Chapter 4
1178 Words
"By card." Julian Harrow pulled out a debit card he had prepared earlier. The black card he usually used had already been handed over to his assistant, Jon, for safekeeping.
But Elena Vance had cash ready. "I'll pay for it."
Julian insisted, "Let me. Consider this my first meeting gift for your grandmother."
"Really, there's no need. I'm already grateful that you're willing to come, Mr. Harrow." Elena didn't want to spend Julian's money for no reason.
This was a quick marriage, after all, without any romantic foundation—just two strangers fulfilling family obligations out of necessity.
She wasn't the type to take advantage of others.
"Let me handle it. There will be plenty of expenses ahead. You can save your money for now. Besides, do you really want to keep these people waiting while we argue?" Julian handed his card to the cashier as he spoke.
Elena glanced at the people behind them and obediently fell silent.
She could just transfer the money to Julian after they left the supermarket.
The cashier quickly swiped the card. When it came time to enter the PIN, Julian typed it twice—both times incorrect.
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Julian's face. "One moment. I need to make a call. This card is new." He had asked Jon to open a new account but forgot to ask for the PIN.
Besides, since when did he need a PIN for his cards?
The people behind them grew impatient. "Do you two even have money? Are you putting on some kind of act?"
"Yeah, we've been waiting forever. Don't tell me you don't have a thousand dollars?"
"Kids these days—dressed to the nines but probably just idle layabouts living off their parents..."
Julian's expression darkened.
Elena, however, quickly paid with cash and gave a warm smile. She apologized to those waiting and even gave her loyalty points to an elderly woman, who was thrilled—she could now claim ten free eggs.
After leaving the supermarket, Julian excused himself to use the restroom while Elena waited quietly on a bench outside.
She took the chance to call her grandmother. It took a while for her grandmother to answer, and Elena waited patiently until the final ring.
"Elena? Aren't you busy with work? Calling your grandma?"
"I didn't go to work today, Grandma. I have good news—I got married! I'm bringing him to see you now. We'll be there in about an hour. You don't need to prepare anything—I've already bought food and drinks. Just wait for me..."
"How can that be? My granddaughter's husband is visiting for the first time. I have to cook him something nice, or he might look down on you." Her grandmother, doting as always, wanted to save face for Elena.
Elena's eyes welled up. Her grandmother truly loved her. Today, on her wedding day, she had no one else to tell—only her grandmother would genuinely celebrate with her.
"Grandma, aren't you going to ask what kind of person I married? You haven't even met him, yet you already call him your grandson-in-law? Besides, at your age, how could I let you cook? Wait, I'll pick you up, and we'll eat out. We'll have your favorite beef, okay?" Elena loved her grandmother deeply. Since her parents passed, her grandmother was the only one who truly cared for her.
"You've always had good judgment, so of course I trust you. Besides, you young people believe in free love—as long as you're happy together, that's what matters. And if he treats you well, that's the best. As for cooking, don't worry. Making a few dishes is no problem." The elderly woman's voice brightened with joy.
"Grandma... really, you don't have to..."
Just as Elena was on the phone, Julian returned. He saw her alternating between laughter and tears and wondered what this woman was up to—she seemed rather odd.
"Grandma, I have to go now. We're on our way." Noticing Julian's scrutinizing gaze, Elena ended the call.
They returned to the car, and Julian neatly loaded the groceries into the trunk.
Once inside, he explained, "I didn't expect issues with the card earlier—I forgot the PIN. Here, you keep this card."
Elena declined. "That's not necessary, Mr. Harrow. I have a salary. It's not high, but enough for daily expenses."
"Marriage means sharing expenses. I have to contribute to living costs," Julian said, clarifying it was for household expenses.
Reluctantly, Elena accepted. "Alright. I'll keep track of our spending and make sure you don't pay more than your share."
"Set the navigation to your grandmother's place. Let's go."
Julian fastened his seatbelt, his magnetic voice filling the car. He didn't want to dwell on the card issue—haggling over a few thousand dollars would make him seem petty.
Elena thought to herself that Julian must have students who loved listening to him lecture.
Good-looking with a pleasant voice, he probably had plenty of admirers already.
She caught herself staring and blushed. How embarrassing—she'd just been gawking like a fangirl. How mortifying!
She quickly opened the navigation app and entered the address. "Done."
The voice guidance began, and Julian started driving.
Once on the road, Julian spoke up. "I've prepared a place to live. It's not far from your office—about twenty minutes by car if traffic isn't bad. If you find it too far, I can sell it and buy another one."
Since he was concealing his identity, he couldn't take Elena to any of the Harrow family villas.
Observing, understanding, and testing a person typically took at least three to six months.
So, he would uncover and evaluate firsthand what kind of woman Elena Vance really was—whether she was vain and scheming, or as kind and honest as his mother claimed.
"Twenty minutes is fine. Aster Bay is so big—not many young people have homes of their own. Most buy on mortgage or rent, and the pressure is huge. Since you have a fully paid property, Mr. Harrow, I'm the one benefiting. If there are no appliances yet, I can cover those." Elena didn't want Julian thinking she was taking advantage without contributing.
"Just bring yourself—everything's ready." How could the apartment he was using for this marriage arrangement lack appliances?
Now that he was married, he'd likely have to stay there for a while. If he dared not, his mother would never let him hear the end of it.
"Then..." Elena wasn't sure how to respond.
She was getting housing and his card—it felt excessive.
"Don't feel burdened. Buying a home is the least I can do. Besides, I'll be living there too." Julian noticed her discomfort.
"Thank you..." She found Julian quite reasonable and generous.
"Was I the first blind date?" Julian asked, not entirely sure why he wanted to know.
"The eleventh?" Elena wasn't entirely certain but decided to be honest.
Julian let out a soft laugh. "I'm the eleventh?"
- Writer
