*BENNETT*
There were still tears that had not dried in her eyes, that set her off even more innocent and pitiful. Just like a simple little dove, one cannot help but want to protect and comfort her.
Was this what unattractive meant to my grandma?
I couldn't resist touching her face, but she quickly avoided my hand, still trembling continuously.
“Please…please don’t take me to him.I don’t want that…I…won’t tell anyone he tried to do that to me.Please,just don’t take me to him.”She cried.
Him? Who was she talking about? What did that man do to her?
"Who..." I was just about to ask for clarification when I noticed her messy clothes, and she wasn't even wearing shoes. And with the hostile look in her eyes, I was almost sure of it. Someone was trying to bully her!
I clenched my fists and kept filtering through my mind for possible people. I don't know why I'm so angry, maybe it's a man's nature, even if it's a fake wife, she can't be treated casually!
"You get up first, I will investigate," I promised while holding her up.
But as if she didn't like my promise, she immediately shook her head and said "No, no, no, don't tell anyone!"
Her head was hurt, so shaking her head only made her more uncomfortable, so I immediately stopped her, "Okay, okay! You calm down first!"
My reassuring words made her finally calm down, and I looked at the injury on her head with concern, but fortunately, no blood was left. Perhaps my calm expression made her misunderstand that I was angry, she explained in a whisper, "I'm fine, don't tell anyone, okay? That man is my husband."
She is really simple, she was bullied...
Wait! What did she say?
Her husband? Isn't that me?
***
The other side
“Miss Watson,are you alright?”Charlotte’s make up artist,Susan suddenly asked.
Charlotte looked up at her.”Yeah.Of course, I’m alright.”
“Just…You've been staring at your phone for a long time..." She cautiously reminded.
Charlotte sighed,heavily.”Oh, nothing. I'm waiting for a call and it looks like he's too busy today.”
Charlotte was about to go on stage. Once upon a time, Bennett would always remember her schedule and call to encourage her before she went on stage, but today, he didn't call.
“Sorry,ma’am. I'll come back in half an hour.”With that,Susan walked away.
Charlotte sighed,heavily. She simply couldn't concentrate on the thought of Bennett having a so-called temporary wife living in his home.
She trusted Bennett completely but she wasn’t so sure about the girl he had gotten married to.
Thinking about it, she couldn't resist and dialed the phone...
***
*MALIYAH*
The next morning
I woke up with a start, feeling a warm, strange sensation running through me.
Opening my eyes,I realized I was on a surface that was pretty unfamiliar to me.
And it moved up and down.
As I lifted up my head,my eyes dilated seeing that it was a man’s chest!
"Ah..." I almost couldn't hold back my scream!
Who is he? How could I be sleeping in his arms?
Stopping to think for a while,the previous day played out in my head.
God, it seems that I pulled him to keep him from leaving last night...
Thinking about it I looked into his face and he was the one who saved me.
His aquiline nose complemented his prominent cheekbones.
Handsome was an understatement to describe this man.
But I quickly realized that I couldn't do that. If my husband finds out, this man will suffer too! I had to leave quickly.
But before I could move his heavy hand, he woke up!
“How are you feeling?”A deep baritone voice made my whole body shiver.
"I'm... I'm fine, thanks," I said as I moved away from him.
He sensed my rejection and just got up and got out of bed without saying a word.
I don't know how much I said to him last night, but he said he was going to help me investigate. I had to stop him! I... I can't leave here, I've already paid that money to the hospital, and if they make me pay for it, I simply don't have the money.
" Well, that... Please pretend that nothing has happened. My husband..." He interrupted me before I could finish my sentence.
As he buttoned his shirt, he said, "I can't. I've seen the CCTV. The man you're talking about is probably Mason, I'll give you a photo so you can confirm."
I frowned. What's he talking about? He can watch the surveillance here? Who the hell is he?
“Who are you?”I asked,curiously.
His lips thinned and then he announced.”I’m Bennett Graham,your husband…I mean temporary husband.”
WHAT?!
