We arrive at home, and I feel a knot in my stomach, partly from nerves. It's ridiculous because they should be the ones feeling nervous about my presence. They are the ones who forced me to marry someone I don't know, all for their damn company. If I were a bad daughter, I would forget everything and refuse the agreement, but it wouldn't be fair for me to give up my studies for this. Besides, I have Mason's support.

The door is opened by the housekeeper, as my mother is incapable of doing anything in the household.

She greets me with a smile on her face, and upon seeing Mason, she blushes. Well, anyone would upon seeing such a handsome man.

"Good afternoon. The adults are in the dining room," she informs us.

We both enter the house, Mason still holding my hand, and honestly, I don't mind at all. As I see my parents calmly eating, I become even more annoyed than I already was. How is it possible that they aren't even a little concerned about me? They only care about money. I think I was blind not to realize that, despite my father's displays of affection, I never surpassed the company in importance. It has always been the most important thing to him, and for my mother, there isn't even a need to ask the question. The answer is obvious.

They greet us when they see us arrive. My mother's face lights up at the sight of me next to Mason, and I roll my eyes at this fact.

"Mason, my dear, it's so good to see you again. Would you like to eat with us?" my mother says, forgetting that I'm right here.

"Thank you, but I've already eaten. We came for clothes for Paige. We have a meeting, and I want her to stay with me for a few days, so we can get to know each other better. Would that be alright with you?" Mason responds politely.

"Oh, of course. I'll go and make sure that Paige has the necessary clothes for each outing and meeting you have. You should make a good impression with your partners and friends, considering the fiancée you have," my mother replies, smiling and taking hold of my arm.

I quickly pull my arm away from her grip, which earns me an annoyed look.

"I can handle it on my own, Mother. I won't take long," I say, looking at Mason.

I turn around and head straight to my room to gather a few outfits for the days I'll be away from my beloved parents, note the sarcasm. With my clothes ready, I come back downstairs with a small suitcase.

I find my father alone with Mason. I don't even bother asking about my mother. I look at Mason and say, "I'm ready," smiling as he gets up to fetch my suitcase.

"It was a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Harper," Mason says with a smile.

"Just William, soon we'll be family, no need for formality," my father replies, smiling.

They shake hands, and my father approaches me. I give him a brief hug, less than 5 seconds, and then step back. I see the hurt on my father's face due to my cold gesture, but I won't change my attitude for his sake. He has no idea about the pain I'm feeling having to marry Mason.

We make our way to the exit, but my mother stops us at the door. I sigh, not looking forward to seeing her again. I have no desire to be in this house right now.

"Darling, aren't you going to say goodbye?" she says, placing a hand over.

"I thought you were busy, Mother," she replied without turning. "Never for my princess," she says, the hypocrite.

After all these years, I don't think I ever truly knew my mother. She has never called me that, except in public to portray herself as a loving mother in front of others.

"It's actually my fault. We're in a bit of a hurry, which is why Paige insisted on leaving right away. I apologize for that," my fiancé says.

Note to self: Thank Mason for saying that to my mother.

My mother's expression immediately changes to a smile as she approaches him and says,

"Dear, don't worry. I understand. I hope you two get to know each other well, and who knows, maybe.

you'll fall in love down the road," she comments, laughing.

"Yeah, whatever you say, Mother," I mutter, but Mason hears what I say.

He takes my hand and bids farewell to my mother, and we leave that house that was my home for so many years, now feeling nothing but an empty and fake house.

We get into his car and head towards the hotel where we're staying. I remain silent as I think about everything and what lies ahead. It's something I can't help but think about, considering that in a few weeks, I'll start living with Mason and I know nothing about him. I only know that he has the same idea as me “just friends” and after three years, we go our separate ways.

"Thank you for saving me from my mother," I break the silence.

"Don't think it was free, huh? Later, you'll have to save me from mine, who still sees me as a baby," he scoffs and rolls his eyes.

"I'd like to see that," I say without thinking.

"You will, believe me, and you'll enjoy it," he replies. After those words, his phone rings, and he answers on speakerphone.

"Hello," he says in a neutral voice.

"Is that how you greet your mother?" an annoyed woman says.

"Mother, to what do I owe the honor of your call?" Mason answers, rolling his eyes.

"When are you going to bring your fiancée home? You know I wasn't feeling well last night and couldn't attend. It's been too many hours of waiting, and you don't even feel like coming," she says angrily.

"Mother, I have a work meeting today, so I won't be able to..." his mother interrupts him and doesn't let him finish.

"Oh no, of course not. This evening is the deadline for you to come, no matter what time your meeting ends. I won't accept any excuses. Whether you're 26 or 50 years old, it won't prevent you from listening to me. Remember, I'm your mother," she exclaims, very upset.

I'm holding back my laughter, so she won't hear me. I look at Mason, and he's blushing. It's the first time I've seen him like this. I think I adore his mother, even though I don't know her.

