Chapter One - Ma Clarissa

" you stupid fool!"

" Good-for-nothing!"

" Worthless thing! Do you hate me that much to think you can kill me by serving me this rubbish! Gosh! Unbelievable!"

Those were the words Ma Clarissa and her daughter Michelle hurled at Mello who just stood in shock while trying to comprehend the whole situation.

He couldn't comprehend why his in-laws accused him of plotting against them but chose to keep his thoughts to himself.

" You are so worthless and poverty-stricken that it affected your sense of reasoning, huh?"

" We feed you, clothe you and yet you want to repay us by bringing us this bland dish! Ridiculous!" Ma Clarissa's voice echoed through the room as she banged on the table.

Mello lowered his head and his gaze fell upon the lavish spread laid out dishes before them—a futile attempt to please his unappeasable in-laws. The aroma of the carefully prepared dishes mingled with the dominating tension, creating an atmosphere thick with anticipation and failed expectations.

This wasn't the first time that his mother in-law had treated him with such disdain and knew deep down, sadly, it won't be the last.

His mother in-law rarely visit but whenever she does, she makes it her job to make his life a living hell. He often found himself questioning what he had done to deserve this much hate from his in-laws.

But today, Mello Buster was determined to make her happy no matter what.

When he learnt of her visit, he decided to please her by preparing her favorite dish and drinks, hoping to earn her favor.

He had thought she was coming alone and was surprised when he saw a young man accompanying her when she arrived.

His appearance screamed wealth and class making him feel like a outsider beside him.

He thought he knew all of Lisa's relatives and was surprised not to know him, but quickly shrugged it off his mind.

" Orhhh! Poison!" Michelle exclaimed, spilling the food from her mouth into her plate.

Mello was surprised.

He made sure to taste the food and was sure it was okay.

"Did I do something wrong, mother? Was the food not to your liking?" Mello tried asking.

With that, Ma Clarissa got up from her table and slapped him so hard, he staggered backward and fell to the ground.

The pain coursed through his brain, making tears swell in his eyes.

" He deserve that much mother, for thinking he can serve us this trash he called food" Michelle yelled in contempt.

" You must have planned on embarrassing me in front of my important guest by bringing me this trash? Isn't it? You are so shameful Mello." Ma Clarissa yelled furiously then turned to the young man seated beside her.

" Sorry for the inconvenience, Mr. Andrew. " She said puting up her best smile.

" The house help always seems to forget how to do his job, should we go to Tasty foods. "

The young man smiled and took another spoon" it's okay. I'll manage. " He said while taking another scornful look at Mello enjoying his suffering.

Mello held his cheek in pain as he sat on the floor.

How can his own mother-in-law call him an house help!

It made the tears he had been concealing trail down his face.

" hun-huh, I'm sure he bewitched my sister into marriage because I'm certain Lisa would not have agreed to be with someone as low as him not even in her dreams. " Michelle added furiously, with hands folded.

" What are you doing Mom? "a gentle voice called from behind making everyone turn.

With that , a curvy woman popped out of the other side of the room

She was none other than Lisa Neolstein, the top beauty of Los Angeles.

She wore a tempting long red gown that embraced her curves exposing her perfect body. Her white skin was flawless, and her lips were painted a matching red. Her glossy dark hair fell freely on her shoulders, making it hard for anyone to resist.

Her beauty was undeniable, and everything about her screamed wealth. Even the steps she took felt detailed and alluring.

It almost felt like staring at an angel.

Despite being married to her for about a year, Mello still gulped hard while staring at her.

Andrew was also staring lustfully at her with hungry eyes.

" Here you are, hurry over and speak some sense into this wretched thing! " Ma Clarissa yelled, holding her waist.

Mello stood up, his worries slowly fading as Lisa approached them with a concerned look.

" Mom, what's wrong? He's my husband, for God's sake! Allow him keep his pride, and you have to excuse us Michelle, you are not meant to be here! " Lisa shouted and sat down, her eyes observing the mess on the table while Michelle grumbled off into the Kitchen.

Ma Clarissa laughed out bitterly.

