The room they were given was one of the mansion's luxurious suites. It was spacious and elegant, with warm cream walls, dark wooden floors, and large windows overlooking the Blackwood estate.
A massive king-sized bed sat in the centre of the room, covered with crisp white sheets and several soft black and cream pillows. Two dark wooden nightstands stood on either side, each topped with a modern lamp.
A large sitting area occupied one corner of the room, with a cream sofa, two black armchairs, and a small glass coffee table.
Near the windows stood a long dresser with a large mirror above it, while a set of double doors led into a walk-in closet.
The bathroom was just as luxurious, with marble floors, a large glass shower, a deep bathtub, and a sink.
It was already seven, and Iris was in the room in front of the mirror dressed in a deep burgundy satin midi dress with thin straps and a subtle cowl neckline. The dress hugged her naturally and fell just below her knees, with a small slit at the side that made it easy to move. She paired it with black strappy heels, delicate silver drop earrings, and a few simple silver rings. Her dark-blonde hair was styled in loose waves, and she kept her makeup soft with defined eyes and a glossy nude lip. She finished the look with a small black clutch.
She looked herself in the mirror and put on a smile.
She left the room and went downstairs where her parents, Theo, his parents, and his grandparents were. Everyone was there except Damien.
She took a seat next to Theo. He smiled at her, and she smiled back.
"Sorry, I kept everyone waiting." She said.
"Oh no, you didn't keep us waiting. We were actually waiting for Damien, but I don't think his coming." Eleanor said.
"Oh." Iris said.
"Let me text him to see where he is." Theo said, picking up his phone.
"Anyway.... Iris," Richard called. "You're welcome to our home."
"Thank you." She replied.
"I'd like you to meet my parents, Damien grandparents." He said.
"This is Alexander Blackwood, my father." He said.
"It's nice to meet you, sir." Iris said, smiling.
"It's a pleasure meeting you too." Alexander said.
"And this is Victoria Blackwood, my mother." Richard said.
"It's nice to meet you too, ma'am." Iris said.
Victoria smiled.
"Hm.. i just got a text from Damien, and he said we should start without him that his on his way." Theo said.
"Of course he is." Eleanor said.
"Please let's eat." She smiled.
The maids came in and served everyone, and they ate.
An hour later, the dinner was over, and Damien was yet to still arrive.
It was time for Anthony and Annie to leave.
Iris walked them to the car.
"Oh my gosh... I'm going to miss my baby." Annie sniffed.
"Gonna miss you too, mom." Iris said.
Annie pulled her in for a hug, and Anthony joined them.
They got into the car, and the driver drove them out.
Iris walked back inside and went straight to her room.
She took off her outfit and jewellery and went to the bathroom for a shower. After that, she went to the sink to brush her teeth and to apply her skin care.
She wore blue and white pyjamas and went to bed.
Iris pulled the blanket over herself and settled deeper into the pillows.
For the first time all day, the mansion was quiet.
She closed her eyes.
Maybe tomorrow would be better.
Maybe she could forget about the agreement, the marriage, and Damien for just one night.
She was fast asleep by the time Damien got home.
He quietly entered the suite and headed straight to the bathroom.
After taking a shower, he came back into the room wearing only the bottoms of his pyjamas.
His eyes immediately landed on Iris.
She was completely asleep, curled beneath the blankets.
Damien stood there for a few seconds, silently looking at her.
Then he glanced at the large bed.
He could have taken the other side.
But he didn't.
Instead, Damien picked up a pillow and a spare blanket before walking over to the couch in the sitting area.
He placed the pillow at one end, pulled the blanket over himself, and settled down.
The room fell silent again.
Iris slept peacefully in the bed.
Damien slept on the couch.
Two strangers.
One marriage.
And an agreement that was supposed to last only two years.
The next morning, Iris woke up and glanced at the couch, seeing the blanket and the pillow.
She sighed.
She got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth and take a shower. Afterwards, she applied her skincare products and came out with her bathrobe.
She went into her closet to pick out an outfit for the day, hoping to hang out with Sienna.
She tried out different outfits until she found a white shirt and grey pants, which she wore and paired with black heels and a black hand bag.
Iris stood in front of the mirror and adjusted the sleeves of her white shirt.
She picked up her black handbag and checked her phone.
A message from Sienna was already waiting.
Sienna: Are you still coming?
Iris smiled and quickly typed a reply.
Iris: Yes. I'm leaving soon.
She slipped her phone into her handbag and headed toward the door.
Her hand reached for the handle.
Then she stopped.
She remembered the agreement.
You are required to inform Damien before leaving the Blackwood estate.
Iris sighed.
"Seriously?"
She turned around and glanced at the couch.
Damien was no longer there.
She looked around the room.
"Where did he even go?"
She pulled out her phone and stared at his contact for a few seconds.
She didn't want to call him.
But apparently, she had to.
Iris sighed and pressed his name.
The call rang twice before he answered.
"Hello?"
His voice was calm and slightly tired.
"It's me."
"I know."
Iris rolled her eyes.
"I'm going out."
There was a short pause.
"Where?"
"To meet Sienna."
"Where?"
Iris frowned.
"Why do you need to know everything?"
"Because it's in the agreement."
She sighed.
"Fine. We're meeting at a restaurant for breakfast."
"Which restaurant?"
"Damien—"
"I need the location." he said.
Iris clenched her jaw.
She gave him the name of the restaurant.
"Anything else?" she asked.
"Yes."
"What?"
"You're not driving."
Iris stared at the phone.
"I wasn't planning to."
"Good."
"I can order a ride."
"No. I'll have a driver take you."
Iris groaned.
"Of course."
"I'll have one ready in ten minutes."
"Fine."
She ended the call before he could say anything else.
Iris stared at her phone.
"Unbelievable."
She grabbed her sunglasses from the dresser and walked out of the suite.
She had been married for less than twenty-four hours.
And already, Damien Blackwood was getting on her nerves.
Iris slipped her phone into her handbag and left the suite, making her way downstairs.
As she reached the bottom of the staircase, she spotted Eleanor and Theo sitting together in the living room.
Theo looked up first.
"Well, good morning, Mrs. Blackwood," he said with a grin.
Iris stopped and gave him a look.
"Don't start."
Theo laughed.
"I'm just getting used to it."
Eleanor smiled warmly.
"Good morning, Iris. Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, I did. Thank you."
Theo glanced at her outfit.
"Going somewhere?"
"I'm meeting Sienna."
His smile widened.
"Ah, your best friend."
"Yes."
"When will we meet her?"
Iris raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"I'm curious about the person who apparently knows you better than anyone."
Iris smiled slightly.
"You'll survive without meeting her."
Theo laughed.
Eleanor looked at Iris's handbag.
"Are you leaving already?"
"Yeah. I was actually about to go."
Theo leaned back against the sofa.
"Damien knows?"
Iris paused.
"Unfortunately."
Theo chuckled.
"Let me guess. He told you to take a driver."
Iris stared at him.
"How did you know?"
"Because that's Damien."
Eleanor shook her head with a small smile.
"He's always been overly cautious."
"Overly controlling," Iris corrected.
Theo laughed.
"Same thing, depending on who you ask."
Iris rolled her eyes.
"I'll be back later."
Eleanor nodded.
"Alright, sweetheart. Enjoy yourself."
"Thank you."
Theo stood up.
"Wait. I'll walk you out."
Iris looked at him suspiciously.
"Why?"
"Because I'm a gentleman."
"You're nosy."
"Also true."
Iris laughed and shook her head as they headed toward the front doors together.