Chapter 8:

The car eventually does come to a stop. The doors open and Murrin steps out first. I take his hand, putting on an excited, yet nervous, expression on. I immediately put on a poker face as soon as Murrin let's go of my hand. We turn to face the stares leading to his mother, sister, a bunch of servants, some man, and a familiar face. I freeze for a second. What is 𝘴𝘩𝘦 doing here?

I had put my mask on before the car stopped to hide my face. She won't recognize me. Murrin offers his arm, which I take. Together, the two of us slowly make our way to his family. I feels like forever which only gets longer with each step. We finally stop. Murrin's mother and I come face to face. She's about an inch or two short than me. But the authority in her eyes adds onto size.

"Murrin!" Murrin's sister, Paige, approaches us and hugs her brother. She looks nothing like her brother at first glance. Curly hair so red it looks like fire, emerald eyes, skin so pale it looks sickly, and a skinny body. She's taller than her brother and I. She's wearing a red dress with green here and there, making her look like a Christmas tree.

"You must be Alina!" She says, hugging me excitedly. I shake off the memories and hug her back. I fake a kind smile. According to Murrin, her names Paige. Her husband recently left her with her two children. At the moment, the two children are with they're grandparents on the father's side. Apparently, they disowned their own son. How rare.

"Murrin, it's good to finally see you home." Murrin's mother finally says. She steps forward and caresses her son's face. She smiles lovingly. Murrin tilts his head, returning the affection. Murrin's mother is a spitting image of her son. Her long brown hair with streaks of silver have been braided and pulled up into a modest bun. She's pale like her daughter and has dark eyes like her son. She's a chubby woman wearing a dark green dress that nearly appears to be black.

Her expression darkens as she pulls away from her son and looks at me. She doesn't greet me or anything. She just stares. I stare back. Her eyes narrow. I forced myself to stay still as she slaps my face. I don't say anything as I slowly look back at her.

"Is my son some joke to you? Take off that mask immediately!" She demands.

"Mamá! I asked her to wear it!" Murrin says, wrapping his arm around my waist and drawing me against him.

"John, my dear, are you sure she's the one? Don't forget what Abby did." Murrin's grip loosens a bit. Abby? Who the hell is Abby?

"I know. And I'm certain. Have a bit more respect for Alina." Murrin's mother takes a deep breath and nods. She motions for us to follow her.

The house is huge on the outside. Ginormous in the inside. I don't know how the servants reach up to the glowing chandeliers to clean between the nooks and crannies. Much less, light the hundred candles on each chandelier. The walls are grey and the room would be dark if it weren't for the light of the chandeliers. The light bounces off the strategically placed mirrors, frames, and old vases that probably carries someone's ashes.

If someone fell on the floor, they'd break something. I guess Murrin's mother doesn't like children that much if floors are cold and made of stone. Thinking about it, she must hate her servants, too. One wrong move, if the servant falls, they're dead. I much the pace of the ladies, making sure to match the click of my heels with their own. It's kinda heard when you're is barely audible. Why do these woman talk of elegance but walk so loudly?

Murrin's grip around my waist tightens. I look up at him. He press his mask against my forehead to indicate a kiss. I close my eyes and smile, feigning taking in his false affection. When he pulls away, I turn to find his mother giving me a side glare. So much for wanting a daughter-in-law.

"So, Alina, how did you meet my son?" She asks.

"Mother, I told you—"

"I want to hear it from her!" Damn. Granny's mad.

"My father passed away two years ago. I've been travelling, getting his business taken care of when I met John. He caught me off guard by asking to speak to me privately. From there, we became friends and eventually lovers." I recite what Lady Barbara trained me to say. I did add a small piece of my own to make it credible.

"Oh? My condolences, young child. Who was your father?" I feign sadness.

"To tell you the truth, I never actually met him. He left my mother before I was born. His family reached out to me two years ago, trying to dig up his inheritance for themselves. My father, however, had lost everything before he passed. I had to make deals with multiple companies to keep them from taking any harsh actions." Somehow, I do feel sadness by the end of it. It's not a lie.

"Must be hard. My brother squandered his inheritance, went into debt, and nearly dragged the rest of us with him. I was furious and made deals with those he owed. It was hard, but my brother was imprisoned and won't be out anytime soon." Is Murrin's mother opening up to me?

"What of your mother?" The man from before asks. He looks to be probably a cousin of the family. He has blonde hair, brown eyes, and is probably in his thirties. Even so, he stands tall, taller than Murrin. Something about this dark skinned guy bothers me.

"She fell I'll not too long ago. Murrin so graciously helped me find a place I can trust to help my mother."

"So, are you with Murrin for your mother or money?" Everyone stops, staring at the man.

"Jacob, don't speak like that to Alina." Murrin says angrily.

"My apologies, my dear godson. I just want to be certain this little one does not abuse of you."

"There's a difference between assumptions and evidence." I say. Murrin takes my hand, trying to shut me up. "Before my father passed away, I worked as a bodyguard for lady in her elder years. I have no desire for riches or cameras of gossip hungry people hanging down my neck. Much less, someone I don't even know the name to, telling Murrin who he can and can't trust." I done it.

"Your voice is strong just as your build. I assumed you were probably a police officer or wrestler." Murrin's sister says.

"Might as well dress as a man." Murrin's mother says.

"Better than a golddigger." I respond. She looks at me. I expect to get yelled at. Instead, the old lady smiles and places her hand on my shoulder.

"I used to have the fire you now have in your eyes. Before I married, I served secretly in the military as a man. I survived so many disasters. You, my child, are strong and well worthy of my acknowledgement." Murrin's mother turns and leads us to the room Murrin and I will share. Our luggage is already in there.

I flop onto the massive bed as soon as the crowd leaves. I stretch, sighing loudly as I do. Murrin flops on the bed beside me. I yell as he pulls me against him.

"I should've told you to be yourself. You did a good job, 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨." I pull away.

"You can quit the act." I say and stand. I take off my corset and place it over the one of the chairs in the huge room.

"I know. Why are you taking off your clothes?"

"Just the tormentors." I say as I kick off my shoes. I sit back onto the bed beside him.

"Mother expects us to sleep together. She'll be having someone check up on us through the night."

"Damn it."

"I'll sleep on the couch."

"No. If what you say is the truth, we should place a pillow or two between us. They won't be able to see it even with just candle light." Murrin looks at the massive bed.

"Fair point. We will have to...you know."

"Go change in the restroom. I'll change out here."

"Yes, ma'am." Murrin teases. I shove him playfully and get out of my clothes as soon as he's in the restroom. I dig around in my clothes and take out some shorts and a top. I hurry into the warm blankets just as the door opens. I reach up as Murrin gets into bed and pull two golden pillows between us.

"Goodnight." Murrin says.

"Night." I say. The two of us clap at the same time, turning off the lights.

"How did you know?" Murrin asks in the dark.

"Just guessed." Murrin laughs. We both turn away from each other. Surprisingly, I fall asleep quickly.