The Kiss that Sparked it All

As Regina stood outside her office building, pondering how she would make her way to Nolan’s place, a sleek black sports car screeched to a halt in front of her.

She didn’t recognize the car and shifted to the side to give it space, but to her surprise, the car inched closer too.

Feeling frustrated-and already in a sour mood from the past few days-she was not in the mood for someone blocked her at the office entrance. She marched up to the driver’s side and rapped on the window.

“Excuse me, sir, you can’t park here,” she said.

But before she could finish her sentence, she was met with Nolan’s icy stare.

Regina’s words caught in her throat, “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize it was you. I’ve never seen this car before; I thought someone was just messing with me.”

Nolan’s eyebrows knitted together in impatience, “Now that you know it’s me, are you planning to get in, or do you want to stand there and make a spectacle of yourself?”

Only then did Regina glance over her shoulder and notice the luxury car was already drawing attention at the office entrance. Her little scene had sparked a flurry of whispers among a few colleagues.

Making yet another blunder in front of him, Regina quickly got into the car, clutching the seat belt as they sat in an awkward silence.

She didn’t know what to say to ease the tension, even though they were a newly wedded couple, at least on paper. But right now, they felt colder than when they were mere acquaintances.

“Um-”

“Later when we-‘

They both started to speak simultaneously, and Regina hurriedly deferred, “Please, you go first.”

After a brief pause, Nolan continued, “When we get home, I expect you to play the part of a wife. I also want you to treat my family with respect as if they were your own.’

“What do you mean by that?” Regina was puzzled. Surely Nolan’s family knew about their arrangement? Wouldn’t it be more objectionable for her to keep up a facade in front of them?

“I told them I agreed to this marriage because of my feelings for you. They believe we’re in love, which means this whole marriage pressure is only related to your father and not you. Even if it’s a pretense, I just want to keep my family at ease. Do you understand?”

I understand, and I can do it. Rest assured, I’ll treat those elders with all the respect of my own. Consider it the least I can do to make up for all this,” Regina said softly, aware of her debt to Nolan. After a long pause, she finally mustered the courage to ask, “Did my father borrow a large sum of money from your family?”

Nolan let out a scoff at her question, and Regina’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. She phrased it as ‘borrow’? It was an action of feigning innocence, he thought.

“What? Do you plan to pay him back yourself?” he asked. This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

Regina nodded so earnestly, “I know this marriage wasn’t your choice, and your family isn’t obligated to support the Tanner Group. So, consider the debt noted as mine. I’m thinking about finding a new job or maybe even trying my hand in show business. You know, actresses can make a killing.”