CHRISTOPHER
I walk into my study room with my laptop in hand. I grabbed my laptop, shifting the computer on my study table to the back, so my laptop can sit properly on the table.
I checked out a few reminders from work before checking the time. It's past six already. We should be having dinner by now. I shut down the laptop and was about to stand up from my seat when an image flashed in front of my eyes.
The image of when Adele had held onto her suitcase and I had reached out to take the suitcase as well, only for our hands to touch. The way she had removed her hand from mine was like I was a bad allergy or something.
I understand that she is getting used to this strange and sudden arrangement but the least we can do for each other and better growth is to treat each other with care and respect and not like dirt. I sighed before getting up from my seat and going out of the study room. I walked quickly to the bedroom and pushed one of the doors open.
There she is, lying down at the foot of the bed. I walked in and closer to her. She is asleep. She has not even changed out of her clothes and she has only folded about five clothes out of all the clothes on the bed. Wow, really hardworking.
I tapped her arm but she moved all of a sudden, making me freeze. I closed my eyes and waited to hear the sounds of her cold tone but all I heard was someone breathing out.
I opened my right eye first before opening the other one and there she is, still sleeping. She must be really tired.
I hooked my index finger and middle finger together for good luck before making my attempt. I placed my left hand underneath her back and the right one underneath the back of her knees before lifting her quickly.
I had not walked to the side of the bed when she turned continuously in my arms, trying to find a comfortable way to continue her sleep. I smiled at that.
She is impatient when she is asleep too. Just cute.
What?!
I placed her down on the bed immediately with a frown. Why would I think about such a thing?
I kept a frown on my face as I reached down to take the duvet. I can't really help the frown anyways. What was I thinking when I thought about her like that anyways?
I pulled the duvet from underneath her feet with force, not caring if she woke up or not. She still did not wake up anyways.
I placed the duvet properly on her body and pulled it up to her chin. I was about to take my hand off the duvet when she suddenly grabbed onto it, startling me. I did not see her moving her arm earlier. Oh no!
Her breathing went ragged and back to normal almost at the same time. I let her hold me but when her to hold on me went loose, I pried my hand out of hers quickly.
I looked down at her calm and gentle face as she turned on the bed so that she is facing the window. If only she could be that calm when she is awake.
I was about to walk away from the bed when my eyes caught the glimpse of what is still staying on the bed. Mm. Come to think of it, I am less busy right now.
ADELE
"Adele?", someone called out to me but it sounds so faint that I ignored it. Everything is dark too.
"Adele", this call is more eager.
I opened my eyes and closed them back sharply when a bright light shone into my eyes. I guess it was dark before because I was asleep.
"Adele, wake up. Let's eat dinner", the same person said and I find the voice very familiar.
I finally opened my eyes more slowly this time and my gaze landed on a black curtain. Where am I? For one, I know the curtain of my room isn't black but white and nobody calls me like this just for dinner.
I let my gaze trail upwards and there he was, standing beside me- besides the bed. What was his name again?
"Chris?", I finally replied in a hoarse voice and the person in front of me smiled.
"You've finally decided to just listen to me and call Chris", he replied and I rolled my eyes before shooting up from the bed.
I soon regretted standing up like that immediately when I felt that headache. Oh my... I just want to sleep!
"Adele?", he called out to me and I turned my head slowly to look at him this time around. He has that concerned expression on his face.
"Give me a minute, I will be down shortly", I finally replied as I looked around the strange bed.
"Okay", Chris finally replied, followed by his footsteps.
The moment the door closed, my hands were against my head as I draw in a sharp breath. I loosened my hair from the bun I had packed it in this morning before getting out of bed slowly.
I pushed myself groggily to where Chris had called the bathroom earlier and escaped into it.
~ ~
I got into the kitchen and Chris is standing in front of the gas cooker, cooking something. He turned back slowly when I think he noticed my presence and his eyes widened in amusement but he wasn't smiling.
"You are here, take a seat", he said to me calmly as he gestured towards the seats at the kitchen island table.
I glared at him at first before finally complying with what he just told me to do. I took my seat and rested my chin on the palms of both hands as I watched him work.
He added bell pepper, carrots, onions, garlic, chicken, and the other ingredients to the sauce that was already on fire in the cooking pot before. When he added the noodles, I quickly realized what he was cooking. Even though it had been a long time since I cooked or even ate that meal.
