Daniel, who had never been speechless and caught off guard, was in a state of shock.
She was inexperienced and her soft, pink lips moved brashly against his. He wanted to pull away, he could have pulled away but for some reason, he was intoxicated by her smell, by her lips, and by…. Her. Maybe.
However, he was sure that if it was anyone else, he would have long strangled them.
Rory had never kissed anyone before, but she just couldn't let the men find her. If they did, God knows what they would do to her. She didn't know what she was doing, but she was glad the man didn't push her away. He grabbed the back of her neck, pulled her in, and took the lead. He was skilled and Rory, a fast learner, caught on and followed the rhythm. It was just to let the men go away, so why didn’t she pull away?
The man had gone away when he saw two people passionately kissing.
When Daniel was about to deepen the kiss, Rory suddenly pulled away.
She gasped for air. They'd been kissing for quite a while. Both of them were out of breath. Rory’s face was redder than a r****h. She was flustered. It was my first time doing something like that.
“I……”
“You……” They spoke at the same time.
“This is gonna be awkward,” Rory thought to herself. This was her first kiss. At least she lost it to someone as handsome as him. She didn't lose anything, so there was no need to feel awkward.
Just then, the driver’s seat’s door was opened. Rory thought it was one of those men, so she wanted to jump out of the car.
“Drive” Daniel ordered.
Rory looked at the man beside her and said very sincerely, “Thank you”.
The man just glanced at her and said nothing.
Rory pursed her lips and nagged, “A simple ‘you are welcome’ would suffice” She let out a snort.
“Didn’t they teach you how to be respectful to your elders?” Daniel was displeased.
“Respect? It's basic courtesy to say ‘you are welcome’ when someone thanks you” She retorted, with a scowl on her face.
“And it's basic courtesy to be nice to people who saved you” Daniel didn't back down either. He stated as a matter of fact. He narrowed his eyes at her as if saying, “Talkback. I dare you”.
Rory pouted and folded her arms.
“For an uncle, you are a real meanie you know that?”
Uncle? Did she just call him uncle? He wasn't old. He was very young. He didn't know her age nor could he guess because she seemed very malnourished. But he couldn't be so much older than her.
The man driving was about to go crazy. His boss never let women get close to him. Now this woman was in his car, sitting beside him and even scolded him and the worst part was that he even responded. If he told Daniel’s friends about it, they would call him crazy.
“Who was chasing you?” He ignored her words and asked her.
“I don’t know” She didn't know. She didn't know a lot of people in the city and she wasn't particularly famous either, so who would want to kill her?
Daniel scanned her face for any trace of lies.
So that meant that the person who sent them was someone she knew.
Her father wouldn't do something like that. She knew Hector Devane. As long as she didn't make trouble for him, he couldn't care less. Then her step-sister, Samantha, wasn't too brazen to do something like that. The only person left was her stepmother. She was your typical evil stepmother but much much worse.
Her face instantly changed. She gritted her teeth. “That snake!” She busted out. Daniel was taken aback by her outburst.
He guessed she must have figured out who did it.
“Who?”
“My stepmom” She admitted. She would have never told a stranger, but for some strange reason, she trusted him.
He lowered his eyes and responded with an “I see”
“Who did you go speak to that took so long?” He inquired from the man driving.
“Your Mother called, sir”
“What did she say?”
“The usual, sir” He looked at Daniel through the rearview mirror as he spoke.
“What did you tell her?”
“I said I'll discuss it with you, sir” Daniel became lost in thought.
“She is incessant. Maybe we should give in. She organized a blind date with the eldest daughter of the Shayne family. The Shayne family is very capable not up to us…. But I think it isn't necessary and I better shut up” The driver changed his statement in his last sentence when he saw the deadly glare his boss was giving him.
Rory kindly used her eyes to give him a signal to look at his boss’s face when he was rambling. The more he spoke, the more the temperature in the car dropped. Rory couldn't help but shiver.
At first, she was confused about what they were talking about, but when she heard ‘blind date’ she immediately understood that he was under pressure to get married. She sneakily observed his face. He wasn't very much older than her, so why was he getting forced to get married?
