"You didn't touch her?" My jealousy was getting the better of me.
Andrei cringed, an unmasked disgust was in his eyes. "I never touched her!""I don't believe you!" I couldn't believe my ears.Stella was a beautiful species with a voluptuous body plus his reputation as a libertine, anyone will have a conclusion like mine.A man who plays around with women wouldn't decline a woman like Stella."I know, it's hard to believe me and this will be more unbelievable. I didn't touch her at all even when she was my girlfriend back then," he replied."No way!" I stood up in disbelief.Telling me he didn't touch her while they were in a relationship was unbelievable.I might believe him saying that he didn't do it with her after marrying me."It's true. I was planning to propose to her and give my first to her after proposing," he said.As a resuRight away, I opened up my eyes. The translucent fabric of the curtain allowed the sunlight to pass through, casting the dancing ray into the room. I turned to my husband who was fast asleep and slightly patted his shoulder to wake him up. "Ummm," he groaned in protest. "Mr. President, wake up. The citizens of the Republic of Narani won't be pleased to hear that their president slept in," I teased and tickled him by blowing my warm breath on his ear. He drew my body to his body, enveloping me with his warmth. "Who's fault was it?" ".." I pinched his waist. "Ouch!" He said, chuckling. "Are you not afraid that people will talk about us when they see you coming from this side of the palace?" I was still anxious. Though he told me that we are not going to hide our marriage anymore. The apprehension has yet to leave. "Let the
Sharon smiled at me knowingly, "Vaunder gained popularity amongst the people and Andrei had paved a way for him. But the most important factor was you. He didn't want you to be in danger." Truly, Andrei loves me as he claimed. He must be a person who expresses his love through his actions. As the saying goes, 'Action speaks louder than words.'In fact, all he did was to protect me. And I felt bad for doubting him. He endured a lot of things just to protect me. Now that Vaunder is announcing his candidacy, Andrei would no longer be a threat to his rival. Hence, it was time for him to introduce me, his legal wife, to the public. "We're here," Sharon announced as the car stopped in front of a salon. Already understanding what my husband wants, I followed Sharon to the salon without asking her questions. As we entered the salon, it was empty.
"Oops!" The voices reminded me that we were not alone. Scampering to the bathroom immediately came to my mind. As if reading my mind, Andrei held my hand and whispered, "Stay and look at them." Embarrassed, I looked at the people coming out of the bedroom. With hands covering their eyes they said, stammering, "We d - in't see anything." "Yes, you didn't see anything," Andrei said and they hurriedly went out of the room. That was an order that they won't divulge what they saw and they were not allowed to talk about it. "Let's resume are business," Andrei said when we were the only ones in the room. Abruptly, I stood up and replied, "We have to get ready for the speech of Vaunder." A smirk graced his handsome face and he mumbled. "Coward!" I heard what he said and feigned to haven't understood it, lest he will just tease me again.
All of my in - laws approached us. Ignoring the dissatisfied look of my father - in law, I gave Andrei's parents the due respect. "Good evening, father, good evening mother," I said while bowing my head slightly. My father - in - law nodded with a snort. On the other hand, my mother - in law gave me a hug and kissed my cheek. "You're so beautiful, Tara," she said happily. "Thank you, mother. You are beautiful as well," I was full of smiles. My grievances towards her were erased when she came to our room telling how sorry she was. "By the way, darling, let me introduce Vaunder, Andrei's eldest brother and his wife, Blesilda," my mother - in - law said. "Pleased to meet you, two," I said, smiling at the beautiful couple in front of me. Blesilda smiled and hugged me. In an instant, Blesilda and I clicked. I know she's a genuine friend.
