The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 10

By the time they arrived at Birchwood, it was already 4 p.m.

Before getting out of the car, Ronan said to Cordelia, "Mind your manners when you address me."

"Huh? What?" Cordelia didn't get it.

"No more, Mr. Evans."

Cordelia thought for a moment, then said without hesitation, "Alright, hubby."

This response was so quick; "hubby" was said so naturally, it surprised Ronan a little. He guessed she

probably called her boyfriends that all the time. Girls these days were quite open-minded. This thought

made Ronan a bit uncomfortable.

However, Cordelia knew full well. He had given her so much money, she had to put on a more

convincing act. Cordelia was always professional, not the kind to work only under pressure from the

boss. She was fully aware of her situation.

Upon arriving at Barney's house, Cordelia immediately became serious. She knew she needed to

comfort an elderly man with a severe illness, and she was afraid any carelessness could upset Barney.

She reminded herself to stay alert.

Ronan's grandfather used to be a law professor at Birchwood College, highly respected within the legal

field. He even appeared on TV as a guest, discussing some legal issues in marriage. No wonder

Ronan said that his grandfather would be able to tell if the marriage license was fake. How could such

an intellectual not see through a fake marriage license?

Ronan's grandmother passed away last year. This year, his grandfather was diagnosed with lung

cancer. Ronan had lived with Barney and his grandmother since he was a child, and the bond was very

strong. Barney hoped to see Ronan's life complete before he could pass away peacefully.

Barney's kind eyes scanned Cordelia, "How old is Cordelia?"

"Twenty-three," Ronan said.

Cordelia was a little taken aback. How did Ronan know her age? But then she remembered, he had

glanced at her driver's license when they registered. That glance allowed him to answer Barney's

question very naturally in front of him. He was a crafty one.

"A good bit younger than you," Barney said to Ronan. "eight years?"

"Yes." Ronan smiled, speaking in a kind tone that Cordelia rarely heard.

"With her being so much younger, you must treat her well." Barney's smile became even more

benevolent.

"Of course." Both Ronan and Cordelia sat on the couch. Ronan grabbed Cordelia's hand and casually

kissed it.

A wave of electricity seemed to surge through Cordelia, making her feel tingly all over. Cordelia wanted

to pull her hand away but was afraid to blow their cover, so she just let Ronan hold it, her palm getting

sweaty.

"Cordelia is an intern. She didn't want her coworkers to know about the marriage, to avoid gossip.

But…" Ronan's tone suddenly became a bit suggestive. He even glanced at Cordelia, his eyes seemed

to be talking, looking at Cordelia with a mixture of teasing and playfulness. "But recently, we felt it was

the right time, so we registered our marriage, and I brought her to meet you." Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

No doubt, by "right time," Ronan meant they had sex.

"It's a bad time for you guys to come. I didn't know you were coming, and the housekeeper has already

taken another job. There's no one to cook. Let's eat out," Barney said, then suddenly remembered

something. "If your grandmother was still here, she would've made you handmade pasta. You loved it

since you were a kid."

As he spoke, Barney's eyes welled up.

Barney was a scholar. He and his wife never hired a housekeeper. After his wife passed away, Ronan

wanted to hire a full-time housekeeper and a couple of caregivers for Barney, but Barney said, "I'm an

old man now, no need for such fuss."

Barney lived alone, with occasional help from a housekeeper to cook.

"I can make handmade pasta. If Barney doesn't mind, I can do it. I often cook for Ronan. Right,

hubby?" Cordelia stood up, speaking naturally and appropriately.

Her offer to cook was partly moved by the story of Barney and his wife, and partly because of the

money. She remembered clearly that the contract stated, that a delicious meal could earn her twenty

grand. Plus, her display of affection with Ronan was so convincing, that Barney would be pleased and

more at ease.

Ronan sat on the couch, legs crossed, hand on his chin. He didn't expect Cordelia to be so proactive.

He wondered if she was taking this opportunity to get into character or was just acting. But her

performance was beyond professional.

"Alright, Grandpa. Let her do it," Ronan smiled and spoke.

Then, Ronan's gaze swept across Cordelia's face meaningfully. Cordelia, looking as if she had been

seen through, went to the kitchen.