Chapter 7

“It was really my father's idea,” Jaxson made clear, which grabbed my attention over again.

Honestly, I couldn't hear any of his further explanations because I was already feeling dizzy from being so famished. I couldn't eat anything because Jaxson took me inside their house after his public proposal earlier. Leaving the people outside who were stunned and seemed unwilling to believe what he said.

Jaxson told me that we needed to talk about what had happened earlier.

“My father urged that I make the proposal public so that a great number of people are aware of our engagement. And introduce you to everybody.” He kept explaining to me.

I drew his attention as my feet came to a halt while we walked toward his room. I could scarcely read the emotion in his eyes because of how sharp he gaped at me.

I let out a deep sigh. “To be honest, Jax, you don't have to explain anything to me. I understand that everything you do is in response to your father's demands and for the sake of the company you cherish. You don't have to keep telling me over and over again how much you dislike what you're doing.” I stated emphatically, not wanting to avert my stare from him. “I know exactly what I'm doing here and where I'm supposed to be. So there's no need for you to be concerned.”

I can't ignore the fact that Jaxson made me happy with what he did earlier, but I also can't deny I was upset that he didn't really mean to propose to me in front of so many people. But even so, he should no longer be aware of it.

As the gap between his lips parted slightly, I expected for him to say something, but it just closed again, causing me to frown.

“I apologize for the first impression I gave them earlier,” I mumbled. “I didn't want to be soaked in wine and seem like a stray cat out there. Believe me. I even tried to look presentable with the help of Aunt Elsie and Lovely. It's just that, your step-mother…” I continued, but he didn't seem too pleased with what I'd done, as he turned away from me again without saying anything.

I'll make an effort to dress more elegantly next time. Lovely's dress is gorgeous, but it doesn't look like it's enough to be visually appealing in their eyes. My hair straightener was the only thing I brought because I usually have it with me and it doesn't go missing in my bag.

When I have straight hair instead of natural curls, I feel more confident.

When I glanced at the enormous, black door of Jaxson's room I seemed to suddenly remember something.

“Hey Jax?,” I started calling his attention. “How late did you get back to your room last night? I'm sorry, I'm already exhausted so I couldn't wait for you and fell asleep on your creepy couch. But, really, thank you. Because if you hadn't moved me to bed, waking up earlier would have been more painful for my entire body.” I smiled gratefully at him.

I just didn't think he would treat me nicely because we didn't know each other very well yet and we’re not friends either.

“What do you mean?”

His question had caught us both off guard. He only scowled, waiting for me to say anything.

“I said, thank you for relocating me to bed last night even if you could have just woke me up-”

“Cattleya, stop. No. What exactly are you talking about?” He startled me. “I did not come back to my room last night. And I have no idea what you are saying.”

My shoulders slumped in response to his words. “Y-You didn't come back? Then… That means that you're not the one who placed me to bed. B-But how?” I stammered.

Cattleya, you're seriously going insane.

“—Wait, maybe… Your couch also begins to move by itself to relocate anyone to the proper bed once someone falls asleep?”

When I started hearing his weak laugh, I became even more confused.

“Brilliant concept, but no. I could perhaps take note of that one, though,” he said, running a tip of his finger over his grin. “You really should work on your expectations.”

“Mr. Madrigal,” a booming voice called attention.

My eyes were left in the air as Jaxson turned back at the voice from which it came.

“Gun!” I shifted my glance to the direction where he was looking as he exclaimed his greeting.

I watched them as they exchanged their greetings by shaking hands.

That man Jaxson is speaking with appears to be quite highly structured. Particularly his thrifty behavior. But I think he can only be one or two years older than Jaxson if I compare them.

“I haven't seen you in two years. Since when did you come back?” he questioned the bulky man, enthusiastically.

“I arrived at the manor last night,” he replied, making Jaxson’s eyebrows elevate.

“Really? You should've come to greet me,” he said, but the man he was speaking with simply shrugged his shoulders.

His towering stature and muscular physique are truly astonishing. His broad range shoulders stand out as well. I have the impression that if he becomes irritated with me, he can crush me with bare hands.

