7 MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING

Liam came out of the closet a few minutes later. He was now wearing grey pajama pants and a blue tee shirt that didn't help to cover up his well-built arms.

Raelle gulped at the sight of her husband's body. The man was well built, damn! Long, slender legs and a muscular body. Coupled with extensively carved facial features and a luxurious mansion… she could say he had everything.

"Let's talk," Liam said, taking a seat on the couch beside Raelle.

…and a very beautifully masculine voice, she quickly added to her list before looking at him.

"Okay."

Liam looked at Raelle quietly for a while. His heart, for some reason, felt an inexplicable warmth. So warm, it felt like he wouldn't mind owning her.

What was he saying?

She was his already.

Deciding his gaze on her was too much, Raelle decided to break the silence.

"I know you didn't plan for a flash marriage," she began in a low voice, "I didn't too. So, whatever you say, I'll have no objections to it."

Liam nodded. "I understand. But, that's not it at all."

"Really? Then, I'm listening."

Liam cleared his throat before beginning to say, "I wasn't prepared for a flash marriage - you're right. However, we are already married and from the moment we signed those papers at the Civil Affairs Bureau, we became a couple. You as my legal wife and I have no complaints about that.

"But, I need for you to understand something. I may have thought from the beginning of the day that I was getting married for my grandfather's sake, but, someone made me understand that it was all fate -though, I've never believed in it. Also, I would be the one to live with you so, I think it's fair to say I got married for myself.

"Raelle, I know I have never been a nice man. I've never even been in a relationship before. But -"

"You've never been in a relationship before?" Raelle echoed with eyes as wide as saucepans.

What is he - 12?

Liam nodded a tinge of red painting his cheek in slight embarrassment.

"Wow!" Raelle couldn't believe it. She was so surprised her mouth wouldn't close.

"-but, I will try my best to be a good husband. You can count on that - or my grandfather would have my head" he whispered to hear Raelle chuckle softly.

"I guess we are on the same page. Well, except for the fact that I have been in a relationship before. But-" Raelle paused to look her husband in the face before speaking with full courage - "I will do my best to be a good wife and fulfill all my duties for as long as I remain your wife."

Liam nodded. His heart leaped in his chest at her promise; although he did not know why. It was the first time he had heard a woman refer to herself as a wife. And yeah, it sounded funny and nice.

"Also," she continued "like I said earlier, whatever you decide would be fine for me. You have already helped me out today and whenever you feel you want a divorce, I promise not to argue."

"That will not be needed, we can try to make it work," Liam said, standing up from the couch to stand before Raelle.

"I would be heading to the study now. I have never really shared a room with anyone but I will try to be back before midnight. Do make yourself comfortable. Tomorrow you will be meeting Grandpa and for that, you need all the rest you can get." He said with a small smile.

Raelle nodded and watched him turn to the door.

"Good night, husband," she said, eyes closed and sleepy.

Hearing her call him husband, Liam's hand that had gripped the handle of the door froze.

Did she call him husband? And why was his face turning pink?... He thought as he walked out of the room.

Once Liam was out of the door, Raelle stood up from the couch and entered the closet. She changed into her nightwear. This time, instead of a nightgown, she chose a blue pajama as she wouldn't be sleeping alone.

Once she was done dressing up, she climbed into the bed and set herself on the left side of the bed, succumbing to the world of sleep immediately.

Outside the study room door, Liam and his butler, Ralph were arguing. Ralph, knowing how stubborn and mule-headed Liam could be, had thought beforehand and had hidden the key. He knew that one way or the other, Liam would return to the study room on his wedding night.

"Ralph, can I have the key?" Liam asked for the tenth time. "I have some work to do. I will not stay long there and return to the room."

Ralph stood his ground and shook his head.

"I'm sorry boss," He said with a polite bow. "But, I shall not be giving you the keys to this study today, sire. Please, kindly return to your bedroom, sir. Madam would be lonely and cold."

Liam sighed. He rubbed his forehead and turned to face Ralph. He knew Ralph could be adamant but not as much as he was today and he wondered why.

"Sir," Ralph called again. "Shall I send a message to your grandfather and tell him that you want to work on your wedding night?" Ralph asked.

Liam sighed.

"Fine. Goodnight, Ralph."

"Goodnight, boss," Ralph replied with a smile. He stood there until he was sure that Liam had entered the bedroom before returning to his resting place.

When Liam entered the room, Raelle was already asleep, with the bedside lamp on. After changing into his pajamas, he turned off the lamp and made himself comfortable on the couch to sleep.

But, it took a long while for sleep to come and he engaged himself in different thoughts. He still could not wrap his head around the fact that he was now married, but with the woman snoring silently on the bed, Liam knew he was in for a long ride.

"What is she like? Can she keep up with him? What does she do? Who is she?"

These and many more were the thoughts that ran in Liam's mind as he lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling in the dimly lit room. As he contemplated these questions, a soft sound from the bed filled the room.

He turned his head to glance at Raelle, who was peacefully asleep. The worries and questions in his mind seemed to fade away in that moment.

Liam closed his eyes, allowing himself succumb to the world of dreams, weighed by the fatigue of the day and the weight of his responsibilities to finally catch up with him.