Within five minutes or a little bit more than that, the food was ready. Chris brought the pot containing Lo Mein noodles to the middle of the island table before grabbing two bowls for the both of us.
He served me an adequate quantity before serving himself as well. He picked up two cups again and poured us both some juice before sitting down at the side of the island table as well.
CHRISTOPHER
At the bureau, I had frowned when I saw Adele's face and I had not known why but I do now. Even though I hate to admit it or even think about it, I don't like it when Adele pulls her hair into a bun. I like it how it is now, down.
"You changed your clothes", I finally spoke up as I turned my head up to look at her. I know I am just stating the obvious but I am trying to at least have a conversation with her again.
If we are going to keep on ignoring each other, then the marriage won't last long and that's exactly what I cannot afford. It must last long, long enough to get my CEO title.
"You arranged my clothes for me", she suddenly said in a very stern voice, getting my attention to her.
"Why?", she added again in that scary tone that I gulped before replying. I rubbed the back of my neck with my hand as I thought of what to reply with.
Why did I arrange her clothes in the closet for her?
"I- I was less busy", I said sincerely and she looked up at me.
She raised her right eyebrow at me, telling me that she does not believe me one bit and I quickly took my gaze away from her.
"I saw it there and I thought I should arrange it since I was less busy", I replied again with a shrug, still not wanting to meet that gaze of hers.
"Mm", she hummed at me and I took a quick glance at her before looking down at my bowl filled with lo Mein noddles.
Too feisty, if you would ask me.
She picked up her fork, scooped a lot of noodles with it, and brought the food into her mouth. I have been waiting for her to taste it all along. I stared at her, hoping she would compliment my cooking or something but instead, she somehow managed to notice my gaze on her.
"What?", she asked sharply.
"How is it?", I asked back eagerly. I can't wait for her to compliment it herself any longer when I can just ask her about it myself.
"It's a bit spicy. Didn't know the lo Mein noodles is supposed to be spicy- at all", she answered emotionlessly and my heart sank.
Does she hate spicy foods? I thought it would be a good idea to at least taste a little bit of pepper in it.
"I know but it still tastes good, right?", I asked her again and she nodded as she looked down at the food.
"It is not bad", she finally replied and a smile appeared on my face.
She does not hate it then.
We finally finished having dinner and I was really glad to see not even a single strand of noodles on Adele's plate. She was drinking her juice when I carried the plate she used from her front and took it to the sink.
I switched on the tap on the plates in the sink and was about to grab the sponge when a hand grabbed it. My hand landed lightly on hers and I quickly took it off her before any incident would happen between us, for the second time today.
"Let me", she said to me softly for once and I looked to and fro between her and the dirty dishes in the sink.
"You-", I started before clearing my throat again.
Her face is so close to mine, I can't help the rush of adrenaline that I am feeling inside me right now. Why does she have to stand so close?
I took a deep breath before trying again.
"You want to do the dishes?", I asked her and she nodded with wide eyes like it is nothing special.
"Yeah, sure", she finally spoke up and I moved my head slowly backward before nodding once to her.
"Okay", I said before moving my body away from the sink.
I walked towards the door of the kitchen and when I got to the doorway, I looked back at her. She is now standing in front of the sink, as she washed the plates.
Call me weird but the view is-
attractive.
