In the next two weeks, Adrian is patient and very sweet to me. It's kind of weird. And it's very dangerous for my heart, but I love his attentive side. We actually talk a lot. I found out that he's a good listener. He loves to listen to me – he even said so, and even if he didn't, I actually see it.

I can't help myself but like him more and more every day. He's nice, charming and can really make me laugh.

It's a dangerous thing how dependant on him I'm becoming. Because right now, he might think he wants this for longer than with anyone else before, but I have my doubts.

And he's really making me believe there is something more between us, something we can never have.

Milena warned me about locking my heart away from his reach, but the stupid heart of mine tends to be deaf when it comes to reasonable and useful advice.

On Wednesday, a gynaecologist comes to the house. I'm surprised when she says that she's actually there for me.

Dr Geneva says Mr Welch requested she comes here.

I don't quite like this. This is Adrian's house, where he lives with his wife. I don't think it's appropriate he calls the gynaecologist for his mistress here. Also, I don't even want to see the looks on others' faces, let alone know what they think about me and about this situation.

It's awkward and I'm embarrassed just thinking that everyone in the house will know what I am to Adrian. Milena knows, though, but I still don't feel comfortable openly talking about it or openly showing it.

Not that I would be embarrassed of Adrian, but I'm embarrassed of myself. I'm a woman without any morals. And that's not really something to be proud of.

But then again, two players are in this game. Adrian doesn't particularly seem like a man who'd care about what people think. He's not exactly openly loving in front of other people, but he doesn't go out of his way to hide it, either.

I take Dr Geneva up to my room, suddenly nervous. I've never been to any examination of this kind before and I don't know what to expect.

Dr Geneva tells we're going to go over this quickly. I have to undress and she looks at me with scrutinising eyes. I look at her a little better. She could be described as attractive. She's not blonde, but not a brunette, either. She's something in-between. She has a nice smile, though.

"How much do you weigh, Miss Duarte?" I like her voice, too. It's pleasant.

I shrug. "I don't know."

"You look very thin. Do you have any trouble with consuming food?"

I shake my head. "No."

Dr Geneva writes that down, obviously not happy with my answer. Does she think I'm lying?

"Based on what Mr Welch told me, you two have had sexual intercourse and are planning to have more of it. He requested I discuss appropriate birth control with you. Have you ever taken anything before?"

"No."

"Have you ever had sex without a condom before?"

I try not to snort. "No."

"Very good. I request you come to my ordination in a few weeks at least, so we can check up on everything. I'll also have your tests ready in a few days. Now, tell me, are you allergic to anything? Any allergic reactions to any drugs?"

"Not that I know of."

"Do you or anyone in your family have a disease?"

I gulp. "My father had a lower respiratory infection."

Dr Geneva's eyes shoot up. "Oh, dear," she mutters, but writes it down.

"Blood clots? You or your family?"

I shake my head again.

"Do you smoke?"

"No."

"Alright. I covered the basic information. I can prescribe you the pill and if there appear to be any problems, come to my ordination or call me. You can start taking the pill any time you want, but be careful you're regular with it. Read the instructions carefully and if you have any questions, I'm free to answer them. It's also good to use the condom in the first 7 days after you start taking the pill because it might not be effective right away."

I nod. "Yeah, okay. I didn't even know you're coming, actually."

Dr Geneva presses her lips into a stern line, but she only nods. "I'll keep in contact with Mr Welch. Is that alright with you? Or should I communicate directly with you?"

"Oh, no. That's alright." I don't even have a phone, anyway. Besides, it's better I leave this to Adrian to handle this.

I thank the doctor and walk her to the door. Milena spots us since she's cleaning the stairs. She catches my eyes, but I swiftly look away, too embarrassed.

"We'll be in contact, Miss Duarte. Don't hesitate to reach out to me for any problems you might have." She gives me her business card.

I nod and grip the card. She eyes my uniform for a second before she offers a small smile. "Have a good day."

"You too."