The world of the rich was the survival of the fittest. It wasn't that difficult to become rich, it was maintaining the riches that was the real problem. You had to continue to make connections upon connections until you were stable. Even at that, one had to be cautious because you never know who would turn on you. That was why they urged their children to get married to each other. Their marriage was always for power, not love.
Sigh. She was happy she didn't have to deal with that anymore. That was all Samantha’s job.
She didn't have anywhere else to go. She could get a job, but how long would her family find out and block every route for her to get a job? The ten thousand dollars would last- the issue was, how long? She was frugal enough to spend it for about five months. Then what? Go back to the Devane Mansion? Certainly not!
She looked at the man beside her again and a very crazy thought came into her mind.
She turned to the man beside her and announced, “Let’s get married!”
***
He must have misheard. Daniel reflected.
Even the driver came to an abrupt halt, which earned him scoldings from the two people at the back.
“Do you have cactus for eyes!?”
“What driving school did you attend!? Are you trying to kill us!?”
“I’m sorry” Was all he could mutter.
After that, Rory stared at Daniel with a raised brow, “What do you say?”
“Do you know what you are saying?” Daniel inquired. His face was expressionless and his eyes were blank as he gazed at her.
Facing his words and expression, Rory’s initial confidence started depleting. She shrank back. He was right. She had no idea what she was saying.
She never wanted to get married after what her father did to her mother. It wasn't until the day her mother died that her father brought his new mistress to come to stay with them. If he truly loved her mother, his wife, he would never have done something so despicable.
Love? It didn't exist in this cold and selfish world.
“I was just….” She started, but Daniel cut her off leaving her with wide eyes and an open mouth, “Fine. Let's get married”
She didn't expect him to agree so easily. He was very handsome and he seemed rich enough. She just wanted a place to stay and eat until she got everything she deserved from the Devane family.
“What?”
“What? Are you having second thoughts? Don't want to?”
“No, no, no. I didn't expect you to agree so easily.” She let out hurriedly.
“Good. You are of age, right?” He eyed her.
“Don’t worry uncle. I just turned eighteen last month” She smiled widely, revealing her pearly white teeth and two deep dimples. She was very beautiful. Even with a thin round face and how malnourished her body looked, she was still very pretty.
***
Daniel Froster and Aurora Devane got married. They went to the marriage registration council and got married, with Daniel’s assistant, Frank who was also the driver, as their witness.
“We are married now” She declared, a little bit awkward.
“Don’t be weird” Daniel said to her as he shoved his hands in his pockets. He was in a bad mood.
The registrar mistook him for a psychopath because of how disheveled Rory appeared. She even mouthed to Rory “Blink twice if she was in danger” and Rory, his wife, just laughed.
Rory noticed his mood and hooked her arm in his.
“Are you still mad about the registrar? She is dumb and has no brains. She’s just jealous that I get to marry a handsome man like you” Of course she was trying to bootlick him.
“You have a sweet tooth” The compliment made Rory smile. However, the smile turned upside down when Daniel continued, “People who have sweet tooth often get diagnosed with diabetes”
She yanked her arm out of his and pointed a finger in his face.
“You! How dare you!? We haven't been married for an hour and you are already cursing your wife!” Her cheeks puffed up in anger.
In Daniel’s mind, her face clashed with one of those chipmunks in Alvin and the Chipmunks. For some reason, he wanted to pinch her cheeks, but he stopped himself.
Rory who was still ranting stopped when she saw the person she was talking to was staring at her face in a daze.
“Is something on my face?” She had to ask.
“Chipmunk,” He said offhandedly.
“What nonsense are you talking about?” He didn't respond and headed towards the car.
“Hey! Wait up!”
***
In the car.
“Where are we headed?” Rory asked.
“I captured the men who were chasing you. Do you want to see them?” Daniel spoke as if he was talking about the weather.
Rory was stunned. “So soon? How?”
Daniel raised a brow. She didn't know who she married.
Seeing that he didn't respond, she spoke up.
