Chapter 6 – Once Upon a One-night-stand

Chapter 6 – The Villa

After stepping out of the city courthouse, Edie still felt her face burning up. “How could you do that?” She asked Stuart sounding angry. “What did I do?” Stuart asked with a self-satisfied smirk. “You, you kissed me in public.” Edie stammered off.

Stuart leaned over. Feeling his face was getting closer and closer, Edie stepped back to avoid what had happened to her just now. “You hesitated when the clerk asked you. How should we settle this?” Stuart seemed to see through her thoughts and took the upper hand. Edie had no way to refute and whispered sounding guilty, “just, just a little bit… “What if he finds out that it’s a fake marriage?” he asked.

Edie knew he was right, not realizing that she was diverted by her thoughts. Actually, the clerk otherwise known as the Justice of the Peace would not doubt the authenticity of the couples’ willingness, they would presume the hesitation as nervousness.

“Well, well.” Edie gave in, feeling she was wrong in the first place and was not willing to argue with him. Stuart was amused by her lovely angry face. “You can’t do that next time. You know, you were taking advantage of me.” Edie warned him solemnly.

Looking at her delicate red lips when she spoke, his grinning eyes turned into profound affectionate. He didn’t know why this girl could light the fire buried deep inside his body. His lust for her was burning like a volcano getting ready to explode.

He held her hand and kept a certain distance between them. In case he couldn’t control himself and did something wrong again that frightened her. After getting in the car, Edie was absent-minded, not noticing where they were going. Until she saw that the view outside the car window became more and more strange, she asked him in panic. “Where are we going?”

“Going home,” he said. Edie looked worried, “But my home isn’t this way.”

“We are going back to our home.” Stuart turned to look at Edie. She was overwhelmed by his deep dark eyes. “It’s a fake marriage, why do we have to live together?” She was getting nervous.

Stuart could see this in her face and replied, “if we don’t live together, how would my family believe that it’s a real marriage?” This wasn’t the agreement, she thought to herself. “I still share the rent, what if she can’t find another roommate?” “I will pay the rent until she doesn’t want to live there anymore if need be.” His eyes focused on hers. “Do you have any other questions?”

For a moment she was speechless and felt as if she had fallen into a pit. Well, he’s rich. He could do anything. Stuart quickly drove into his Villa and stopped in the garden of one of the most luxurious, elegant and spacious vacation homes, she had ever seen. It was a mansion.

As soon as Edie got out of the car, she was shocked to find that the garden was so big that it was almost as big as a small park. She could not afford to rent an apartment alone. She had to share it with others. He not only had a luxurious country vacation home, but was also wealthy enough to buy a park-size garden. How wealthy he was?

Stuart held her hand while walking in. She was hesitant at first. His thin lips let out a smile. When they entered the house, a middle-aged man in his forties welcomed them and greeted them respectfully, “Welcome home, Mr. and Mrs. Yates.”

Edie was still not used to being called Mrs. Yates. Stuart turned around and introduced the man, “this is our butler Mr. Sampson.” Edie responded friendly. “Good evening, Mr. Sampson.” Mr. Sampson replied and then turned around pointing to the middle-aged women behind him. “Mr. Yates, this is Carol and Carey. They were hire especially for Mrs. Yates. Carol is responsible for the housekeeping and Carey is responsible for the kitchen.”

“What do you think?” Stuart leaned in asking Edie. Edie recalled that Mr. Bates told her that Stuart hated having any contact with women. She guessed there was no woman in this house before now. Stuart probably did this for her, so she would feel more comfortable. Suddenly she felt something softening in her heart.

There were times when he seemed hard to approach, but unexpectedly he was considerate and careful. Then she let out a broad smile. “Good.” Although he didn’t quite understand what turned her mood around, he was still moved by her radiant, smiling face. “Mr. Sampson, please take Mrs. Yates and show her around.”

With a gentleman’s salute, Mr. Sampson raised his right hand and said to Edie, “Mrs. Yates, please.” The Yates’ nobility had been passed on for hundreds of years. The butler had a British accent and all the other servants also behaved in England style. Edie was flattered and quickly followed him.

Stuart went directly to the study on the second floor. Mr. Bates was already waiting for him inside. Watching him as he came in, Mr. Bates stood beside the door and greeted him in respect. “Mr. Yates, how’s it going?” He asked sounding critical. Coming back to work, he was still the old Stuart cold, cruel and reserved.

“Several directors on the board have been questioning your s****l orientation and think that you can’t be the heir. I have already taken notes and all of them are listed as key observations.” Mr. Bates hesitated for a moment, but then asked carefully. “Mr. Yates, did you inform your mother about your marriage?” “No, keep it in secret for the time being,” Stuart answered firmly. “Yes.” Mr. Bates knew there was no need to say anymore.

Carey had been told what Stuart liked and disliked, but she still didn’t know the preferences of Edie. Stuart sits opposite to Edie, resting his chin on his folded hands and staring at her. Edie felt her face getting flush by his gaze and intended to divert his attention. “Where are they?”

“They are in the dining room,” Stuart answered indifferently.

Stuart had an excellent dining etiquette. He didn’t even make a sound when he drank the soup, and there was no oil on his lips. Each movement was noble and elegant. Edie stole a glance at him from time to time, wondering why he was so handsome even when he was eating.

After dinner, Carol came to tidy up the table. “Don’t make lettuce and carrots again. I would prefer broccoli, shrimp and lobster.” Carol wrote it down as he said. Edie was shocked. He was good at observation and memorizing. How did he know her likes and dislikes? It’s just a deal marriage. Why was he so considerate?

Seeing she was in a trance, Stuart broke the silence with a fulfilling smile in his eyes. “Hey, there’s a party this afternoon. Do you want to go with me?” “What party?” she replied. “Some old friends of mine…” Stuart stated plainly. Edie interrupted before he could finish it. “No, I don’t want to go.”

She felt something was wrong, but she couldn’t figure it out. She had never been married before and had no idea how a fake marriage should be. Even so, with a little common sense, she knew that he should hide her from the public to protect his reputation. So, why did he want to take her to meet his friends?

Stuart didn’t want to overwhelm her. “Well, then, have a good rest at home this afternoon.” Then, he stood up and was about to go back to his bedroom to change. Edie stood up instantly. “I want to go back to my apartment this afternoon.”

Sensing she was not willing to stay there, he was wondering why. His gaze made Edie panic again. “Um, I just want to pick up some of my things.” She quickly explained. He turned to walk over to her. “No.” Halting in front of her, “you don’t need to.”

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