Malcolm looked out through the window of his office, wishing he could see the mansion, particularly, his room. He wanted to be sure she was fine. he wanted to make sure she didn’t move about harshly and opened her wound again. The thought of being able to see his room through his office window excited him. He envisioned watching her while working. That way, he wouldn’t get to miss her. He suddenly frowned, didn’t that mean that others could see her too? The thought of her being admired by other men gave him goose pimples. He would definitely strangle any man that dared lust after her. She was his. His alone.
The door opened behind him and his Assistant walked in, carrying a small velvet box made of fur.
“Here is what you wanted, sir.” He spoke up, dropping the box on the table and then leaving quietly. The minute the door closed, Malcolm rushed to the table and opened the box. Dangling inside was a necklace with a diamond pendant. A
Lauren was unable to hide the shock on her face. What was this man up to? Why was he fuming already so early in the morning? “I’m sorry, you said?” “You cannot go to the kitchen. I forbid you to.” The man reiterated. “B-b-but why? Am I in some kind of detention?” she questioned, ignorant of the two men who glared angrily at themselves. “Did you forget your injury, Michelle? You might end up reopening the wounds again.” And you haven’t said thank you for my gift. He almost added. “I’ll be careful, I promise.” “You are always clumsy. I just don’t want the news to spread that you died under my roof.” “You don’t have to worry. I’ll take care of her. Dad.”After an eternity of silence and pleading, Malcolm finally conceded, and ecstatic, Lauren unconsciously
A month passed by slowly, watching Lauren’s injury fully heal. Thanks to Doctor Alfred’s expertise, no scar was left to remind her that it was once there. Now, she could wear a low shoulder dress like the one she wore now. Malcolm had told her they were going out. She couldn’t help but feel nervous. What if things turned out bad the way they did the previous time? When she finally came out of the room, Malcolm was waiting for her in the car. He was reclining on the seat with his eyes closed as usual. It made her wonder if he was really sleeping. “Umm… where are we going?” she asked but got no reply. Nodding, she turned to face her front. Maybe he was truly napping. “Don’t worry, I won’t send you off to a room full of arrogant looking women.” A baritone voice sounded just right beside her ear, making her jerk just a bit.Lauren blushed, “That was not what…”
The car drove slowly into a big mansion, two times bigger than the one they lived in. Lauren resisted the urge to gasp. She adjusted the dress she wore over and over again.Malcolm sighed exasperatedly, “Stop that already. You’ll do just fine.”She nodded, hoping he was right. The car came to a halt and the two doors opened and the couple stepped out. Lauren put on her best smile and decorum. She walked in with Malcolm, their arms linked together. If Malcolm hadn’t informed her before time, she would have gasped at the sight of the neatly kept Victorian-style sitting room.A smartly dressed man walked up to them, bowing smoothly, “Welcome, Young Master, Miss.”Lauren saw Malcolm frown at the young man’s address and quickly squeezed his palm gently to avoid him lashing out at the young man. “She is your Young Mistress.” He spoke calmly, “Next time, I might not be too lenient.”
Malcolm knocked lightly on the door before pushing it open. It was a study. The most exquisite study Lauren had ever seen. It had a big shelf filled with books and a fireplace. A splendid mahogany table stood in the middle and behind it sat a man whose face was blocked out by a newspaper. “Grandpa.” Malcolm greeted. Lauren noted how cold and indifferent his voice sounded, unlike when he greeted his grandmother.After a few seconds of silence, the newspaper was finally shifted out of sight, revealing a huge figure with an unsmiling face. Lauren shivered for a second. She was actually in front of Alexander Knight—one time most powerful man and head of the Knight family—she didn’t know how to address him. Should she call him Grandpa too? Or just sir? Or his name? “Hello, Mr. Knight.” She greeted with her best smile.His face remained unsmiling. He didn’t even look at her face for a mini-second. &l
Dinner had more people than Lauren had expected. There were two aunties from Malcolm’s grandfather's side and one from his grandmother’s side. Three more females aside Claire and Miranda, an uncle and a dead handsome guy that kept looking at her in shock the minute he entered the room. “That is Christian Mavericks. He’s the son to Grandpa’s immediate younger brother.” Elena introduced. “Christian, this is Michelle Byrne. Malcolm’s… wife.”Lauren noted the reluctance in her voice as she said the word wife. She said a ‘hi’ but the guy barely replied. He just had a shocked expression on his face that made Lauren wonder if he had seen her somewhere. Dinner went on quietly and Lauren was grateful. She could read tons of questions on the faces of the people who were seated but thankfully, Malcolm’s menacing look shut them up. His grandpa finished eating and excused himself with his grandmot
Malcolm laid Lauren on the bed with care and then rang the bell on the wall. A maid appeared seconds later. “Pack our bags. We’re leaving in a few minutes.” Malcolm spoke, his anger very visible in his voice. “Malcolm,” Lauren called out. “Not a single word, Michelle.” He barked and then hissed. How did it come to this? How did it come to a point where every single thing about this woman affected him so much! Why was the urge to protect her from the claws of his family so strong that even he cannot fight it? He hit the wall with his fist. He couldn’t remember the last time he was this weak because of a woman. Sensing her Master’s anger, the maid took to her heels closing the door quietly behind her.Lauren got up from the bed and approached him. She had never seen him so conflicted before. The Malcolm she knew was always calm and composed even in the face of danger. It made her mor
Lauren opened her eyes and unconsciously reached for the other side of the bed. On finding it empty, she frowned and her drowsy self was wide awake. Had he gone to meet Christian? Maybe the two of them were discussing her right now. The thought of that made her jump out of the bed only to see him relaxing on a seat a few inches away, sipping from a glass of dark red liquid. “Looking for someone?” He teased.Her cheeks turned pink, “I…I thought you left.”He smirked, “Why? Are you scared of being alone?”Lauren threw him a glare. Will this guy die if he stops being shameless? She looked for a way to change the topic and just then, she noticed he was already dressed up. “You are dressed so early. Are you going somewhere?”He got up, dropping the champagne flute in his hand on the bedside table, “Go get ready, we are leaving.” Not giving her a chance to question hi
The plane landed and as expected, a convoy of cars awaited them. Lauren frowned, perhaps she wouldn’t get used to the whole affluence thing. “Is something wrong?” he asked, noticing the frown on her face. Lauren looked into those mesmerizing eyes unable to say a word. How could she tell him that a storm was lurking? One she could do nothing about.She forced a smile, “No. never mind.”She moved to enter the car but he grabbed her arm, “Tell me.”Tears gathered her eyes. What could she say, “I’m just a bit under the weather. Why do you care?” Lauren slapped her mouth shut the minute the last sentence unconsciously left her lips.He smirked, “I don’t want people thinking I don’t take good care of my woman.”…My woman. Did this man even know the implication of that phrase? It made her heart bleed more knowing she was deceiving him. Perhaps