CHAPTER 4

      We drove for hours before arriving in the city of Toronto. That was my first time in Toronto. I heard stories about this city and the beautiful places but I never visited. Only one who had enough income could travel around without having to worry about being stranded.

      "Finally, I'm here!" I didn't know when I said that. Liam looked at me before turning to the other side to laugh sarcastically.

      "You haven't been here before?" He asked.

      "If I have, I wouldn't have shouted, 'Finally, I'm here!' You ask very annoying questions at times." Couldn't he have just remained quiet?

      "Do you get scared of me?" His question sounded strange. Why would he ask me such a question? Yes, I did. I got scared of him only when he was upset. Getting that degrading look from him was enough to send a poor man running.

      "Do I look like I'm scared of you?" I tried to sound confident. Since we got married, I understood the true definition of self-confidence. The only way to survive with this jerk was to be confident and overlook his taunts.

      "We are going home." He said calmly. "Where there are no paparazzi. I do not have to put on an act. I'm not a perfect husband and I don't intend to be one to you."

      "Jeez." I scoffed. What exactly does he think of himself? I would be grateful if you don't even try to be a good husband to me. I scoffed. "Fine with me."

      "That act you put on at the hotel. Standing by my side, I'm grateful."

       Okay. Maybe I had fibbed when I said it was an act. It was supposed to be one but why did I feel that way? I obviously didn't love him. Seven days was too small to fall in love with someone who constantly reminded you of how much he despises you. I couldn't say it was his fault though. After all, our relationship was based on a lie. Neither of us was to be blamed.

      "I didn't do it for you" I fibbed again. There was absolutely no point in letting him know I cared a little bit or else he would have the wrong impression that I loved him. "I did it for myself and my family. I figured that your Aunt owns that hotel, plus, my name is already attached to your name. Whatever anyone says about you, will affect my reputation."

      "Reputation? You should have thought about that before taking your sister's place."

      Again with the attitude. "She ran off!" I screamed back at him. His accusations were getting too much and I couldn't take it anymore. "Lisa ran away with her lover." Why should I take the fall for her? If she was in my place, I'm pretty sure the Cops would have found me and my lover and detained us.

      "For a family that lies too much, I'm surprised they are obsessed about their reputation."

      "What about your dad?"

      "Enough." He wasn't willing to hear anything negative about his dad but he was ready to insult and belittle someone else's parents.

      The car drove into his compound and stopped. Liam got out of the car first. I alighted the car with my bags, my mouth dropped at the length of the house. It was two times larger and taller than the hotel we stayed.

      "Give those bags to the helpers." He instructed. Two servants ran up to me and carried my bags. He took my hand in his and walked towards the house. He already told me in the car that we were going home and there was no need to pretend, so why was he holding my hand? I pulled my hand away from his and increased my pace before he said anything.

      When we arrived at the door, I pushed it but it didn't open. It was the same door I saw his servants enter and come out without much stress so why was it difficult to open?

       "It doesn't work that way, New Ma'am." The security guard chuckled and strode away.

      "What's wrong? He had a way of mocking people when they were helpless.

       I shut my eyes for some time before opening them. I have already hurt this family by taking Lisa's place. There was no way I could let them see me argue with Liam. "Please open the door."

      "Now you understand why I held your hand. For you to enter, your fingerprint is needed. Only the members of this house can enter."

      "You should have said so. You can't just hold my hand like that. It's disrespectful." If the fruit is like this then I can't imagine how the tree would be.

      "You are impossible." He opened the door and entered.

      His parents had already arranged the house. I was expecting a quiet home with just Liam, that way I won't have any reason to feign but their house was full of people. I couldn't tell visiting guests from family because they all looked the same and wore very expensive wears. I was right in my speculation. The house had a striking resemblance to a hotel. If I had been given that land, I would have built two schools rather than a house that huge.

      Liam's house had not less than 20 rooms. It was painted white all through. The family rooms were upstairs while the guests rooms were downstairs. Each staff had a separate room. I couldn't tell how many but my eyes took notice of two large kitchens, nine sofa chairs, and three flat-screen TV. Liam's parents walked up to us with two other couples.

      His mum brushed my hair to the back and asked, calmly, "How was your trip?"

      "It was good, Mum." It was exhausting. Please hate me. I can't wait to go back home. Even in a million years, I wouldn't get used to that house; One needed a map just to get water to drink.

      "Hannah,"

     I didn't wait for her to finish. I apologized. "I'm sorry, Aunt. Everything occurred so quickly. It wasn't,"

      "Thank you." She sounded so relaxed. I looked around to know if I was the one she was referring to. "If you hadn't stepped in for your sister, I don't know what would have happened to my family. The press would have made a big deal out of it. I heard your sister fell ill a day before the wedding. How is she doing now?"

      Oh, my parents had already lied to them. Sometimes I felt bad that I came from a family of liars. Liam might have a point about my family. I agreed to the lie started by my amazing parents.

      "Meet my sister, Angela, and her husband, Dan. Angela, meet my daughter-in-law, Hannah." She introduced us.

      "She is gorgeous. You made the right choice." Sophie complimented.

