CHAPTER 9

Isabella's POV

I squeeze my eyes shut as I pace our tiny living room, impatient for my boss's arrival. Grandma won't stop bombarding me with questions about why my boss decided to help me all of a sudden after I have always complained about how difficult he can be.

I know her fear. She doesn't want me to end up on the wrong track and she feels men don't do things for free.

They always want something in return.

To escape from more questions now that she is finally back home after a successful surgery, I decided to do something which is to invite my boss over.

First, I can't hide the fact that we will be getting married soon from my grandma. He wants us to be married as soon as possible. Second, I can no longer hide the fact that I now have enough to pay for our bills.

I have settled the house rents, and the electricity bills, I have gotten new clothes for myself and grandma and I have sorted out other expenses, including stocking up the house with enough groceries.

Another reason why I can no longer hide this from grandma is that I haven't been going to work ever since I signed the contract with Jayden.

The first few days were spent beside Grandma's bedside at the hospital and we have been at home for two days now, yet I am still not going to work.

I know that will be the next thing she will ask me; why I have suddenly stopped working.

My boss won't let me retain my job. He wants me to be a full-time housewife and after a year, I can begin to search for another job.

I have a different plan though, I will save up as much money as I can so I can set up my own business after a year.

I still don't know what business to venture into yet but I guess when I am ready, ideas will come rushing. But for now, I need to sort out the problems before me; how to convince grandma and how to save up for my future.

The doorbell rings instantly, jerking me out of my reverie and making me rush to the door.

I throw it open to reveal my good-looking boss in casual wear and a face cap. His biceps are showing from the white shirt he is wearing which is bringing out his masculinity that I can't possibly take my eyes off.

I have never seen him in casuals. He is always in suits and seeing him for the first time in this type of dress is making me giddy and excited to have accepted his offer.

This is a marriage of convenience, my subconscious reminds me.

This is not a marriage based on love. Remember you will part ways after a year. Get a grip of yourself, it adds and I sigh sadly.

"Can I come in? It's drizzling", His husky deep voice booms into my ears and I blink so I can come back to reality.

"Yes, yes", I chant nervously, opening the door for him to enter. "Yes, sir. You can come in", I rephrase, reminding myself that he is still my boss.

"I told you to call me by my name, didn't I?" He whispers close to my ears as I close the door. "We need to do this to make it real. You call me by name and I will do the same, ok?"

I nod, unable to say a word because of the big lump in my throat. I can't possibly find my voice with this.

"Good", he moves away. "Where is she?"

I swallow hard so I can speak up. I need to say something before he notices how tense and nervous I am about the whole thing and calls it off.

I can't possibly allow that. I have accepted this already and I am going to do this till the end. He has given me a taste of what it will be like and I can't wait to see this till the end.

I was brought up in a poor home. Having a taste of wealth in just a few days without having to work my ass off for it is overwhelming.

All my life, I had to work to cater to myself. Before I can eat or get a new dress, I need to work and get money.

But now, I have been presented with a huge opportunity. I didn't realize it was an opportunity until I asked my friend for advice. I am glad I asked her to advise me and I am glad I was able to swallow my poor pride to accept the offer.

"In her bedroom", I reply calmly before walking past him so I can lead him to grandma's room.

I am suddenly embarrassed about our little home which has nothing classic but two pairs of chairs and a tv set in the living room. The passage is empty and our rooms are almost empty too.

Except for my room which has a small closet, grandma's room consists of her bed, wardrobe and a cane chair which she used to sit on before she lost her legs.

I hope my boss won't find it irritating. I didn't think of this before inviting him over.

We get to the door and I knock softly.

"Bella", she calls and I open the door to enter.

My boss follows me behind him calmly. The moment we both enter, Grandma's gaze shifts from me before landing on him. He bows respectfully.

She raises a questioning brow at me.

Grandma doesn't know my boss physically and I have never introduced her to any man. Also, I didn't tell her I would be having a guest in the house.

"He is my boss, granny", I introduce, entangling my shaky fingers together.

"Oh!" She murmurs, with a delightful expression on her face.

I am sure she is glad to have met him. This way, her curiosities would be satisfied.

"How is your health?" Boss demands from her and she nods vigorously.

"Thank you for your help. God bless you in magnificent ways", she beams with happiness before turning to look at me.

I lower my head.

"Bring the cane chair so he can sit", she instructs me but before I can get the chair, his voice stops me.

"I just came to check up on your health, I have an appointment soon", he tells her and she nods with the smile on her face disappearing.

"Alright but I would like to ask you a few questions before you leave", she mutters firmly, her face looking serious now.

My heart skips a beat and I stand upright with my hands clasped behind me.

"Alright", he flashes her a smile. "I'm all ears."

"Bella mentioned that you helped her with the hospital bills and…"

"That's true", he cuts her short and I close my eyes, muttering a few prayers to myself.

I seriously do not know what grandma will think about this; my marriage to my boss but I hope we will be able to convince her well enough.

This is it. We are at the bridge now and crossing it seems impossible. I can't believe I actually invited my boss over so he could announce to her our plans to get married.

This ought to come from me but I don't have the balls to do that.

"Why, if I may ask?" Grandma breaks the silence, watching him intently.

"Well", he rubs his hands together, taking his face cap off. "Isabella and I have been together for over a year now. She is hardworking and smart and we have been dating for a while…"

"Dating?" She cuts him short with a loud gasp.

"Yes", he nods firmly. "I see no reason why I shouldn't help out since she is my girlfriend."

My heart beat increases.

I am happy and relieved that the word is finally out. But then I am troubled.

Troubled by my grandma's silence. Happy because he killed it.

I didn't tell him what to say but I expected much from him and I got what I expected. He is indeed a wise man.

Grandma snaps her head towards me, making the smile on my face vanish. "Dating?"

She looks at me expectantly as if to deny what my boss is saying. I never told her about dating anyone or finding anyone attractive enough to date.

This isn't what she was expecting. Grandma was preparing to give him a long speech about how precious I am to her and how she won't be happy if he asks me for something silly in return for the favor.

She is more scared of me losing my virginity than I am.

With the look on her face, I am damn scared that she will collapse soon if I don't answer quickly.

I can't deny it. We aren't dating. He isn't my boyfriend and I am not his girlfriend. But I need to do this.

I need to put on an act. For myself. For grandma. For our future together. I need to do this. And I hope she supports me no matter what happens.

"Yes, grandma", I reply after swallowing another lump that seems to be getting stuck in my throat constantly these days. "Jayden and I have been dating for two months and we are planning to get married."

Silence ensues.

He shares a look with me and I stare at grandma to see her jaws drop open in shock with her eyes wide open.

"What the hell!"