CHAPTER EIGHT

"Oh crap!", Damien eyes grew wide as he stood in the doorway, staring at her physique, "damn", he exclaimed again as his eyes roamed Joan's body. 

"Pervert" Joan cursed immediately she sighted him, she managed to snap back from her shock, dragging off the duvet to cover herself as she sat on the bed.

"What are still looking at?", she yelled, clenching her fist as it it was going to restrict her from pouncing on him.

His gaze still lingered as he stood mouth agape.

"Um…, Uhumn, Wifey, you are in our room", he managed to let the words out.

Her heart sank as she felt butterflies in her belly, a thrill she rarely experienced, for a moment she sat still, bewildered, the harsh expression and rough mood she had on earlier had just vanished, she could not comprehend why, but she felt happy hearing Damien call her wifey.

She narrowed her gaze tilting her head a bit as the words hit her, "What do you mean by wifey, and our?" She questioned.

Damien smirked, "well, well, well, you signed a contract, in court, in front of my lawyer and don't forget we have witnesses… dear wife", he added.

"Oh!…, now I remember, you didn't even read the contract, of course_you were to flattered to even read it and signed to marry me immediately you saw me… right?".

he brushed of some stray strands of hair that covered his face a bit, allowing the dim light compliment his handsome face and muscular build.

Joan's heart began beating faster as her eyes roam his body, the two top buttons of his shirt was undone, allowing her sneak peak at his chest, his muscular build screaming her name, she could sight a tattoo but she could not quite comprehend what it was.

He slides his hands into his pocket leaning on the door frame watching Joan cover herself up to her cleavage as she nervously waited for him to leave but he wouldn't, of cause he enjoyed the view.

Joan shuddered as goosebumps began to appear on her skin, she taught he would leave immediately he saw her naked, but here he was, taking a comfortable pose and watching her.

Her heart began to beat even faster as she realized that this was the particular pose that had hurt him a few days ago.

"Oh crap, what do I do now?" She questioned herself audibly.

"Well…, it's clear, you need to shower after a long day of dancing", Damien replied.

Even more panic surge through her again as she suddenly remembered the incident after the dance rehearsals, at this point, she felt as though she was going to faint, her face grew red and her temperature rose, Briggs, Damien's assistant witnessed the kiss with Rami, that would cause chaos and she needed to avoid it at all cost.

What was going to become of her, does Damien know about this already?, she panicked, she'll need to meet with Briggs, and then she'll beg him to keep this as a secret , If Damien finds out That she kissed another man, then it means she had breached her part of the contract.

The sound of footsteps approaching drew her attention, the door was open as Damien stood by it and she was naked, at this point, she has to act fast, and with the speed of light, she ran into the bathroom finally.

She rolled her eyes as She heard Damien's chuckle.

"Good day sir, Mrs Ivan sends for Miss Joan", the voice announced.

"Alright, Your work isn't done here, Prepare a nice casual dress for her" Damien ordered leaving the room.

He stops on his track only a few meters away, he had to clarify, Joan was his wife even though he still contemplated on accepting her or not, it's the least he could do after hurting her in the past, the supposed cruel Damien still had a heart at least, and this_it is what it seems it is.

"she isn't miss Joan, she is my wife", he corrected the maid as she responds with a slight bow.

The chill water cascaded down Joan's skin as she let it run over her, as if washing away her worries, for a moment she enjoys the feeling and embraced it with happiness, it felt like… freedom. 

*****

TAIM'S MANSION - Living room.

The cozy slippers enveloped Joan's feet, protecting her from the evening weather that seemed to have turned against her, a big hoodie and joggers helped keep her warm as her face had already turned red from the intense cold. 

She is welcomed with the burning state of anger from Mrs Ivan, her eyes burning with malice and scorn as she stared at Joan entering the dinning room.

Joan had just let out her bottled up feeling and expressed herself to her best friend and comfort_her pillow, she had promised not to cry and that she was strong, she was also going to live life in comfort and peace.

So she had to back up her words and wishes with action.

She had a goal, a mission.

"Good evening to you Mrs Ivan, I was told you sent for me", Joan announced, she doesn't wait for Mrs Ivan's response as she adjust the chair sitting opposite her.

"I see, growing so much audacity already", Mrs Ivan stated, not looking up from her phone.

"Well… My husband and son would join us in a few minutes, it's good you know your place", she paused to looks at Joan's expression_lips pressed in a thin line and finger's entwined, placed elegantly on the table as she flaunted her neatly polished nails.

Joan's composure seemed intimidating and Mrs. Ivan is taken aback.

"Well, before they arrive, I'll like to clear the air and give you your limits, you signed a contract doesn't mean that you now own this house, I'm the woman of this house and therefore, you're to abide by my rules". Mrs Ivan commanded, her expression cold and unsympathetic.

Joan's expression was neutral, of course even before entering the Taim's mansion she had prepared herself for this.

It didn't sound like a new thing to her as she had earlier promised herself to stay away even without being told.

"We'll be having guests soon; you dare not be seen, remain in your room and do not flaunt yourself as my daughter-in-law, and also, you have permission to join us for dinner only when I ask you to, otherwise your food will be delivered to your room", Mrs Ivan added with a stern look, her brows slightly raised.

"And about your room, I never gave permission for you to invade my son's privacy, have you forgotten?, Damien didn't propose to you, you signed, so what are you trying to steal here…" She couldn't finish her sentence when Joan interrupted.

"I was led there, have you also forgotten? What makes you think I want to invade your son's privacy, I also need my privacy and… FREEDOM, what makes you think I want this? Just so you know, this lifestyle sucks", she rolled her eyes, her fist clenched as she tried to calm her nerves.

"I'll send the maids to escort you to your new room, you can't sleep in same room with my son, so prepare your …" once again Mrs. Ivan is interrupted as Damien enters.