Milena already walked down the stairs and is watching me with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Don't look at me like that, please." I shake my head, ashamed.

"Are you ill?"

"That was a gynaecologist."

Milena's eyes widen. "Pregnant?"

"No! God, no." Although I wonder what would happen if I were pregnant with Adrian's child. Does he even want kids? Would he take care of one? Would that make him stay? "She was here for birth control, actually. Do you think I could go out for a few minutes and go to the pharmacy?"

"Go ahead. You know Mrs Welch doesn't come down much, anyway."

I nod. "Thank you. I'll be quick."

I at least know where the pharmacy is because I briefly remember going past it. It doesn't take long and it actually feels good to be outside again, even though it's cold and I'm still only wearing my uniform and a coat.

I've never liked going to the pharmacies or hospitals. I haven't been to one since my father passed away. In those times, pharmacies and hospitals were basically my second home. We've spent hours there and we went to pick up a lot of medicine that didn't seem to help my father.

Every time I went into the pharmacy, I came with the hope that that time, we will get something that will help him and cure him. That was never the case.

It's been years and there still isn't a day I don't think how different our lives would be if he were still alive.

I tighten the coat around myself and finally find what I'm looking for. I step into the warm place, trying not to think too much about it and trying not to think about the past. It all hits me so deeply.

It doesn't take me long to get my stuff and go back out again. I enjoy walking out in this cold, going past the unknown faces. I love knowing that no one knows me. I feel so free and liberate.

And finally, finally, I'm starting to feel that little of happiness again. I'm still not there yet and I want to get my life together, but I got my hope back and the power of not giving up.

I get back to the mansion and I barely take a step inside, I'm already greeted by Mrs Welch's mean expression.

I gasp because she stands literally directly in front of me. She extends her hands towards the bag I'm holding and I take it out of her reach.

"Going out during your working hours without permission? That'll be cut off in your payment."

I don't make any statement about that.

She tries to take the bag from me again. "That's private," I hiss.

"Not when you go to pick up your personal things when you should be working," Mrs Welch replies, crossing her arms over her chest and staring me down. Her blonde hair is down today. It's a rare occasion she wears her hair down, she usually has it in a bun or any other complicated hairstyles, but barely ever is it down.

She has a nice hair, though. I doubt she's a natural blonde, but it suits her. Her mean and stern expressions, however, don't. They make her look older and unapproachable.

"I wasn't gone for long. I can work extra hours," I offer, not wanting to take her bullshit. I was hoping I wouldn't get caught and I know I can't defend myself when I know I shouldn't just go out without informing anyone.

"You sure will. Careful, Miss Duarte, you don't want to lose this job, do you? After all, I doubt you want to go back to the street. I told you I will be watching you and you already got too many warnings."

I only just nod. "I'm sorry. It really won't happen again."

Mrs Welch tsks. "Try to sound more convincing the next time. Go clean a bathroom now."

I happily hurry away.

I take my first pill before Adrian comes home. He's a little late again and I instantly notice a change in him when he comes into the kitchen. And, damn, if I'm not ready to jump him right there.

He looks delicious. He always looks so polished, without a single wrinkle on his suits that were made only for him.

"Hi, Cassandra." His face goes from serious to gentle, a small smile lifting his lips.

"Hello, Adrian." I can't help but smile back at him.

I hear the clicking of Mrs Welch's heel before I even see her. I sigh and just turn around and go into the kitchen before she makes any snarky remarks about me not doing what I should've been.

"Since when do staff in this house have the right to leave whenever they please?" Mrs Welch is loud enough for me to hear her and I think that's the point.

I swear I could hear Adrian sighing all the way from the kitchen. "What's the matter, Katherine?" He uses his patient tone with her.

"Miss Duarte left the house today without telling it to anyone. Are we paying people now to do as they please?"

"Lower your voice. This is not a discussion to have here in the kitchen. I just came home, Katherine, come to my office later and we'll talk about it."

"As usual, you never listen to me. I can't believe you always put staff before your own wife."

