She opened the door a little and peeked. She saw the two guards Cedric had assigned to her hitting someone.

"Wait!" She hurriedly stopped them and got a good look at the victim.

It was Kevin.

"We found him lurking around this place and he could not identify himself"

"Leave him. I know him. I'll handle this" Kevin was on the floor, his hands on his chest. There was blood on the side of his lips. There was a faint bruise on his cheek.

She dragging Kevin up and pulled him inside. She realized he was drunk.

He fell on the couch the moment she let go of him.

"How did you know this place?"

He threw his head back. "Can't you guess it already? I followed you" his words were slurred and sluggish.

She heaved in anger.

"Why?"

"Is there any reason I can't know your apartment?" He threw his head back. "Can I sleep here?"

"No, you cannot"

"Come on. I'm certain you have plenty of rooms here"

"I'll get you a cab" she picked up her phone.

"I saved you. Think of this as a thank-you. I don't want to see that old man" he said, lying on the couch.

His voice became increasingly low till she could not hear what he was saying then he fell asleep. She rolled her eyes and kicked him, but he didn't move.

Tried to move him to the guest room, but he was too heavy so she just left him on his couch.

Kevin squirmed in his sleep, his brows furrowed in annoyance due to the constant knock on the door disturbing his sleep.

"Someone get that door" he said, still half asleep. When no one answered, he angrily went to the door and opened it.

"Who are you, and how may I help you?"

Cedric's eyes narrowed in confusion. Kevin's hair was ruffled, but he didn't want to get any ideas.

"What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking that. This is my house"

Cedric was sure he wasn't in the wrong house.

Kevin looked around and realized Cedric was right. He turned to see Cressida approaching.

"Cedric? What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you. My men told me an unknown guy came here yesterday"

"Your men report to you about everything that goes on here?"

"They were trying to protect you"

Kevin looked back and forth between them.

"How did I get here?"

"You were drunk and wanted to sleep here"

"And you agreed?" He made his unbelief obvious.

"You emotionally blackmailed me"

"You are not the type to be forced to do what you don't want to" he mumbled, but she heard him.

The memories of last night finally came back to him. He hissed when he touched the wound on his face.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?"

She opened the door wider and went back into the house.

Cedric noticed that ring and just like he had guessed, it looked good on her.

Kevin noticed too.

"What is that on your finger?"

"What does it look like?" She wasn't ready to hide it from him. It was only a matter of time before her family found out.

"A wedding ring?"

She nodded.

"When did you get married, and who is this man? Don't tell me....."

"You are right. This is my husband, Cedric"

Cedric secretly smiled. The word husband sounded so good coming from her.

"Cedric, meet my...... brother, Kevin"

"I have a brother-in-law?"

"Yes, now be on your way and get your face treated"

"Thanks for your concern"

She rolled her eyes and waited until he had left before turning to him.

"Can you now tell me the real reason you are here?"

"I was hoping you would move in with me today" Cedric said.

"I don't wish to rush things"

He dipped his hand in his pocket.

"Well, I already called the moving company, and they are on their way"

The doorbell rang. "I guess they are here already"

"You did what?" She exclaimed. "Without my consent?"

"I thought it was only right"

The doorbell rang again, and it only fuelled her anger.

"What makes you think I want to move in with you?"

"We are married" he reminded her

"This marriage is a sham! Is that hard to grasp?" she screamed in his face. She had always had a bad temper and what he did was not helping. "You can assume I will move in with you without discussing it with me"

"But they are already here"

"I'll just tell them to leave" she started walking towards the door.

"I'm doing this because of your safety. That was why you agreed to marry me in the first place. For protection, wasn't it?" She paused and turned to him, crossing her arms over her chest.

"The person who attacked you knows you live here and will surely come again. But what if he doesn't come alone and outnumbers my men? Trust me, my place is safe"

She pursed her lips went back to the door and let them in.

He sighed in relief. He didn't think she was going to give in that easily. She sure was stubborn.

She watched as her things were moved into the truck. Cedric appeared beside her.

"I shouldn't have yelled at you like that, I'm sorry"

"I understand you were not ready to move in, but you have to"

She nodded. She didn't know who she was up against, so she had to stay safe.

"You are wearing your ring" he pointed out.

"You were right. We need to maintain appearance" she sounded detached.

"It looks beautiful on you"

She ignored him and warned one of the movers to be careful with her belongings.

They were done packing. Cedric drove, the moving truck right behind them.

She was finally able to step into his villa, and she had to admit, it was the real definition of magnificence.

It exuded luxury and elegance. The grand foyer was extremely spacious. The spiral staircase stretched upward, and she could not see the end of it.

The majestic crystal chandelier above cast a bright glow on the shiny marble floor.

The walls were decorated with priceless artworks. She was an artist so she knew their worth.

"It's..... stunning" the words were out before she could stop herself.

Cedric smiled, pleased with himself.

"I'll show you around"

He took her to a room. A drawing room.

"This place is exclusively yours. You can draw or paint whatever you want here"

She could not hide her surprise. The room had a serene feel. The floor-to-ceiling windows gave her a breathtaking view of the beautiful garden. The gentle cream-colored walls provided the perfect setting for her art. There was a plush chair in the middle of the room.

The shelves and cabinets were filled with high-quality art materials.

Canvases, brush, paints, and palette.

An easel stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows.

These things were enough to ignite one's creativity.

"Do you like it?"

She nodded. "Thank you"

"I'm glad you do"

He showed her a few other places until they arrived at the master bedroom.

"This will be our room from now on"

She frowned.

"We will share the same room"

"Is something wrong with that?"

"I'm sorry, I can't"

He remained silent for a while.

"I will have the servants prepare another room for you"

His phone rang. She could feel his countenance change when he saw who it was.

"What is it? ........ Missing? What do you mean she has gone missing? I told you to watch her carefully" she yelled at someone over the phone. He angrily ended the call and walked up to her.

"Something urgent came up. Make yourself at home. I'll be back soon"

She nodded, and he literally ran out, looking anxious.