His Contract Wife

Chapter8: Compatible

Leila's heart jumped to her throat. Masking her fear of the unknown, she nodded. Kelvin's gaze swept over her and she hid her hands under the table. For once, she didn't want to know what he was thinking. Her mind slowed as she replayed the events of today. She had done nothing wrong.

"Today at the office..." Kelvin started.

"I get it," she interrupted. "We should remain a secret." Her cheeks burned when she remembered how he acted towards her and she shrugged. Too bad she wouldn't be able to exchange husband tales with Freya. "I understand. I can do that."

After four rigorous years at Tech Valley, she didn't want her success to be attributed to him. Most importantly, she didn't want him to go out of his way to please her. Only real couples did that and their marriage was one of convenience.

Kelvin smirked at her discomfort. "I was about to say... I didn't mean to make you nervous." Oh. She stared at her feet, embarrassed by her forwardness. "I didn't say anything about us because we had not discussed that. It was a bit of a shocker seeing you at the office. I'm surprised I didn't figure it out myself."

Leila didn't understand what he meant by that but she nodded along because she had been quiet for too long.

"Sarah speaks highly of you. She seems to like you," he added with a smile which disappeared when he caught her smiling at him. He cleared his throat. "The decision to let people in on our marriage is yours to make. I don't mind."

His expression didn't change, Leila hoped spending time with him would help her master some of his composure. She took a minute to answer. She might have been upset at his behaviour but his explanation made her almost smile.

"I think we should leave things the way they are." He didn't say anything but an emotion flashed across his face and she quickly added, "I don't want to bring my personal life to work."

Lily Bloom and Susan were the only duo she could call her work friend but they weren't that close. Besides, who was to say this marriage would last?

"Are your parents aware? Do they know about me?"

Bile rose to her throat at the mention of them. It had been so long she saw those people and she hoped it stayed that way. She scooted out of her seat, then sat back down with a strained smile.

"As you know, I just took over Tech Valley." She cringed at his tone. He was talking to her like he spoke to the reporters who interviewed him earlier. Firm and polite. It bothered and annoyed her. "Once the transfer of ownership is complete, I would love to meet my in-laws."

"No," she replied. He frowned. "You don't need to meet anyone." At his blatant stare, she forced herself to say, "I don't want to talk about them."

Leila hadn't met his parents either and she was fine with that. In fact, for the duration of this arrangement, she didn't want to involve any parents. They always complicated things.

"You have me now, you know that, right?" he said. "You are not alone anymore, Leilani."

Right. But she didn't believe him. This handsome man in front of her might be her husband but she didn't feel connected with him. There was none of that spark Freya always screamed about when talking about Darren. Kelvin was nice but that was all she knew about him. Why did he take over her company?

"I meant what I said at the restaurant," he said. Her mind took her down memory lane to their first date after the wedding. She sucked in air through her teeth as Kelvin dragged his seat close to hers. If she leaned close enough, their lips would touch. The thought frightened and excited her. He took her hand and she shivered. "Me and you are very compatible." Linking their fingers, he held her gaze. "We can have kids and lead a normal life."

"I guess so," she replied.

A lot of things could go wrong but if Kelvin wanted to focus on the positive, she would do the same. He released her and stretched his hand.

"Do we have a deal?" She took his hand in a firm handshake. "We will be together till death do us part." There was no trace of laughter on his face, she couldn't shake off the feeling that this was more than a transactional marriage to him. "Just like our vows said."

"Till death do us part," she supplied.

"Thanks, Leila."

She had not the faintest idea why he was thanking her but she replied, "Thanks, Kev."

They shared a smile. He walked her to her room, and she hid her surprise when he stepped in after her. He sat on the bed while she went to shower and on her return, he was still in the room.

Water dripped from her hair, she sat in front of the mirror to blow-dry her hair while giving him side glances. She yawned when she was done, her eyes grew heavy but she didn't know how to ask him to leave the room. This was still his house after all.

"You must be tired." He patted the spot on the bed for her. "Come. Get some sleep, Mrs McKenna."

But her feet glued to the floor. She didn't know how to move. Was he sleeping in the room tonight?