Chapter 2

• Lia Evans
• Well, before I tell you how I feel about this supposed marriage, I want to tell you about myself. My name is Lia Evans, I am 20 years old, and I live on the street because 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 of the house to fend for myself. They didn't even let me take my things, they threw me out on the street with only what I was wearing. Since I'm not very sociable, I didn't have any friends who could help me... I will never forgive them for what they did, so I decided to bury them and say they were dead.
• Now, let's talk about the marriage. Honestly, I think it's crazy, but he's right. I want to move forward, and he needs to keep his company. Although his father is right that he needs to settle down, this is not the way. I believe that one should get married for love, not out of obligation. But oh well, that's his lot.
• "Lia, take this," Maximo hands me a bag, and when I open it, I see clothes.
• "Change and come downstairs, we need to talk about a few things," I nod, and he leaves. I look at the clothes, they are very beautiful but they must be very expensive. I put them on and fix my hair to look presentable.
• I go downstairs and see him reading some documents, so I clear my throat to get his attention. He looks up, and when he does, he shamelessly looks me up and down, making me feel a bit uncomfortable.
• "What a change," he remarks.
• "Thank you for the clothes, they are very nice," I reply.
• "If you're going to be my wife, you must always look presentable. Come, sit down," he gestures, and I do as he says. He hands me a paper.
• "What is this?" I ask.
• "This is a contract stating that this marriage will last for one year, and it also states how much money you will receive when it ends. Just sign it," he hands me the pen, but I can't stop looking at that paper. I start to think if it's right to do this. I don't love him, but I need the money. I don't know what to do.
• "Don't overthink it, Lia, just sign it. You know this will benefit both of us," he reassures me. If I want to move forward, I have to do this. I don't agree, but I need the money. I don't want to end up back on the street. I take the pen and sign.
• "There, done," he smiles, and I do too.
• "Now, I have some conditions for this," he continues. Conditions? What is he talking about?
• "Like what?" I ask.
• "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 states. It's clear that he's a complete idiot. No wonder his father forced him into this, but I won't stand for it.
• "Dear, I don't think that will happen," I reply firmly. The smile on his face disappears 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 assert.
• "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 looks at me provocatively, making me want to slap him.
• "That won't happen, dear. So, take it or leave it," I stand up and walk towards the door, but he stops me.
• "Fine, no sex with women," he concedes. I smile triumphantly and sit back down.
• "It was a pleasure doing business with you."
• Later, Max's friend arrives, and he is quite handsome.
• "You're Lia, right?" he asks.
• "Yes, and what's your name?" I inquire.
• "Steven," he replies, extending his hand, which I shake.
• "Steven, I want you to know that Lia and I are getting married," Max announces. Steven's eyes widen in surprise, and then he looks at his friend.
• "Is this a joke?" Steven questions.
• "No, my father wanted me to get married, so I will marry this beautiful woman," Max explains.
• "But for God's sake, Max, you don't even know each other!! No offense," Steven remarks.
• "Don't worry, you're not offending me," Max replies.
• "We have a contract, so relax," I add.
• "Alright, although this seems like madness to me," Steven hugs Max, who thanks him.
• "Well, Lia, tell me about yourself," Steven turns to me.
• "Well... I'm 20 years old, I'm from Germany but I've been living here in London since I was 10," I reply.
• "Do you have family?" he asks, triggering memories of my parents kicking me out of the house and my sister's malicious smile.
• "No, they all died," I respond coldly.
• "Oh, I'm so sorry," Steven apologizes.
• "Don't worry, I've already forgotten about it," I say so coldly that they both look at me somewhat scared. However, Max's phone rings, and he answers.
• " What do you want, father? " Wow, that was abrupt. " Yes... okay, I'll be there... goodbye."
• " Everything okay??"
• " Tonight I will introduce you " when he says that, I feel a knot forming in my stomach
• " Of course"
• " We are going shopping and getting your engagement ring"
• We arrive at the mall and Maximo makes 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'm going to marry a millionaire, I have to look classy. We enter a jewelry store and a girl helps us.