*MALIYAH*He completely ignored my surprise, dressed and headed out the door, and ordered the maid.“Esme, get her breakfast now.”With that,Bennett walked out of the bedroom.I stared at Esme,the middle-aged woman.“Good morning.”I greeted with a smile but she didn’t smile back.Instead,the look on her face hardened.“What will you like to eat,ma’am?”She asked,with a straight face.“You don’t have to call me ma’am.Maliyah’s fine.And I’m not a picky eater.You can serve me anything.”“Okay.”Bennett walked into the bedroom again,now clad in a suit.Oh boy.This man is hot.Too hot for my eyes.He handed me a picture.”Is that him?”I stared at it and dread filled me to recall the previous day.I slowly nodded.“That’s my cousin.I apologize again for yesterday.” He has apologized countless times, but it really has nothing to do with him."You'll be staying in this room from now on." He gave me this guest room to stay in, perhaps as a gift of apology.I nodded and smiled at him,gratefully.
Caleb walked into his son’s office to meet him looking gloomy.He eyed Mason,tentatively.Caleb Graham was one of the board members in Imperial Group,he was Bennett’s uncle and Mason’s father.It had never sat well with him when his elder brother took control over Imperial Group and when Bennett’s father died,he saw it as an opportunity to take back the group but then his mother,Madam Valentina kicked against it and instead made Bennett the CEO.“You still haven’t given me any feedback.”He began staring at Mason.Mason glanced at him and announced.”Well,the feedback is that I got kicked out of his house.I can’t believe he had my things sent to the company.”“What did you do?”Caleb scowled.Mason sighed.”I...I only tried to…”“That’s not even important.I warned you to follow his rules and do everything he wants.Then again,you spent months in his place,you must’ve discovered something.Any weakness of his?”Mason shook his head.”He has none.”Caleb scoffed.”What do you mean he has none?Ev
*MALIYAH*Kiss?Kiss him?That felt overly intimate to me.Bennett stuffed his hands into his pocket.“Do we really have to?”“Yes sir,this has to be seen as a happy and romantic union,right?”Running a hand through his hair,he turned to face me.I stared back at him wondering what to say or do.“Acting.We’re just acting.Consider this as part of the act.”He said,coolly.I’m not sure if he’s trying to convince me or himself.The camera men started moving around again,taking different shots from different angles.As he moved his head closer to mine,I felt a wave of heat hitting upon my cheeks.This was my first kiss.I can’t believe I’m getting kissed for the first time like this.And I’m supposed to consider my first kiss an act?!He wrapped his arms around me again.Boy,he is really good at this.He was staring at me so intensely that one might think we had some passion between us.His lips were almost touching mine now,his gaze seemed to fall on my lips as he looked down.My lips tre
*MALIYAH*My phone had been ringing nonstop in the morning.It was my mom and aunt both alarmed by what they had seen on the news.I had promised to go over to the hospital tomorrow and explain everything to them.Now I just have to work up the courage to tell Bennett that I need to leave the house.A knock sounded on my door.I got out of bed and opened up to see him,standing there in casual wears that still managed to make him look like the coolest man I’ve ever seen.“Living room.Now!”And then,he turned and started walking away.I quickly hurried after him.He got seated on a couch and crossed his leg while I awkwardly sat on a sofa.“Like I told you before,I need a wife to close a business deal.Next week,you’ll officially meet him for the first time.”I blinked.”Who?”“An Italian,a very powerful and wealthy Italian that I need to partner with.He’s going to have doubts about this union.He might think I married you to secure the deal with him and I have to make him think otherwise.I
*BENNETT*The evening ended on a good note.Pedro and his wife were pleased.He even informed me he would be coming to my company tomorrow to go over some paperworks.I am overjoyed.Things are going just the one I wanted.The way I wanted until a head leaned against my shoulder.I glanced down at a sleeping Maliyah.She might be so young yet she had charmed Aurora,immediately.She’s a pretty good actress herself and I’m impressed.Her hair was covering her face so I gently brushed it aside to see her face.What was it about her?What was it about her that was so unsettling?Realizing I was having thoughts I shouldn’t be having,I gently pushed her head away from me and made her lay her head on the window instead.She’s 19.There’s quite an age gap between us.Plus,she’s not my type.The only person I can picture myself spending my life with is someone from a high society,someone experienced in every area of life.I already have someone who’s suitable for me.Why the heck do I need to re
