MADISON'S POV
Richard stood in front of me, water dripping from his hair, a towel slung dangerously low on his waist. His muscular, toned body,defined six-pack abs and strong biceps,was impossible to ignore. Our eyes met, and I immediately turned away, my face flushing bright red.
"Oh, you're here. Did I keep you waiting?" he asked casually.
"Ehm… no. I just got here," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Are you okay?" he asked as he came closer and gently turned me to face him.
"Your face is red. Are you blushing?" he added with amusement.
"No… I'm not. The weather is just hot. You know what, I'll wait downstairs. Just get dressed," I muttered and rushed out of the room.
A few minutes later, he came down dressed in grey sweatpants and a loose black t-shirt. He looked ridiculously good in casual wear.
"Can I get you anything?" he asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"Water would be fine, thank you."
He handed me a glass of water and gestured for me to sit down.
"You can take off your jacket, the heater is on," he added.
I settled on the couch beside him. He cleared his throat.
"So… the news reached my family. I was summoned. After several arguments—mostly with my mom,we decided both families need to meet if we're really getting married," he said.
"But my dad isn't back yet. He'll be home in a few days. I'll inform them then. Is that okay?"
"Sure," he nodded.
"I have something for you," I said, pulling out the contract I had prepared after we met.
"What's this?" he asked, eyebrows raised as he took it.
"A contract," I replied simply.
"A year after our marriage, we'll get a divorce. I'm not cruel enough to trap you in a relationship with someone you don't love. Everything we agreed on is in there. We manage our own finances, ignore each other's love lives."
He stared at me, unreadable, for a long moment. My heart pounded with anxiety.
"Give me a pen," he finally said. I quickly handed him one from my purse. He signed it, and then I signed as well.
"So… don't you think we'll need a base camp?" he asked.
"A base camp?" I repeated, confused.
"Yes. Somewhere we can strategize, somewhere to rest after battle. What do you think about this place?"
"Isn't this your house?"
"Why don't you move in? Leave your family's house."
"You want us to live together? We're not even married yet. Are you cra…"
"I'll be returning home today," he cut in calmly.
I looked around, scanning the house.
"But still… how am I supposed to live in someone's empty house?"
Richard sighed, stood up, and took my wrist, guiding me to the kitchen. He opened the cabinets to reveal rows of packaged and sealed convenience store food.
"All your food is here. Safe and sealed,just how you like it."
Then he pulled me back to the living room. "This will be our shared living room. Though I'll be staying with my parents, I'll still come around."
He led me upstairs to his room.
"This is my room…as you already know since something interesting happened here an hour ago," he teased with a grin. "Unfortunately for you, I won't be here, so don't sneak in because you miss me."
Rolling my eyes, I followed him to the room opposite his.
"This is your room."
He opened the door to reveal a beautiful space, at least three times bigger than my current room. The walls were painted a soft peach. A king-sized white bed stood against one wall, a bookshelf filled with books beside it. There was even a painting board with brushes and paper, a nice desk, a couch, and a spacious wardrobe. The attached bathroom was fully stocked.
I opened the wardrobe and was greeted with clothes of every kind: gowns, dresses, shoes, heels.
"Did you pick these out?" I asked with a laugh.
"Tell me if you don't like them. I'll fire my secretary."
"No, I like them. In fact, give him a bonus," I said with a smile.
"So… when will you move in?"
"Will you really be okay with me living here?" I asked uncertainly.
He reached into his pocket, took out a key, and placed it in my palm.
"This place is already your home. Move in whenever you're ready."
"Don't you get a sense of déjà vu?" he said.
"Yeah. Upgraded from a hotel key to a house key," I said, remembering our first meeting.
He came closer, gently rubbing my shoulder.
"Don't give up. I'll be with you through this fight."
His words melted my heart. I couldn't help but hug him.
***
A few days passed after Richard offered me a place to stay. He drove me home that night, and to my surprise, my dad had returned earlier than expected. I walked into the living room to find him seated at the dining table with my stepmother and Sophia, finishing dinner.
"Madison, come here," he called.
"Yes, Father?" I asked, stepping forward.
"Are you sure we can trust Richard? What if he makes a fuss, claims he's in love, then ditches you before the wedding?"
"What exactly do you mean?" I asked.
"What he means," my stepmother interjected smugly, "is that for families like ours and the Benjamins, marriage is like a business merger. They'd approve of Sophia,but you? What will you do?"
"I'll get their permission," I said confidently, watching their smug expressions falter.
"You'll sit at the parents' table at my wedding, and Sophia will catch the bouquet. We'll have the wedding with everyone's blessing."
"WHO will catch your bouquet?!" Sophia snapped.
"Won't you? I have no friends," I replied, watching her storm off upstairs.
"What about the pre-wedding meeting?" my stepmother pressed.
"Pre-wedding meeting?"
"Yes. The families should meet before the wedding. And your father must attend. Right, honey?"
"Well, I don't know about that…" my dad muttered, clearly tired.
"The Chairwoman will be there—Richard's grandmother. So you have to go," she said.
I smiled coldly, seeing through her.
"That'll be arranged soon. Don't worry." I turned to leave, then paused.
"Oh, and I'll be moving out tomorrow. Richard found me a place to stay until the wedding. He said he doesn't want a repeat of last time."
Back at Richard's house, he stayed only long enough to make sure I was settled before leaving. Now, my next step is clear: win over his mother. If I can win her heart, the rest of the family will follow.
I stared at the cooking class membership confirmation on my phone.
Okay, Madison—you've got this.