" Haha ha... Don't you ever call this thing your husband again! And that's why I brought a more suitable choice for you " she said pointing to Andrew and the young man smiled.

" You can call me Andrew and also the acting director of Daily X, a subsidiary of Ashley Group. I've really heard a lot about you from your Mom. " Andrew said raising his hand to his chin, showing off his Luis X watch.

It was a limited edition that requires fortune to afford, and there was only just four pieces of it in the entire city.

Lisa raised her eyebrows.

" Mom, I thought I told you not to come. Do you have to do this here? Argh! " Lisa said, resting her palms on her table.

" Ohhhh! Lisa. I'm harmless you know? and it was my Intention to come here not your mom... I just felt like knowing you more. " Andrew chipped in with a forced smile spread over his face.

" Not today, Andrew. I'm really exhausted and I'd like to-

Ma Clarissa chipped in.

" What are you saying Lisa? Do you know how tight his schedule was and how hard it was for him to make time for this meeting. Just look Lisa, he is literally everything you wanted in a man. So don't just think of saying No? "

" Mom, I'm no longer a baby. I can make my choices and stay accountable to them , you can't keep doing this forever, I'm no longer that little baby girl you once knew. "

" Shut up. if you think I'll keep allowing you make those stupid decisions then you are wrong. And stop calling him your husband when your husband is right here. Just look? he's rich, influential and handsome, He's the perfect soul for you, hun."

Andrew chuckled.

" Your Mom flatters me more than I am.. and what if I take you out for uhm let me say... Lunch " he said checking his watch.

" I mean it can be an avenue to know each other more." he added.

Lisa looked at her mom, then at the strange man seated before her.

She knew how hard-headed her mom was and won't stop still she agreed.

She was already exhausted from the previous day's shoot and had decided to rest the day away in her room and now this.

Her gaze shifted to Mello. He just stood watching the whole scene expressionless.

Even though she knew their marriage was a marriage of circumstances, she still felt sad for him.

" Okay, fine. " She said revealing her pretty white teeth and they both chuckled.

Mello blinked his eyes twice to see if it was all a dream, but he wasn't dreaming at all.

The harsh reality was literally screaming at his face.

Out of all his mother in-law ever did, this is the one that shattered him most.

How can Ma Clarissa do this to him?!

He cherished Lisa more than everything he ever had.

He can't afford to lose her.

He turned to Andrew and noticed how hard he was trying to impress her, and every single iota of it irritated him.

He could tell Lisa was getting uncomfortable and it angered him so much that he barged off into the main bedroom.

Lisa noticed and said" Uhmm, Mom, you have to give me a moment to change my clothes into something nice, I'll be back shortly. "with that, she stood up and left for the bedroom.

" Lisa! Don't tell me you already fell for that dummy! " Mello yelled." Or why else will you agree to go out with a jerk like him? " He asked as soon as she stepped into the room.

" Enough, Mello, I don't have strength for this. We'll talk about this later. " Lisa said as she rummaged through her wardrobe.

" Really!" Mello angrily yelled. " I can't have a say anymore as your husband, wow!" Mello was enraged.

Lisa turned to him.

" You call yourself my husband, and yet you still don't trust me enough. Gosh! I'm tired of this! "

" And besides, Have we ever had any relationship that made you think you suddenly can act like my husband."

" And secondly, I was the one that married you Mello! Not the other way round, you knew I only married you for my career profile, to stop men from disturbing me, and you served your purpose which I paid you for! I recall our contract clearly states no sexual affairs will be involved and boundaries are to be respected, but I can clearly see you forgot that."

Mello, who felt his heart crumbling into pieces, could not help but stare at Lisa.

She was right.

Every single word she said was right, and he got carried away by his anger.

She only married him to scare off suitors in public and had never in any way had any form of relationship other than that.

He had tried to make her love him in all ways, so hearing her talk like this really shattered his heart.

Lisa's mother who was hiding behind the door was very happy to hear this and opened the door.

" Andrew is waiting, darling." She sang with a happy voice.

" I'm leaving" Lisa said, grabbing her coat and walked out of the room and her mother followed, not before sneering at him.

As he watched her leave, his guilt enveloped him, he couldn't help but think he had lost her trust.