"Katherine, that's enough," Adrian says, his voice still calm. I admire him for having so much patience with her.

"What the hell are we paying them for if they don't even do the job they're required to do?!"

"We, Katherine? How much are you paying them that you get to be so loud about this?"

There's no answer from her this time. I have to bite down on my lip. God, Adrian can be really hurtful with his words sometimes, but in this case, I'm not even sorry for her.

"That's what I thought. Now, I'll kindly ask you to come to my office later if something is bothering you."

I hear the heels clicking soon after that and only then I dare to show in the dining room again, taking out the lunch for Adrian.

I sit down next to him without even waiting for him to ask me, if he even would. "Can I ask you something?"

Adrian was looking at a paper, but he puts it away now, bringing the plate closer to him. "Of course."

"What does your wife do? Like, what is her job?"

"She's an accountant for me."

"And has been all this time?" I can't hide the surprise, although I don't know why. She doesn't seem like an accountant to me, I thought she was a model.

Adrian shakes his head. "She used to be a model, but that didn't exactly work out." He grimaces. "She was a teacher afterwards, but that didn't work out either. She doesn't exactly like children."

That's way more information than I asked for, but I'm happy he shared. I'm happy he trusts me enough. And she was a teacher. What I want to be. "How long are you two married?"

"Six years this year," Adrian simply responds.

My mouth falls open. Six years! "If your marriage isn't working, why don't you two get a divorce?" I don't mean to sound rude or jealous, it's just me wondering about it.

Adrian looks at me with his deep eyes. "It's not as easy as it sounds."

"I just ... I'm just trying to understand you. It's all so confusing. Did you marry out of love?" I don't know why I ask that. I don't think I really want to know.

Adrian sighs. "No. There wasn't any kind of love between us."

"Arranged marriage?" Is that even a thing?

"Cassandra," Adrian says, his tone a little warning.

"I just want to know where things stand, Adrian. Can you blame me?"

Adrian stares at me for some long moments. "Yes. You could say it was."

I nod to myself, looking down at the table. I sink my nails into the chair before I ask the next question, "Was it specified for how long do you have to stay married?"

Adrian shifts in his seat a little. "Ten years."

My mouth opens, but no sound comes out. "Cuatro años más."

Adrian only presses his lips together in a tight, straight line.

I knew we could never work and now I only get a confirmation. 4 more years. 4 more years until he's a free man. Until then ...

"Let's not talk about this now. Have you eaten?"

I can only nod. Because I have.

"I heard Dr Geneva came by today. How did that go?"

"Fine," I say. "You could at least warn me about it, though."

"Where's the fun in that?" Adrian cracks a small smile, which I don't return. "Oh, come on." He places his hand on my bare thigh under my skirt. "I can wait to feel you. Bare."

I want to squeeze my thighs together at his words, but he doesn't let me. A small, devilish smile falls on his lips because he knows. He knows what he can do to me.

Adrian finishes lunch in a hurry, but when I stand up to clear the table, he doesn't let me. He sits me on his lap, right over his aching, hard cock. My lips part open.

"I've been thinking about this for the whole day. It was driving me crazy. You're driving me crazy." He puts his hand on my head and pushes my head down so he can kiss me. And, God, how he kisses me.

He doesn't wait and doesn't hesitate to sneak his other hand down under my skirt, gripping my ass and squeezing it. He groans in my mouth as he lightly spanks it. I lightly bite his tongue for that, and it drives Adrian even crazier.

He moves my panties aside and places his fingers on my wet pussy, just feeling it, before he pushes a finger inside. His other hand grips the back of my head even tighter, his hips rolling under me.

"Oh, I should've known this. You're unbelievable. Both of you."

I retreat back, jumping off Adrian's lap, murmuring, "Querido Dios," under my breath.

None of us heard the heels clicking this time and now there's a storm standing at the entrance of dining room, looking at us in disgust, her hands placed on her hips.

I'm actually working on two new books instead of focusing on finish the ones I've already started working. I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm like this lmao 

Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter! Don't forget to vote and comment x