THE CROWDED MARRIAGE

Chapter 7

Maeve Dominque Valencia
-present-

Ivory's finally accepting my offer.

Because he had no choice but to agree. I never give him an option; he'll do what I want.

"Did you see the articles, Maeve?" Dad muttered as he sipped his coffee. He was at the center and end of the long table. My Mom was on his right side while I was on his left, and then Ivory was beside me.

"Yes, Dad," I answered in a modest tone while I was holding a fork and a knife to cut the food on my plate.

Before he could speak again, I chewed my food first, then looked into my Dad's eyes. A small smile appeared on my lips.

"Ivory and I will take care of it. We didn't think much about it because we've been busy these past few weeks," I continued.

"You two should just focus on your upcoming wedding," my Mom interjected.

I looked at Ivory and gave him my loving smile. "I don't want to get into his work, Mom." Then my eyes went back to my Mom. "I know he loves his work. But we both agreed that we'd go out publicly, so the media wouldn't question it... right, Ivory?"

Ivory was just silently looking at his plate, but he looked up at me when he heard his name. We stared at each other for about a minute, and I gave him a wide smile, indicating that he should agree with what I said.

He cleared his throat. "Yes."

My Mom finally smiled, and Dad looked like he was at ease now.

"Good. A lot of investors and VIP people were looking forward to the merging of the Mortimeroz and Valencia families. Even if it's just a small thing that they think you two were not in love or are just forced into the marriage, it will be a big deal in the media, and it will make important people start doubting us. It will make a scratch in our businesses. Make sure to fix it, Maeve and Ivory," Dad concluded this issue.

Of course, it's all about business, money, and power.

I just nodded while looking down at the food that I still haven't finished. I lost my appetite, but I can't be rude in front of my parents, so I need to finish this before I leave.

When Ivory and I finished eating with my parents that morning, both of us left together. He was just behind me while I walked.

"Is that always the scenario every time you eat with them?"

I heard his voice behind me.

"Now you're concerned about me."

"I'm not."

I faced him with a sequin smile on my face like I was not just frustrated a while ago. "Then don't question my personal life. Let's just keep this professional, like when you negotiate with other businessmen. You're good at that, right?"

Hindi siya sumagot kaya tinalikuran ko siya at naglakad muli. Nang makaayat kami ay sinundan niya pa rin ako hanggang kuwarto ko.

"Why are you still with me?" I asked, irritated.

He gave me nothing but a poker face, as always. "Because your room is also my room. Your parents are here."

I just shrugged. I think he will not have anything to do for today as well, based on what he said while going into my room with me. Ayoko na tahimik kaming sa loob ng malaki kong kuwarto at nagtititigan lang buong magdamag kay may naisip akong gustong gawin.

When we finally entered my own room. I quickly went to where my closet was. It has a huge space since I have a lot of collections: bags, clothes, shoes and sandals, jewelry and accessories, perfumes, and a lot of personal collections of mine.