Lenora's POV:When I got to my table, not to my surprise, Tara was sitting right next to Richard laughing. I stood a good couple feet away from them contemplating three things; One: Ask Remo to take me home, Two: walk up to the both of them and throw a glass of that very red wine on Tara's cream coloured dress. Three: Ignore them and just take a seat.Option one and two would make me feel good about myself but would ruin our public appearance and I did not want that. So I stuck with option three. “You took your time in that restroom.” Richard said as I sat down.“What were you doing, giving birth?” Tara added, but I ignored both of them and damn, did it feel good!A man came over and took Richard away with him to a table filled with men, leaving Tara and I alone at the table. “Tell me the truth, are you really Richard's wife?” Tara asked, her voice filled with vile.I took a sip of my wine and shrugged, “I don't know, you tell me.”“Well even though there's a chance that you may be
Richard's POV:She had been acting unlike herself ever since we arrived at the event. I assumed it was because she was Jet lagged and recovering from her air sickness. I began to rethink bringing her with me, I should have let her sleep in the suite. “You're unusually quiet.” I uttered after we sat in what seemed like hours of silence. I half expected one of her unfiltered replies but instead she gave me an 'OK' sign.The show began and I found myself occasionally glancing at her, she looked fine— her make up did. I couldn't really tell if she was Jet lagged or just apathetic to being here.“Are you sure you're okay?” I found myself asking again. She looked at me like she was surprised I was asking if she were okay.She ignored the question however, downing the last sip of her champagne she got up from her seat.What on earth was she doing? “Where are you going?” I asked, unsure of the kind of the expression my face was giving.“To the restroom.” She responded, seemingly annoyed. “D
Lenora's POV:“Lenora! What are you doing here?” Neil exclaimed and we exchanged surprised greetings.“I should be asking you that, what are you doing here?” I was excited to see someone I knew, I wasn't even interested to know what he was doing here I was just happy to see him. Neil was one of my friends from childhood, we were next door neighbors and we went to school together through kindergarten to high-school. I even went with him as his prom date because he couldn't rack up the nerve to ask any girl out to prom. That's how good of friends we used to be, till he got a scholarship to a fashion school here in Paris.We used to reach out to each other then till we lost contact of each other and nearly forgot about our existences till this moment.“I'm one of the designers for the show, did you not see my finale?” “Oh! I must have missed it,” I let out a sigh of apology, “Went on a long restroom break, so I… kinda missed the entire show.” “The entire show?” He arched his eyebrow w
Lenora's Pov:Giulia pulled me over to a table introducing me to a young woman in an emerald green dress and red lipstick sitting on a chair. She looked about my age and looked awfully like Richard. “Lenora, meet Jasmine, Richard's cousin.” She introduced and the beautiful young woman got up to give me a hug and air kisses.“Nice to finally meet you, aunt has been talking a lot about you, I'm glad to say I'm not disappointed.” She said and was elbowed playfully by Guila.“My pleasure to meet you too, Jasmine.” Jasmine had similar facial features with Richard, she was as if Richard was reincarnated as a woman, with their similar dark hair and Roman noses except Richard had olive green eyes while she had gray eyes. She probably got it from her maternal side.“So how did you and Richard meet, and how long have you both been together for him to tie the knot?” Jasmine began bombarding as soon as I sat down. “Jasmine!” Giulia hissed and she gave me an excited smile, she apologized for the
Lenora's Pov:My heels clacked on the marble flooring although the thoughts going through my head were numerous, one of which being; “If I find you Richard I'd kill you for making me walk around in these heels.” Where could he have gone, he wasn't with the group of men from earlier nor was he anywhere in the hall.“I've looked everywhere I can, he's nowhere to be found.” Giulia had said, her voice overwhelmed with worry. I assured her I'd find him and she left with Jasmine escorting her to her limo.I found Remo and walked over to him, wasn't this dude supposed to be guarding my ass? “Remo, have you seen Richard?” I asked him and the expression on his face was that of contemplation if to tell me or if not to tell me.“Well…” I asked expectantly. “The boss was having a few shots and got really drunk.” He finally spoke up.“A few drinks?” I asked in disbelief that a few shots could get anyone drunk.“He has low alcohol tolerance.” Remo confessed and I let out a mocking laugh.“You've
Lenora's Pov:The bed bounced as Remo dropped Richard carefully on it. I had summoned the courage earlier to put his clothes back on him after several temptations of running out to call Remo for help.At first it sounded like a good idea but then he had the perception that we were married, and being married for this long, we're supposed to have consummated our marriage. Which would make it awkward if I asked Remo to help with Richard's clothes and Lord knows I couldn't let anyone see him with that raging boner. He had woken up while I was putting his clothes on, which was a bit helpful because he weighed like a corpse when he passed out, and let me tell you this man is twice my size. The effects of the alcohol hadn't worn off on him but he was unusually quiet for a drunk person.We gave him water and milk to cool down the effects, after forcing him to chug a glass of milk down he collapsed back on the bed mumbling things I couldn't decipher. “I'll take it from here, Remo.” I said, d