• " Hello, how can I help you?"
• " We are looking for an engagement ring."
• " Yes, of course, this way " she guides us to a small room and starts showing us beautiful but very expensive rings.
• " Which one do you like? " he asks, a bit tense.
• " They are all very nice, but I'm not sure."
• " Just pick one already " I look and look until I find one with a stone in the middle.
• " This one!! " I point to it and the girl puts it on my finger.
• " It looks beautiful on you, miss."
• I look at the ring and I don't know why, but I start to feel bad. I always said I would marry for love, and now I'm doing something crazy.
• " Perfect, take it " he hands me the card and we leave. Throughout the journey, I notice Maximo is tense.
• " Is something wrong? " I get no response. " Max, say something " he stops the car suddenly, and if it weren't for the seatbelt, I would have been thrown out.
• " 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."
• " As if it were that easy."
• " So, what are you going to do?"
• " Continue with this damn deal " we don't say more, and when we arrive at his house, he stops me.
• " Get ready, we're leaving in an hour."
• I get ready as fast as I can, and when I'm ready, I put on some perfume.
• " Well, I hope this is okay " I go down the stairs, feeling nervous, and when Maximo sees me, he opens his mouth in surprise.
• " Very beautiful " I don't know why, but I blush.
• " Thank you."
• " Let's go, now " he drives, and when we arrive, I see a house twice as big as Maximo's.
• " It's huge."
• " Yes, it's very big. Are you ready? " I feel my hand being taken, and for some reason, something inside me ignites.
• " I think so " we knock on the door, and a woman in her 50s opens it.
• " Son!!! " she hugs her son, and he hugs her back." Hello, mom " after a while, another man appears.
• " Hello, Maximo " Maximo becomes tense.
• " Hello, father " suddenly, all eyes are on me.
• " And who is this beautiful young lady? " the lady asks.
• " Mother, this is Lia Evans, my future wife " she smiles at me and gives me a big hug.
• " A pleasure to meet you, my name is Teresa " I give her a smile.
• " The pleasure is mine " I see that the man is also happy and does the same.
• " I'm so happy to meet you, my name is Enrique."
• " Nice to meet you " well, it seems like they really like me.
• " Come in, dinner is waiting for us " Maximo takes my waist, and we enter the dining room. After being there for a while chatting, Mrs. Teresa asks me.
• " Do you have family, dear?"
• " No, ma'am, they all passed away."
• " Oh, I'm so sorry, but well, now you have us " when she says that, I feel terrible, but I decide to hide it by giving her a smile.
• " Thank you, Mrs. Teresa."
• " You're welcome, I just hope you give us many grandchildren " I hear Maximo choking and coughing, so I pat his back several times until he relaxes.
• " Better?"
• " Yes, thank you, dear " when he says "dear," I blush, and I see my in-laws smiling.
• " Uncle, I'm here!!"
• I hear a female voice, and when I turn around, I see a blonde with big breasts and wide hips, a real Barbie.
• " Oh, cousin, I didn't know you were here " she smiles flirtatiously, and when I see Maximo's face, I see him doing the same.
• " Laura, good to see you " she approaches and gives him a kiss very close to his mouth.
• " And who is she?"
• " Um... let me introduce you to my future wife " she opens her eyes in surprise and then looks 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 extend my hand and give her my fake smile.
• " My name is Laura, and I'm this man's cousin " the bitch doesn't stop flirting.
• After a while, Laura disappears, and Maximo says he's going to the bathroom, which I find strange.
• " Do you mind if I go see the house? It looks beautiful."
• " Don't worry, dear, go ahead, no problem " I stand up and start exploring the place, but I stop when I hear voices.
• " I don't understand why the hell you're getting married."
• " Laura, my father forced me, it will only be for a year, then Lia disappears " I don't know why his comment hurt me.
• " Remember, Max, you are mine. " I open the door slightly and see them kissing passionately, so I better close it and leave. But I don't know why I feel like crap, I don't know why I feel this way, he shouldn't matter to me.