His physique and height are very similar to Jaxson’s. The only difference is that Jaxson is in better shape than him, especially when wearing clothes; he appears to be in perfect silhouette. That guy's shirt, on the other hand, was only a breath away from bursting.

“Oh, and by the way, this is Cattleya. The girl I've talked to you about.”

I flinched in shock when Jaxson suddenly mentioned my name while I was analyzing his friend.

With my eyebrows still arched and a quivering palm waving in greeting, I instantly flashed a smile to them.

I drawled, “H-Hi…”

He's not just going to let this guy beat me up simply because I made a mistake earlier… Right?

He will be your personal bodyguard for as long as you are here.” Jaxson continued.

“P-Personal bodyguard..?” I marveled aloud. “Hang on, I don't think I will need a personal bodyguard. I'm not even a well-known star who has to be looked after, and I can assure you that I am capable enough to take care of myself. There's no need to hire someone like him to guard me.” I said hesitantly, sweeping my hand once again.

“It’s for the sake of the Madrigal’s name safety, as well as your own.” Jaxson looked directly into my eyes. “Living as Cattleya Santos may not be very risky for you. But being one of us is a whole different realm. Remember what I had told you? Once you carry my name, there will be a slew of people who will silently track you out. So take this as one of my rules. Never leave the house without being in Gun's sight. I don't want our family to be in serious trouble if you make any mistakes,” he stated clearly.

I couldn't bring myself to speak, so I nibbled my lower lip and slowly lifted my gaze to take a glance at the man next to him.

Even his name alone is terrifying. Which mother will give her son the name Gunther? And be called as Gun. Perhaps his name pushed him to grow his body in this way. He might've thought that it would be absurd if he has a tiny body and is going to be called the name Gun.

I tried to hold back my laughter because of what I thought.

I almost leaped out of my skin with fear when he drew closer and bowed slightly in front of me.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Cattleya-”

“Catt!” I nervously clamored. “You can just call me Catt.” I tried to be friendly with him, but he didn't even return my genuine smile and instead stared at me down like a robot.

“Ms. Cattleya.”

I winced at his excessive roughness.

“–I am Gunther, close protection officer of the Madrigal and you can expect me to guard you at any time.”

My eyes blinked almost as much. I simply called out to Jaxson with my eyes in hopes he would save me from this man’s awkwardness.

“Alright, Gun. We will be seeing you in the next few minutes. Cattleya and I have something to talk about inside.” Jaxson said, which made me calm a bit.

But what Jaxson did next caught me off guard. He slipped his fingers into my hand and firmly clasped it before tugging me towards the gigantic door.

I felt trapped in Gunther's eyes by his strange stares that nearly broke my neck from twisting back to where he was standing.

“Do you like him?

Because of his question, Jaxson came to my attention. I watched his hand as he gestured in front of the large door to open.

My eyes secretly peered down at his grip on me, which had not loosened yet.

“W-what do you mean?” I stammered, overwhelmed by the feeling that had once again filled my entire body.

If Jaxson keeps treating me like this, I'm not sure how long I'll survive.

He asked me again, “I said, do you like Gun as your personal guard?”

“He’s fine with me, I guess? Well, I don't have an issue with him other than the fact that he's like a robot that doesn't even know how to smile when he's being greeted,” I replied.

Jaxson let go of my hand after we went inside, and it nearly felt like he also did the same to my heart, which had been strangled by his tight grip.

I kept my sight fixed on him as he stepped in front of me with his hands in both pockets.

“So, you like him?”

His repetitive question led my brows to clash in disbelief. “Wait, are we seriously going to talk about that? Didn't you just drag me here because you said we needed to talk about something important? Liking your close officer doesn't seem too important to me,” I let out, raising my voice scantily over him. I'm already irritated because my stomach is still filled with nothing but air.

“You’re right. We've come to discuss something extremely important.” he defended. “We're getting married in three days.”

My lips split up as my jaw gradually dropped, but what he said didn't surprise me at all.

I'm more surprised by how casually he said it, like marriage is nothing.

I'm marrying someone like him in exchange for our own benefits. So, what exactly am I expecting?