“No. Can you get them to confess and send the video to me?”
“Okay”
“Thank you”
Daniel paused for a bit and replied, “You are welcome”
Hearing this, she smiled again. This marriage wouldn't be so bad after all.
****
They arrived at Daniel’s house and Rory was in awe.
It was very grand. It had European architecture and a mixture of the American modern houses. It was really beautiful. There was a garden that was divided into two by the path constructed in the middle.
Rory already knew what she was going to plant by just looking at the garden through the window of the car.
Then there was a nice glass water fountain. She wasn't sure if it was glass. It was very shiny.
The car was parked at the entrance of the main mansion. Frank opened the car door for Rory first.
“Wow! Your mansion is huge!” She exclaimed.
He knew his mansion was nice but hearing her say it gave him an ego boost. He didn't know why, but he liked it when she complimented him.
The door to the mansion opened revealing two columns of servants and an old man in a butler’s uniform at the front of the two lines.
“Welcome young master,” All the servants said in unison and bowed.
“Did I die and travel back to the Victorian Era in Old England?” She asked herself. It was way too grand. Who was this man? She secretly glanced at him.
They entered the mansion and Rory was not so impressed. The decorations were expensive but so bland.
Daniel noticed her expression. “What’s wrong?”
Absentmindedly she said, “The decors are too bland and lackluster” She lived in the Devane house and one of the things she was grateful for was the training on interior designing she received from the head servant of the house. She was good at it. She designed the living room and all the bedrooms in the house at that time.
The Butler glanced at her and asked Daniel, “She is?”
Hearing the question Rory knew she said something she shouldn't. She chuckled nervously and said, “Don’t mind me. I just say nonsense half of the time”
“She’s my wife. The Lady of the house” Daniel announced.
If not for his thirty-six years of being a butler he would have lost his composure. Thankfully, Frank had already called and informed him that they were having a guest.
Rory on the other hand was shocked by the introduction. She didn't expect to be introduced in that manner.
“Take her to go freshen up. If you need anything let him know” The first sentence was spoken to the butler; the second was spoken to Rory.
Daniel was about to walk away but Roty held his hand.
“Where will you be?” Daniel was about 6 feet and 7 inches tall and Rory was about 5’8, 5’9, so Daniel had to bend his head to look down at her. She had big doe eyes. She was really cute. His blank face softened up a little.
“In the study”
“Okay” She let his hand go and Daniel’s hand felt cold by the sudden loss of contact. What was he doing? What was this silly girl doing to him?
****
“What’s your name?” She asked the butler who was leading her to her room.
“You can call me Butler Zoe”
“Zoe? What an odd name. It suits you. You look very cute. Like a cute grandpa”
Cute grandpa? In all of his years of being a butler, he had never been called cute.
“Which room am I staying in?”
“We’ve prepared a room for you”
“Prepared a room for me? Take me to Daniel’s room”
“Madam Froster….”
“You can call me Rory. Madam makes me sound old” She corrected him.
“I’m afraid I can't”
She knew he wouldn't dare to do that. She was once a servant. She knew the rules. It didn't hurt to try.
“Fine. Just take me to my husband’s room. We are legally married, if word gets out that we don't share a room, it would look bad. I'm not trying to make things difficult for you”
“But…..”
“No buts. Just take me there” Butler Zoe was torn. No one had ever stepped into Daniel’s room. However, since he introduced Rory as his wife and brought her home, he must want to give her a face.
He conceded. And if it backfired he would bear the responsibility.
Daniel’s room was also very bland. The colors were black and white. It was nice but not pleasing to the eye. There was a tall shelf, a work desk and a chair, a large bed that could fit ten people, a bedside table on both sides of the bed with a lamp on each of them, and a sofa at a corner of the room.
“When will Daniel come back from the study?”
“I don't know. It might take a while”
“Okay”
“If you need anything, let me know. I will have someone get your things” Butler Zoe informed her.
“What things?” She only had her bag.
“Master Daniel informed us beforehand of your arrival and instructed us to prepare things for you” He explained.
