A Second Chance Mate

Matter of Time

Stephen's pov

Cheering for myself, I washed up and got dressed in the morning. I survived the first night in Jenna's mansion without getting into a clumsy situation with her. It was something worth celebrating. Regardless, how I'd avoid intimacy with her for the entire year was a puzzle. Anyway, I managed one night and now it was time to start the day.

Jenna had excused me from the office for the day, so I prepared to fetch my brother and the rest of our belongings. I slipped my phone into the pocket of my jeans and walked out of the room, humming a tune to myself.

"Stephen! You're up!"

Flinching when I heard Jenna's voice from behind, I halted on my steps. Was she waiting for me to walk out of the room? I was kind of hoping that she would have left for work already. Or did she take the day off? Holding back my urge to grimace, I turned around to look at her.

When I saw that she wasn't wearing her suit, I knew that she wasn't dressed for work. In a loose, pale yellow shirt paired with a pair of skinny black pants, she looked nice. Casual, but still likeable. Nonetheless, I found myself thinking that even with her bare face, Darlene looked way better than her.

Her glossy lips curled into a pleasant smile as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "What do you think about this outfit?"

Wait… was she trying to impress me? Damn, it was awkward.

I cleared my throat. "You look nice... And, I need to fetch Seth, so yeah, I am up. His doctor's appointment is at two in the afternoon. I hope to bring the rest of our stuff before that."

Her face wilted. "Oh, I was hoping that we could spend some quality time together. You know, so we could get to know each other better. I kind of like you. And since we are in this arrangement, why don't we try to work things between us?"

Uh… what? Work things? Was she trying to get to know me better in the hopes I'd fall for her? I hardly succeeded in concealing my astonishment. During this one year, Jenna probably would try everything to win my heart.

Umm… awkward…

"Umm…not today, I guess," I mumbled.

"Very well, at least we could have breakfast together. You aren't going anywhere before you eat," she said.

I shrugged my shoulders. I guess breakfast sounded good. Jenna led the way to the dining room. On the way, I noticed how she kept checking the furniture for dust and clicking her tongue while looking around, clearly disgruntled about something.

"That maid hasn't mopped the floor!" she grumbled under her breath.

With a raised brow, I scanned the place. The area looked immaculate to me. Not a speck of dust was in sight. Besides, the day has just begun. Why was Jenna complaining about the floor being not mopped already?

"Darlene!"

My heart raced when Jenna screamed at the top of her lungs. Slightly confused and stunned by Jenna's abrupt shift in attitude, I stared blankly as Darlene rushed to give her boss an audience.

Catching sight of her was a treat. Even in the black and white maid's uniform, she appeared to be more attractive than any other woman I had laid my eyes on. Her raw beauty was unearthly. In my eyes, she was the most enchanting woman. I just couldn't look away from her.

"Why haven't you mopped the floor, already? Don't I pay you enough? All I expect you to do is do your work properly!" Jenna's words were laced with hostility.

With her gaze lowered, Darlene uttered humble words.

"Madame, I am about to mop the floor."

"Well, do it right! I don't like it when my employees don't do their work," Jenna snarled at her.

I twisted my face into a rough grimace. Jenna's manner of speaking to Darlene bothered me. I hated how, despite working her ass off, Darlene seemed to be treated with contempt and lack of appreciation. Jenna could be a little nicer even though Darlene was being paid to do it. In addition, Darlene was doing a great job of keeping the house clean. That reprimand wasn't warranted for her.

"Uh. Let her be? It's only half past nine in the morning," I said, hoping that Jenna would let her be.

Before turning to face her maid once more, she gave me a look that let me know she wasn't pleased with my intervention. I didn't feel threatened by her, though. I was just disgruntled. Even my dragon seemed agitated. The manner Darlene was addressed enraged my beast, who started growling and blowing smoke.

"Go now. And breakfast better be prepared by now. We are going to eat."

Darlene scurried away, probably towards the dining room without even sneaking a peek in my direction. Jenna cleared her throat catching my attention.

Since I didn't want to get into trouble, I peeled my eyes off Darlene's retreating back and glanced at Jenna. I had to keep in mind that I was bound to her for a year, during which I didn't have the right to date anyone else. Otherwise, my brother would suffer.

"Let's go downstairs. I'm pretty sure they will set the table. And by the way, we have to be tough with them. Otherwise, they will take advantage of us. You should learn how to treat them since we are now married," Jenna told me.

I pursed my lips. Although I didn't agree with her, I chose to remain silent.

"Why did you want to marry me? I mean, you barely know me. And I'm way too young when compared to you."

A lopsided smile twisted her lips. "I told you already. I like you. You are handsome and responsible. You take care of your brother after the demise of your parents. That shows you're of a good character. What's so strange about getting attracted to the most handsome bachelor in my office?"

She paused briefly, her gaze piercing into mine. The smile on her face faded as she took a casual step closer to me. Feeling uncomfortable, I shifted my weight on my feet.

"You don't appear to be comfortable," she sighed and offered an archaic smile. "Haven't you thought about why I hired you? Why would anyone in their right mind hire someone with no college degree?"

I heaved a breath. Oh, I was well educated. But I failed to grab my credentials when I fled. In haste, I only managed to grab just a couple of my belongings along with my brother's clothes. I left everything, including my phone and any other electronics we owned, to reduce the risk of being tracked down. Besides, I doubt she would have employed me if she knew my true identity. Telling her that my parents were dead was just part of my attempt to hide from my father. It was better this way.

"When I first talked to you, I thought you were perfect. I wouldn't lie. Your piercing gaze was the first thing that caught my eye. And although you weren't qualified for the job, you seemed to know a lot about business management. I knew I had to have you close so I could get to know you better and you didn't disappoint me. Your work was flawless. It drew me towards you even more. You see, life kind of gets desolate and monotonous when all you do is work and sleep. I needed someone to share my life with and I found you fascinating. You needing money was just my luck and I had to exploit it," Jenna chuckled. "Sorry. Exploit sounds a bit inappropriate. But how do I make a guy like you notice me?"

Uh, maybe not exploiting my helplessness would be a great start.

Pulling my lips into a grim line I breathed out. I didn't want to be wed to her and be bound to her forever.

"It's a contract marriage. I'm here for just one year," I told her.

She snickered. "Oh, I'll make sure you stay with me. A lot can happen in a year, darling."

I decided to disregard her. Yeah. In a year, a lot may happen, but upheaval was nothing new to me. I was aware that I should avoid becoming attached, especially in light of what had occurred in my family. Furthermore, I was resolved on leaving Jenna as soon as the predetermined time was up. This union was merely a passing one.

A broad grin spreading across her face, she grabbed my arm and clung onto it. I closed my eyes and pried her fingers off my hand.

"The contract clearly states that both of us will respect each other's personal space and that we wouldn't force one another into any activity either of us aren't pleased with. I am not yet comfortable with any amount of public display of affection," I told her.

She shrugged her shoulders, her grin never faltering even for a second. But at least she stopped clinging on to me."Okay, darling. If you say so. It's only a matter of time, anyway."

Time... It better be on my side.