Arranged marriage : I hate you

Chapter 9

The drive to Jennie's house was silent. Instead of being driven there by a driver, Riley was the one taking the girl to her father's house, using her own personal car. However, there was a black car of guards following behind them, as per Peterson's request to his daughter.

Soon enough, Riley was driving into the Smiths' compound. She parked the car just at the front, turning off the engine and sitting back on her sit.

She turned to look at Jennie for the first time after they had breakfast together, a quiet breakfast session at that.

"We're here. I can stay in the car if you're not comfortable with me entering your home," Riley told her, her voice low and calm.

Jennie looked into her eyes, her anxiety suddenly evaporating from her stiffened body, and she could feel herself relax at the older woman's acts of care and kindness.

"It's okay, I don't mind. Besides, I'm sure my family is dying to see my anonymous wife," Jennie responded, chuckling lowly on the last part. She was hoping to clear any awkwardness between them so that her father wouldn't start feeling guilty all over again.

Riley laughed as well, a small smile staying on her lips afterwards. Humour had always been her way of dealing with things that troubled her.

"Alright then, allow me," Riley said softly as she moved closer to Jennie, lowering herself slightly to unbuckle the girl's seatbelt before exiting the car to open the door for her.

Jennie was flustered by Riley's chivalrous actions, a smile involuntarily showing on her beautiful face. She got out of the car, thanking her wife with a smile before moving aside to allow her to shut the car door.

They walked up the stairs to the front door side-by-side. Jennie started feeling nervous all over again. Her heart wouldn't stop beating fast and she feared that she might have a panic attack due to how her uniform suddenly felt too tight on her burning skin.

She quickly looked up at Riley as she felt a hand hold hers. Although the woman kept her hold on the younger girl's hand, she kept her eyes at the door.

Riley was the one to knock and they had to wait for a few minutes before the door opened, revealing one of the house maids. Both females were asked to enter the house. They were led to the lounge where they sat down together on one couch as the maid left to call Murrieta and Joshua.

"Are you alright?" Riley asked as she turned to face the younger girl, her eyes focused on her. They were no longer holding hands, but Jennie was feeling a lot better now.

"I'm okay. What about you?" Jennie asked back, concern in her voice. Riley was taken aback as she hadn't expected the younger girl to develop any interest in her well-being.

"I'm good, just nervous," Riley admitted as she chuckled slightly at her own nervousness. "What if your father comes down with a gun?" Riley whispered? Making the younger girl laugh with her

It all felt natural to them at the moment. It was as if they were teenagers who had just fooled themselves into believing that they were ready to reveal their relationship to their strict parents.

Jennie found herself gently taking a hold of Riley's hand, their faces getting a bit closer to each other, smiles on both of their lips.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll love you. I mean, who wouldn't fall for all this charm?" Jennie played along, laughing at herself for reacting to Riley's silliness. But she really did mean the charming part.

Joshua soon walked in, Murrieta clinging to his left arm. The two, Riley and Jennie, slowly let go of the other's hand and stood up to face the older couple. Tension and awkwardness was floating in the air like a dangerous gas. Joshua turned to look at Murrieta in confusion, only to meet that his wife had also turned to face him with the same expression on her face.