Chapter 5.

EVE’s P.O.V

I felt my heartbeat increase as he held me in his arms. I quickly released myself from his grip and ran out of the bathroom. I headed to my room, quickly laying on the bed and covering my head in shame. I remembered the rules in our contract. We shouldn't have any physical contact, but we had already broken that rule on the first day. This was a bad sign. I shouldn't get close to him at all.

A few minutes later, I heard a knock on the door. "Who could that be?" I wondered. I stood up from the bed and headed to the living room. Jameson had already opened the door for his grandmother, Grandma Nini. Our eyes met, and he had a furious look on his face as he glared at me. I hated it every time he stared at me that way.

"Ohh, who do we have here?" Grandma Nini smiled excitedly, giving me a hug.

"Grandma, you're welcome," I smiled as she hugged me tightly.

"Eve, go and make some food for her. You should have done that a long time ago!" Jameson glared at me.

"Is that how you talk to your wife?" Grandma Nini turned to him.

"She's not my wife! You're aware that I married her because I had no choice!" Jameson sighed, walking to the dining table.

His words pierced deep into my heart. I couldn't control the tears rolling down my cheeks. I quickly wiped them away with my palms. I shouldn't let Grandma Nini see me in this situation.

"Jameson! Don't you dare talk about her in that manner! You took your vows earlier today. Don't you remember? Is this how you want to spend your wedding night?" Grandma Nini scowled at him.

Jameson heaved a deep sigh. "Don't worry about that. I'll make the dishes myself," he sighed.

"What happened to Cynthia? The maid who actually prepares your meals?" Grandma Nini asked.

"I fired her. What do I need a maid for when I have a wife?" Jameson sighed, walking towards the kitchen.

"I can't believe I'm not his wife but his maid," I thought.

Grandma Nini turned to me and held my hands. "Don't worry about Jameson. He'll come around soon, okay?" Grandma Nini assured me.

I simply nodded my head as we sat at the dining table.

"I've been with Jameson since he was a kid. I'm the one who trained him, but I still regret a few things," Grandma Nini sighed.

"What's that?"

"His toxic personality. I truly wish I could do something about it, but all my efforts lead to nothing. He doesn't like having people around him and many other things. The way he treats you is actually my fault. I'm truly sorry about that," Grandma Nini sobbed.

I moved closer to her. "Don't worry, it's not your fault. Jameson can change if he wants, but I don't think I'm the right person for him. One day, he will find someone who can change his personality," I explained.

Grandma Nini stared at me. "Don't say that. You and Jameson are a match made in heaven, okay?" Grandma Nini assured me.

I shook my head. "I don't think so. This is our wedding night, and you can see the way he treats me. I'm not regarded as his wife, but instead as a maid," I replied.

Grandma Nini took a deep breath and gently rubbed my hair with her hands. "Eve, everything will be alright. Jameson is not an easy person. He'll come around soon, but you have to give him some time. And who knows, you might end up loving each other," Grandma Nini shrugged.

"End up loving each other? I don't think that's possible. We didn't love each other before our marriage, and I don't see it happening now," I explained.

"There's still love after marriage. I was forced to marry my late husband. I never loved him. I hated him so much that I insisted we sleep in separate rooms. But with time, we started loving each other. Don't give up so easily. You can still end up loving Jameson," Grandma Nini assured me.

"She shouldn't bother loving me. She knows we shouldn't love each other anyway," Jameson interjected as he walked into the living room with a tray in his hands.

"Don't say such things!" Grandma Nini retorted. She turned to me with a reassuring smile.

I took a taste of Jameson's meal. It actually tastes nice. “Jameson, I never knew you were a good cook," I said, trying to ease the tension.

Jameson ignored me and focused on his meal. "Eve, don't mind him. Besides, there's something more important I'm expecting from you both," Grandma Nini said.

"What's that?" Jameson and I asked in unison.

"You already know what I have in mind. A child—a son or a daughter," Grandma Nini said, with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"Grandma, not today, not tomorrow. Don't even think about that," Jameson snapped.

"Where did I go wrong? Seeing my great-grandchild isn't supposed to be an issue, right?" Grandma Nini turned to me.

I nodded my head. I knew what she had in mind. She didn't know that our marriage was based on a contract, and we had a no-sex rule, which meant we wouldn't even think about touching each other.

"Grandma Nini, don't you think it's too early for that? This is just our wedding night, and we'll be leaving for London first thing tomorrow morning," I explained.

"Yeah, I understand. But it's not a bad idea. I was just saying. Anyway, it's your wedding night, and you guys should enjoy it. I'll be heading to my room. I had a hectic day earlier," Grandma Nini sighed, standing up from her seat.

"Okay, Grandma. Have a good night's rest," I waved at her.

She smiled at me and walked to her apartment.

Jameson frowned at me.

"What is it? Where did I go wrong?" I shrugged.

"Where did you go wrong? Is that what you're asking? I don't want to hear you talk about having kids with Grandma Nini," Jameson instructed.

"You're talking as if I was the one who brought up that topic. Anyway, I'm very much aware that you hate me and my presence irritates you. I won't do anything to make you mad at me, so you shouldn't be worried about anything concerning me," I sneered at him.

Jameson gazed at me, his expression unreadable. "Well, that's your business. We're leaving for London first thing tomorrow morning, so you should be prepared," he instructed.

"I know, and I have just a few clothes with me. So, I'm already prepared. Anyway, I'm very eager to know where I will be sleeping tonight," I said, looking at him with curiosity.

Jameson heaved a deep sigh. "We'll be sleeping together. I'll sleep on the bed, while you sleep on the couch."

"On the couch?!" I exclaimed in disbelief.

"Yeah, the couch is big enough for you to sleep on," Jameson replied, unfazed.

I shook my head. "No, I'm not sleeping on the couch. It's our wedding night, and I deserve to sleep on the bed just like any other bride."

"You're not any other bride, Eve. You're my wife only because I had no choice. You don't deserve anything more than the couch," Jameson retorted coldly.

I felt a mix of anger and sadness welling up within me. "Fine, have it your way," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

Jameson turned around and headed to the bedroom, leaving me standing alone in the living room. I held back my tears and made my way to the couch, silently preparing myself for a lonely and sleepless night.

As I lay on the couch, thoughts raced through my mind. How did my life take such a drastic turn? From being an independent woman with dreams and aspirations, I was now trapped in a loveless marriage, treated as nothing more than a maid.