Once in a while, Andrei and I would look at each other while he was surrounded by people. My mother-in - law's snickering drew my attention and I looked at her.She was nothing like that rich, old and sophisticated woman who looked down at her daughter in law. She's a down to earth woman and I love her. "Andrei had never been like this, not even with Stella. He can't bear to be away from you," she said as she giggled. She's obviously happy that his son had moved past Stella and began to love again.Words could not describe how I felt, knowing that my husband loves me more than he ever loved Stella. "Go to him, his eyes were begging that you go to him," Suzanna gave me a gentle nudge on my elbow. I came forward and approached my husband. He was smiling at me while I was drawing nearer to him. "Gentlemen, I would like you to meet my wife, my first and only lady," he sa
"Alright, let's not make it hard for my wife. It will be your fault if she doesn't want to be interviewed in the future," Andrei said, easing away the butterfly in my stomach. I don't want people to know that I scolded the president. That was the most foolish thing I ever did in my entire life. I fought for the wrong person, I stood up for her without knowing the truth in the first place.I thought she was being bullied by Andrei.In fact, she came there of her own volition. No one coerced her. What infuriates me more was that she shamelessly asked him to do it again in our hearing. Shameless, she was an embarrassment to us, women. That incident taught me a lesson. I should not judge based on what I see and must not pass judgment quickly without proper investigation. Not everything we see delineates what truly transpired. They can be deceiving and will lead us to error in our judgment.I should have probed further before pointing my fingers at him.It was truly embarrassing. "I
Leaving the gym exhausted, Andrei carried me in his arms to the bathroom. He attentively helped me shower and held me towards the dresser while covered with a robe. I was yawning as he dried my hair. "You can go back to bed," when he was done drying my hair. "No, I can't, the dignitaries are arriving today, I have to make sure that everything will be alright," I stood up and began to dress. "Are you sure?" He asked with a worried tone. I eyed him and he enclosed me with his arms. "I will be more gentle next time." "You better be," I said to him and we broke the hug. The entire day, Andrei and I haven't seen each other. Neither of us were idle as both of us were occupied because of the dignitaries that arrived. The time I retired to the bedroom was almost midnight but Andrei had not come yet. Too tired to wait for him, I
I looked at the doctor and he was grinning at me. "Congratulations! You are two months pregnant," he said. Speechless, I just looked at him daze. "The president will surely be happy with this good news," he said when I was not responding. "A - re you sure doctor?" I wanted to make sure that it wasn't a mistake. "Here's the result, madam, take a look at it," he passed me the result and my hand flew to my still flat tummy. Tears slipped from my eyes as I giggled "Welcome, baby. Daddy and mommy have been waiting for you. Daddy will be so happy to hear the news," I talked to my baby while I caressed my belly. The doctor must have heard what I said and I heard him chuckle. "Madam, are you ready to head to the obstetric department?" He said after giving me some time to sort out my emotions. I took my mirror and wiped my tear streaked face with my handkerchief. It would be embarassing for my husband when his wife was seen with snots and tears. "Let's go," I said as I stood. At th
Andrea Wilkin’s POV The garden was filled with laughter as my kids, my siblings' kids and cousins' kids were running about the garden. Today is my dad’s sixtieth birthday. My siblings and I organized this surprise birthday party for him. “Are they coming?” My brother Austin asked while cradling his third child. “Yes, mom sent me a text an hour ago that they’re preparing,” I replied. “Kirsten is blessed to have you, Austin,” I said, smiling. Austin and Nicholas are like our dad, they are hands on dad. My phone rang as Austin was about to respond. Before I answered the call, I signaled at everyone to keep quiet and they cooperated, not wanting to ruin the surprise. “Mom?” I whispered. “Andrea, your dad is asking me where we are going and the reason we are going out. What should I tell him?” I chuckled. It’s really hard for mom because dad could see through her. It’s really hard to surprise him. “Just tell him that you wanted to have a date with him,” I suggested.
“Congratulations!” Evan gave me a manly tap on the shoulder. Tara had just finished feeding our baby and laid her on the baby cot when he and Trixie came in. “Oh, so beautiful,” Trixie cooed. “What is her name?” Evan asked while looking at my sleeping daughter. “Andrea,” Tara answered and I looked at her in surprise. “You don’t like it?” she squinted her eyes. “I’m happy, babe,” I hugged her, smiling from ear to ear. Naming our daughter after my name was one of her ways of showing how much she loves me. This woman truly amazes me. Despite all the pain she has gone through since we got married she always finds ways to express her love for me. She loves me no matter what. ***The following day, the DNA test result was out. The result has proven that Tara was the great granddaughter of Marcus Reinsterd the Duke of Clorgow. Tara’s grandfather released a statement that Tara is his great granddaughter, the daughter of his grandson the son of his son, Lincoln. In his statement, t
I was like a cat on a tin roof waiting for my “great grandpa” which I was going to meet for the first time. “Don’t be nervous, babe. They can’t hurt you,” Andrei reassured me as he kissed the crown of my head and stroked my large belly. “Dad and mom, will be here, shortly,” as soon as he said that we heard hurried steps coming from the entrance of the mansion. Suzanna smiled at me reassuringly as she walked towards us. “All will be fine, darling,” Suzanna said as she stroked my back. Trevor layed a box and a file on the coffee table before me.“The box was what your grandma left for your father, while the file was your father's legal documents.” I looked up at Andrei and his smile gave me the needed strength for me to look into the box. One by one, I took out the content of the box. I took out the diary and read it. March 5[I was disowned and disinherited by my family because I chose to marry Lincoln Reinsterd. But it was worthwhile because we love each other.]June 1[All of
While I was brooding, the door burst open and I saw Courtney come in while the bodyguard was restraining her. I waved my hand, “Let her be.” “What are you doing here?” I tried not to let my annoyance seep through my voice. This woman saved me after all. “Mr. Hendrick, your surgeon is my friend and he discussed your leg injury with me.”“And?” I frowned. What does she have to do with my injury? “You didn’t look at the card I gave you?” she asked and her eyes darted at the side table. “I’m a physiotherapist,” she went on. She explained to me that I will have a greater chance to walk again if I undergo therapy. Tara’ POV“You can visit me, mom,” I told mom as she was crying when we were left alone in the room. She nodded and wiped her face with her handkerchief. “You take care of yourself, okay,” she said and kissed my forehead. “I will,” I said and we hugged for I don’t know how long. My brothers were in the living room looking solemn as they stood before the grand piano.
