I swallowed, “ well, the first time we … You got angry that I was still in bed … ” I fidgeted with the bottom of his shirt and looked at the door longingly. Why did he want to have this torturous conversation?“get back in here.” He commanded, rubbing his face.“oh it no problem-”“Mae, get back. In here.”I edged back to my corner of the bed and pulled the cover over my body and looked at him awkwardly. It was probably better to face the other side. A gasp of surprise escaped my mouth when he pulled me to him and wrapped his big arm around my shoulder. Then he kissed my head. “I want you here, no where else.“ butterflies fluttered in my stomach and I shifted uncomfortably. I was supposed to be in charge of my emotions here. This was sex. Nothing else.“ We should probably get up. ” I cleared my throat to remove the thickness. “ callAltieri and apologize…““Fuck that.”The cell rang on his bedside table, drowning my words of protest. Ethan only cursed and buried his head in
”When are we leaving?”“ I was hoping tonight, but when Altieri offered the cinema date, I thought our trip back could wait.” He answered casually. “Is there a problem?”“Oh nothing, I thought we were supposed to be here for a week.”“Work things came up. Plus, we’ve met and wowed Altieri, no need to stay longer.”“Right.”Throughout the date that evening I tried to be as charming as I could be. All it reminded me of was the fact that we would have to go back to reality quicker than I had thought. When Ethan led me to bed I went willingly, attacking him with equal fervency as he did me. * * *“ Are you okay? ” Ethan asked suddenly, his arm on my back. I had gotten lost in thought while he was speaking to the pilot of our plane.“Yeahh, just feeling a little tired. I didn’t get enough sleep last night.”“I presume I am to blame for that.” He brushed my hair off my forehead and kissed me on my lips. “Hopefully I can get you in bed soon enough.” He
Bron was playing golf in the backyard with Benjamin.“This game is for chumps.” He declared as we approached him on the field.Benjamin laughed, “you are such a sore loser.”He scoffed at Benjamin but a grin was peeking through his frown. “We’ll if it isn’t the couple of the century.“Hello Bron.”“You two are back early.” He picked up a glass filled with whiskey and took a sip. Ethan frowned at it, but answered nontheless.“Work emergency. You know how it is.” He reached for his grandfather’s drink and downed it and he nodded in understanding.“Even in the short time, I’ve heard good things. You both look …well Mae, you looklovely.”“Yes, we all know it’s above you to give your grandson a compliment.” Benjamin said, joining us at the table. “You look lovely, dear.”“He doesn’t need more, his ego is big enough as it is” Bron said, filling his glass up again. “Our annual family tradition is just around the corner.”“This celebration is extra special because of the new additions to
Wynona’s home was everything I thought it would be and more. With the size of houses they owned I wondered how there was still room for the rest of us in this state.When I stepped in the living room, an older gentleman was smoking tobacco from a pipe like an aged man. Wynona’s father, my mind screamed at me.“Good day sir.” I greeted with a comfortable smile.He looked me up from my jimmy chop flats and summer jumpsuit with a flattering ribbon that held my hair away from my neck. Considering she had been with me the night she had dressed like a biker’s fan girl. I assumed he was checking me for flaws.“Mrs. Crowe. It is lovely to have you in my home.” He said in a terrible attempt at being warm. It was a curse for a man like this to have a daughter as eccentric and worrisome as Wynona. It made me feel bad for him. “I hope you don’t have more plans on going on drinking sprees with my daughter. She’s not married and has a lot more to lose.”And my empathy towards him was chucked out of
Two weeks went by smoothly with me and Ethan sinking into our new found routine. I would stay at home; cook, watch movies, draw, maybe hang out with Cecilia or I would be over at Wynona’s and sometimes Cartwright made guest appearances.But the highlight of those two weeks were the times I spent wrapped up in Ethan’s arms, or sharing a meal once in a while. The public appearances had been kept to a minimum. We were married now and in the first weeks of it, so it was normal to not have constant public appearances. This would be the third night we were stepping out together for an event. And it was none other than the party that included Ethan’s family tradition. My family tradition too, since I was married to him.When I heard family tradition, I had thought it would be a small scale event, with just the family, maybe mine would be invited. But the hall was semi filled with people I was beginning to learn, were considered important to the Crowe family, not just in the business sector.
