O's office. Taking a deep breath

ension as she waited for a

a voice

rapid heartbeat. Pushing open the

him, smiling tentatively. "I'm so sorry about this morning. I—I thought you were blaming me for eating y

she added, holding them out to William. "I eat these every morning, they're d

ood in her hand. In a disgusted tone, he said, "Chinese hamburgers? What are those? Did

ll right, then, what do you want to eat? If you don't want Ch

y. He waved a hand in her direction and sa

. "What?" she asked. She wondered w

today, so I can tell the media about our marriage," William said.

wonder there had been something strange about the way people

was sensational news. 'Some will laugh and mock me, and some will be

elay things," sai

derstand," said

body. She stood there self-consciously. He said, "Wait here for a momen

yee uniform, which consisted of a simple blac

nge him. Instead, she

e busy checking some documents. For several minutes, as Mary stood silently in front

knock on the door. The make-up artis

as not used to the convenience of having

am, giving Mary a brief glance. "I want el

done," Amelia assured him. She walked closer to Mary

y. Mary couldn't help but feel that William had considered her presence as an insult. Did Mary r

face, but she told herself, 'Relax, it can't be

quickly escorted Mar

h a barrage of orders. "Okay, M

h slightly, part your lip

you? Or how about this? He

ar is simply not suitable.

tay still, we'll wo

put make-up on her face. She felt as though she was a doll being poked and prodded on all side

felt his stomach rumble and real

ut and buy him breakfast, but something on his desk ca

desk. He had to admit, it did smell good. His stomach

. He took a second bite, bigger this time. Wha

ad finished the

cked up the second burger and started eating again. When he had finished it,

e others stepped back from Mary,

er spending close to an hour sitting still while they fixed her up, it felt

Lan has impeccable taste, as usual." Amel

r and turned to l

s, framed by long lashes that swept over her high, glowing cheekbones. Her skin was smooth and flawless. She

for she had never seen herself like thi

," said Peter, the dresser, with a laugh

," said M

"Let's go back to the office and show Mr. Lan our work." Amelia led the others back to t

k when he heard the doorknob turning. Amelia entered,

with shy eyes. He raised an eyebro

e done what you asked?" said Ame

came closer to Mary, struggling to hide his amazement at the change in her. "You m

e beckoned to her companions. "We'

d absently, still busy look

ng. Inwardly she was annoyed with him, and silently berated him for his careless words. '

straightening his own tie. He s

" Mary

ess con

hide her surprise. Her eyes w

ck the urge to shake her. Through clenched teeth, he said, "

g how irritated he was. She didn'

wards the desk

the two hamburg

roat. "I threw them aw

ng at him. "I don't care if you threw away your hamburger, but the other one

much is the company paying you? Is it a small amount?" William ask

er lips. 'I don't care, it was my brea

ch. "It's getting late. We have to go to the press confer

ary said n

er, then stepped forward and placed

'Mary, you really impress me sometimes, ' he thought.

ut of the office, to publicly announce