The Substitute Bride: Making Memories Of Us (Lois Stone)

As the food was served, Brian stared at the dishes and realized they differed from what Maria usually cooked.
He believed that Maria didn’t cook the food herself.
Seeing that Brian wasn't eating and only staring intently at the food, Maria informed, "Today's lunch is made by Mrs.Clark."
One of Brian's eyebrows raised up as he shifted his gaze at Ayla.
"You can cook?"
"Only a few simple dishes,"
Ayla answered honestly as her cheeks took a red hue.
But she was well aware of his disdain from his words.
It was discernible that she made an unnecessary move.
Brian however, averted his gaze from her and began to eat slowly, savoring the taste.
Standing next to him, Ayla felt uneasy.
She was afraid that he wouldn't like the food and scold her again.
After finishing the food in silence, Brian finally put down his chopsticks and turned towards her.
"Since you can cook, I can assume you won't have any problems in cooking for your husband.I want you to prepare my every
meal from now on, but each meal must be different."
He did it on purpose.
Since she voluntarily cooked for him, he wanted to see how long she could pretend to be the good girl.
Ayla was slightly surprised when he seemed to enjoy the food cooked by her.
Although, he gave her a moderately difficult task now, she let out a sigh of relief that at least he wasn't angry with her.
Next morning as promised, Brian arranged a car for Ayla to go to her school.

"Lyle, you can drop me here." Ayla asked the driver to stop a block ahead of her school.
"Mrs.Clark, Mr.Clark has strictly ordered me to drop you at the campus gate."
The driver, Lyle, didn't listen to her and continued to drive towards the school.
Ayla knew it was useless to say anything after that.
She understood why Brian would do something like that.
But she didn't like it.
Although she just started school and didn't know many people, she really wouldn't like to lead such a life in the future.
"Thank you, Lyle."
As they reached the campus gate, Ayla climbed out of the car after thanking the driver.
Lyle waited until she got into the school.
After making sure she entered the school, he took out his phone and dialed Brian's number.
"Mr.Clark, she has entered the school."
"Keep an eye on her,"
Brian flatley ordered while standing before the window.
His eyes were filled with distrust and coldness.
He was still suspicious.
He still couldn't understand why Arlene was so eager to attend school.
Jaime came in after a while.
"Mr.Clark."
"Jaime, here you are.Have a seat."

Brian asked him to sit on the sofa as he joined him.
After sitting comfortably, Jaime eyed around the place and asked, "Where is she?"
Brian understood that Jaime was asking for Arlene's whereabouts.
"Are you here to visit her?"
Brian glanced at him sideways.
Jaime seldom came to meet him.
Now that he finally came, he was asking for Arlene's whereabouts.
Jaime gave him a sheepish smile.
"Of course not."
He was not interested in such a woman.
Her appearance might look pure, but she was hiding a wanton personality inside her.
"Anyway, why are you here?"
Brian lit a cigarette as he inquired.
"Clayton has left for another city."
It was the reason why Jaime asked if she was there.
"His intention is to run away."
Brian had already guessed it, so, he wasn't even surprised.
Clayton possibly had this plan from the beginning.
He sent his daughter to Brian so that he could escape easily.
"So, Mr.Clark, do you think Mrs.Clark will also escape?"

Jaime feared that there was a great possibility of this to happen.
Clayton was a cunning man.
He perhaps, had planned everything from the start.
Taking a drag of his cigarette, Brian smiled faintly and said, "She cannot escape.And Clayton too.No matter where he goes, he
can't escape from me."
He allowed Arlene to leave the villa, because he had his spies everywhere.
He knew, she couldn't deceive them just like that.
"Mr.Clark, how are you so confident? That woman is very sly."
Jaime was worried that if Brian got captivated by this woman's beauty, it'd make a huge problem.
"You are right, she is indeed deceitful," Brian agreed.
He was actually surprised that she was being so nice and obedient to him.
"Let's go! Come with me to inspect the work progress at the branch companies."
The Clark Group owned the real estate industry and hotel industry, as well as various entertainment venues.
It also had a lot of other business along with global credit companies.
"Mr.Clark, I'm glad to see you doing fine." Jaime was worried about Brian.
But when he saw him calm and collected as always, Jaime felt relieved.
Meanwhile, Ayla went to her dormitory to pack up her luggage, after her classes.
She didn't have a lot of luggage, but only a small suitcase.
She had been so busy today at school.
After attending many classes, she went to the library to study and make notes.

A few of her friends came to talk to her when she was in her dormitory.
She greeted them with a smile.
"I heard that you came here in a luxury car this morning.Is that true?" one of her friends asked curiously.
Ayla was taken aback slightly.
She wasn't expecting that question.
However, she neither admitted nor denied it.
"It was true.I saw it with my own eyes," another friend answered for her.
"Ayla, have you found yourself a rich man? Of course.You are so beautiful.Any rich man would be interested in you."
Her friends were so sure that she found herself a rich man without telling anyone.
That was why she was leaving the dormitory.
However, no one knew the truth that she was sold, and she might never have her freedom back all her life.
"Wow! How old is he? Is he a bald-headed old man?"
Her friends were very curious.
They joked, but actually they wanted to know the truth.
No one could imagine that she got married to a young, rich and handsome man who'd never fall in love with her.
Everyone knew Ayla wasn't the type of girl who ran after rich men.Then how could they ever imagine what was the reality?