“Listen to me Mae,” she gripped my shoulders. “He’s bad news.” “What do you mean by that?” she was scaring the hell out of me with her crazy eyes. Lisa had never breathed a word. Not even while she was with Ava. A guest walked past our spot in the shadows and she whipped her head up and blinked a few times. She looked down at me and anger flashed in her eyes. Shoving me away, she tried to barrel past me “Lisa wait!” I tried to grab her hand but she jumped away from me as if I had burned her. “Stay the fuck away from me!” she hissed and I had a flash back to Ava’s bathroom accident. Was this going to be a repeat of it? I took big step away from her. “You’re a smart woman, do the safe thing.” Satisfied that I wasn’t going to touch her, she continued on her way. Her blank expression replacing the anger I saw earlier before she turned. I was still in a daze when Ethan found me. He wrapped his hand around me and kissed my cheeks. “Are you alright?” he asked when he noticed how unr
“Go bug someone else Miles.” I said finally.“I don’t know many people here. Maybe Wynona, but I don’t see you coming around and playing big sister.”“Yeah have fun with that.” I told him, staring daggers into his back as he sauntered away. What right did he have to judge me like that. It was so easy for him to get on a high horse and act like everything was simple. I refused to let his words bugger me. He knew why I was here, I didn’t care what he thought was happening.“A moment of your time Mrs. Crowe.” A savvy voice called beside me, When I turned my head, I was looking down at a stout man with a checkered scarf on his neck and gauges in his ear. He didn’t fit in with the rest of the party, and smiled at me like I was supposed to know him. Oh dear. “ Of course! I answered brightly, and waited on him to continue the conversation. Perhaps something he said would jog my memory.“Well. Your husband told me about your potential…So I want you to send me your portfolio-it’s alla formali
“Papa?” I said crossing my fingers. God let him be alright.“Margaret Ricci.” I heard his gruff voice. A sigh of relief escaped my mouth.“Papa, you’re alright.”“Not with the heart attack you’re trying to give me. I want you in this house by tomorrow, do you hear me?”“si papa.” He had called my full name. I was definitely in trouble for something. My heart dropped. Did he find out about the contract?Worrying would do nothing. There was only one thing to do. Call Miles. I knew mum would be glued to dad and won’t have time to answer me.“What happened?” I asked immediately he took my call.“Well good day to you too, sis. Oh me? I’m doing great.”“I don’t have time for this. Did he find out about the contract?”“He did not. He left the house while mum was taking a nap and walked to the restaurant. He noted the changes in the restaurant, just regular stuff. But then he asked about his lovely daughter and one of the new employees informed him that no Mae Ricci or Crowe had worked there
CHAPTER EIGHTY-NINE“Pregnant?”I nodded. Pregnant. The word rang continuously in my mind. It's good news.“We need to go see Cartwright tomorrow,” Ethan suggested.“Sure.”“I can't believe he is going to be a father.”“Me too.” I concur.“Go to bed, you need to rest. It has been a long night.”It has. I looked up at his face, “Goodnight.”“Goodnight Cupcake.” He lowered his lips to my forehead and planted a gentle kiss on it. I took in his scent once again before he pulled away from me and made his way to the door. Don't go. I wanted to say those words to him badly but I couldn't.He opened the door and left. I looked down at my phone, reading the message again Wynona had sent.Wynona: I’m pregnant, Mae. I know. It came as a shock to me too. I'm scared and I don't know what to do.I tapped on it to reply.Me: Don’t be. It is good news. Have you told Cartwright? After sending the message, I proceeded to exit the message box but stopped when I saw the three dots dancing at the botto
“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