Chapter 11

Ophelia 

After changing into my navy blue satin pajamas, I stared back at my reflection in the mirror. The bathroom was more luxurious than my entire apartment in London and it was freaking me out.

Knowing I would be sharing a room with Ryder that night was messing with my sanity. After the kiss we shared, we have not said a word to each other. We were just avoiding each other's gaze, more like I was avoiding his gaze but he was no different.

Letting out a deep breath, I made my way out of the bathroom. He was sitting on the bed, scrolling through his mobile. Realizing I was in the room, he lifted his head and spared me a glance.

I ignored him and went to the dressing table. I combed my hair to remove all the tangles I got from the shower. Letting my hair loose, I contemplated whether to join him or the bed or not.

I was relieved when he stood from the bed and walked out of the room. Using that chance, I hopped on the bed, covering my body with the duvet and keeping my mobile by the bed stand. 

He entered the room back with his laptop and some files. He went to the dressing table and began to work. 

Silently, I observed his hair, which was ruffled in a sexy way, and the veins in his arms that were protruding out of the bulging muscles as he moved his fingers on the laptop. 

The thought of how those fingers made me feel when he ran them on my cheeks and how he used them to keep me steady while we kissed.

I blinked back the thought and tried to put my attention back on him but there was a constant guilt in my heart.

The guilt of cheating on my blood. The guilt of liking how my sister's husband's lips felt against mine. I couldn't deny that I liked what happened that evening between I and Ryder but I was scared of admitting it to Olivia. 

The image of her shaking her head at me in disappointment struck me. Her contrasting eyes to my hazel ones, looking at me with hurt and pain. 

Even when I want to forget what happened, I just can't. It was embedded in my head causing the guilt to heighten.

I was just a simple and normal girl, different from Olivia, who wanted a peaceful, calm, and average life. Then how did my destiny end up marrying Olivia's husband?

I was busy thinking of that when my eyelids started feeling heavy. Soon I succeeded to sleep, forgetting about this workaholic man who was supposed to be my husband.

*****

When I woke up, I found myself in an unfamiliar room, and it took me a few minutes to remember where I was. The space beside me was cold.

Laying on the couch was Ryder. His frame couldn't occupy the couch, so one of his legs was lying out of the chair, and one hand was literally on the floor.

I took the duvet from the bed and covered him before heading to the bathroom. Coming out of the bathroom, I changed to a sundress and packed my hair in a ponytail as I was going to the kitchen.

The maids were already making breakfast when I reached the kitchen. “Good morning, Mrs. Smith.” They all chorused, and I smiled, the name still not unsettling with me.

“What is it for breakfast?” I went closer to the head cook and peeped through his shoulder to look at what he was cooking.

“Everyone's favorite, including yours ma'am. Do you want anything?” I realized they still didn't know I wasn't Olivia.

“Please call me Ophelia; Mrs Smith makes me feel Old,” I smiled at him. 

“But ma'am–” I shot him a threatening gaze, and he corrected himself. “Okay, Ophelia,” He said without asking any questions. I smiled and went to check what the others were doing.

“Please give me everyone's breakfast for today. I am making breakfast.” Everyone in the kitchen paused and glared at me like there was something wrong.

“Is there something stuck to my face?” I asked 

“No ma–Ophelia. Mr Smith warned us not to allow you enter the kitchen since you hurt yourself” the head cook said, skeptical.

“Well, I am the one telling you now that I will make everyone's breakfast, so don't worry, I won't put you in trouble. If I can start now, I would be done before anyone will wake up.” The head cook gave it a thought and agreed.

“But we will all stay behind and help you in anything”

“I won't need help, but that will do.” I accepted and took over from him.

They helped in the chopping of vegetables, onions, and other things. We exchanged a few words, and I was able to know their names.

Finally, after about two hours, I was done with everyone's food. “It is about time everyone wakes up. Please, you have to leave the kitchen now,” one of the maids asked politely.

“But I want to help set the table,” I said, refusing to leave. 

“We have it under control. Please, ma'am.” After their pleas, I gave in and removed the apron I was putting on.

“I enjoyed your company. Thank you” I said before leaving the kitchen.

“That is weird,” I heard one of the maids say as I was leaving. I smiled because I knew the reason why. 

I was the chef of the house when we were growing up. Daddy loved to cook so I would always stay with him in the kitchen and help him. With time, I enjoyed cooking for everyone in the house.

I wasn't surprised when the head cook said Ryder banned Olivia from entering the kitchen. Olivia could possibly burn down the house making a proper meal. I laughed and went to the dining room.

Ryder was already there, fully dressed in a suit. When did he dress up and leave the room? 

As the maids started arranging the table, the others started coming out for breakfast. I sat beside Ryder quietly as he pressed on his phone.

“All these smells so good,” David said as he took a seat further from mine. 

“I could smell it from my room,” Jacob said as everyone took their seat except Elina. 

There was a space beside me reserved for her. “Ryder, where is…?” The words died down in my throat as she walked into the room.

“Morning” she greeted and sat down beside me. “I hate mornings,” she mumbled beside me, and I chuckled.

“Everyone, let's pray,” Sandra said from beside Jacob, where he sat at the head of the table.

“Bless this food we have on our table oh God and continue to provide for the needy”

“Amen,” everyone chorused, and we started dishing our food.

Before I could help Ryder with his, he started doing it himself. I put some pancakes on my plate and syrup on it.

I cut a piece and proceeded to put it in my mouth when a loud voice asked “Who made this food”

My fork hugged in the air as my eyes landed on the person who asked.