used to having someone sleeping next to me,” she said, feeling defeated. Acting like the bigger-person, he replied, “I don’t mind if you turn and land on me. Plus, you’ll be used to it soon when we sleep together more.” H
“Thanks,” said Mark, taking over the gift boxes. She stared at him in astonishment. Never did she expect for him to be so mindful of her parents; she couldn’t help but feel moved. When the couple walked in, Daisy and Solomon were setting up the table. They were stunned to see a gorgeous looking man dressed in a dark cashmere coat next to their daughter.Solomon was the first to break the silence, “Summer, introduce your friend to us.” Feeling nervous, she bit down on her lip thinking of the most appropriate way to explain. Mark stepped forward to stand close to her and snaked his arm around her. Surprised by his actions, she lifted her head to meet his eyes. However, he was looking ahead at her parents. He gave a small smile and greeted them.Upon seeing the intimate gesture, Daisy and Solomon knew something was up. Both of them looked at each other and thought of the same thing, ‘Since when did Summer start dating?”Solomon winked and signalled Daisy to say something. Put