I feel like I should have known. I mean, she was there in the kitchen after James left me his card, and she must have taken it when I forgot it on the island. I have no idea what I have done so bad for her to pretend like I did two thousand dollar shopping, most of which was spent on lingerie.

Sighing, I close the door shut and turn around, only to come face to face with Chloe herself. She arches her eyebrow at me, "Snooping in?"

I shake my head, "James asked to call you for the evening tea."

She probably doesn't buy it because the smug look only grows on her features, "Saw the bags, huh?" She fake pouts, which is the most annoying thing I have ever seen.

"Yes. Why would you do that?" I ask, a little pissed at her actions because she keeps pushing.

She frowns at me like I just asked her a ridiculous question, "Why wouldn't I? I like lingerie, a girl has her needs."

Her words make me want to gag in her face but I just stare at her unbelievably. "You stole your brother's card, what's even the need of it? I'm sure he would never say no to you if you ask for money."

Her smirk is unnerving enough to make me fumble with my fingers a little. She steps a little closer to me, clearly invading my personal space which makes me uncomfortable and her smirk wider. "Yes, but there's some really good feeling about James thinking you're lying to him, especially over something like lingerie shopping. A doubt sprout, you might call it."

Her words fill me with more rage than I've ever experienced before, making me glare at her which only adds onto her amusement as she winks at me before turning around to go downstairs. I take a deep breath to myself before following behind to the living area but it's empty which makes me frown.

Shanley comes out of the kitchen and looks at me, "All of them are in the backyard for the tea."

I almost ask her why did she never ask Mrs. George to call me but then I realise it's a small issue and she must've forgotten about it so I let it go. I make my way from the living room to the backyard and realise that this is the part of the house I've never ever explored. Chloe was supposed to give me a house tour, but I know that's something which would never happen.

As I come to stand by the door, I can't help the gasp that leaves me when I realise that they have a pool in the backyard. I can't believe I didn't know they had a pool. There's a beige coloured patio dining table set with six chairs by the pool with an umbrella shed in the middle of the table. James has a beautiful house, it's more beautiful than any other house I've ever seen.

A laugh hits my ear which makes me realise that Chloe is already amongst the company. She's sitting on James's left and Richard's right side which leaves two seating arrangement for me, one by Liam's side and another by my husband's.

I move to sit by James's side and his eyes flicker to me while Richard continues to look at me even after I've settled down, making me feel a little uncomfortable under his gaze which makes my husband look at me as I squirm in my seat and then back to his client. It makes him frown when he catches his stare and clears his throat, catching Richard's attention.

"You don't come for the meetings anymore." Richard tells Chloe, directing his attention to her who just waves her hand in the air, leaning forward to pour herself a cup of tea.

"Business is not my scene. This one wouldn't let me model." She rolls her eyes and everyone stares at James who just shrugs in return.

"Why don't you have coffee or tea, Mrs. Clark?" Liam asks me, catching me a little off guard and everyone's eyes turns to me.

"Oh no, I'm completely fine. Not a tea or coffee person. And please call me Lillian." I smile at him politely.

"Do you want me to ask Mrs. George for some milk?" James asks me, making me frown at his concern but I immediately shake my head.

"No, I'm good."

The conversation revolves around Chloe again for a little while and I sit there with absolutely nothing to contribute to the conversation with a dumb expression. Liam probably catches onto it as he gives me a sympathetic smile to which I shrug in return.

"So, is Lillian going to join the company?" Richard asks, to which Chloe chokes on her tea and I can't help but be amused by her reaction. It would be her worst nightmare coming true if I join their family business.

James immediately offers her water and she nods, putting up her hand to convey that she's fine. She looks at Richard like he has lost his mind which makes James frown but he doesn't comment on it.

"No, not right away at least." I speak, not sure if James would want his colleagues to know about me going to college.

Do they even know how old I am? Because I know I can very easily pass for a few years older than twenty. I guess not, not that it matters to me anyway.

"Any particular reason?" Liam asks.

Before I can speak up, James answers for me, "No reason, it's just a big commitment."

I don't disagree with his answer because it's true. I wouldn't ever join the company if I wasn't ready for it. Given that their enterprise is so widespread and involved in various aspect even though it started as just estates, I know getting involved in would require a lot of my time and I cannot do that along with junior year. Maybe I'll join when I'll need to do my project internship in the final year.

The conversation goes on for another twenty minutes before Richard and Liam take their leave, shaking hands with everyone. I wonder why Carrack never joined us but I have a feeling he must be back at the office.

"I'm going out for dinner with friends, do you want to come?" Chloe asks James as we enter the living room while I'm standing by the stairs, just on my way upstairs.

"No, I'll pass. Have fun." He tells her, looking a little tired.

"I told Amy you wouldn't agree but had to try." Chloe says, her eyes fixed on me to see my reaction on the mention of this woman I have no clue about.

James visibly freezes at her comment which makes me curious. I won't be surprised if she's an ex girlfriend, or a present girlfriend to be honest. Our marriage is more of a commitment than a loyal relationship, it holds very less meaning to both of us, but I am not the kind to go and date other people because very less people interest me to begin with.