Jordan was at the door. “We are all waiting for you at the dining room,” he said and gave me a mischievous grin. I forgot, it’s Saturday today. When I came to Astrana, we all gathered together at the dining table at lunch time on Saturdays. Jordan was right as everybody was seated on their chair at the dining table when we came down. “Sorry for making you wait,” I said as Andrei drew a seat for me. “It’s alright,” Trevor answered, smiling at me. The sparkle in his eyes was more brilliant at this time. Is this because he was seeing his best friend in me? Suzanna told me that my biological dad was his best friend. One by one I looked at the faces of people I love as we were having lunch. My heart was filled with gratitude that I was blessed by God to have been surrounded by people I love and love me too. ***The day before we were leaving, I was hugging Andrei from behind as he was shaving his face. “Babe, we are leaving tomorrow night and I haven’t visited Hendrick in the hosp
I used my eyes to plead to Andrei and let me go to the hospital. Yes, I don’t see Hendrick as a lover, but he is my friend and I can’t just ignore him knowing that he is now in the hospital. “Let’s go,” Andrei said and I was relieved. I hugged him and said, “Thank you, babe.” “Get Johnny to drive for you,” mom said. Andrei embraced me as we traveled as I was tense. “Don’t get agitated. Think about our child.” “Mm,” I nodded and silently prayed that Hedrick would be fine and the surgery would go well. There was a woman who was waiting in the corridor in front of the surgery room. She might have heard our hurried steps and turned toward us. I was stunned as she was beautiful. My heart suddenly leaped with excitement. Finally, the one for Hendrick showed up. “Are you the girlfriend?” she asked when I was near her. Andrei slid his arm around my waist, silently telling her that she’s got it wrong.“I’m sorry, I thought you were because he has been calling your name. So I called
“Mm” I pounded his chest with my fists but Andrei seemed not to feel it. “You are disgusting!” I said as my palm connected with his face after letting go of my lips. His head turned sideways because I hit his face hard. He looked at me with teary eyes. “Can’t we come back to the way we used to be?” My heart clenched seeing the pain in his eyes. “Don’t you love me anymore, Tara?” I took a profound breath. He has to know. It’s immoral to continue in this relationship. “Andrei, Kristoff Kanovski is my father and he is your uncle. We are cousins. We are in an incestuous relationship. It’s immoral.” It was hard to say it, but it is the truth and we both need to be freed from this. “Let’s go, they are waiting for us in the living room,” Andrei moved out of the bathroom and I walked behind him. “What happened to your face, son?” I heard Suzanna.“Your son misbehaved so he reaped what he sowed,” Trevor said, chuckling.There was no available seat in the living room and was already
As if strong hands pulled me together. My strength came back all at once and I went to have a shower. “Tara, wait for me, I will come and get you and our child back,” I said. I was crying and smiling at the same time. I will not let Kavanaugh have her. If kneeling before her will gain her forgiveness and acceptance, I am more than willing to do it. I shaved my face as my beard and mustache had grown long. Tara didn’t like me growing my beard and mustache. She wanted my face smooth. I went down after getting dressed. “Are you leaving tonight for Astrana?” Dad already guessed what was on my mind. “Yes, I can’t wait to see her. We have been like this for months,” I shook my head, realizing the wasted time. “You should have asked me about it son,” dad patted my shoulder. “I was afraid you would have another heart attack that would kill you. I can’t bear seeing mom, lonely and crying,” I said with a sigh. It was the truth, I’d rather be sad than see my mom cry. “We will go with
I pursed my lips. “Tara, I will be here for you and the child,” Hendrick said. “What about your mom and dad? You left them for me?” Hendrick shook his head. “No, they came with me.” I remember that General Rossini and Eloise were Astranians. “Do they know the reason you left the military and went here?” I asked with wide eyes.“Yes they do,” Hendrick nodded his head with a smile. ***At night, I was in bed, and my mom came into my room. “Mom?” My mom sat on the side of the bed and I slid my body in the middle of the bed to give her space to sit. She got into the bed and she leaned on the headboard. “Don’t be afraid to accept the man, he truly loves you.” I looked up at her and said, protesting, “But mom.”“Sh… listen to me. It’s very important.” mom said and had me lay my head on her chest.“When I was young I had a boyfriend who came from a powerful family.” Mom paused for a while and sighed.“But his mother told me to leave him and I agreed. However, after agreeing to hi