Chapter Four

I followed my mom through the dimly lit corridors, the oppressive silence broken only by the soft tap of her heels against the marble floor. This floor felt different—colder, darker, and filled with a tension that made my skin prickle. Every step seemed heavier as if I were trespassing on sacred ground.

“This floor belongs to Ashton,” my mom said, her voice low but firm. She glanced over her shoulder, ensuring I was paying attention. “No one comes here without his permission. Not the guards. Not the staff. No one.”

“Why not?” I asked, my voice barely louder than a whisper.

My mom stopped and turned to face me, her expression unreadable. “Ashton’s business is his own,” she said, her tone hardening. “It’s better if you don’t ask questions.”

“Business?” I echoed. “What kind of business are we talking about?”

Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought she might answer. Instead, she turned away and kept walking.

“I’m serious, Mom,” I pressed, quickening my pace to keep up. “If I’m stuck here, I deserve to know what’s going on.”

She sighed heavily but didn’t stop. “You’re not stuck, Amelia. You’re being protected. There’s a difference.”

“Protected?” I snapped, the word tasting bitter in my mouth. “From what? Or more importantly, from who? Your husband?”

She didn’t answer. Instead, she led me to the end of the hallway, where a massive door loomed like the entrance to a vault. “This is Ashton’s office,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Never go in there. Do you understand me?”

I nodded, though doubt lingered in my chest. My curiosity burned, but fear gnawed at my resolve.

“Stay out of his way, Amelia,” she added, softer now but no less serious. “For your own good.”

**

After my mom left, I wandered back to my room. I was startled by Ashton’s voice, which immediately made me turn towards him. Ashton looked at me with a wary gaze, and I understood that gaze.

“My mom showed me your territory in this house, I intended to go but I seem to have forgotten the way.” I did my best to look normal, even though I was surprised that I almost caught Ashton sneaking into his office.

“You want to come in? Come on, let me show you the contents of my office.” Ashton’s invitation took me by surprise. I thought he would be angry or suspicious of me. I followed him into a room with mostly large windows.

The bookshelves reached almost to the ceiling. The furniture was chic, and the room felt cozy—like a workspace and a resting space.

“Nice room.” I complimented while still observing the room.

“Thanks for the compliment, you’ll be here more often after we get married.” Ashton’s words made me shift my gaze to him. He was standing in front of his desk with one of his legs crossed forward. Ashton’s smile made my heart pound with a sensation that made me blush.

“Why?” I asked out of curiosity, isn’t this just her study?

“Over there at the other end is my bedroom.” Ashton said without even slightly shifting his gaze to me, and I was about to burst into flames when I saw him say ‘bedroom’ in such an inviting tone! I guess.

“Oh, will we also have to- “

“You want to make everyone believe in this marriage, right?! We only sleep in one room.” Ashton stepped over to me, who seemed unable to move an inch due to the man’s gaze nailing my legs.

“Or do you have any other ideas besides sleeping in the same room with me?!” Ashton’s face now looks seductive and sexy, blushing my whole body.

“W-what do you mean? O-of course we won’t go that far.” I tried not to be affected by Ashton’s words and knew he was teasing me. Unexpectedly, he pulled my waist with one hand until the distance between us disappeared. I could smell his musk scent, which made me slowly lose control of my sanity.

“Amelia, you should know that I accepted this marriage not only because it’s about my father’s business but also because you’re the candidate.” Ashton stroked a few strands of my loose hair, and his touch made me tremble with a different sensation.

Ashton grabbed my chin and kissed me with his soft lips. I was surprised at first, but I followed the natural urge inside me, so I opened my mouth and let Ashton’s tongue touch my tongue, and our kiss became even more passionate.

I must have been crazy for letting Ashton take me to the nearest sofa and almost strip me naked. Ashton’s ringing cell phone stopped our passionate activity. I got up and immediately tidied myself up, which looked messy.

Oh, no! Amelia, you must be crazy.

My common sense insulted me, and I swore. I stood up and quickly ran out of Ashton’s room without caring about what the man was doing.

“You’re a fool, Amelia. You’re easily swayed.” I cursed myself on my way back to my room. My heart was like a galloping horse. I sat on the edge of the bed as I calmed down from the embarrassing incident.

I didn’t even dare to look at Ashton during dinner, even though he seemed so relaxed next to me. I only glanced at him briefly while I sat like a stone statue and felt stiff.

“To our happy family.” Alessandro invited us all to make a toast by raising his wine glass. We all greeted him by following suit.

When I returned to my room, I felt strange about myself. The incident in Ashton’s study still carried me away. After changing my clothes for bed, I gathered my hair and pinched it with a hair clip. Then, someone from outside knocked on the door to my room, and I rushed to open it.

“Ashton? Why are you here?” I was surprised to see Ashton coming in, looking like he was wearing dark blue satin sleepwear.

“You’re avoiding me.” Instead of answering my question, Ashton said something I didn’t understand.

“What do you mean? I didn’t-“

“Is it because of the incident in my office? I’m sorry. I’ll make sure it won’t happen again.” Ashton stared at me with a stare as hard as steel. Although his expression was flat, he was trying to hold something back.

I looked down in shame for a moment, then looked back at him. I nodded.

“We shouldn’t cross each other’s boundaries, right?!” The question was to reassure myself. Ashton nodded.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” After saying that, Ahston left, making me feel a little regretful. It made me wonder to myself, what exactly was I regretting?