Lenora's Pov:Morning came on as quick as a light switch and I woke up with no sign of him in the room. I called out his name not that I had anything in mind to tell him, but with expectations that he had come back to the room after last night… “Richard?” I called a couple of times more but got no reply. That was when I felt that he may have gone out and would be coming back later, or maybe he never came back to the room at all.I found my fingers going to the crook of my neck and began to feel around for a mark, I felt an almost imaginary pain around the area and couldn't help rubbing on it.I got up from bed and to the full-length mirror standing in the room, staring at my reflection in the mirror I still found my fingers unconsciously lingering on my neck. I pulled back my hair, twisting my head to check my neck for a hickey and sure enough a red spot sat on it. My fingers trailed from the hickey down to something cold that sat on my neck which I realized was the necklace he had
Lenora's Pov:Nausea washed over me as we flew over ten thousand feet in the air. Remo had booked a flight for us to head back after I had told him I wanted to leave the very next day.He opposed the idea of leaving very soon but I really had no interest in exploring Paris. I just wanted to leave and get some work done, I really needed to clear my mind even if it meant working myself to whatever limits I had.We'd flown first class, Richard had taken the jet and it'd take a day or two to fly it back to Paris to pick me up. I didn't have a day or two to spare.“You look like you need a paper bag.” Remo commented, noticing how pale I had turned.“What I need is the restroom,” I said through gags and unbuckled my seat belt, maneuvering my way to the restroom. I locked the door bent over the toilet seat and barfed my guts out. *********“Ma'am!” Yara exclaimed, pulling me into a bear hug. Honestly at that point all I wanted was to be carried to my room and left alone to take a very long
Epilogue Richard's POVThinking that meeting Lenora when we were little was the most surprising thing ever, I was so wrong. This, that I am seeing right now in front of me, was worse. I was sitting in a chair not to make myself comfortable but because my legs couldn't carry my weight as I was experiencing the shock of my life. “Remo?” Tears welled up in my eyes as my heart shattered over and over again. This has to be a dream, this cannot be true. My best friend is the mastermind behind everything that has been going on.How can I explain to anyone who knows the both of us that Remo is the spy, the betrayal in my life? What did I ever do to deserve this from him? What's my offense? Since when has this been happening? Questions kept ringing in my heart as I stared at the man tied to the chair. His feet and hands were tied up but his eyes stared right back at me. Blood was dripping down his dangerous-looking face, He had been tortured by the men, until he confessed to his crimes.
CHAPTER 145Lenora's Pov:I snuggled deeper into Richard's arms. It had been more than two months, everything had been going smoothly. Remo had been able to fish out the spy in the house, it only turned out to be one of the kitchen maids which we couldn’t think of.My eyes scanned through the face over me, I was suddenly tempted by the reddish lips. No matter how I have it, I can’t just get enough of it.Richard's eyes quietly opened up meeting my gaze.“Tempted by my lips?” He smirked.“Of course, I’m not.” I scoffed turning sideways I heard him abruptly over my head.I got out of bed and stepped into the bathroom. I suddenly felt dizzy but ignored it. I had been feeling the same way for a couple of days and I instantly felt it was all because I had been overworking myself.“You okay?” Richard glanced at me. I had stopped halfway trying to regain my balance.“I’m fine,” I mumbled, walking back to him.Later, Vanya came with our breakfast and we ate on the balcony.After breakfast l
CHAPTER 144Lenora's Pov:My life so far has been really surprising, I kept finding myself at the least expected places. I never imagined I would find myself at a different house calling the mother of the house, my mom.I washed the cabbages with a big smile on my face.“You aren’t done with that yet? Are you thinking of Richard again?” I was teased by my Grandmother again, my real grandma.I instantly smiled hearing her voice.“Mom, you should tell her to stop involving Richard every time.” I pouted childishly, turning to the woman who was smiling the whole time.At this rate, I don’t think we are going to eat our breakfast at the appropriate time. I had decided to spend little time with my newfound family, Richard agreed to it and that was why I had come to spend the weekend with them, I must confirm that it was filled with love and happiness.After taking most of our time In the kitchen, we finally set up a dining table and sat around it to have our breakfast.Being an only child,
