Mei Ting sat on the bed; she had changed her nightwear immediately after she stepped into the room.
She now wore a bra and lingerie. She knew this was the first night of the marriage. Though she didn't have vast knowledge about the marital law that operated in City X, she knew that a marriage had to be consummated to be legal. So, she has decided to give herself to Luo Chen.
She didn't love him yet. But she knew she would never leave him.
She reflected on the way he had treated her since she met him. He was a true gentleman.
Pulling the duvet over her body, she wrapped herself securely.
She looked out of the window.
"This is my life now. And before I think of a way to make Li Weiyoung pay for all that she has done to me, I have to get used to this life." She assured herself.
Not long after, the door opened. She swallowed, and her heartbeat accelerated as she watched Luo Chen step into the room.
However, the thought of him sleeping with her didn't make her skin crawl as she had thought. Instead, she was worried he may not be satisfied with her.
She didn't have experience in this. What if she couldn't meet his needs completely?
"Mei Ting," Luo Chen tapped her.
She didn't realise that he was already in bed with her.
"Mr. Luo," she turned her attention to him.
"Why are you wrapped up and sitting here? You didn't have to wait up for me." Luo Chen wasn't one of those men who imposed anything and everything on their wives. If she feels sleepy, he has no problems with her sleeping first.
Mei Ting sucked in a deep breath. Honestly, she was slightly worried that he could hear her heart as it pummeled against her chest.
Why wasn't he doing anything? Why isn't he reaching out to her, doesn't he want to consume their marriage?
"I… I," she didn't know what to say.
She bites the inside of her lips.
Since she couldn't ask him, she decided to take the initiative. She dropped the duvet, and shut her eyes, expecting him to begin touching her.
However, the duvet wrapped around her immediately.
Surprised, Mei Ting's eyes flung open, "why did you…?" She paused, blinking rapidly, "Do you not want me? I know this may be an accidental marriage. But then, I realise that I have to fulfil my duty as your wife, especially on the first night of marriage."
Mei Ting's voice was low. He has been so good to her that she didn't want to infuriate him.
Luo Chen brushed the loose strands of hair off her face.
The light may be dim, but it was enough to lighten her facial features.
How could any man not want her? Her body was attractive just as her face was. Though he didn't get enough looks, he had seen enough to know that she could easily make any man go crazy with her body.
He took her hand in his, and for the first time, Mei Ting noticed the mole underneath one of his eyes. How did she not notice it all this while?
He sat close to her, holding her eyes. When she couldn't hold his gaze anymore, she focused on his breath.
Seeing that he was taking so much time to speak, she spoke, "We have to consummate our marriage to make it fully legal." She said without lifting her head.
Luo Chen finally understood all of this.
Damn the laws, this woman was already his wife and he'd be damned if he allowed himself to be rushed into being intimate with her because of mere law.
He lifted her chin with one finger.
"I don't care about the law." Besides, he knew that she was in no mental state to be intimate right now.
"It's not that I don't want you, I very much do, but I want your heart first and I know you want the same." He paused to study her face.
Her eyes were slightly red, they held so much emotion.
"I want us to love each other, I believe sex should come after love. So when I make love to you, it won't be with your body alone, but with your heart and soul." He spoke in a soft voice.
To Luo Chen, the woman before him was a delicate flower and he wanted to treat her with utmost care.
Mei Ting felt her chest grow warm. Her eyes became blurred.
"Is that fine with you?" He wanted to know what she thought, too.
She bobbed her head up and down. She found it hard to believe that there was such a man like him out there.
How lucky she was to be the one with him. He could have accidentally married anyone, but he was with her.
'Losing something or someone met making room for something or someone better'. Now she firmly believes that this statement was true.
Luo Chen wrapped his hand around; he didn't want her holding herself back anymore, "You can cry if you want; I won't stop you." She held his shirt and wept, smearing it with tears.
The day has been a long one for her.
She has lost the woman she knew was her mother for over fifteen years. She had the best relationship with her.
Then Yang Zichen broke up with her, she was abandoned by him, the man she had once loved.
As if the day wasn't bad enough, she was thrown into prison over a crime she never committed. Then, Li Weiyoung visited her and confessed to being the one behind all that had happened to her since she was brought into the Li family house.
With all this in mind, Luo Chen didn't stop her from crying. He didn't say a word, he just held her and allowed her to cry.
After she was done crying, Luo Chen handed her a handkerchief. She wiped her face with it.
"Are you okay now?" He asked, his voice drenched with concern.
"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Luo."
Luo Chen stood and walked to the closet; he picked a nightwear for her and handed it to her.
Mei Ting was not comfortable changing in front of him, so she accepted the shirt and walked into the closet which could also serve as a dressing room and changed there.
By the time she came back, Luo Chen had arranged the bed, spreading the once crumble sheet over it properly.
He was seated at one edge of the bed.
She climbed on the bed. She felt weak and all she wanted to do was sleep.
"There's a gathering tomorrow. Li Weiyoung is hosting it in the Li family Hotel. She wants to read Madam Li's will."
"Oh…" Although Mei Ting felt it was a bit too early, Madam Li just died, but she knew her opinion didn't matter.
"She invited quite a lot of people." Luo Chen changed position, joining her on the bed.
"The media and a few big businessmen have been invited. I heard it will be broadcast live."
"She will finally get what she wants." Mei Ting said. Turning to look at Luo Chen she asked, "Were you invited?"
As if sensing her gaze, he turned, supporting his head with one hand. He stared at her as he spoke, "Yes. But I have a business to attend to. You can go in my stead, I'll join you there."
"I don't know…" she wasn't sure about going. "Li Weiyoung will likely make sure I'm not granted entrance into the venue."
"I have an invitation, she won't want to cause a scene. Besides, she plans to host a family-only funeral for Madam Li, so this may be your last chance to pay your respect to her."
Mei Ting adjusted, now facing the ceiling.
"Thank you." She could tell he was doing this for her.
"No thanks between us."
She said nothing for a long time. Luo Chen watched as her chest heaved up and down as she entered into the arms of sleep.
The next day, Luo Chen left early, but not without leaving a note for her.
"Hope you had a good night's rest? I'll join you before you know it. A maid would assist you in dressing up if you need any help. There's a car outside waiting for you. Call me immediately if anything comes up. Don't miss me too much Mrs. Luo."
Mei Ting smiled at the last sentence.
Her cheeks warmed up.
Mrs. Luo. That was her new name. There was a cup of coffee at the side of her bed. A small note was attached to it, "I hope it doesn't get cold by the time you're up." And it did get cold but Mei Ting didn't want to waste his effort and drank it anyway.
Although she didn't need the help of a maid to get dressed, a maid asked for one.
True to Luo Chen's words a black Ferrari 296 GTB was waiting for her outside.
This was a new woman. This was her new life. The day she married Luo Chen, the old Mei Ting died.