* * *
ADELE I stood by the sink as I washed the plates. Truth be told, I will find a way to ask Chris to make me this dish again. It was so delicious. It is like the food just melts in your mouth but with a little spiciness in it which makes it only much better. Chris asked if I liked it and I acted like I did not. I don't want to act so casually with him, so... And I have that drawing to figure out. I should try out 'his' drawing tomorrow again. I don't know why I keep forgetting how to draw his face. I finished washing the plates and as I walked out, I met Chris sitting on that middle couch that is facing the television in the sitting room. "You are here", he said when he finally looked up at me and I just stared back at him. "Do you want to sleep? Do you feel sleepy?", his questions came again and I raised a brow. "No", I finally replied and he nodded. "I thought so too. It would be weird if you said you wanted to sleep, depending on the fact that you just woke up an hour ago", Ch
ADELE Today is Sunday. My second day being a married woman. I watched Chris as he made us some toast. He said we are going to have it with tea and I shrugged at him when he said it. I am still amazed though. I mean, out of all the married women in the world. I am graced with one who won't forcefully have anything intense with his wife without her consent. He is like a gentleman. He is rare, I can say that. He is like- Daniel. My lips twitched a bit and my eyes stung when I realized that. He is just like Daniel in that part. "Are you ready to taste the best toast ever made?", Chris asked with a smile on his face, bringing me out of my thoughts. I have noticed. Christopher like being playful with me for reasons that I have no idea about. I wonder how he always managed to do it though. I mean, he can't be that comfortable with living with someone strange. Can he? I looked down at the island table as I ignored him and a plate of toast landed in front of me. 'Toast is just toast'
ADELE Time flew by so well because the next thing I knew, Christopher and I had had dinner and were already preparing for bed. "I am going to work tomorrow. Will you be okay at home alone?", I heard him ask from the couch as I tried to lay properly on the bed. Why wouldn't I be? "Yeah, I would be", I told him anyways. "I have your phone number. I will call you during lunch break tomorrow", he said again in his soft, deep voice. "Oh! So, you had my number?", I asked immediately without thinking and I heard him shuffling on the couch. I brought my head up to my head and slap myself on the forehead. Oh no! "What do you mean? Am I not supposed to have my wife's number?" I sighed before raising my upper body on the bed as I supported myself by placing my hands on the bed behind me. I looked towards the couch and apparently, Chris is sitting down on the couch as well. "I did not say that", I replied with a roll of my eyes and he frowned at me. "Why did you ask that question
CHRISTOPHER I walked into the house and it is silent, except for the faint sounds coming from the television that is on. Where is Adele? I walked further into the house and when I turned to go and switch off the television, I saw her. She is on the couch that is facing the television, the couch I always sit on. She is sleeping on her left side with her hands on each other, under her head and her face facing the television, only she is fast asleep. She is in a teal green gown and it has moved up to her mid-thigh. I looked up at her face and her brows are close to each other in a frown. I smiled at that. She is frowning even when she is asleep as well. I shook my head at her action before placing my suitcase on the table silently. I left her in bed when I left for work in the morning and now, it is her sleeping face I am still looking at when I got home. I frowned when I thought properly about it. She must have been bored. I walked forward to tap her on the arm but my hand hung
ADELE I sat on the bed as I placed the clothes I would be needing at Chris's Uncle's house in my suitcase. Today is Friday, we leave for his house tomorrow. I raised a brow as I remembered the conversation I had with Chris on that day. "We would have to sleep together as well", he had told me and my eyes widened. How will that be possible when we have never slept in the same bed before? Chris said his uncle would suspect that something is wrong if we ask to sleep in two different rooms and I agree with him. The door to the bedroom clicked open and I looked up from where I sat at the foot of the bed. Chris walked in with his work suitcase gripped tightly in his hand and he has a tired look on his face. He raised his head and when his eyes met mine, he gave me a small smile. Hmph! "Hey", he greeted me when he was about to reach where I was. "Hey", I replied before running the zip of my suitcase. "You packed up already", he stated as he sat down on the bed as well with the suitca
ADELE We finally arrived at Mr. Jeffrey's house and the gate was pulled open for us immediately. Liam drove us into the compound and as soon as he dropped our luggage by their front door, he drove off. The front door opened all of a sudden and a woman with black hair like mine rushed out immediately. She pulled me into a hug and the tip of her short hair kept tickling my face. "I have heard so much about you. I couldn't wait to meet you", she said as she hugged me tightly and I gasped for air loudly. Trust me, I did not mean for it to come out loudly. "I am sorry", she quickly released me and I forced a smile. "It's fine", I replied, my voice coming out hoarse. "Pardon me. I am Christopher's aunty-in-law but you can just call me aunty", she said with a sweet smile on her face and I smiled back. "And I am Adele. Pleased to meet you", I replied with a smile. "Hi aunty", Chris greeted in his deep, alluring tone before wrapping his arms around my waist. I gasped shortly in shock b
