Chapter 7 - Temper Check

Next morning, Shawn was the first one to wake up. When he checked the clock on his bedside table, it was only 6am. He stretched and sat up sleepily. He looked over to Pru’s side of the bed and realized that she was still asleep, hugging the ‘border’ she made with her head rested on it. The sight made Shawn snicker.

He found himself gazing at Pru’s face. He resisted at first, but the impulse to examine her features were stronger. So, he slowly laid down and placed his own face near hers on the ‘border’.

His eyes swept over her face and observed that her eye lashes were long and naturally curled. Her nose formed perfectly complementing her almond shaped face. Her fair skin had a natural blush on her cheeks. And her lips had a rosy hue and thin with a slight plump.

Shawn’s eyes stopped on Pru’s lips. A few strands of hair were on her face and he slowly brushed them away. His heart gave a loud thud against his chest at the touch of their skin, which made him stop mid-way, but it eventually gave a steady rhythmic beating as he steadily and continuously stares at her slightly opened mouth.

And without any warning, as if his body had a mind of its own, Shawn gave Pru a gentle peck on her lips. He felt an overwhelming pleasure when his lips felt the softness of hers. She knitted her eyebrows, closed her mouth and continued to sleep. Shawn gave an amused but satisfied smile. 

Seeing her peaceful sleep, Shawn closed his eyes again and fell asleep not long after, head to head with Pru.

Around 10am Pru was the first one to open her eyes and the 1st thing she saw was Shawn’s handsomely chiseled face near hers. Realizing how close their face was, she bolted up in panic. She had never this kind of close encounter with any boy or man before and it made her a little uncomfortable.

Her abrupt movement seemed to wake up Shawn as he also suddenly open his eyes.

For a moment his eyes met hers, she felt a blush growing on her cheeks so she just looked down.

Seeing her blush, amused Shawn. “Good morning wifey!” teasing her while stretching.

Pru hit him with a pillow in jest “You seem to be in such a good mood?”

Shawn just shrugged with a smile “Let’s just say, I woke up on the good side of the bed.”

“Huh. Seems like your trip to Eunice’s was beneficial.” Teasing him

Shawn just smiled then knitted his eyebrows “Do you have any plans today?”  he was hoping she'd say no cause he would really like to spend some time with her.

“Uhhh yes.” Pru replied as she stands up from the bed and began to fix her side “I promised Suzi I’ll accompany her to the mall since the official start of classes is tomorrow. She’d like to buy new outfits.”

Shawn was disappointed but hid his reaction from Pru “Ohhh okay. So it’s just me and this bed to myself then. What a life!” then he plopped down n the middle of the bed and made imaginary snow angels

But it seemed like Pru saw through him “It wasn’t me who wanted to spend the entire day outside yesterday and get home tired was it?” Pru mocked

“I had to.” Shawn said defensively in a serious tone “it was for the er… best”

“Whatever you’re so weird. Anyway, it's my turn today. I’ll use the bathroom first, okay?!” then she slammed the bathroom door

“Let’s do the amendment when you come out!” Shawn shouted to remind her

“Brush your teeth first silly!” Pru shouted back, he smiled at that

After a few minutes, it was Shawn’s turn. When he came out of the bathroom, Pru was already waiting for him at the study table with her laptop and the document open.

Shawn sat on the bed, Pru followed him with her eyes “Okay, we left off at Agreement 6. So the next is 7. What you wanna put in?”

Shawn drew a deep breath and closed his eyes, seemingly to clear his thoughts to say the right words “So, Agreement 7: Prudence Turner’s part time job will only be for 3x a week for 4 hours a day” Pru began to start typing “she should advise Shawn Kingsley of her weekly schedule so they could arrange transportation agreement for going home. Her part time job should and cannot hinder Kingsley family and Corporate affairs and events. Lastly, Grandpa Kingsley should never know about her Part time job. In the event, she is discovered, she would need to resign right away and make amends with Grandpa Kingsley and not apply for a part time job again until further notice.”  Shawn sighed “Are you okay with this?”

Pru had a frown on her face and stopped typing “yeah, it's just that, I don’t want to be too dependent to you, Shawn” she explained

“It’s the Kingsley’s men’s duty to provide, care, and protect their wives.” He said in a very authoritative manner, his body suddenly uptight and back straight “Since you are legally my wife and I am YOUR husband, I am obliged to do so. It’s not a big deal for me since we’re friends anyway.” Shawn’s face was stern

Pru’s eyebrows furrowed with worry and she felt a little intimidated by Shawn’s sudden show of authority “But... yeah… and that’s precisely the point, yeah?” she argued in a soft voice. Not daring to look at Shawn “Because we are JUST friends. Okay, at the very least, we consider each other as family. But, you shouldn’t do those things for me. You should reserve that for Eunice. I’m already content with the necessities the Kingsley’s provides me. No. no. I couldn’t really impose for much more.” She declared firmly

Because she wasn’t looking, Pru hadn’t realized that Shawn was already standing in front of her, arms crossed across his chest making his well-toned arms prominent displaying a displeased look on his face “And?”