She nodded. So he was thoughtful.
***
The maids brought her things for her and she took a much-deserved shower. Her leg was aching, so she applied her usual ointment to reduce the swelling and pain.
The clothes in the closet were just her size. Weird. There were a lot of custom-made clothes with a few of them being from very popular designers. The rest were custom-made. He must be really rich. Even the Devanes had very few custom-made clothes. They could be counted on one hand.
After searching, she settled for a navy blue shirt and trousers pajamas pair. It was very nice.
Butler Zoe brought dinner to her room. After she ate, she picked a book from the shelf, went to the couch, and started reading.
She packed her hair in a messy bun, with her right leg straight on the couch and the other was in a forty-five-degree angle on the couch.
This was the scene Daniel saw when he entered the room. She was so focused that she didn't even notice that someone had entered.
Daniel furrowed his eyebrows. What was she doing here?
He walked up to the couch and bent down to see the book she was reading.
“‘Winner takes all’. Nice pick”
“Ah!” She was frightened. “Jeez! You scared me!”
“What are you doing here?” He went straight to the point.
“You brought me here, remember?” She feigned ignorance
“Very funny. I brought you to the house, not my room”
“Oh really. I didn't know”
“So she also lies. I didn’t know” Rory pursed her lips at his words.
“Meanie” She pouted.
“I’m going to take a shower. You better be out of here before I get back” He ordered her.
“Or else?” She raised a brow.
He narrowed his eyes at her and she could tell he wasn't joking.
He didn't respond and went to take a shower. He was in his pyjamas and his face darkened when he saw Rory still in his room, sleeping on the bed.
“What did I tell you?” He asked her but he got no response.
He was going to throw her out of the room. He went to the bed and saw Rory’s eyes were closed. A few strands of hair were falling from her face. Her lips were parted slightly. She looked really cute when sleeping.
He couldn't bear to throw her out. He crouched down beside her and tucked the strands behind her ear.
“Cold” She muttered and he backed away. He stood up and was about to leave when he noticed that she was shivering. He covered her with a duvet.
He didn't know why he got married to her in the first place. He could have found a way to convince his mother. His wealth rivaled countries, so he didn't need any marriage to gain power. She was very beautiful, but he had seen more beautiful women than her. For a moment, he was troubled. However, he shrugged it off.
****
Rory woke up by four thirty am. When she was in the Devane household, she always woke up by this time. She didn't need an alarm, her body was programmed to work that way. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't fall back asleep. Therefore, she spent the next thirty minutes tossing and turning until she finally had enough and got off the bed. She took a shower and got dressed. She wore blue joggers, a white top, and white sneakers. Her hair was done in her usual messy bun. Her face was bare.
She didn't see Daniel anywhere. She tip-toed out of the room and went downstairs. She saw the kitchen and she thought she could make breakfast.
Cooking was another thing she was forced to learn at a young age. She had to cook every day for the family before she went to school, along with doing other chores.
She was very good at it.
All of the ingredients were of good quality and everything she needed was there, plus the kitchen was very big and modern. She got carried away and cooked in excess.
She set the dining table and placed the last food on the table. Just then, Daniel arrived at the dining table.
He was dressed in a black suit and he wore a long coat. He had a briefcase in his hand. His hair was gelled back, but there was a stubborn strand that refused to stay still and it dropped on his forehead.
“Oh good, you are awake. Good morning. Breakfast is ready”
Rory informed him.
Daniel was confused. He checked his watch and saw it was just 6:00 am.
“Why are you awake?” He didn't respond to her initial statement.
“I'm used to waking up early. So I thought I'd make breakfast” She explained.
“I’m not hungry” He turned around and was about to leave, but she grabbed him.
“You must be hungry. You must at least eat something. If you don't eat anything you could have stomach problems which isn't very good. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day….”
He faced her. “Shut up! I said I’m not hungry. Who do you think you are to lecture me, huh?” Her nagging was giving him a headache.
“I…. I….” she was too scared to speak.
Daniel raised his hand and Rory closed her eyes out of instinct, waiting for the slap…..
