Chapter 5 Aggressive Kiss
Chloe clutched the strap of her handbag tightly. Donovan glanced at her and interrupted, "Do you want?"
Chloe's cheeks flushed instantly. She bit her lip and whispered, "Nothing, I just wanted to check."
Donovan didn't respond, seemingly uninterested in the topic.
The car sped along the highway, heading towards Pearl Peak City.
Chloe discreetly opened her phone. On WhatsApp, Donovan's profile picture was still a plain black square.
She clicked on his contact, which was saved under the name: Mike.
"Mike?" Donovan's voice suddenly broke the silence as he hit the brakes for a red light, his tone amused.
Chloe was startled, nearly dropping her phone.
"Why am I saved as Mike?" Donovan stared at her.
Chloe's heart pounded. "We're in a contract marriage. For confidentiality."
Donovan scoffed. "Confidentiality?"
Chloe avoided his gaze, staring at her fingers instead.
The car pulled into the Blake Villa in Pearl Peak City, a quaint and elegant mansion.
"Grandpa," Donovan called as he walked into the living room, Chloe trailing behind him.
An elderly man sat in a wheelchair, his hair white and face gaunt, but his eyes still sharp.
"Donovan, you're back." Donovan's grandfather smiled upon seeing him. "And this is...?"
"Grandpa, this is Chloe Baker, my wife," Donovan introduced.
Chloe quickly stepped forward with a sweet smile. "Hello, Grandpa."
Kenneth Blake looked surprised, then turned to Chloe. "Well, you seem like a good kid. Donovan, you better treat her well and give me a great-grandson soon."
"I will, Grandpa," Donovan said, taking Chloe's hand.
Chloe felt her palm grow clammy, resisting the urge to pull away.
"How have you been feeling lately, Grandpa?" Donovan asked.
"The same," Kenneth sighed. "I don't know how much longer I have."
Chloe noticed Kenneth's gaze lingering on her. She straightened her posture, trying to appear more presentable.
"Don't say that, Grandpa. You'll live a long, healthy life," Chloe said softly.
Kenneth's smile was warm and kind. During lunch, Chloe sat beside Donovan, carefully minding her behavior to avoid any slip-ups.
"Chloe, have some more," Donovan said, placing a piece of fish in her bowl.
"Thank you, honey," Chloe's voice trembled slightly.
Donovan's gaze was unreadable as he looked at her.
"When did you two meet?" Kenneth suddenly asked.
"We..." Chloe was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Over a year ago. She was still in college, so I didn't bring her to meet you sooner," Donovan interjected smoothly. "Right, Chloe?"
"Yes," Chloe nodded.
"How did you meet?" Kenneth pressed.
Chloe felt like she was suffocating, looking to Donovan for help.
"I met her during a campus interview. She's interning at the company now," Donovan lied effortlessly.
Chloe forced a smile, feeling like a puppet with every move controlled by someone else.
After dinner, Donovan walked with Kenneth in the garden while Chloe was shown to a bedroom to rest.
She lay in bed, unable to sleep, tossing and turning.
Suddenly, the door opened. Donovan walked in, standing over her.
"Have you ever called another man 'honey'?" he asked abruptly.
Chloe froze, then shook her head. "No."
Donovan's eyes darkened as he leaned closer.
"Not even once?" he whispered, his voice almost hypnotic.
Chloe's heart raced. She couldn't meet his gaze. Donovan suddenly grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him.
"Look at me," he commanded.
Chloe was compelled to meet his eyes, which seemed to draw her in like a vortex.
"You're very nervous," Donovan's voice was soft, almost mocking.
Chloe's cheeks burned. She tried to pull away, but he held her firmly.
Donovan's lips crashed down on hers, with a sense of punishment.
Chloe's eyes widened, her body stiffening, unsure how to react.
This was an aggressive kiss, devoid of any tenderness.
Chloe felt as if she was about to suffocate; she pushed and struggled with all her might, but couldn’t budge him an inch.
Finally, Donovan released her, straightening his clothes. "That's your lesson."
"Remember, you're my wife. During our contract, no sex with anyone else, no calling anyone else 'honey,' not even your current boyfriend."
He turned and left, leaving Chloe sitting on the bed, stunned.
Chloe endured the night and returned to her apartment the next evening.
That weekend had changed everything.
She opened her laptop. On the New East Group's internal forum, a post had gone viral.
#New East Group Intern Kept as a Mistress!
The post featured a striking photo of Chloe in an expensive dress, about to get into a black luxury car.
The poster was anonymous, but the tone was scathing.
[Isn't that Chloe Baker from the finance department? She acts so innocent, but she's being kept!]
[No wonder she got into New East Group. She has connections!]
[People aren't always what they seem. You never know someone's true colors!]
The comments were filled with vile accusations.
Monday was the company's annual health check-up day.
The next morning, the bus arrived on schedule.
As soon as Chloe boarded, she felt everyone's eyes on her, hearing the nasty whispers.
Chloe's face turned pale, her fingers trembling. She wanted to explain but didn't know where to start.
"Enough!" Sofia stood up, shouting. "Are you all done? Just because you heard something, you think it's true?"
Sofia sat next to Chloe again, who was immensely grateful.
Sofia showed her another post. "Someone claimed you often take leave because you're involved with the HR VP..."
Chloe took a deep breath. "I have nothing to do with the VP!"
"I knew it. How could you be involved with the VP? If anything, it should be the CEO. Do you like the CEO?" Sofia asked.
Chloe's eyes widened, shaking her head quickly.
Her feelings for Donovan were complicated—gratitude, fear, and something unexplainable.
Just then, a message from the HR VP arrived: [This situation isn't good for the company. I hope you resolve it quickly, or it could affect your full-time evaluation.]
[I understand,] Chloe replied. [I'll handle it.]
Chloe sat in the corner, listening to her colleagues' gossip, feeling a mix of emotions.
When the bus arrived at the hospital, the new employees disembarked.
Chloe and Sofia were the last to get off when the black luxury car from the forum photo pulled up in front of them.
The door opened, and Donovan stepped out.