While I’m sitting there sipping the rest of my soup slowly, A young woman walks in, in shorts and a baggy shirt. She paused when she saw me sitting by the counter.“Oh hi! I’m sorry, I heard the car leave, so I assumed it was both of you.” “Are you Gladice?” I asked cautiously. She gave me a toothy grin.“No, that’s my mum. I help out here a few times, to take the load off her. I’m Cecelia.” She extended a hand towards me, which I shook lightly. “how’s the soup? The boss said you were feeling under the weather last night.”That was an understatement, I could not recall a good chunk of the evening. This brought me to a question I had been avoiding, something I was too shy to ask Ethan.“Did you…help me out of my clothes last night?” “Oh no, we came this morning. I guess your fiancé did.”Of course. Or maybe I changed myself but didn’t remember it.“Miss Ricci.” An older woman announced as she walked into the kitchen, a small duster in her hand. She shared similar feature with Cec
His eyebrows drew together in a scowl as he took in the sight.“Ethan! I would say ‘what a surprise’ but it really isn’t anymore. You seem to materialize whenever Mae’s in the house.”I looked down at my cleavage spilling out of the ill-fitting dress, hoping my red cheeks were properly hidden. He cleared his throat.“Some tsked in disapproval. “Your grandfather needs to take a break. Sometimes I feel likeEvelyn’s enabling his actions.”“I’ll look into that.”He took a final look at me before he made his way up the stairs, unaware of the four pairs of eyes that tracked his exit. I gave the women, Emma and Olivia the stink eye. Fake marriage or not, Ethan was off the market, they did not need to stare at another woman’s husband like that.“He’s absolutely smitten with her,” Grace told the girls with a grin “He’s constantly looking for a reason to be here, whenever she’s around.”They looked disappointed by the information and I tried to overlook the delight their reactions stir
I followed Ethan’s advice but instead of the brooch he suggested, I went with a large veil covered in small cream colored flower details that went perfectly with the dress. By the end of the evening Grace was dabbing at her eyes, pure joy written on her face. I found myself sharing in her excitement too. I was getting married.Several times I would catch myself admiring the full look in the mirror, and picturing whatEthan’s face would be like if he saw me. As soon as I noticed, I would shut the thought down. The lines between reality and out pretend marriage was blurring quickly. “It’s becoming harder to keep my hands off you”. I looked around guiltily like I suspected everyone could see my thoughts written on my faceWith my dress packed up for the reveal for my parents, I left to find Gideon to take me home. I found two men standing outside his car when I got to him.“Goodday, Miss Ricci.” The dark skinned man said, stretching a calloused hand to me. “My name is Hakeem, and thi
It was only when I was in front of Ethan that I admitted to myself that I actually missed him. He came, with another car in tow to convey me, my family and Lisa to his mansion. Naturally, we rode alone, in a quiet so intense that it was almost tangible.My anxiety for the engagement and my move into Ethan’s house forced me to break it. “How was your week?”“Good.”“Did you tear down any small towns?” -He glanced at me with an irritated look.-“I was joking.” “I noticed.” There was silence again.“Are you still searching for the person responsible for the gala incident?”“Yes.”“Do you like my dress?”“What is this? Twenty questions?” I was impressed that he knew the game show.“You said you wanted me to relax around you, how do I do that when your face is set in a permanent scowl and you refuse to have conversations with me?”He sighed. “Yes, I like your dress. It’s stunning, but you would look great in a potato sack, so it’s not so much the dress as it is you.” I basked in hi
When his words sunk into my head, I found the strength to push him away from me. His surprise about my reaction bought me enough to roll away from him and scoot to the edge where I stood.When Ethan recovered from my actions he rolled off the bed stalked me again.“What are you doing Ethan?”“What does it look like I’m doing?”“You said there would be nothing physical between us. You specified that in the contract.”“It can be easily changed, what do you want? More money?”In essence, he wanted me to sell my body to him. I remembered all those nights ago, where he had dropped wads of money to ‘appease’ me after we had slept together. I had refused to take his money then, there would be no difference now. Especially, when he still thought so lowly of me.“I don’t want your money Ethan.”“Could have fooled me.” He snapped, as he trapped me between the door and his body. He grabbed my hips and pressed me into him, where I could feel his hard length. I bit my lip, willing my body
I was waiting. Waiting for Ethan to break the silence during the car ride, but knew it would not be possible with Gideon driving us to his home. I fought the urge to fidget in my nervousness. I didn’t want any part of my body revealing how apprehensive I felt. This was it, i was moving in with Ethan. As if this wasn’t difficult enough, he had the gall to suggest a change in our contract.My hands gripped Wynona’s gift tightly when the car slipped through the automatic gates, gliding to halt in front of his doors. Again I marveled at the beauty of his home. It had the outward appearance of a cyberhouse. With its smooth edges and sharp cuts. In a way they mirrored their owner. I spared a glance in his direction and found his head forward.Soon it would be just the two of us in the house. For all the hope i had that Gladice would be around, i knew she only came during daytime.I rolled my shoulder when i got out of the car and Ethan’s attention slipped to it. I froze, till he walked a