ADELE Chris continued swimming over to my side and I paddled backward. The moment my back hit the cold tile of the internal skimmer wall, Chris's brought his head up from the water. I gasped in shock and quickly asked him, "What the fuck are you doing?", I asked quickly with a frown and he gave me a smile in return. "My uncle and his wife are watching us right now", he replied and my mouth went open in surprise. "So, what do we do?", I asked him immediately. I was about to turn my head back to look at the balcony upstairs but Chris just turned my head back with both hands and stared intently at me. "We give them a show", he replied as he got closer to me and I got confused. A show? A show? What's he talking about? I was about to ask him what he meant by a show when he brought his head down to the side of my neck. His cold lips met with my exposed neck and I felt that tingling sensation instantly. I gulped. I brought my hand up to stop him from doing anything further but then
CHRISTOPHER I have been awake for the past hour now and I don't know to leave the bed. Adele is in my arms with her head on my chest as she slept peacefully. She looks so peaceful right now that I do not want to disturb her sleep. I should just let her sleep a little bit more. She has her right arm around my upper body, holding me tightly against her. Her breasts are pressing tightly against my body and I am stopping myself from wanting to feel them in my hands. One of her legs is in between my two limbs and it does not help every time she moved her knee upward. It's early in the morning and this is happening to me already. I stopped her hand from going downwards when I saw it move. It won't be funny at all if her hand touches me down there and I end up exploding all of my fluids from her touch. I don't know why I am still feeling this way when she is asleep. Every touch of hers on me just ignites an unexplainable feeling in me. I watched her eyelids flutter continuously and when
ADELEIt's been a week since the competition. Everything is back to normal and Chris has even gotten up to prepare for work today as well.Oh yes, Bianca's modeling job went down because of what happened at the competition. Apparently, someone had been filming all that happened. She got out of the police jail not long after she was placed in it but I think she has learnt her lesson. Chris walked out of the walk-in closet and I sat up immediately to look at him. I felt a sharp headache and I hissed. Chris got in front of me- at the foot of the bed- in no time as he asked. "Hey, are you okay?" I pushed my hand in front of him to tell him to stop talking. I don't know where this headache came from all of a sudden. "Yeah, I am fine," I replied with a smile as I looked up at Chris. My stomach started making some disturbance and I winced when I suddenly got a stomach ache. I bent forward on my seat on the bed as I clenched the cloth holding my stomach tightly in my hand. "Adele?""So
ADELE"So, why did you do it? Why did you take my artwork?" I asked and she moved in the tight grip of the investigator. She brought her face in front of mine as she spat those foolish, unkind words. "Because I hate you," she replied as she looked into my eyes and I frowned. She moved back as a loud hysterical laugh escaped her lips. The investigators moved his feet while he pulled Bianca after him. She stopped laughing all of a sudden and screamed at the top of her voice. "I can walk on my own!" She demanded to the investigator who held on to her right arm and he let her go immediately. She walked in the front while the two investigators walked behind her. I released a deep breath as they went out of my sight. Chris arrived backstage with the two men who had collected my artwork from me outside the hotel yesterday. They were both carrying my artwork."You are here," I said as he reached in front of me and he nodded. "And let's welcome Mrs. Marvin to the stage!" I heard the Ma
ADELEThe investigators arrived some moments later in a black round-neck top and jean trousers. Two of them went into the hotel while others stayed inside the car, not far away from the hotel. I welcomed them into my hotel room and shut the door. I am only thankful that the event has started, so all the artists are in there. Chris asked me to take my seat on the bed while the two investigators stood in front of me. Chris stood on my left, not far away from the bed and not far away from the investigators. "When last did you see the artwork, Mrs. Marvin?" The nice and calm looking one of the investigators asked. "Uh, yesterday afternoon when I brought it here in my husband's car," I replied and the other one wrote something down. "Your husband explained to us that two men collected the artwork from you," he said and I nodded. "That's right," I replied and the other man wrote something down again. "Can you describe those men?"I nodded and tried to make a good description of them