Pru was startled at the proximity of his voice that she looked up but instantly recovered “And what?”

“What would people think when they find out that I am a negligent husband? That the men of Kingsley’s disregard their wives? What would the impact be towards our family then. You know that the Kingsley’s are always under the scrutiny of everyone, especially our rivals. Have you thought of that?” disdain plastered all over his face

“I… I…” Pru stuttered but she shook her head and abruptly stood up and looked straight at his eye “That’s not what I’m saying, Shawn!” Pru, now very upset

Because of her sudden movement, her developed breasts that was emphasized by her night gown, bounced softly. Shawn who was standing close to her and was generously taller – had a direct open view of the scenario. His face turned crimson and was alarmed by his reaction, at this he turned around and went straight to the sit down at the sofa.

“Let’s not talk about this now. Please.” He said in a calm but monotonous tone while rubbing his temples with eyes closed, he felt like he was having a migraine “Isn’t Suzi waiting for you?”

“Shawn just hear me out!” Pru demanded loudly and stomped her feet.

“I said, Enough!” Shawn roared with his deep voice and gave Pru a firm look. She was taken aback by his forcefulness that it gave her shivers down the spine. This is the second time she’s seen this side of Shawn. It just never really occurred to her that he had this kind of temperament, she’s always seen him in a sunny and comical aura.

Pru hadn’t noticed but tears fell on her cheeks – whether from out of fear, shock or embarrassment. Shawn saw it too, for as soon the tear fell from her eyes, his somber expression turned soft and he stood up to approach her “Pru… I…”

But she was already running towards her walk-in and slammed the door.

“Sh*t.” Shawn exclaimed, feeling disappointed with himself.

He was also surprised with his reaction towards Pru. He couldn’t understand the displeasure he feels when she disagrees or sets him aside. He has never yelled at her or fought with her before. 3 days into living together as husband and wife and he already made her cry.

“Is this marriage?” Shawn muttered to himself as he buried his face in his hands. He feels so bad about bursting his temper for the second time now. “Ughhh.”

Half an hour passed and Pru went out of the walk-in dressed in jeans and a casual peach cotton blouse. She didn’t even look at Shawn who was at the sofa and walked past him to blow-dry her hair at the dresser. All the while, Shawn was just following her with his eyes waiting for an opportunity to meet her eyes to apologize.

However, it was not just happening, and he was getting anxious. Pru’s frowned expression and cold shoulder bothered him. The sound of the blow dryer seemed louder because of the eminent silence between them. So he decided to break the quiet atmosphere “Today is game night. Be home by 5. Latest 5:30. Grandpa likes to start on time.”

Nothing. Pru turned off the blow dryer, grabbed her purse and walked out of the bedroom without sparing him a glance.

“Prudence Kingsley!” Shawn shouted as the doors were slammed shut. He then followed her but she already disappeared by the moment he stepped out.

Pru arrived at the mall 20 minutes later and went inside after her driver dropped her off the entrance. Suzi was waiting for her at the concierge. When she saw her, Suzi was bewildered with Pru’s sulken expression.

“Yo, what’s with the long face?” She asked as she hugged Pru.

“I don’t really want to talk about it.” She said as she looked away, avoiding Suzi’s questioning eyes.

“Let me guess… Lover's quarrel?” Suzi declared with a mischievous grin and teasing eyes as she playfully elbowed Pru.

“Don’t you need to do some shopping? Hurry up as I need to get home by 5.”­ Pru replied with an annoyed face walking ahead, leaving Suzi behind

“Ooooh! Not even a week and the hubby is already very possessive of my bff here!” Suzi retorted as she caught up and wrapped her arms around Pru’s  “What, did he give you an ultimatum that if you’re late then no…” Suzi pout her lips and made kissing sounds then laughed out loud.

Pru just rolled her eyes, pushed away Suzi and gave her a death glare “Ugh! Ew! No! Just, today is game night and Grandpa Kingsley require us all to be there. If you ask me, I prefer to not go home at all if not for grandpa.”

“Okay okay! No need to be salty with me.” Suzi raised her hands in surrender “Come on let’s seize those pretty dresses!” She said while pointing to a shop and pulling a reluctant Pru.

At the estate, Shawn was really anxious and was pacing back and forth, waiting for Pru at the receiving hall. He kept glancing on his watch. ‘4… 4:10… 4:15… Is she coming home on time? Did she hear what I said?’

To put an ease to his mind, he decided to call Pru. But briefly hesitated because she might not answer his call knowing she was upset with him. Then he also remembered that she promised that she will always answer no matter what - so he pushed through with the call.

He was alarmed when it was answered by an old man’s voice

“Who are you? Where is Pru?” a hint of force and urgency in his voice

“This is Joe, Mistress’ driver, Sir. Mistress is with me; we are on our way home.”

“Ok, good. Drive safely.” Shawn relaxed his tense body and face and hung up the phone. “This girl found a hack. Clever.” He said amused while staring at his phone screen.