Chapter 36 The lingerie trap
Alexander.
"And where the hell are you going? Isn't your bedroom this way?"
I froze mid way, while Dandelion who was also about heading to her guest room, paused as if she had been caught sneaking out past curfew.
We both turned slowly, and behold noona stood at the entrance of the hallway with her arms crossed and annoyance written all over her face.
How long has she been following us?
"Noona," I called her carefully."I didn't know you were right behind us
"Oh really?" Her gaze flicked between the both of us in suspicion. "So why are you both heading to separate rooms huh?"
Dandelion's face went pale. Why the hell is this woman bent on interfering every time and now she even sneakily followed us from the dinning
Then suddenly Noona's expression changed. Her eyes narrowed for a second before they lit up with her sly, smile I had learned to fear.
"Oh," she said, with her voice dripping with mischief. "I see. You want to change into one of those lovely pieces we bought today, don't you? Are you planning to surprise my stubborn grandson?"
I blinked, "What?"
Dandelion stiffened like she had suddenly been electrocuted.
We both stared at Noona in mutual horror. What pieces is she talking about, is dandelion now planning something mischievous with Noona now?
"Uhm, That's.... that's not--" Dandelion's face turned bright red. "I wasn't going to--"
"There's no need to be shy, dear." Noona waved her hand dismissively, already moving toward her. "Come on. I'll help you pick the best one. Men like Alexander need strong persuasion."
Strong persuasion?. What are they talking about.
Dandelion shook her head quickly. "Grandma, I really wasn't--"
"And stop calling me Grandma already." Noona complained in frustration. "I told you to call me Noona. Why haven't you gotten used to it? Don't you know It makes me feel too old," She huffed.
Dandelion shot me a desperate look.
I sighed rubbing my nose bridge in frustration, "Noona what's this about now?, she only wanted to take fresh air before returning to rest"
"Yes Noona," Dandelion shook her head in agreement.
"Tsk, don't think you can trick me, anyways let's go already dear, I'll help you pick the perfect lingerie" Grandma wini said gleefully.
Dandelions eyes widened more like it would pop out of their sockets "Wait, Noona please, it's really not--"
That's when it clicked, The night gowns Noona mentioned at the dining. And her gleeful expression, did she take dandelion to the mall so she could seduce me?
My eyes widened immediately, Panic, genuine panic, crept up my spine.
"Nona, that's really not necessary--" I insisted quickly.
Her gaze snapped to me like a whip crack. "And YOU." She pointed one perfectly manicured finger at my chest. "Don't just stand there like a useless statue. Go prepare yourself. And don't you dare pull that cold, emotionless act with your wife tonight. You will behave like a proper husband."
"....."
She turned back to Dandelion before I could form a single coherent protest, hooking her arm through hers with surprising strength.
"Come along, dear. Let's make sure you're irresistible."
"Noona, I'm really--" But Nona was already dragging her down the hall toward the guest room, moving with the determination of a general leading troops into battle.
Dandelion looked back at me over her shoulder, her eyes screaming for help.
I met her gaze. She looked terrified and silently begging me to intervene.
But I was frozen in a tight spot with frustration, and the creeping realization that I had absolutely no way to stop this train wreck without exposing the entire lie.
I couldn't contradict my grandmother. Not without raising suspicion but I also couldn't let Dandelion go through with this. Not without...
The guest room door slammed shut.
I stood there alone in the hallway, staring at the closed door, my hands clenched into fists.
Damm, This is a disaster.
I pressed the heels of my palms against my eyes and exhaled slowly.
This was supposed to be simple, A contract marriage, a performance with wide boundaries.
But now my grandmother was dressing my fake wife in a lingerie to seduce me.
How did it come to this?
But a rouge part of me, a small, traitorous part buried deep within me, wanted to know what would happen if she walked out of that room wearing whatever Noona picked.
Damn. "Stop it Alex." I cautioned myself running a hand through my head.
I forced myself to turn away, heading back toward my bedroom with sharp, angry strides.
This wasn't happening.
I slammed the door shut behind me and glared at my neatly made bed, I couldn't shake the image of Dandelion wearing something red.
Something that would make it impossible to remember she was just a contract wife. And we weren't supposed to break the rules of the contract.
I scrubbed a hand over my face and sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on my knees with my head in my hands.
"You're losing control Alex," I muttered to myself in frustration.
Because why does the thought of her in a lingerie get me excited.