Signed to love

Chapter 9

Mrs Loveth wiped the tears that fell before Chloe noticed.

"I haven't laughed like this in years... in this mansion"She admitted with a warm smile.

"Now that you have me around you will be doing that a lot"Chloe said.

"Really?"

"Yes, the mansion needs some renovation and I will be in charge of that, it's settled"

"Renovation?"Mrs Loveth repeated.

"Not the walls, it's just the mood"Chloe giggled.

"But who's going to take the blame if Mr Amirion gets upset?"Mrs Loveth asked in fear.

"Yours truly so let's start with the flowers"Chloe immediately grabbed a vase from a nearby cabinet.

"These artificial flowers have lost their charm, let's replace them with fresh ones"She carefully removed them one by one and handed them to one of the maids, the maid hesitated she looked at Mrs Loveth for approval, Mrs Loveth nodded helplessly.

The maid immediately did as she was instructed.

Within an hour, the fragrance of fresh roses could be perceived in the mansion, and small green plants were arranged all over the living room. The mansion which was lifeless earlier suddenly became brighter and colorful.

Chloe admired her work.

"Doesn't it feel like a home already?"

"It does"Mrs Loveth nodded in agreement.

The sound of soft instrumental music began playing from a small speaker, the melody drifted through the halls.

The maids unconsciously smiled as they worked.

"She's pretty nice"One of the maid said.

"You're wrong..."Another maid disagreed.

"What do you mean?"

"Yes you're wrong, she's literally nicer than Mr Amirion's late wife...have you smiled this much when she was alive?"

"Don't say that, you don't want to get in trouble with Mrs Loveth" Mrs Loveth came up behind the two of them, she cleared her throat, the two maids froze in shock and fear.

"Are you being paid to gossip or work?"She questioned them sternly.

"We are sorry ma'am"They apologized as they scrubbed the floors harder.

The mansion gates open, a Range rover drove into the compound. Mrs Loveth's smile disappeared as she hearing the sound of roaring engines.

"Master is home"She said

"Does he come home this early?"Chloe asked.

"No, he doesn't"They all replied as they immediately went to the kitchen leaving Chloe all by herself.

They returned back, one lowered the volume of music while the other straightened the flower arrangements, they all looked nervous except Chloe who didn't understand what is going on.

Meanwhile, outside, Mr Amirion stepped out of the car with his hands in his pocket.

As he approached the entrance, he paused.

"Is that music?"He muttered as his brows knitted together, he pushed the front door opened what greeted him was soft piano music.

His gaze slowly swept across the living room like he was looking for a prey to pounce on.

He noticed the house looked different, he immediately noticed the fresh flowers decorated at every corner.

He simply stood there without uttering a word, then his eyes landed on Chloe.

She was on the small ladder again hanging a small frame on the wall, she turned around and waved at him happily.

"You're back already?" She acted surprised.

"Who gave you the permission to change my house?"He asked as his face darkened.

The smile on Chloe's face slowly faded, she climbed down from the ladder and dusted her hands together before her eyes met Mr Amirion's icy gaze.

"I was only trying to make the house feel warmerShe said softly, his eyes swept across the living room once more, the fresh flowers, the sunlight pouring through the open curtains, the faint piano melody still playing in the background. Everything had changed, it was all different.

"Did I give you permission to move anything?" he asked coldly.

"No"

"Then who told you that you could?"

Chloe folded her hands behind her back scratching them nervously

"No one"

"Exactly, you have to know your place in this house"He loosened his suit jacket in annoyance.

"This is my house. I decide what stays and what changes."

Mrs Loveth quickly stepped forward.

"Master, please don't misunderstand. Miss Chloe only wanted to brighten the atmosphere a little."

"I wasn't speaking to you, only speak when spoken to"He said rudely, his sharp tone immediately silenced her.

The maids lowered their heads nervously, no one dared breathe.

Chloe noticed the frightened expressions around her and sighed inwardly.

"It's my fault, the warned me but I didn't listen"she admitted.

"If you're angry, then be angry with me."

Mr Amirion looked directly into her eyes.

"I am, but you are my fiancèe so I can't be" A fake smile spread across his face as he remembered he had to make their relationship look real.

An awkward silence followed,Chloe nodded.

"I'll put everything back the way it was"He turned to the maids.

"You heard him. Let's return everything."

The excitement that had filled the mansion only moments ago disappeared,the maids were about to remove the flowers.

"Babe, you don't you have to"Mr Amirion said and they all froze in shock

"What did you just say?"She asked thinking her ears were playing a prank on her.

"You heard me, I said you don't have to be babe"He bit his lips as he repeated it,Chloe smiled

"I thought you wanted everything to go back to normal"

"No I was in a bad mood, it looks beautiful"He said and made his way to his lies were choking him and he couldn't bear it anymore longer

He walked past everyone and headed upstairs.

A few moments later, he returned with a blue folder in his hand,without another glance at anyone, he walked toward the entrance.

Before stepping outside, he paused.

For reasons he couldn't seem to explain he looked back, his eyes landed on Chloe.

For a split second,Something inside him felt uncomfortable.

He frowned.

"What nonsense."Without another word, he left.

The front door closed behind him, the sound echoed through the silent mansion.

Mrs. Loveth looked at Chloe apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Miss Chloe."

Chloe smiled, though there was sadness in her eyes.

"Don't worry."

"I'll find another way to make him genuinely smile."

Mrs Loveth blinked.

"He called you babe, we all heard him that's something he hasn't said in a while"Mrs Loveth said and the maids nodded

Chloe chuckled.

"I still can't believe he did"Mrs Loveth couldn't help smiling.

"You really are something else"

Inside the car, Cody carefully observed Mr Amirion through the rearview mirror.

The atmosphere was unusually quiet.

After nearly ten minutes, Cody finally gathered the courage to speak.

"Sir..."

"What?"

"Did the flowers... really bother you that much?"

Mr Amirion stared out the window.

"They were unnecessary but it was thoughtful of her"

"Really?"Cody smiled faintly.

"You know, sir..."

"I've worked for you for six years."

Mr Amirion remained silent wondering where Cody was heading with the conversation

"I've never seen you come home because you forgot a file."

His brows furrowed.

"What are you implying?"

"I'm not implying anything."Cody shrugged innocently.

"I just found it interesting."Mr Amirion looked away still trying to understand why he did that too

"It was an accident."He finally said.

"If you say so, sir."Silence followed.

But this time, Mr Amirion thoughts weren't on the investors, the meeting or the contract.

Instead he remembered Chloe's disappointed expression as he questioned her making her frightened, he unconsciously tightened his grip on the folder resting on his lap.

"Cody."

"Yes, sir?"

"...Were the flowers really that bad?"

Cody almost smiled but held it in.

"No, sir."

"They actually made the mansion feel alive."

Mr Amirion didn't respond.

He simply looked out the window again.

For the first time since Nadia's death, the mansion had felt like a home.

And somehow he had been the one to bring the silence back.