Chapter 9 One Room

"What?!"

Lena's voice rose, sharp and filled with anger. She sat stiffly in her chair, glaring at Niel who sat right across from her, completely unfazed.

Niel leaned back casually on the wooden dining chair, arms crossed over his chest, his expression unreadable.

"What do you mean, what?" he replied calmly.

Lena shot up to her feet, planting both palms on the table as she leaned forward.

"Why did you tell Grandma that you're my husband?!"

"Just think of it... as a wish," Niel answered flatly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"A wish?" Lena narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean by that?"

"Maybe one day... we'll actually get married."

He said it lightly, almost like a joke, but to Lena it felt like a boulder crashing down.

"Mr. Niel River, just so you know-" Lena jabbed a finger at herself, "-I'm already married!"

"I know," he shot back without hesitation.

Lena froze. "You... you know I'm married? Then why-"

"And I'll still take you away from your husband," Niel cut her off smoothly.

Lena's jaw dropped. "You're kidding, right? You don't even know who my husband is."

Before Niel could respond, footsteps approached. Mrs. Vero appeared from the kitchen, carrying a large tray with three plates of sizzling steak, the aroma filling the room.

"Dinner's ready!" she chirped. "Mrs. Vero's special steak!"

Lena bit her tongue, forcing herself to stay calm out of respect for her grandmother. She shot Niel a death glare, but it only seemed to amuse him more. His satisfied smirk made her want to hurl a fork at his face.

"This is for my precious granddaughter... and her handsome husband. Let's eat!" Mrs. Vero beamed.

"Thank you, Mrs. Vero," Niel replied politely, smiling. He immediately cut into the steak and tasted it. "Amazing... perfectly seasoned, cooked to perfection."

Mrs. Vero looked delighted. "If you come by often, I'll make you all kinds of delicious dishes."

"With pleasure, Madam Vero."

Lena sat stiffly, lips pressed tightly shut. She couldn't believe what she was seeing-Niel, the cold, arrogant, controlling man, could so effortlessly win her grandmother's heart.

The rest of dinner felt like a strange dream. Niel and Mrs. Vero chatted like old friends while Lena barely touched her food, too busy seething inside.

Then, without warning, Vero dropped a shocking question.

"So... do you two have plans to have children anytime soon?"

Lena immediately choked. "Cough! Cough!"

"Slow down, dear," Grandma said, pouring water into Lena's glass.

Lena gulped it down, then cleared her throat. "Grandma... I told you, I don't plan on having kids."

"Oh, I know that. But... we never know what might happen. While cooking, I imagined what your children might look like. With such a handsome husband, they'd be absolutely gorgeous."

Lena glanced at Niel, silently begging him to clear up this huge misunderstanding. But instead, he only gave a soft smile as he took another bite of steak-like he completely belonged there.

Unbelievable.

When dinner finally ended, Lena quickly stood and gathered her plate. "Grandma... it's late. Niel and I should head home now."

"This late at night?" Vero frowned. "That's not safe... why don't you stay here instead? Leave in the morning."

"Grandma... we really have to go. Niel has a meeting tomorrow morning-"

"We'll stay," Niel cut in firmly.

Lena's eyes widened in disbelief. She turned to him. "Niel! What are you saying?" she hissed.

Niel looked back at her calmly. "It's fine, isn't it? I don't mind. Even if I'm late tomorrow... it's worth it."

"But-"

"See? Even your husband doesn't mind," Mrs. Vero chimed cheerfully. "You worry too much, Selena."

"But Grandma, there are only two bedrooms here-"

"What are you talking about, dear? Of course you'll share a room with your husband."

Lena closed her eyes and let out a long, pained sigh.

"Of course," Niel added smoothly. "I'll be sleeping with my wife. In her room."

Mrs. Vero chuckled. "Don't worry, I clean Selena's room every day. You'll be comfortable."

As they stood up from the table, Lena shot Niel a murderous glare. "I can't believe you did this," she muttered under her breath.

Niel leaned closer, whispering in her ear, "I'm just keeping my promise. I told you, you'd be mine. And this... is just the beginning."

"The beginning of what?" Lena hissed, shoving his chest before storming off toward her room. Niel followed at an easy pace, looking every bit the victor.

Inside the bedroom, Lena grabbed a pillow and tossed it to the floor.

"You sleep there," she said coldly.

Niel chuckled lowly. "What if I say no?"

"Then I'll scream."

"And then your grandmother will come in, see us sleeping apart, and my 'perfect husband' image will crumble."

Lena snorted. "You really are manipulative, aren't you?"

"Of course." Niel shrugged off his jacket and placed it neatly on the chair. "I'm just taking advantage of the opportunity you handed me."

Lena dragged her hands down her face in frustration. This night was going to be the longest of her life.