Chapter 2

• Lia's POV
• Well, before I tell you how I felt about this supposed marriage, I wanted to tell you about myself. My name is Lia Evans. I was twenty years old, and my parents kicked me out of the house because of my sister Lucia. I was unjustly accused of a robbery I didn't commit, and my parents didn't even let me explain. They just threw me out on the street with only what I was wearing. Since I wasn't very sociable, I didn't have any friends who could help me... I would never forgive them for what they did, so I decided to bury them in my memory and tell everyone they were dead.
• Now, about the marriage. Honestly, I thought it was crazy, but Maximo was right. I wanted to move forward, and he needed me to keep his company. Although his father was right that he needed to settle down, this wasn't the way. I believed that one should get married for love, not out of obligation. But, oh well, that was his choice.
• "Lia, take this." Maximo handed me a bag.
• When I opened it, I saw clothes.
• "Change and come downstairs. We need to talk about a few things." I nodded, and he left.
• I looked at the clothes. They were very beautiful, but must be very expensive. I put them on and fixed my hair to look presentable.
• I went downstairs and saw him reading some documents. I cleared my throat to get his attention. He looked up and shamelessly looked me up and down, making me feel a bit uncomfortable.
• "What a change," he remarked.
• "Thank you for the clothes. They are very nice," I replied.
• "If you're going to be my wife, you must always look presentable. Come, sit down." He gestured to the seat, and I did what I was told. He then handed me a piece of paper.
• "What is this?" I asked.
• "This is a contract stating that this marriage will last for one year. It also states how much money you will receive when it ends. Just sign it." Maximo handed me a pen, but I couldn't stop staring at that paper.
• I started pondering if it was right to do this. I didn't love him, but I needed the money. I didn't know what to do.
• "Don't overthink it, Lia, just sign it. You know this will benefit both of us," he reassured me.
• If I wanted to move forward, I had to do this. I took the pen and signed it.
• "There, done." Maximo smiled, and I did, too.
• "Now, I have some conditions for this," he continued.
• Conditions? What was he talking about?
• "Like what?" I asked.
• "Don't think I'll be faithful to you. In fact, if you want to have lovers, I won't have a problem, just be discreet. Second, we will sleep in separate beds. And third, you will do as I say," he stated.
• It was clear that he was a complete idiot. No wonder his father forced him into this, but I wouldn't stand for it.
• "Dear, I don't think that will happen," I replied firmly. The smile on his face disappeared completely.
• "First, you will be faithful to me. I don't care if this is fake, but I won't let anyone speak ill of me. Second, I agree to sleep in separate beds. And third, that won't happen, darling. I won't be your submissive, do you understand?" I asserted.
• "So, you want me to have no sex? Because if that's what you're aiming for, then you'll have to please me." He looked at me provocatively, making me want to slap him.
• "That's it, dear. So, take it or leave it." I stood up and walked toward the door, but he stopped me.
• "Fine, no sex with women," he conceded.
• I smiled triumphantly and sat back down. "It's a pleasure doing business with you."
• Later, Maximo's friend arrived. He is quite handsome.
• "You're Lia, right?" his friend asked.
• "Yes, and what's your name?" I inquired.
• "Steven," he replied, extending his hand, which I shook.
• "Steven, I want you to know that Lia and I are getting married," Maximo announced.
• Steven's eyes widened in surprise. He then looked at his friend.
• "Is this a joke?" Steven questioned.
• "No. My father wanted me to get married. So, I will marry this beautiful woman," Maximo explained.
• "But for God's sake, Max, you don't even know each other! No offense," Steven remarked.
• "Don't worry, you're not offending me," Maximo replied.
• "We have a contract, so relax," I added.
• "Alright, although this seems like madness to me," Steven hugs Maximo, who thanked him.
• And then, Maximo's phone rang. He answered it immediately.
• "What do you want, father?" Wow, that was abrupt. "Yes... Okay, I'll be there... Goodbye."
• "Everything okay?"
• "Tonight I will introduce you."
• I felt a knot forming in my stomach hearing him say that. "Of course."
• "We are going shopping and getting you your engagement ring."
• * * *
• We arrived at the mall. Maximo made me buy a lot of expensive clothes and shoes. I never thought I would have such expensive clothes, but well, what did I expect? I was going to marry a billionaire, so I had to look classy. Next, we went to a jewelry store. A woman assisted us.