CHAPTER 143Richard's POV:After ending my conversation with Remo, I walked out of my room heading for Lenora’s room. I was stopped slightly by Yara again but this time she announced that Lenora was up.I pushed the door open revealing the young lady who was slipping out of her bed.“Babe, I’m just about to come see you. I heard you came here for me.” Lenora's face flushed seeing me.I forced a little smile at her before walking over to her side.“Lenny, what do you know about this?” I suddenly asked bringing out the sketch she had given RemoSeeing it, she looked a bit shocked and absentmindedly.“Where did you get that from?” She asked, looking perplexed.“How did you find that?” She got up completely from the bed walking closer to me.Of course, she must have thought Remo snitched on her and told me.“It’s not what you are thinking. Remo didn’t betray you, I found out by myself.” I added it instantly.Lenora sighed quietly.“I had been having a memory frequently these days and In t
CHAPTER 142RICHARD'S POVThe car finally stopped in front of the building, I slipped my phone back into my pocket and alighted from the car, I stepped on the marble floor before proceeding to the door.Lenora must have missed me, I walked in the direction of her room feeling a bit bad, I had felt a bit bad though, I had promised to stay with her the whole day but I got an urgent call that required me to leave the house instantly.Feeling a bit hot, I decided to head to my room first, I walked directly into the bathroom and took a cold bath. Getting back to the room, I changed to a more free wear before getting out of my room and heading to Lenora’s room.I made an apologetic expression the moment I got to her door but I was stopped by Yara who was smiling all over.“You are here for Ma’am?” She inquired and I nodded slightly.“What about her?” I raised my brow slightlyI had been expecting to meet her, probably on the balcony outside or inside the living room but I was a bit surprise
CHAPTER 141Lenora's PovRichard used to have nightmares?I instantly remembered he talked about them a long time ago when we visited my parent's house, but I didn’t think it was something serious.“You didn’t know about it?” Vanya raised her brows slightly.“He told me one time but I didn’t know it was something serious.” I slightly lowered my head a little.I thought I knew everything about the man I married but there was still a lot that I didn’t know about him.“I understand, He hardly talks about it except to his doctor, and also he stopped having them three years ago but I think they are back.” She added, getting me a bit worried.“Why are they back?” I raised my brows even more.I mean why would they be back now?“I don’t know, something might have triggered it.” She said but I was even more confused.What could have triggered them?“What was his nightmare always about? Did he ever tell you about it?” I inquired“He started having them when he was very young and back then he to
CHAPTER 140LENORA'S POVAfter Remo left, I went to the bathroom and took a warm scented bath, in a bathrobe I walked back to my room which strangely felt empty to me, or maybe I was the one who felt empty.My mind suddenly went to Richard, remembering the way I asked to be alone the other time and remembering his expression, I felt a little bad.I took my cell phone and instantly walked out of his room and walked directly to his room. I ran into Vanya who had an expression on her face that I couldn’t read, her face was a little filled with guilt and resentment.“Are you okay?” I asked out of concern.Seeing me, she instantly forced a smile on her face.“I’m fine.” She mumbled.I nodded slightly even though I wasn’t convinced. She instantly left.Ignoring my thoughts, I took my feet and walked to Richard’s room.I placed a knock on his door and strangely he was the one who came to open up. He looked angry the moment he opened up like he was being disturbed by someone, but seeing it w
CHAPTER 139Richard's POVI walked in the direction of my room after Lenora asked to be alone. I was slightly hurt by that but I tried not to show it, I was hurt but yet I was a little worried. Ever since she woke up from her concussion, Lenora had been acting a bit strange and weird. Out of curiosity, I asked her in the car but she said she was okay. I knew Lenora always tried to keep things bothering her to herself and sort it out by herself but I didn’t like that. What if she ended up getting hurt along the way?I walked into my room which was already arranged by Vanya, and my eyes scanned through my arranged clothes.I pulled off the shirt I was wearing and changed into my blue pajamas. I sat at the edge of my bed bringing out my cell phone and checking the internet for the latest update.I suddenly felt a little bored, I felt a terrible headache and decided to take a bath. The headache had begun the previous night but I didn’t think much of it.I made my way into the bathroom a
CHAPTER 138Lenora's PovI thought I would be able to dive out by myself since Richard had taught me some basic things, but that was a lie. I found myself battling to breathe and fighting for my life.I flayed my arms and legs, attempting to reach the surface, but it seemed too far away.I waited for someone to dive into the pool and help me, but it appeared no help was coming.I started to lose my energy, and quietly, I hit the bottom of the pool. A memory suddenly flashed in my head; I couldn’t understand what it was, but I could see that it was a continuation of the memory I had back at Richard's family house when Tara pushed me into the lake.This time I saw a necklace, very unfamiliar, yet I felt it was connected to me.With that, I slowly passed out, losing consciousness completely. ******“Lenora, are you okay?” I heard a familiar voice over my headI grunted from sleep and managed to push my weak body up. I was lying on a hospital bed, with Ri