Isabella's POV

After making sure that Jayden's mother is gone after dinner, I rise from the dining seat and decide to go around the house for a tour.

This is my first time sitting at the dining table, having dinner with my husband and his mother. Last night, I didn't even eat before going to bed. My so-called husband didn't ask if I would like to eat something or not and I was too scared and anxious about my first day as a married woman, sleeping on the same bed with her husband to even think about food.

Apart from the late lunch I ate at Grandma's place, this delicious spaghetti pie casserole will be the second food I will be eating today.

Well…I have become so used to skipping meals so it is no longer a big deal.

Jayden says I should spend the night in his room but I am having second thoughts about it. I don't want to inconvenience him again for the second time in two days and I don't want to embarrass myself by falling off the bed again.

I have decided to move my things tonight and since I haven't seen Paulina, I want to search for a good room where I can stay for tonight.

I have been to two rooms already but none of them are ok for me to stay in. The first room is the gym while the other is a storeroom. Jayden said he had told the maids to prepare a room for me already and I wonder where it is located.

Jayden didn't answer my question. He was shocked when I asked him why he married me and when we heard his mother's voice from downstairs, I quickly went out.

I intend to still ask him again tonight before moving. I need to know. I was so stupid to have ventured into this without asking for the reason why we are doing this or why he is doing this rather.

He is pretending to everyone, even his mother and I want to know why.

I throw the third door open to see unused furniture stocked there. I close it back immediately, heaving a deep sigh and staring at the other doors that are lined up, wondering where my room is and why Jayden would want my room to be far from his.

I doubt that. I am sure my room is close to his room in case something happens and I have to rush down to his room whenever a guest visits.

Thinking about everything now, it feels silly. I feel foolish. But who am I to blame when money is involved?

I turn back on my heels, giving up on doing this myself. I should look for Paulina. I am sure she is aware of this thing between Jayden and me and I don't need to be embarrassed about it.

I'm just wondering how she will look at me or what the other maids will think of me. I also want to know if the maids know apart from Paulina.

I take the staircase down slowly, taking my mind off everything; Jayden, my marriage, Juliet, and Grandma. I turn to the other side of the staircase to go up to Jayden's room and pack my things.

I don't know if he is back in his room. He had accompanied his mother out when she was leaving. If he is back, I would just pack my things and ask him to help me get Paulina so she can help me to the room.

Before I can get to the last staircase, the door to his room opens and he comes out, glancing around in his short and white t-shirt.

He looks like someone going out for a stroll instead of changing into a nightwear just like me.

I am actually wearing a nightgown and after hearing his mother call it cheap, I have decided not to wear it ever again.

I just like it because it is decent.

"Where have you been?" He questions when he spots me. A frown descends on his handsome face.

"I went to search for my room", I answer, walking closer without stopping.

He glares at me and I wonder why. He turns back and then walks in, leaving the door ajar for me.

I step in and close the door quietly behind. "I told you you will sleep here tonight, didn't I?"

His back is to me as I venture in. "I'm sorry but I don't want to inconvenience you. I can't allow you to sleep on the sofa again after what happened yesterday."

"What happened?" He questions as if he doesn't know what happened.

I fall silent. "You aren't doing your job, rightly, Isabella. We are expected to be couples, acting all lovey-dovey as couples would do but you aren't doing this job to my expectation and satisfaction."

My jaws dropped. "Lovey-dovey?"

How am I supposed to do that when he has been gone all morning only to come back in requesting that I change into nightwear because his mother is here and then we went for dinner and now we are back to his room? At least no one is here to see us and I don't need to act lovey-dovey with him.

Besides, I shouldn't be the only one to do this. We both signed up for this. I can't be the only one expressing my love for him when it isn't real.

On our wedding day, I was all smiles but he didn't smile at all. It was as if I was the one forcing him to the altar whereas it is otherwise.

What sort of accusation is this, then?

He hasn't even answered my question of why we are married. Should I as well ask him in the same tone why he isn't playing his own part too, expecting me to take the bulk of everything?

It should be equal. When two people are married to each other, they tend to express love to each other. It might not be in the same way but it should be reciprocated.

As if reading my mind, he says. "I know I haven't been doing anything either but I expect much from you. This is the reason why I chose you. I could have gotten anyone I wanted; a party girl, a whore, an actress, a model but I chose you for a reason and that is because I trust you to do it right…"

"Why did we get married?" I cut him short. He hasn't answered my question. That should have been the first thing we needed to talk about, not about how I haven't been playing my roles well when it's just our day two.

Is he trying to frustrate me? What the hell have I gotten myself into? First, he threatened me before the marriage, he threatened to cancel the contract if I misbehaved and now he is saying I am not doing my job. What exactly does he want from me?

His frown deepens and he throws his hand in the air. "Why are you even asking me that?"

"Because I want to know. I should have asked you this before the marriage but I was too distracted to even think of this and now…"

"Let's forget about that", he interrupts me from voicing out my fear. I should have known he would avoid the question.

Remembering that he is my boss and I have to be careful with what I say and how I speak to him, I go silent and nod.

"I have a plan", he informs me, sitting on the edge of the bed, peering at me closely. I nod again, urging him to go on and let me know whatever plan he is talking about.

I should have known that my entire year with him will be based on plans, plans, plans, contracts, and nothing that has to do with reality.

I really do not know how I became this way. I wouldn't have believed that I could pretend to be someone's wife the way I am doing now. I used to have difficulties pretending. I don't hide my emotions and I am transparent.

"Won't you sit?" He demands, still watching me.

I quickly walk to the L-shaped white sofa and sit in carefully before glancing up.

"You don't need to move into any room anymore", he begins.

"What?" I exclaim. If I don't move into the room prepared for me, then where will I stay?

"Yes, you are going to stay in this room tonight and after tonight, I will ask the maids to bring in another bed for you and that is where you will be sleeping."

"Another bed?" I glance around the room. It is actually big enough to accommodate another bed but I still don't feel ok with the idea.

What if I sleep-walk at night? What if I misbehaved in the night, thereby interrupting his sleep? What if I want to get dressed and he is in the room? How can we be sharing the same room when we aren't even chatmates?

What are we going to be talking about when we are alone in the room? Should I look for a new hobby and probably spend my entire day or evening there whenever he is around before going to sleep?

That is a perfect idea. This way, we won't have to be uncomfortable with each other. I will only come in when I am sleepy.

I know there is an indoor pool and there is also a gym. I can start swimming or gymnastics as a hobby. I don't know what other things are in here but if there is a game house, that will be my next stop.

I don't have any job after all so I can as well take a year's break from waking up early, running off to the bathroom to take a quick bath, rushing through my closet for a good dress to wear to work, and dashing off to work so I won't get fired for not being punctual.

"Yes, so what do you say?"

I don't know what to do because I really do not have any choice here. I just have to go along with any shitty ideas he brings.

Slowly, I nod my head in response to his question.

"Good", he rises sharply. "You can go to bed now, I will be out for a few minutes. See you", he strolls to the door and walks out.

I watch him go, my gaze shifting to the wall clock and I begin to wonder what a married man would be going out to do by this time of the day.

This is 10:30 pm.

****

So, this is the surprise! I'm not supposed to update today. The update ought to come tomorrow but here we are.

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