The Billionaire's Perfect Match

Chapter 3:

“I...” Ricard’s lips moved, but he said nothing more. His eyes behind the golden-framed glasses flashed with an unfathomable depth as he stared at Emily’s back for a few seconds before turning and heading towards the study.

For three years, Emily had rented a room and lived alone, so she had become quite good at daily cooking. Quickly, she had prepared two dishes and a soup and brought them to the table.

“Ricard, dinner is ready,” Emily called out as she carefully knocked on the study door. When there was no response, she nuzzled the door open.

Ricard was on the phone in the study, and she heard him say, “Handle these matters as you see fit; there’s no need to report everything to me.” He hung up the phone, and when their eyes met, he asked calmly, “What’s the matter?”

“Dinner is ready,” Emily repeated, smiling but avoiding his direct gaze.

“I’ll be right out.” His tone was indifferent, as usual. The two of them sat across from each other, eating seriously, neither breaking the silence, making the atmosphere quite stifling. Several times, Emily opened her mouth, trying to find a topic to discuss, but Ricard’s haughty demeanor made her swallow her words.

After dinner, Ricard volunteered to do the dishes, and Emily did not refuse. If he wanted to share the household chores, why not let him?

From Ricard’s clumsy actions, it was clear he had never done such tasks before. As CEO of a large company, why would he ever need to wash dishes?

Crash...

Hearing something breaking in the kitchen, Emily immediately stood up and walked over. What she saw was Ricard holding a bowl, staring blankly at the broken ceramic pieces on the floor.

“Let me do it,” Emily said, stepping forward to take the bowl from Ricard’s hand.

“No, I’ve got it,” Ricard said, brushing her hand away, his tone unchanged.

“Ricard, actually...” Emily met his determined gaze and couldn’t continue, so she simply nodded and stepped out of the kitchen to let him continue. Although they were legally married, Ricard still felt like a stranger to her.

She wanted to understand him, to know everything about him, and to try her best to be a good wife. But given his imposing status, could she really maintain her initial intent to get close to him when they first married?

Emily sat in the living room, turned on the TV, and randomly selected a news channel. As she watched, she occasionally glanced toward the kitchen. Through the glass, she could see Ricard seriously washing the dishes. She sighed inwardly; even washing dishes. He exuded an air of nobility.

Maybe her gaze was too intense because Ricard twisted his head. Their eyes met, and Emily saw a hint of coldness in his eyes, followed by a polite but unassailable smile.

Caught staring, Emily’s face turned red. She responded with a weak smile and then shifted her gaze back to the TV, but her mind was filled with images of Ricard.

This man showed decisiveness at work, and dignity while washing dishes. When would she ever see him look less composed?

After cleaning up the kitchen, Ricard returned to find Emily lost in thought. He stared at her delicate face for a few seconds before speaking: “Emily.”

“Huh...” Ricard’s attractive voice calling her name felt strangely pleasant, and her face warmed up.

Ricard sat opposite on the sofa, stating, “I need to clarify some things.”

“Yes,” Emily replied. She also wanted to talk to him and clear things up.

Ricard’s deep eyes swept over Emily from head to toe before he slowly said, “Emily, today at the company...”

“Keeping personal and professional lives separate, I understand. I also don’t want our personal relationship to cause any gossip at work,” Emily interrupted him. She had worked hard for three years to achieve her current position, and she didn’t want any changes because of Ricard.

Ricard’s expression remained calm, but his eyes behind the golden frames flashed a barely noticeable light: “Regarding my identity as the CEO of William Group, I didn’t intend to hide it from you. Meeting you in that context today, I didn’t know what you were thinking, so I didn’t announce it to everyone. But that doesn’t mean I intended to conceal it.”

“I understand,” Emily nodded, adding, “For me, work and life are completely separate. I don’t want to bring my personal life into my work.”

Their marriage registration was a private matter between the two of them. Emily thought it unnecessary to announce within the company. First, she didn’t want her work to be affected. Second, she wasn’t sure how far their marriage could go.

Seeing Emily’s determined expression, Ricard hesitated for a moment before continuing, “Haven’t you told your family about our marriage?”

Emily shook her head, not wanting to discuss her family.

“I’ve just taken over William Group, and there are some things I need to handle personally. If you don’t mind, after this busy period, I’d like to visit your parents with you,” he said, his tone calm, as if he already knew she hadn’t told her family.

“No need,” Emily refused outright but quickly explained, “There were some issues between my family and me, and we haven’t been in contact for a long time. Let’s deal with it later.”

Home?

Every time Emily thought of the word, her heart ached, making it hard to breathe. Three years ago, that home was no longer her family, and she couldn’t go back anymore.

“Emily,” Ricard said deeply, “You’re not alone anymore; you have me.”

His usual indifferent tone felt slightly different because of his pleasant voice.

Although his words weren’t romantic, they stirred complex feelings within Emily. Despite enduring the past few years alone, she couldn’t avoid feeling sadness and shedding tears when thinking about it late at night.

“Emily,” after a long silence, Ricard spoke again, “We are married now, and I genuinely want to spend my life with you.”

Emily was stunned by his sudden declaration. She looked up at him, meeting his sincere gaze, and said, “I have also spent my life with you.”

Ricard gazed at her beautiful face and, after a few seconds, said, “Then, Emily, can you promise me that no matter what happens, you won’t easily say goodbye?”

“Yes,” Emily nodded, “I’ll try my best to be a good wife.” Not easily saying goodbye was also her belief, and Ricard’s words reassured her.

Ricard and Emily exchanged glances, once more struggling to find a topic amidst the uncomfortable silence.

“You should work, and I need to sort things out,” Emily suggested. Usually outgoing, she found herself flustered when facing Ricard.

“Okay,” Ricard nodded and walked back to the study. Emily watched him for a moment before going to prepare materials for the next day’s work.

After about two hours of work, Emily turned off her computer and rubbed her aching temples. She opened her door just as Ricard emerged from the bathroom.

He was wearing a white robe, his short black hair still damp, and his expression was slightly cold. “It’s getting late; you should take a shower and get some rest,” he said indifferently, without looking at her, and walked into his room.

Emily felt flustered, realizing he intended to sleep in the same room as her tonight. Her heart raced.

She spent half an hour in the bathroom, finally emerging in a long-sleeved pajama set that covered her fully. She breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t see Ricard in the room. But just as she exhaled, he walked in. The faint smell of cigarettes clung to him, showing he had been smoking on the balcony. He didn’t hide his smoking habit but was careful not to do it where she was.

“Sleep,” Ricard said, getting into bed on the right side, leaving the left side for Emily.

“Okay,” Emily replied nervously, her palms sweating.

She climbed into bed on the left side, feeling the two-meter-wide bed wasn’t enough to distance her from Ricard’s masculine presence.

“I’m going to sleep now. Good night,” she said, closing her eyes, hoping to fall asleep quickly. The more she tried not to think, the more her mind raced, making it impossible to relax.

She worried Ricard might try something while she slept, but then reminded herself that as her legal husband, it would be normal. However, the thought left her even more tense, almost paralyzed.

Perhaps sensing her tension, Ricard reached over and gently patted her head. “Emily, even though we’re legally married, I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to.” his voice was as attractively calm as always, but she sensed a hint of amusement. Her ears reddened. Could this man be any more perceptive?

With Ricard’s reassurance, Emily’s tension gradually eased, and she soon fell asleep.

When she woke up, it was already bright outside. She reached for her phone to check the time and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Oh no!”