Chapter 5

Sarina's POV:

Maximus and I had been living together for a week, but he still hadn't made any moves on me. I was a bit surprised because, even though we shared a bed, he hadn't even tried to hug me.

Our marriage papers had already been processed, and I was starting to wonder if he was still in his right mind.

Given how perverted he was, it was hard to believe he hadn't even touched me.

I had already sent the 70,000 dollars to my mom to pay off my dad's debts.

I had mustered up all my courage to ask him for it. I didn't care if he decided to sleep with me by Christmas—what mattered was that I needed the money now.

We were in our room, and I was dressing him.

Actually, we had showered together, though I hadn't really wanted to, but he had been so insistent that I eventually gave in. I had assumed he would want to have sex, but no.

"Love," he called out, so I turned to him.

"Can you check if the driver is here?" Maximus asked.

"Why? Are you going somewhere?" I asked, puzzled. He hadn't mentioned going out.

I offered, "Do you want me to help you change? You're just wearing a T-shirt and shorts."

"This is fine. I'm just going to the hospital," he replied.

"Huh? Why didn't you say so sooner? You're fine as you are. Just wait a sec, and I'll change so I can come with you," I said.

"No need. I'll go alone."

"What? No way. I don't want people saying I'm your wife but don't take care of you. Wait, I'll be quick." So, I changed into pants and a T-shirt instead of the camisole and shorts I had been wearing earlier.

"Let's go," I said, and we headed out.

-

"I told you, you didn't have to come," Maximus said when we got to the hospital, and Aries greeted us with a grin.

"My assistant is here anyway," Maximus added.

"Let it go. I'm already here. You should have said something before we left," I replied, then smiled at Aries.

"You should stay here," Maximus said again as we were about to enter the doctor's office.

"Why?"

"I don't want you to hear what the doctor will say," he answered.

"And why can't I hear it?" I pressed.

"I want you to hear it when the results are positive so that you'll be happy," Maximus declared.

"What does that have to do with my happiness?" I asked.

"Just stay here," he insisted, then let Aries push him into the room, leaving me outside.

Shortly after, Aries came out.

"He didn't want me inside either," Aries said, and I just nodded.

It was up to Maximus if he didn't want company. He would call if he needed anything.

Not long after, Maximus came out with the doctor, who smiled at me.

"How is he, doc?" I asked.

The doctor glanced at Maximus before replying with an overly sweet smile. What was that? Why did he look like he was teasing me?

"Mrs. Salonga, he's fine. I've already arranged for the doctors who will take care of his surgery," the doctor explained. "But please help him with his therapy. He needs to walk, and that won't happen if he stays in his wheelchair."

"Ah, okay," I replied.

Then, I felt Maximus take my hand as I stood next to him. I let him because, well, we were married after all.

The doctor left us alone.

"Sir, I'll head back to the office," Aries said.

"Okay. Don't forget to send all the documents I need to review," Maximus replied.

I chuckled to myself. Review? I shook my head—this man's confidence was on another level.

-

Aries was still with us as we made our way to the parking lot where the driver was waiting.

The elevator stopped on the ground floor, and Maximus and I stepped out first, me pushing his wheelchair, with Aries following behind.

As we approached the exit, a woman passed us, her gaze fixed intently on my husband.

Wait, my husband?

Curious, I stopped walking and looked at her. She couldn't seem to tear her eyes away from Maximus. Did they know each other?

"Love, why did we stop?" Maximus asked.

It was as if the woman had been startled awake—she flinched and glanced at me before quickly looking back at Maximus.

"Love," he repeated.

"Huh? Sorry, I thought I knew her," I said, and the woman hurried away.

I watched her for a moment, my curiosity piqued.

"Who was that, love? Are we not leaving?" Maximus asked, pulling me back to reality.

Before I could respond, I noticed Aries watching the woman too. His eyes widened when he realized I had caught him.

"Do you know her?" I asked him.

"Huh? No, Mrs. Salonga," Aries replied quickly.

"Who was it?" Maximus asked again.

"No one. I don't know her either. She was just staring, and I thought I recognized her," I said.

"You're with me, and you're still checking out other guys?" Maximus teased, a hint of jealousy in his tone.

"I was looking at a woman, not a guy. I'm not like you!" I shot back, resuming the push of his wheelchair until we reached the parking lot.

-

We headed home. One thing I admired about Maximus was that, even in a simple T-shirt and walking shorts, sitting in a wheelchair, women couldn't help but stare at him.

It would be hard to let him go. For sure, there would be a line of women waiting for their chance with him.

"Love, love, love!"

"What is it? Why do you keep saying 'love'?" I snapped, a bit irritated.

How could I not be? We were just sitting next to each other on the sofa, and he kept calling me for no reason.

"Why don't you just tell me what you need?" I asked, annoyed.

"I thought maybe you couldn't hear me," he said, grinning, and I rolled my eyes.

"You know, I can't wait for you to see again so that you can witness how my eyes narrow in frustration because of you," I quipped.

"I'd rather see how your eyes roll back in pleasure when I'm eating your pussy," he taunted.

"Mr. Salonga!" I gasped.

"Love, when will you call me that? Do you think I haven't noticed you never use it? Remember, we have a contract, and I've already paid you in full. So you'd better start fulfilling your end of the deal," he demanded.

Shit! Was he going to do what he paid for?

"Mr. and Mrs. Salonga, here's your snack," said Lisa Lelis, our maid, placing juice and donuts on the center table.

"Thank you," Maximus said.

I stayed silent and grabbed a donut.

"Don't forget about me, love," the cheeky fellow teased.

"I'll be heading out now. I'll be back tomorrow morning," Lisa said.

"Alright, thanks for the snack," Maximus and I replied in unison.

Once Lisa left, it was just the two of us. I turned on the TV, still eating, when suddenly Maximus pulled me toward him.

"What now?"

"When we're sitting together like this, I want you close to me," he said.

"And why is that?" I asked.

"So my hands can play," he said, sliding his hand under my T-shirt.

He didn't stop until his hand was under my bra, and I could feel the warmth of his palm as his fingers teased my nipple.

"Ohh…"

Shit, why did I moan?!