Chapter 13 Make You Fall In Love

• "That quickly?" Stella stared at Marvin in shock.
• Marvin nodded. "The sooner, the better."
• "But how can it be done as soon as tomorrow?" Stella asked softly.
• "Nothing is difficult for me, everything is easy. Especially when money rules everything," Marvin answered.
• "Oh, okay," Stella nodding in understanding. Marvin was right.
• "Anything else? Any more questions?"
• Stella shook her head. "No."
• Marvin turned to Mia. "Any progress with your agreement with Damian?"
• "Not yet," Mia replied. "He hasn't talked about the wedding, he just said he would prepare for it soon. Yesterday afternoon, after I got back to my apartment, Damian asked to meet. I thought he wanted to discuss the agreement or the wedding, but it wasn't about that."
• "What did he talk to you about?" Marvin asked.
• "Your relationship with Stella," Mia answered. "He said he found out from Mr. William. Mr. William blamed him for the canceled contract with Esther. You were careless, Sir. Damian was suspicious of us."
• "Suspicious of us?" Marvin asked.
• Mia nodded. "He questioned why I would agree to the deal if Stella is involved with you. He suspected I agreed to the deal to get revenge, with you guys behind it."
• "So what happened?" Marvin asked.
• "Don't worry, it's safe. I managed to fool him, and he's no longer suspicious. I even got some money from him," Mia said.
• "Money? What money?" Stella asked.
• "Money to pay off a debt to Mr. William. I collected it, even though Mr. Marvin had already paid it off," Mia said, looking at Stella. "One of the benefits I got from the deal was the debt being paid off and some shares. To convince him that I didn't know about your relationship with Mr. Marvin, I..." Mia explained her reasoning.
• Everyone in the room nodded in understanding.
• "Okay. In that case, prepare yourselves for tomorrow," Marvin said.
• ***
• "Th—this is your house?" Stella asked as she entered Marvin's luxurious home.
• That morning, Stella and Marvin had just formalized their relationship through marriage. Although the marriage wasn't based on love, it was a mutually beneficial agreement.
• Marvin had immediately brought Stella to live with him, while Keenan and Mia stayed in an apartment.
• Marvin didn't like crowds and preferred to keep his home as a private, quiet retreat. He didn't want too many people in his house, so he asked Mia and Keenan to remain in the apartment.
• Keenan and Mia agreed, preferring the comfort of the apartment over a small house. Besides, Marvin provided amenities that made the apartment very comfortable.
• Usually, Marvin's house only had him, a housekeeper in her mid-thirties, and a gardener in his forties. Now, with Stella joining them, the household grew. Once Fanny found out about their marriage, Marvin might add more security to ensure Stella's safety.
• Marvin's peace might be disrupted by the new occupants, but he didn't mind. The important thing was avenging Fanny for killing Lily.
• "Yes, this is my house," Marvin replied. "Before Fanny finds out about our relationship, it will just be the four of us. You, me, the maid, and the caretaker."
• Stella nodded in understanding.
• "Our bedrooms are upstairs," Marvin said.
• "What? Our bedrooms?" Stella asked, looking at Marvin in surprise.
• "I—I mean my bedroom and your bedroom are upstairs and next to each other."
• Stella exhaled in relief.
• "Don't worry, I'm not that lecherous," Marvin said quickly.
• "Aren't all men the same, Sir?" Stella asked, scrutinizing Marvin's face.
• "Not all men. I won't do anything unless it's mutual," Marvin replied.
• "Wait, you... you're not going to claim your rights as a husband, are you?"
• Marvin narrowed his eyes at Stella. "No," he answered quickly.
• "Thank goodness," Stella replied.
• "Why? Are you expecting more from me?" Marvin asked.
• Stella immediately crossed her arms over her chest. "Even though we are married, I'm not a cheap woman who would let herself be touched by a man she doesn't love."
• "So... you're still a virgin?" Marvin asked.
• "Yes, I'm still a virgin! I haven't even kissed a man on the lips," Stella answered.
• "Are you serious?" Marvin asked, surprised.
• "Y—yes," Stella replied. "And you? Have you... done it with your many girlfriends?"
• "Many girlfriends? Do you think I'm that cheap?"
• "Okay, okay... with Lily," Stella said, her tone lazy.
• "Whether I have or haven't is none of your business. It's my privacy. You don't need to know because it's not important to you. You're just a wife by agreement, not a wife by love." Marvin walked into his house and headed toward the stairs.
• Hearing Marvin's words, Stella closed her eyes and sighed in frustration. She followed him up the stairs.
• "Remember, don't expect more from me. My heart is numb. Dalling in love with me will only hurt you. So, it's better to guard your heart and not fall for me," Marvin said as he climbed the stairs.
• Stella raised her upper lip slightly and glared at Marvin's back as he walked ahead of her.
• "Should I make a new mission? To make you fall for me and then reject you outright?" Stella thought.
• "This is your room," Marvin said when they reached the top of the stairs, standing in front of a door. "And that one next to it is my room."
• Stella nodded, grabbed the door handle, and pushed it open. "It seems you're the one who needs to be careful, Sir. I wouldn't fall for you because I'm still traumatized by relationships with men. I'm afraid my sincerity will be wasted again. But you? What's your excuse for being numb? Is it because of Lily? I bet even Lily would pity you," Stella said as she walked into her room and closed the door after speaking to Marvin.
• Continued...