Jayden's POV

My icy glare pierces into her as she stares at me innocently like what she is asking me is nothing to be mad about.

Gay? What the hell is that?

"I'm sorry", she apologizes, looking down before raising her head again. "I'm sorry if I am wrong with my assumptions but I just want to know…"

"Know what?" I snap at her angrily.

What is so difficult with just minding your own business while I go about mine? Why the hell is Isabella beginning to make me regret why I chose her in just three days of being married?

I thought she was going to be a quiet wife without giving me any trouble whatsoever and always listening to my orders.

"I'm sorry. I'm just curious to know why we got married in the first place when it's obvious no one knows how fake this is. I just assumed you are gay since you are…"

"Since there will be no sex? Is that what you are concerned about?" I retort sharply, a frown descending on my face.

She shakes her head, hugging her small body to herself.

"I'm not talking about sex, this is about us and I think I deserve to know why we are married. I know I am supposed to ask all these questions before we get married but it is not too late."

I sigh heavily, raking my hands in my hair.

When I first came in and she asked about my night, I didn't answer intentionally because I know she is asking because she knows I didn't spend the night here.

We are couples but it isn't real and she shouldn't be bothered about where I spend the night. This is pure business. Strictly professional. I don't want any entangled emotions. I don't want her care or sympathy. I just want this business to end as soon as possible.

"Is that it?" I grit my teeth in anger, staring back at her round-shaped face. "You want to know why I asked you to marry me for just a year, right? Isn't that it?!"

Gulping loudly, she nods.

I twirl back and take long strides toward the couch in front of here. Slouching in, I cross my right leg over the other and lean backward.

Since this is it, then I will tell her. I will satisfy her curiosity and that will be all.

I went out last night to see Gabriel for a brief meeting about our proposal. I was supposed to come back home immediately but I changed my mind and decided to lodge in a hotel since I haven't made preparations for another bed to be taken into the Master's bedroom and Isabella and I will be left to share a bed which I didn't want.

Instead of coming back here to worry about where to sleep and how we might end up by morning, I decided to sleep out, and then this morning, the issue of bringing in a new bed for her will be taken care of. This way, I don't have to worry about sharing a bed with her anymore.

I didn't intend to spend the night out but I did anyway and I don't expect her to question me about that because we are not real couples.

When she isn't sitting down like I expect so I can get done with this and go to work, I raise a brow at her. She bites her lower lips, probably regretting her reasons for asking me such a silly question.

She sits down.

"First of all, I won't appreciate you disrespecting me simply because we are now living under the same roof and also going to be sharing a room. I want to be accorded the same respect you were giving me when I was your boss. I am still your boss, it's just that the title is different for a reason", I point out to her carefully.

Silence ensues and I am expecting her to apologize. Asking me if I am gay is utter disrespect and I won't take that from her some other time.

Even if I am gay, she has no right to question my sexuality. It is my life and I can do whatever I want to do with it.

"Did you hear what I said?"

"Yes, sir", she replies quickly and I roll my eyes at her.

"It's Jayden. When I said you should show some respect, I am not talking about you calling me sir", I utter firmly, wondering if she is doing this to annoy me on purpose.

She bites her lips again and nods. "Yes, Jayden. I'm sorry."

Glaring at her, I drop my crossed legs and lean forward. "About your question, I asked you to marry me because I want my mother to stop pestering me about getting married and having kids", I begin and she gazes up, the look on her face signifying that she has a question concerning what I just said but I won't give her the room to ask. I am only letting her know this because she deserves to know. I can decide not to tell her but I just want to be polite.

"My cousins are all married and as the only child, she expects me to get married and have children as well. I don't believe in all of this shit so I decided to do this. Your coming for help was at the right time and since I have known you for close to a year, I decided you were going to be the best option and you won't give me any trouble whatsoever", I say to her. She doesn't say anything so I add. "Or will you?"

She perks up, confusion spreading across her face. "What?"

"Will you give me any trouble?"

"No, no, no, I won't", she assures calmly and I nod, trying to think of what else I need to tell her.

"Mother has high expectations of me and I want to prove to her that marriage isn't for everyone. After a year, when we are divorced, I know she will definitely stop with her marriage lectures and stop dreaming about grandchildren", I say with distaste.

What use will having kids do when you will end up losing them? I have gone through that phase before and I honestly do not want to go through it once more.

It is horrible. It is just like reality slapping you across the face and making what seems impossible possible.

Who would have thought my baby girl would die at such an early age? I had plans. Numerous plans for her and the kids to come but they were all shattered.

Why then should I think of having kids as an achievement when it is not? It is nothing but just a responsibility. It only comes with emotions you do not want to exhibit but have to because it is inevitable. At the end of the day, it makes you too weak.

Vulnerable and sad.

I am done!

Battling with the memories of the past, I still had to take out time to do this for my mother even when she doesn't know that I haven't healed completely.

The pain is still there. Fresh. Hurting at every slightest opportunity.

I just want her to be happy and this is why I am doing this, even though happiness is far from what I envisioned for myself.

It died with Helena and my baby.

"I'm sorry once again for being inquisitive but now that I know what it is, I will be more comfortable with acting like this is real. Besides, I know where to direct my energy to and who to target…"

"Will that be all?" I ask in irritation as I rise from the couch. I am already late for work and I need to take a quick bath before going.

She stands up too, not saying the yes I expect her to say. Apparently, she still has probably one more question to ask or many.

I am not in for this. This is definitely not the right time for this. I only gave her this opportunity because she deserves to know.

"Why don't you want to have kids? Why don't you believe in marriage?"

I furrow my brows, amazed at her courage.

"Is that any of your business?" I growl, refraining myself from shouting at the top of my voice.

She lowers her head.

Hissing loudly, I saunter towards the bathroom door. This isn't her fault, this is because I answered her question willingly and now she feels entitled like she is really my wife who can question anything that has to do with me.

"I'm sorry", she shouts after me but I do not answer as I enter the bathroom and slam the door shut, hoping she must have disappeared by the time I am done taking my bath.

****

I forgot to update yesterday, I'm so sorry for that.

Here is our chapter 27, what do you think of this chapter? Air your views and don't forget to vote.

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