MY BILLIONAIRE HUSBAND: A SIX MONTH CONTRACT

CHAPTER 3: DINNER WITH GRANDMOTHER

Elena woke up the next morning to the sound of someone knocking on her door.

"Madam, Madam! Please wake up!" It was Mrs. Johnson.

Elena quickly opened the door. Mrs. Johnson looked worried.

"Madam, Mrs. Rose Knight, Mr. Adrian's grandmother, called. She said she is coming early. She will be here by 11 AM, not 6 PM again. Mr. Adrian has already left for an urgent board meeting, but he said you must be ready before she comes. He said you must act well."

Elena looked at the clock. It was 9:30 AM. She had only one and a half hours.

She quickly took her bath and went to the closet. Which dress should she wear to impress a rich grandmother? She chose a simple but elegant pink knee-length dress. Mrs. Johnson helped her arrange her hair into a neat bun and put light makeup on her face.

"You look like a real princess," Mrs. Johnson said, smiling. "Mrs. Rose will love you. She is a very kind woman, not like Mr. Adrian."

At exactly 11 AM, the sound of a car was heard outside.

A very old woman, about 75 years old, came down from a silver Bentley. She was wearing a beautiful white lace dress, with pearl jewelry. Her hair was white, but her eyes were bright and sharp. She walked with a walking stick, but she looked very strong and elegant.

Elena ran downstairs to welcome her, her heart beating very fast.

"Good morning, Grandma," she said, trying to sound like a loving wife. "Welcome."

Mrs. Rose Knight looked at Elena from head to toe. Then her face broke into a big, warm smile.

"Oh my God! So you are Elena! My grandson's wife! Come here, my child!"

She opened her arms and hugged Elena tightly. Her hug was so warm, so motherly. Elena almost cried. It had been long since someone hugged her like that.

"You are even more beautiful than in the pictures Adrian sent me! And so simple! I love you already!" Mrs. Rose said.

Elena was confused. Pictures? Adrian sent pictures? She didn't even take pictures with him.

Mrs. Rose held Elena's hands and walked inside.

"Where is that cold grandson of mine? Where is Adrian?" she asked, looking around.

"He... he went for a board meeting, Grandma. He will be back soon," Elena said.

"That boy and work! Even on the day his grandmother is coming to see his new wife! Don't worry, when he comes back, I will scold him."

They sat in the living room. Mrs. Rose held Elena's hand and did not let go.

"Tell me, my dear. How did you meet my Adrian? He told me you met at a charity event, but that boy does not know how to tell a love story well. Tell me your side."

Elena remembered the lesson from last night. She took a deep breath.

"Yes, Grandma. We met at the Hope Charity Gala three months ago. I was a volunteer there, sharing food for poor children. He was one of the donors. I mistakenly poured juice on his shirt... I was so scared, but he did not shout at me. He just smiled and said I was clumsy but cute."

Elena was surprised at how well she was lying. She had to, for her mother.

Mrs. Rose laughed loudly. "That sounds exactly like him! He pretends to be cold, but he has a very soft heart. I knew it! I knew the day he would fall in love, he would fall very hard!"

"Yes, Grandma," Elena said, forcing a smile.

"And tell me, do you love my grandson?"

This was the important question. Elena remembered Adrian's instruction: _You must say yes, and you must look at me with love._

But Adrian was not here. She had to answer for herself.

She looked down, acting shy. "Yes, Grandma. I love him. I know he looks cold to the world, but he is very caring. He... he takes care of me and my mother."

Mrs. Rose's eyes filled with tears of joy. "Oh, thank God! I have been praying for this boy for years! Since his parents died in that accident when he was 15, he built a wall around his heart. He thought money was everything. He thought love would betray him. But you... you have broken that wall! I can see it!"

Elena felt guilty. This old woman was so happy, but it was all a lie. It was just a six-month contract.

Just then, the main door opened with force.

Adrian walked in. He was in a perfect black suit, looking handsome but tired and angry. His meeting must not have gone well.

"Grandma," he said, but his voice became soft when he saw his grandmother. He went to hug her.

"My boy! My Adrian! You finally brought a wife home! I thought I would die without seeing your children!" Mrs. Rose said, hitting his chest playfully.

Adrian looked at Elena. He was surprised. She looked very beautiful and calm, not like the crying girl of last night. And his grandmother was already holding her like a daughter.

"So, you met my wife," Adrian said, sitting down. He put his hand around Elena's waist and pulled her closer.

Elena's body became stiff. This was the first time he touched her. His hand was warm and strong.

"Yes! And I love her! More than I love you!" Mrs. Rose said. "Adrian, you must take care of this girl. She is not like those useless models you used to follow. She is a good girl. If you hurt her, I will remove your name from my own will!"

"I will take care of her, Grandma. I promise," Adrian said, looking into Elena's eyes.

For a moment, Elena forgot it was acting. His blue eyes were looking into hers with so much intensity, she had to look away.

Mrs. Johnson announced that lunch was ready. The three of them went to the dining room.

During lunch, Mrs. Rose kept talking and asking Elena about her family, her school, her mother. Elena told her everything, except the contract part.

"Your mother is in the hospital? Oh, my poor child! Why didn't you tell me? I know the best doctors in New York. I will make sure she gets the best private room. Don't worry about money," Mrs. Rose said, with real concern.

Elena's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, Grandma."

Adrian watched Elena. He saw how sincere she was, how much she loved her mother. She was not a gold-digger like Victoria. She was different.

After lunch, Mrs. Rose said she wanted to rest a little before going back to her own house. Mrs. Johnson took her to the guest room downstairs.

As soon as Mrs. Rose left the dining room, Adrian's face changed back to cold.

"You did well today," he said to Elena.

"Thank you," Elena said quietly, moving away from him. His hand was still on her waist.

"But next time, don't add your own story. You said I smiled at you when you poured juice on me. I never smile."

"Your grandmother liked that story," Elena said boldly. For the first time, she talked back to him.

Adrian looked at her, surprised, then a small smile came to his lips. A real smile this time, not a cold one.

"You are learning to be Mrs. Knight very fast."

Before Elena could reply, the main door bell rang loudly.

Mrs. Johnson went to open it.

A tall, very beautiful woman with long blonde hair, wearing a tight red dress and high heels, walked in as if she owned the mansion. She had expensive sunglasses and a designer bag.

She saw Adrian and smiled.

"Hi, baby. I'm back."

Adrian stood up immediately, his face turning hard like stone.

"Victoria. What are you doing here?"

Elena stood up too, confused. So this was Victoria - the woman who called last night.

Victoria looked at Elena from head to toe, with jealousy and disgust.

"Oh. So this is the little poor waitress you married for Grandfather's will? Adrian, you have really fallen low," she said with a wicked laugh.

Elena felt her heart sink.