      "Aunt, what did Uncle tell you about lying to people?" Liam sassed.

      "Liam!" He walked past us ignoring his mother's call. I can't believe this rude asshole.

      "I'm sorry about that." Mrs. Smith apologized. "Liam can be a jerk at times. Come, let me introduce you to everyone.

      The introduction lasted at least 30 minutes before Mrs. Smith joined her friends. Liam had a very beautiful family. Everyone interacted with each other. There was no negative vibe. Sometimes I felt like I didn't want to leave but other times, I remembered that Liam and I don't love each other. Although everyone mingled together, some of them sat far away from the others. Without getting an introduction, I could tell those were Mr. Smith's relatives. No one in his family had financial problems. I recollected seeing Lisa read about them earnestly. Fear gripped her when she saw a picture of one of his Aunts. Her reaction was something out of the ordinary. I had tried to get the truth out of her but she remained defiant. Thinking about it then, I wondered if she truly ran away on her own or was asked to do it.

      "Your room is this way, ma'am." A young lady in a white mini gown said softly. I'm guessing she was one of their staff.

      Obviously. His workers are sexy and beautiful. What was I expecting? I followed her upstairs. We walked past several rooms before we arrived at Liam's room. She placed her index finger on the doorknob and it opened.

      "I'll leave now."

      "Wait," I hollered at her. "Is there any way I can get a separate room? You know, for comfort." Please don't say no.

      "Don't be silly, ma'am. Sir is your husband. Couples should sleep together." her expression hardened.

      "She's right." Mrs. Smith said as she made her way up the stairs. She had with her a few accessories and clothes. She handed them to me and embraced me warmly. "The staff doesn't know anything about your marriage so please don't rattle everything out." Her voice sounded more stern than before. I wondered if she was the same lady I met downstairs. She moved back a little before signaling to the young girl to leave.

      What trouble had I gotten myself in? His family was weird. The nice and friendly family we knew on tv was only a lie. Mrs. Smith looked nice on the outside. I wasn't sure if she was evil or just strict. I walked into the room and glared at the atmosphere of the room. It was very huge. It had a gigantic bed and big piano by the side. There were pictures of nude women on the walls. His room was messy. His clothes were littered everywhere. The room was painted black and had a huge TV on the wall.

       With another step, I noticed how the furniture was aligned perfectly. They were identical in color, each piece a fluorescent blue. The vanity and nightstand were clear of confused disordered jumble and not even a slight of dust. The desk was cluttered with a lot of files and books.

      I rolled my eyes in agitation. Obviously, they knew they were going to get Liam married. So why didn't they clear all this mess?

      "Liam, why did you leave your wife downstairs?" His mum asked.

      "Why? Haven't I done enough acting? Do I also have to carry her upstairs?"

      Oh, so I'm not the only one he is always rude to. I smiled at my thoughts.

      "You are no longer a child. You are a married man. Soon you will become a father."

      Father? My eyes widened at her last word. I was going to leave him after a year so how could I even give them an heir? Father was a strong word that needed serious thinking.

      "Mum, you and Dad coerced me into this marriage and I didn't refuse. I don't feel anything for her. Look at her mum. She's not my type. I've given her enough and that's it. Plus, Lisa wasn't..."

      "At home on the day of the wedding." I completed." Liam was about to tell his mum the truth. Does he ever think before speaking? "That's why she couldn't attend." Liam gave out a frustrated laugh before entering his bathroom. You're not my type either. I can't believe this. His parents took this drastic step for him and he's rude to them. Pathetic.

      "You'll get used to it." That was it? That was all she had to say before walking out and leaving me in Mr. Grumpy's room. I picked up his clothes and arranged them neatly on the bed.

      Once I was done cleaning the room, I climbed on top of a chair and brought down every nude picture of a lady. Thank you, Hannah. I know he wouldn't say that. Sitting on the couch by the end of the bed, I crossed my legs and flipped through the magazine on his desk. He had gone into the bathroom so I had enough time to myself. "He takes care of his skin like a lady. How many times would a guy bathe in a day?" Wow. She's pretty! I gasped at the picture of a girl my age in the magazine. What's her name? Does he keep this close to his bed every day to....No? It's not possible. He's a busy man with millions of ladies falling for him. "Diana. That's a beautiful name. It reminds me of Princess Diana."

      "What did you do to my room?" Liam yelled. He was shirtless. I stared at the water that dripped from his chest. He had only his boxers on. He was unarguably handsome and muscular.

      I immediately turned my eyes away when he looked at me.

      "Were you checking me out? Unbelievable. I was starting to think you were not like other girls but I was wrong." He grabbed the pictures from me and placed them on his table. "I'll sleep on the bed. You'll stay on the couch."

      "What? I can't sleep on the couch." I argued. "I've never slept on a couch before."

      "You are welcome to come join me on the bed. I'll let you in on one thing, I get very horny at night. You are not that bad."

      I grabbed the pillow from his head and laid down on the couch. I was only doing this for my family. I was willing to tolerate everything until 1 year. While thinking about my family and how my parents would be worried about Lisa's whereabouts, I dozed off on the couch.