I plastered a smile on my face and walked towards them. The tension that was in him when he left my room last night was gone, and replaced with a warm but calculating expression. I wasn't sure if I liked this side of him either.I smiled and said good morning to Gladice, brushing my hand across Ethan's shoulder in my unwillingness to get any closer him. Gladice watched my awkward movements impassively. A split second after I thought I was in the clear and just before I was to take my perch on the stool beside him, he grabbed my hand and yanked me towards him. His eyes burned with a hint of desire and mischief as he lowered his mouth to mine.With a simple kiss, he claimed me. It was a statement that I was his to take, to gladice it may have looked like a normal kiss but i knew a threat when i saw one.I hated him for his cockiness, but my hate did not stop my body from molding into his andsubmitting under his ministrations.When he pulled away, he brushed his lips against mine,
I shrugged. “I donno, for starters, why you’re such an asshole.”He smirked lifting his hands to my mouth. His hand swiped against my bottom lip and it darted out to get whatever he was trying to wipe off.“You have quite a mouth on you. I bet I could put it to use in other ways.”“Ethan…”“I have agreed to your terms Mae, We’ll play by your rules for a little while.”“How about dinner tomorrow night?”“Why not now?”“I wasn’t lying when I said I have work to get to. I’ll be holed up in the office all day.” I felt a twinge of disappointment.“Fine. Tomorrow.” Was I really agreeing to this? A date with Ethan Crowe. We might as well, He wanted to get get in my pants, I wanted him in it too, and I know sooner or later it would happen. It was best that we had some semblance of control over the situation. I was starting to see why he liked having power so much.Ethan left me downstairs to work in his room and i had the whole downstairs to myself. Gladice had not come back in so it
“What are you doing, Jace?” My voice trembled with fear. Jace ignored my question, his eyes locked into mine. I struggled to be free from his grip but he was stronger. “Stay still, I'm not doing anything to you Mae. I just want to hold you.” “You can hold me but not in this inappropriate manner. I have a husband.”“A husband that has his Ex lurking around. You deserve better.”“Better? What do you mean?” I averted my gaze. This conversation was about to go southwards. A conversation I’d love to avoid.He let go of me and took three steps backwards, his hands in the air in a surrendering gesture. “By better, I surely don't mean me, of course.” He chuckled. “I had you there, didn't I? I'm sorry if my actions caught you off guard, I wanted to check something.”“And what is that?”“To see if you fit in my hands perfectly. You didn't, because of your tiny figure. I like my girls taller and thicker.”“Jace!”“Sorry.”“You are fucking, Psychopath.” I giggled. “Well, that sounds familia
“You don't have to act like this, Mae”“Really? Please tell me how to act, Ethan. Tell me.” I pinched my brows tightly as I sighed deeply, “Mae, I'm sorry. Alright. I shouldn't have danced with her or even said anything to her.” I explained while walking behind her. She had her back against me the entire time I spoke. Her long strides led her to the door. Mae twisted the knob and pulled open the door, “Leave my room.” She demanded. Her hand was on her hip and the other was on the knob. I have never seen Mae this mad.Why did I let Ava get to me? Why did I even dance with her tonight? She let me know and now, her actions want to ruin my marriage? Not happening. I lo...like Mae and I'm not letting her go no matter what. Moving from the spot where I stood rooted in shock, I took three steps closer to her, “Mae—”“Leave,”I sighed in defeat and proceeded to leave. Nothing will make her change her mind once it has been made.I heard her scoff as my legs began to move. “Of course.”I
Ethan had his eyes on me the entire night throughout the remaining ceremony process. He watched me like a sniper watching his victim, ready to pull the cock and fire the shot of questions probably piled up in his mind. I pretended not to notice his little sighs, the way his hands twitch and involuntarily ball up into a fist. He would release it whenever he caught himself. I wanted to wrap my hands around him, to take his sweet scent but the anger was greater than my feelings. Ethan has been nothing but kind to me except for the few times he has been a dick. He is a good man, the little voice in my head reminded me. He doesn't deserve this mental torture. I pushed back the thought and went on with my night till the event was over and we went back home.The door of the car swung open with a little bit of force as I was impatient to wait for him to open the door even though he was already there. The door grazed past his knees and I heard him cuss under his breath. Climbing down from
