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