• "Hello, how can I help you?"
• "We are looking for an engagement ring," Maximo responded.
• "Yes, of course, this way."
• She guided us to a small room and started showing us beautiful but very expensive rings.
• "Which one do you like?" he asked, a bit tense.
• "They are all very nice, but I'm not sure," I countered.
• "Just pick one already," he suggested.
• I looked and looked until I found one with a stone in the middle.
• "This one." I pointed to it, and the woman put it on my finger.
• "It looks beautiful on you, Miss."
• I stared at the ring. I didn't know why, but I started feeling bad. I always told myself I would marry for love, and now I was doing something crazy.
• "Perfect, let's take it." He handed me the card.
• After paying, we left and went home.
• Throughout the journey, I noticed Maximo was tense.
• "Is something wrong?" I got no response. "Max, say something."
• He suddenly stopped the car, and if it weren't for the seatbelt, I could've been harmed.
• "It's just that I hate this shit! I don't want to get married. The last thing I would do in this life is get married. Do you think I'm ready to give up my freedom?"
• "Look, Maximo, if you don't want to get married, then stop all of this," I suggested.
• "As if it's that easy."
• "So, what are you going to do?" I asked.
• "Continue with this damn deal."
• We didn't say more. When we arrived at his house, he stopped me.
• "Get ready, we're leaving in an hour," Maximo informed me.
• I got ready as fast as I could, and when I was ready, I put on some perfume.
• "Well, I hope this is okay."
• I went down the stairs, feeling nervous, and when he saw me, he opened his mouth in surprise.
• "Very beautiful." I didn't know why, but I blushed.
• "Thank you."
• "Let's go now."
• He drove to his parents' place. And when we arrived, I saw a house twice as big as Maximo's.
• "It's huge."
• "Yes, it's very big. Are you ready?"
• I felt my hand being taken, and for some reason, something inside me ignited.
• "I think so."
• He knocked on the door, and a woman in her fifties opened it.
• "Son!" She hugged her son, and Maximo hugged her back. "Hello, Mom."
• After a while, a man appeared.
• "Hello, Maximo."
• Maximo becomes tense.
• " Hello, father."
• Suddenly, all eyes were on me.
• "And who is this beautiful young lady?" his mother asked.
• "Mom, this is Lia Evans, my future wife."
• His mother smiled at me and gave me a big hug.
• "Pleased to meet you. My name is Teresa."
• I smiled at her. "The pleasure is mine."
• I saw that Maximo's father was also happy, and did the same.
• "I'm so happy to meet you. My name is Enrique."
• "Nice to meet you." Well, it seemed like they really liked me.
• "Come in, dinner is waiting for us." Maximo took me by the waist, and we entered the dining room.
• After being there for a while, chatting, Teresa asked me.
• "Do you have family, dear?"
• "No, Ma'am, they all passed away," I replied.
• " Oh, I'm so sorry, but well, now you have us."
• Hearing her say that made me feel terrible. But I decided to hide it by smiling at her instead.
• "Thank you, Teresa."
• "You're welcome. I just hope you give us many grandchildren."
• I heard Maximo choking and coughing. I patted his back several times until he relaxed.
• "Better?"
• "Yes. Thank you, dear." I blushed at him calling me "dear". I saw my future in-laws smiling.
• "Uncle, I'm here!"
• I heard a female voice. I turned in its direction, and I saw a blonde girl with big breasts and wide hips—a real Barbie.
• "Oh, cousin. I didn't know you were here." She smiled flirtatiously.
• When I saw Maximo's face, I found him doing the same.
• "Laura, good to see you." She approached Maximo and kissed him very close to his mouth.
• "And who is she?" she asked later on.
• "Um... let me introduce you to my future wife."
• She opened her eyes in surprise and then looked at me with hatred. "I didn't know you were getting married."
• "Well, Laura, as you can see, I am getting married."
• "Nice to meet you. My name is Lia." I extended my hand and gave her a fake smile.
• "My name is Laura, and I'm this man's cousin." The bitch didn't stop flirting.
• After a while, Laura disappeared. Maximo said he was going to the bathroom afterward, which I found strange.
• "Do you mind if I go see the house? It looks beautiful," I told Teresa, asking permission
• "Don't worry, dear, go ahead, no problem."