"I'll talk to her, Mom," he says through clenched teeth.

"Very well, then," she says in a sweet voice. "I know she's with you, so don't hang up. I'll wait for your answer." When I hear her, I widen my eyes and stop laughing.

"Of course, we can come, ma'am..." I leave the sentence hanging because I don't know her name.

"Mason! How is it possible that you haven't even told her the name of your mother who loves and adores you with all her heart? You have no idea how much it hurts me to know this," she says, sounding hurt.

"Mom, don't get like this. We're just getting to know each other," Mason justifies himself.

"My name is Emily White, just call me Emily. I apologize for how I spoke to my inconsiderate son. I didn't know you were listening to the conversation," she comments apologetically.

"Don't worry, then we'll see you tonight, Emily," I say, smiling.

"Dear, I'll be eagerly waiting. You have no idea the things I have to tell you about Mason, all accompanied by childhood photos, of course," she says excitedly.

"Mom, don't do that. You'll make me not want to be with her," my blushing fiancé says.

The call ends, and I'm laughing, while he's annoyed and embarrassed.

"Mason, my mother is quite special, as you could tell," he says, blushing.

"I love it. I'm excited to see those photographs," I say, winking.

I'm surprised at how well I get along with Mason. I'm not usually one to make jokes and laugh with just anyone, but I feel like we have a lot in common in terms of personality, and that will help us a lot in navigating our "marriage."

Upon arriving at the hotel, I take a bath, then do my makeup, dry my hair, and get dressed. When I'm ready, I step out and find Mason dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. He looks really good. I think he could give me a run for my money in terms of legs and rear.

I don't realize I'm staring at him until he puts his hand on my chin and wipes as if I were drooling over him.

"Be careful not to trip over your own puddle later. Your expression is flattering," he says, laughing.

"That's not true. I was just thinking about other things, not looking at you. Don't flatter yourself," I reply, grabbing my purse to leave.

As we're on our way, I have to endure Mason's jokes about my gaze when I look at him. I stay silent and try to contain myself, but when I feel like I'm about to burst from all the things he's saying, I look at him seriously and say,

"Go ahead, keep it up. When we're with your mother, I won't stop asking for photographs of you." I smile, and he stops laughing, looking slightly scared.

"I was just kidding. You don't have to be like that," he says apologetically.

"I think I'll get along well with your mother," I say, expressing my doubt.

"Well, yes, I think you two will get along," he says resignedly.

"Does she know that this is all a contract?" I ask him because that thought has been lingering in my mind while I was getting ready.

"She knows. She beat 6 my father about it, but she says she'll be the only woman I'll ever know as my wife. She says no one would willingly put up with me by their side. You can't complain about your mother knowing that mine says no one will want me by their side," he explains, and I begin to understand his approach as if everything were real.

"I understand, so with her, it will be as if our relationship is real. I mean, she knows it's a lie, but she'll treat me as your actual partner," I say, analyzing everything.

"That's right. I hope you have patience with her. She's very loving," he says in a low voice.

If he only knew that mine is the complete opposite, as cold as possible. I think Emily will be the mother I never had, at least for these three years.

Without realizing it, we arrive at the meeting location. We get out of the car and find ourselves in a very elegant house. We are greeted by a gentleman who tells us that they're expecting us in the living room. As we enter, I see a young couple. I had imagined they would be around 50 years old, but they're not older than 39 each.

We are introduced, and I'm surprised to see that they are not just business partners but also friends.

"Paige, let me introduce you to my best friend and business partner, Ethan, and his wife, Sarah," Mason says.

"Hello, Paige. It's a pleasure to meet the woman who managed to tie the knot with my friend," Ethan says.

"The pleasure is mine," I nervously reply.

"Will you join me? I'm so happy to finally have someone to talk to during business discussions. I was bored being alone," Sarah says to me.

"Of course," I say, looking at her.

We walk ahead, and before I can take two steps, Mason puts his hand on my waist and whispers in my ear, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you he's my best friend. This meeting is business-related," he clarifies, kissing the corner of my lips.

I'm frozen by his gesture until I realize that his friends don't know about our arrangement, well, that no one is supposed to know except us.

I smile and go with Sarah.

We head to the garden where there is a beautifully set table. We sit down, and I mentally prepare myself for the questions I'm sure Sarah will ask.

"I won't ask you anything. On the contrary, I want to get to know you as a woman, not just as Mason's girlfriend. However, I'll tell you about myself to build trust between us," she says, smiling. "Would you like some?" She points to a pitcher with what I assume is an alcoholic drink.

"Sure," I say as she pours me a glass, and it tastes delicious.

She tells me about herself, how she has been married to Ethan for only four years. She's 32 years old, and he's 35. They knew each other long before that; they were friends before becoming a couple, and they have known Mason from many years ago.