When they arrived in Pearl Peak City, it was four o'clock in the afternoon.
Before getting out of the car, Donovan said to Chloe, "You should change how you address me."
"Huh? What?" Chloe did not understand.
"No more 'Mr. Blake'."
Chloe reflected for a moment and, without any awkwardness, said, "Alright, baby."
Chloe's quick response and the ease with which she said "baby" took Donovan by surprise. He figured she must use that term often with her boyfriend, considering how open-minded today's girls are. Thinking this, Donovan felt an inexplicable discomfort.
But Chloe knew well that since he had given her so much money, she naturally had to play her part convincingly. She wasn't the kind of person who only worked when pushed by a boss. She was well aware of what the situation called for.
Upon arriving at Samuel's home, Chloe became instantly solemn, knowing she was there to comfort an old man with a serious illness. She feared that any careless move might upset Samuel.
She reminded herself to be constantly on guard.
Donovan's uncle Samuel was formerly a law professor at Pearl Peak University, highly esteemed in the legal community, and had even been a regular television guest discussing legal disputes in marriage.
"No wonder Donovan said before that Samuel would spot a fake marriage certificate. How could such an intellectual fail to recognize a forgery?"
Donovan's grandmother had passed away the previous year, and this year, Samuel had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Donovan had grown up living with his grandmother and Samuel, so their bond was very strong.
Samuel wanted to see Donovan settle down happily before he could pass away in peace.
Samuel's kind eyes surveyed Chloe. "How old is Chloe?" he asked.
"Twenty-three," said Donovan.
Chloe was momentarily startled, wondering, "How does Donovan know her age?"
But then she remembered that before they registered, he had glanced at her driver's license. That one look was enough for an appropriate and natural response to Samuel.
"She's quite a bit younger than you," Samuel then said to Donovan, "by eight years?"
"That's right," Donovan smiled, with a softness in his voice that Chloe rarely heard from him.
"She's so much younger than you. You have to treat her well," Samuel said, smiling even more kindly.
"Okay," Donovan and Chloe both sat on the couch, reaching out and casually taking Chloe's hand, pressing his lips to it in a quick, natural motion.
A current seemed to race through Chloe's body at the touch, sending a tingling sensation all over. She wanted to pull her hand back, but she was afraid of giving away their act, so she let Donovan hold it, her palm starting to sweat.
"Chloe's an intern. She doesn't want people at work knowing she's married to avoid gossip. But," Donovan's tone shifted, carrying a hint of ambiguity as he glanced sideways at Chloe. His eyes seemed to tease and mock as he looked at her, "recently, the timing seemed right to bring her over to meet you."
Unmistakably, by "timing seemed right," Donovan meant they had slept together.
"It's unfortunate timing for your visit. I didn't know you were coming, and the housekeeper took another job, so there's no one to make dinner. Let's go out to eat," Samuel suggested, his mind suddenly drifting to a different thought, "If Ava were still here, she'd make you her spaghetti. You always loved it since you were a kid."
Samuel's eyes reddened before he could finish his sentence.
Samuel, an intellectual, had lived with Ava without domestic help, and after her passing, Donovan had been trying to find a live-in housekeeper and a few caregivers for him.
Samuel lived alone now, with only the occasional help from a part-time housekeeper for cooking.
"I can make spaghetti, if you don't mind. I do it for Donovan all the time, right?" Chloe stood up, offering in a manner both natural and appropriate.
She volunteered partly because she was moved by the story of Samuel and Ava and partly for the money—after all, she vividly remembered the agreement stating a handsome fee for a single home-cooked meal.
Plus, given the convincing love act she and Donovan were putting on, Samuel would undoubtedly be delighted.
Donovan sat casually on the couch, legs crossed, hand on his chin. He hadn't expected Chloe to be so proactive, wondering if she was seizing the moment to make their ruse a reality, or if she was just that talented at acting—she was outperforming even professional actors.
"Yes, Samuel. Let her do it," Donovan said, a smile pulling at the corner of his lips.
Then, Donovan's gaze lingered on Chloe with profound meaning as she, looking a bit guilty, made her way to the kitchen.