Ruins Of The Glory

As Verena glared at him, he opened his mouth clearly not knowing what to say. 

Not uttering saying much will keep him in her good books because for now he certainly was getting on her nerves more than anything. 

"Why are you here?" 

Louis hesitated at her question, his gaze shifting around the room as if searching for an answer that evaded words. 

'Should I simply say why I am here?' He thought 

Verena's heart raced as she waited for an answer. Her mind was filled with questions, and she felt a surge of frustration. She tightened her fists, her inner voice urging her to demand an explanation.

But then she realized she was bathrobe right now and felt flustered. 

She quickly went into her room and changed. When she came out, she was wearing her hotel uniform and looked calm, even though she was upset inside. Louis looked at her clothes, his eyebrows slightly furrowed in concern.

"Why are you dressed like that?" he questioned, the query carrying a hint of genuine puzzlement.

"I took a night shift. I was out with you today, remember?" Verena didn't miss a beat; her voice was calm yet obstinate. 

How could he forgot such important time of his life? 

He enjoyed having been on a date. 

Louis's silence was heavy with unspoken meaning. He stared at her intensely, as if trying to see beyond her calm exterior. 

Then, without a word, he walked past her into the room. Verena's heart skipped a beat, her curiosity and nerves swirling together in a mix of emotions.

 He opened the doors of her small wardrobe; his actions were deliberate and measured. Verena watched, a mix of confusion and trepidation building within her. 

"Louis, what are you doing?" Her voice wavered as she questioned his intentions. 

His response came as a matter-of-fact directive, a command that cut through the air, "Pack your things."

Her confusion deepened, the words not quite settling in her mind. She repeated her query, her voice tinged with incredulity, "Pack my things? Why?"

Louis's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze firm and resolute. "You have somewhere to go," he said, his tone commanding and authoritative, leaving no room for questions.

 "Where?" She asked, staring into his eyes a bit confused yet he didn't elaborate. "At least, tell me why do I have to go?" 

Louis's eyes locked onto hers, closing the space between them. He stepped closer, his presence surrounding her. His voice was low and raspy, "Because it's time."

Verena held her breath, she tilted her head back to meet his gaze. He was towered over her by a good ten centimetres. 

Verena's heart raced as his gaze bore into hers, their closeness was making her uncomfortable. 

"Look, we have six days before the ceremony. We should live together so we can get to know each other and pretend to be a couple. We need to make it look real."

"What ceremony?" She asked. What was he saying? She couldn't understand. 

"Our wedding ceremony." 

Verena's eyes widened slightly and for a second she forgot to breathe. She licked her lips, her cheeks turned red. 

She nodded looking somewhere else but him. 

The logic was clear— this was about pretending to be a couple for the public, no matter what their real relationship was.

Pushing past Louis, she moved towards her suitcase's. She began to pack her belongings efficiently, each item meticulously placed as she sorted through her meagre possessions. 

Louis watched her, his gaze shifting from her to the room around them. He had come with a simple purpose—to hand her a book—but now he found himself witnessing the reality of her living conditions.

He was glad he decided to take her with him. 

"I've finished up my packing." Verena's voice broke into silence, interrupting his thoughts. 

He turned to find her standing there and nodded in response. Gently, he took the suitcase from her.

As they walked out of the apartment, Louis passed the suitcase to Joshua, who greeted Verena with a nod before placing the bag in the car's trunk. "Miss Bradbury." 

Verena smiled at him and watched him putting her stuff behind the trunk. 

Louis motioned for Verena to join him, opening the car door for her. 

"Thanks." She slid onto the seat.

Sitting there beside Louis, Verena couldn't help but reflect on the man who sat next to her. 

He had exposed a side of himself that she hadn't expected—a gesture of care and practicality that was at odds with her initial perception. 

She realised that he wasn't all harshness; there was a depth to him that defied easy categorization.

Perhaps their relationship will work out at-least for six months without them fighting. 

 "You have a different personality than I expected." She admitted, and almost regretted opening her mouth. 

His eyebrow quirked up in mild amusement, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips, "Is that so? Care to share what you expected?"

Verena's gaze avoided his gaze and turn to the passing cityscape, "I didn't think you'd be so easy to talk to."

Louis's expression softened. "People are full of surprises. Sometimes it takes the right person to bring them out."

"Maybe,"

Her posture relaxed against the seat, and the silence that followed was comfortable, almost companionable. 

The words kept ringing in her mind 'a person can change a person too' and she closed her eyes. 

Then, Louis's voice cut through the quiet, "What about your job?"

Verena glanced at him, her response was, "I work at the hotel you own." 

Had she been aware of it from the beginning of her job, she wouldn't have gotten involved in that area. But now he's aware of her and was using her own plans to control her. But she didn't mind it at all! 

"And do you want to continue working there?"

She paused before she answering, "I hadn't really thought about it."

Louis's gaze was thoughtful, "Well, now that you're going to be my wife, I can provide you with anything you desire. Would working there be something you'd like to do?"

Verena considered his question; the idea of her working at the same place he owned held a certain appeal. 

She nodded slowly, her voice soft, "Yes, I think so."

Louis's lips curled into a faint smile, his words gentle yet assured, "You don't have to if you don't want to. I can provide you with anything you need. But if it's what you want, I won't object."