The sound from her cheek, as my hand landed on it with full force, resounded around us, piercing through the solemn music playing in the background. How can she be so desperate? First a picture, now a kiss? I couldn't take it anymore. The music paused abruptly, a pause that turned all eyes in our direction. Soon, whispers and gasps swallowed the silence from the crowd watching us.Ava held her cheek in disbelief, her widened eyes locked into mine and I returned it with a fierce gaze. She should know not to mess with me. Ava has been on my nerves ever since I entered Ethan’s life but all this has to stop. I hope this will put her in her place.“Did you just slap me?” She confronted as though she just realized what had happened.“I did,” I responded in agreement. “ It seemed you were drunk, that was meant to sober you up. How are you feeling?”“How dare you?!” She shrieked. I shook my head slightly in scorn, “Exactly. The same damn question I asked myself. Why are you so desperate to
My whole body froze as my name slipped out of his beautiful lips in public. It was unexpected and I didn't know how to react but to sit tight and smile.He caught me off guard with that one. My heart raced with joy, warmth spread through my body as I stared at him on stage.He stood tall like a Greek god dressed in a perfectly tailored maroon colored suit that seemed to almost match the color of my gown. I blush inwardly at the thought of it.His usually stoic demeanor has somehow softened as his eyes stayed glued to mine during his speech.Ethan paused after a long address to the crowd, his voice softened and he began to address his grandfather directly.“Grandfather, you have always told me that success isn't making money. It's about making a difference. It's about creating something that will outlive us. And I want to make this promise to you tonight. I will do everything in my power to honor what you have built. I will always carry forward the values you have imbued in me—- integr
“Ava is in the banquet,”“How do you know?” She asked again, her face furrowed.“Cartwright sent a text to inform me about it,” I explained.Mae scoffed, “Great, just great,” She relaxed her face, stretching out the slight crease on her makeup and a tight smile that disappeared almost immediately. “ A good start to ruin my evening.” She murmured.“Are you cold?” I asked concerned about her bare back being exposed to the chilly air of the evening.“Are you bothered?” She fired back, although her voice was low, the irritation was evident.“You know I'm not. Let's go.” I instructed, pointing to the door. She lifted the hem of her gown off the floor and proceeded to walk out of the living room into the garage. I followed behind a guide to watch her steps. As we got to the garage, we entered the BMW Vantablack car and drove off in the direction of the event.As we arrived, a valet rushed forward to collect the keys and I handed it over to him. After he drove off, I curved my hand gesturing
“How is Mae?” My grandfather's voice resounded in the glass walls of the office.“The news broke her but she is good now, I hope,” I explained to the old man who stared at me blankly. No emotion on his face.“What are you going to do about Ava?”“Errmm—- I…” I started but of course, he interrupted like always.“You don't know how to handle the issue? How am I supposed to hand over my company to you when you can't even handle a minor case like this?”“I will handle it. Relax and have faith in me.” I cajoled.“Relax? You want me to relax.” He scoffed cynically. “Because of whatever silly relationship you had with that girl—who was up to no good, my company is about to fall apart and you want me to relax? You haven't even given me a grandchild!.” He snapped.“Grandfather.”He sighed deeply, “The handover ceremony will be a good solution.” He pinched his brows and released it, stretching his thumbs opposite ways to the end of his brows. “Prepare for the banquet and make sure you appear ha
“Why did you marry me if you were still in love with her? I never wanted all these. You took advantage of my family's situation because you knew I was vulnerable at that time. Now I watch you write my story while I'm forced to read a version of myself I don't know.”“Mae!” Ethan cried out, “please just listen to me. “I can explain.”“Don't you understand, Ethan? Your explanation will not change the fact that you fucked her and lied in my face about it. How could I have been so stupid to believe you? Handling issues?” I scoffed, “ More like handling her in bed. I don't even know why I am so angry about this. This is nothing but an arranged marriage, you can have sex with whomever you choose. Now, please open the door.“You got it all wrong, Mae”“Huh?”“Whatever you saw was from years ago. Ava and I are done, thoroughly done.” He explained. “I don't know why she posted an old private picture of us kissing or what she was aiming at us but please me when I say, I don't have feelings for
You know that feeling when your life is falling apart and you have no one to talk to about it? That is how I feel. Maybe I shouldn't have accepted his proposal, I should have found another way to raid his plans, why did I do it? Maybe because I wanted to be close to him.My decision has led me to this life-crumbling end. Was it worth it? I don't think it is anymore. I wish I could talk to Father about this but he does not even know about our relationship and Mother's advice won't be soul-lifting.My throat tightened as I struggled to breathe. I tapped on Jace’s seat and he glanced at me through the mirror.“Pull over,” I demanded.“But….”“Jace, please.” I insisted, my voice low with misery.He sighed and steered to the roadside meant for parking. As the car stopped, I pushed open the door with hesitation and walked out. Jace ran after me but I asked him to give me some privacy. Although he was quite persuasive at first but gave up later.The dimly lit road seemed empty as I walked on