ADELE"Bianca?" I asked as I squinted my eyes at her and she giggled. "Surprise!" She said back cheerfully and I furrowed my brows at her. What is wrong with her?"Oh right, I did not know you would be here as well," she added in her normal self as she slanted her lips at me. I must say, she is still looking beautiful as always. "What are you doing here?" I asked and she sighed. "I am here for the art competition," she replied and my mouth went round in surprise. I thought she was a model, how can she be here? Or does she perhaps paint as well?"Wha-? How?" I let out uncontrollably and she chuckled again. "Well, I might have lied to my new boyfriend that I know how to paint. Then, he signed me up for this and here I am," she said with a shrug and I nodded at her words knowingly. Well, that sounds like her. "Nice to see you again then," I greeted as I forced a smile at her and she smiled back instantly."Same here," she replied and I hummed before getting into my room. "I wil
ADELE"Chris? What are you doing here?" I asked with my eyes wide in surprise. "Can I come in?" He asked and I moved away from the door immediately. "Of course," I replied as Chris pushed his body in with a sigh. I closed the door and turned around to look at Chris immediately. "I called your phone," he said with a sigh as he sat down at the edge of the bed. "My phone is dead," I replied as I moved forward and stood in front of him. "Oh, I got so worried though," he breathed under his breath and I took my seat beside him. "I know"Chris pulled me into a hug immediately I sat down and I gasped in surprise. I became comfortable in his arms and just hugged him back tightly. "I missed you," he breathed into my neck and I chuckled. "I missed you too," I replied as I rubbed his back with my right hand. We stayed like that for a short while before he finally let me go slowly. "How are you?" He asked as he held my hands in both of his. "I am fine," I replied with a small smile on
ADELE"My artwork?" She asked and I nodded. "Some guys asked for my painting when I got in front of the hotel-," I started panicking as I explained but she cut me off midway. "Oh, those guys. I forgot about them," she replied and I took in a deep breath, waiting for her to continue. "They collected mine as well, saying they had somewhere allocated for each artwork," she added and I released the breath I was holding. "I guess that is how it works then," I said with a smile and she nodded. "Yeah"She faced the stage before turning to look at me again. "I am Veronica," she introduced herself as she stretched her hand which had three rings on them towards me. "Wow," I said out in amazement anyways and her expression turned into one of deep confusion. "You have the same name as my younger sister, that's all," I replied quickly before taking her hand. "I am Adele, Adele Marvin," I said proudly and her eyes widened. "I knew you looked familiar," she said cheerfully with a huge smil
ADELE"He knew my name, it was pretty weird," I came out to Chris as I furrowed my brows at the direction the men had gone in. "Oh?" Chris asked back and I turned to look at him. "Yeah," I nodded and Chris raised a brow. "You realize that is not strange, right?" Chris asked with a chuckle and I frowned in confusion. "And how is it not?" "Because you are pretty popular. At least, a bit." Chris explained before using his index and thumb to hold his jaw as if he was thinking about something."Uhn?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. I am still confused. He brought his focus back to me before explaining more clearly, "You are Mrs. Marvin, remember?" He asked and my mouth went round in shape in realization. "Oh yeah! Yeah, that's true. I almost forgot," I said the last sentence as a silly joke as I chuckled but I don't think Chris understands. He is looking at me in surprise and confusion at the same time. "Come on, I have to get my baggage out of the car," I said as I hit him playful
ADELEIt's finally a day before the day of the competition and I am very excited about it. Chris is carrying the little baggage I packed into the car. The baggage contains the little necessities I might be needing during my stay there. He returned to the art room and I took my gaze off the covered artwork- that is standing against the wall- to him."I seriously can't peep at it?" Chris asked and I rejected the idea immediately. "No! It is going to be a big surprise," I replied with a tired sigh. "Help me get it out of the house?" I asked and he walked closer to where I stood. "Sure!" He replied before holding the artwork from his side. He tried lifting his side and he dropped it back down instantly. My eyes widened in fear when I heard that slight sound it made against the tiled floor. "Don't you dare hurt that thing, Chris, or I am going to get angry at you," I warned with a frown on my face as I pointed my index finger at Chris and he chuckled. "I seriously don't know why you
ADELEI have moved back into my art room since the moment I started working on this competition project. I don't want Chris to see what I am making or it would ruin the big surprise. The competition or event is in two weeks and Chris has really been helping me a lot. He has been buying all the art supplies I ask for while I collect them from him, just at the door of the art room. Then, I shut the door right in his face. It had been fun to shut the door in his face in the beginning but now, I miss him so much, that I close the door slowly. A knock sounded on the door and I raised my head from the painting quickly. Chris is here. When did he get back from work?I dropped my brush in a can before walking to the door. I pulled it open and Chris's face appeared in front of me. "Hey," I breathed out and he smiled. "Hey," he replied before pushing his hands into his pocket. "Dinner is ready," he added as he took his left hand out of his pocket and pointed behind him. "Oh oh, I will b