"Next time maybe." He mumbles before passing me to go up the stairs and I follow silently.

I would want to know if he's seeing someone else, though. The thought isn't pleasant, it makes me hate this situation even more, but I think I deserve to know if he's seeing someone else. When we reach our floor, he looks at me as his hand meets the doorknob of his bedroom.

"How was your first day?" He asks, surprising me but he looks genuinely curious to know about it, which is even more surprising because his face usually remains blank.

"It wasn't really a first day, but it was good." I tell him and he nods. Just as he's about to enter his bedroom, I speak up, "Mr. Clark?"

He looks surprised to say the least that I called out for him but then he also looks impatient which makes me nervous to begin the conversation I'm probably not ready for.

"Yeah?" He seems to be waiting for me to speak up.

"Amy, or any other girl — I just want you to let me know." I say and he scowls at me, looking confused.

"What?"

"You know what."

He shakes his head as if he doesn't understand what I'm implying. When he takes a step closer, I immediately take a step back out of instinct and he looks a little stunned by my action. His lips purse in a thin line before he moves to my bedroom door, opening it and motioning for me to move inside. I have no idea what he's doing but I follow through.

When inside, he takes a seat on the chair like the night he came to ask me about my college details. I take a seat on edge of my bed before facing him.

"What did you mean?" He asks, looking straight at me his emerald eyes swirl behind his lashes. He has awfully long lashes for a guy.

"If you're seeing someone, you need to tell me." I'm trying so hard to not let my nerves show in my voice, because this entire situation gives me so much stress.

He looks shocked but immediately covers it up, which makes me realise how good he is at hiding his emotions behind a cold-stone mask. It's scary to be married to someone who's that good at wearing a facade around you. I wonder if there ever will be a day we can at least be friends. The thought almost makes me scoff because I cannot imagine James being friends with someone. He's just so... serious all the time.

I am still pissed at him about the money comment he made the other day, but my anger has submerged a little. I'm not someone who can stay mad for long periods of time and sometimes, actually all the time, people take advantage of that.

"What gave you the idea that I would be seeing anyone?" He asks and I have to physically stop myself from rolling my eyes, aware that it wouldn't go well with him.

"The fact that you froze at the mention of Amy?" I say and he nods, sighing.

"Amy and I had a thing for a while, it's not there now. Also, I am not seeing anyone at the moment. I thought being married meant that you cannot see other people."

His answer leaves me a little speechless because it's definitely not the one I expected. I thought he would be pissed or indirectly insult me, not give away such an honest answer.

I gulp, staring at him as I choose my next words very carefully, "Yes, but I believe that we both can agree that this is not a normal marriage. It's just the labels which make us husband and wife, it's not something that's holding you down to oblige to the loyalty in a relationship which doesn't exist in the first place."

I don't think we both have ever said this much to each other in one go. Even during our dinner dates, we would speak so less. This is definitely the most I've spoken to him since the last couple of months that I've known him. The knots in my stomach ease a little at the comfort that I can hold a conversation with him without pissing him off.

However, it is so short lived as his jaw twitches and I know that something I said has triggered him off. I breathe deeply as I wait for him to lash out but he just runs a hand through his hair before looking at me again.

"Are we having this conversation because you're fine with me having an affair or because you're seeing someone else?" He asks and my heart honestly drops in my stomach at his accusation.

"I'm not." I say, almost hurriedly before sighing, "I'm not seeing anyone. I don't do dating. I know I don't need to explain this to you but I don't want you to doubt that I would intentionally hide things or lie to you. You told me in Paris that we have to learn to be civil with each other, so I wouldn't go out of my way to disrupt things between us because as much as both of us hate it, it's a situation we are stuck in."

He seems to process my word, agreeing as he nods, "You're right. While we're on the topic, I don't date either. So you don't have anything to know about."

"I thought Amy and you had a thing?" I question, genuinely confused at his contradictory statements.

"Yeah, we had a thing. We weren't dating."

It's as if the realisation dawns upon me, "Oh." They had a thing, as in they were sex-buddies. The idea doesn't sit well with me, in fact it immediately pisses me off. What made me think that I would be okay if he sees other people? We may not be the conventional husband-wife, but his words just made me realise that it would really hurt me if he were to see other people.

The realisation doesn't make me happy, in fact, it makes me question myself and my emotions as I stare at the carpeted floor. He clears his throat, driving my attention back at him as he stands up to leave.

He looks at me, as if contemplating to speak or not as he opens his mouth to say something but then shuts it. But then he finally speaks up, "I shouldn't have made that comment a few days back." He says and my eyes shoot up in surprise.

I didn't think he would remember, let alone bring it up. I know he wouldn't apologise directly but this was his way of apologising so I just nod and he leaves the room immediately. I know I should've told him about Chloe and her taking his card to shop but I know he wouldn't believe me so I let it slip. Maybe one day if we're civil enough, I'll let him know.

•••

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