*BENNETT*I walked passed Maliyah’s door and stopped,wondering what she was up to.I had just gotten back from work and I have no idea why I’m curious to know how she spent her day.Perhaps,I could ask her to eat with me at the dining table tonight.It’s interesting watching her talk and talk.Deciding to freshen up first,I headed off to my bedroom.Walking into my dressing room,I took off my jacket and my watch.As I placed the watch on the compartment,I notice the case close to it was empty.Frowning,I moved closer to it and notice that it was really empty.I am not a careless person at all.I always keep my stuff organized.Perhaps,I had kept it somewhere else.Wondering when I had become forgetful,I searched around the dressing room but there was no sign of it.I walked into my bedroom and started opening the drawers,even checking under the bed.If I were to misplace anything,it shouldn’t be that.I have always been careful with it.I barely wear it because I didn’t want it to ever
“She’s the daughter of a nobody?”Caleb asked,surprised.He was on the phone with one of his private investigators.“You mean to tell me her family isn’t well-known?”He asked again.“They aren’t.”He scoffed.This is bullshit.The Bennett he knows will not settle down with a nobody.He recalled one of the family dinners they had at Madam Valentina’s house some years back.Bennett had been questioned about his choice of a life partner and he simply said he wanted someone from the high society like he was,someone from a wealthy family whose social status will equally strengthen his.So why will he go against his perfectly planned-out life?“There’s more,sir.”“More?”“His wife was a maid at Madam Valentina’s house.”Caleb smirked finally getting the picture.He knew that marriage wasn’t real at all.Now he just had to get concrete evidence on what his mother and Bennett had going on.Seems he would have to pay his mother a visit.*********************MALIYAH*After being in this room for
*BENNETT*As soon as Esme brought the keys,I opened the door and stormed into her bedroom.I met her sitting on the floor in front of the bed.She was crying.When she lifted up her head to stare at me,my anger instantly faded.Tears mixed with mascara slid down her delicate cheeks and I have no idea why I feel like a terrible person right now.“Stop crying.”I ordered,calmly.She sniffed and wiped the tears away with the back of her hands.As if she thought of something painful,she started to cry more.Fuck!I slowly moved closer to her.“Stop crying.”I cooed,placing my hand on her shoulder.I have no idea what to do at this point.She was crying so sadly and it annoyingly made me feel sad as well.“I’m sorry.”I heard myself saying.”I’m so sorry.”And then,I pulled her into my arms.She buried her face into my chest and sobbed,softly.I slowly rubbed my hand on her back trying to pet her as much as I can.She feels so delicate in my arms,so small and I just want to keep holding her.I
THREE MONTHS LATER…*MALIYAH*“He just got here.”I announced to the others and we quickly took out positions.As soon as Ben walked into the house,we turned on the lights and yelled.“SURPRISE!”“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!”We began to sing for him.I knew he won’t be overly thrilled but he tried his best to look thrilled.He had said before he’d prefer spending his birthday with just me.But I wanted him to be surrounded by other people,to know more people found him amazing.In attendance were Logan,Leah,Timothy,Miles,Simon,Madam Valentina,my mom and Aunt FeliciaI could his smile fade as he saw Madam Valentina and I quickly walked up to him,whispering and warning him not to chase her away.He had been talking into forgiving my mom but he won’t forgive his grandmother.He always says what his Grandma did was unforgivable but she was remorseful about it and I felt that was all that matters now.Not that things were back to the way they were with my mom,I was still pretty wary of her but she
*MALIYAH*I moved in with Ben that day because I just couldn’t spend another day away from him.The following day,I got to the office super late.It had been hard for Ben and I to go our separate ways to work this morning.He had dropped me off at the front of Mobilotech and it was another struggle to get down from his car.He had to walk me into the company’s lobby hand in hand and we eventually let go of each other,promising each other that we would close from work early.“Look who finally decided to show up.”Timothy teased when I walked into his office to submit some documents to him.“I’m sorry…I was stuck in traffic.”That made him laugh,because it was an obvious lie.“My God,look at you,you’re glowing.You two are so in love.I was watching from my window…he practically walked you into the company,I thought he might just start work here because of you.”I laughed.”I’m missing him already.Tim,can I close early today?”“No.”He chuckled.“Please…”“Maliyah,look at the time…you’re very
“You’re always in my head.”He said to me.I was going to go up in flames.“You’re in my blood.”I let out a shaky breath as he continued thrusting into me with the vibrator.“You’re in every one of my fucking veins.”Oh I needed him,I needed him right now.“Ben…Ben…wait…I need…I need your cock.”I panted,trying to control the movements of my hips to prevent myself from coming.“I want you inside of me when I come.”I murmured.He grinned at me.I gasped as the bulbous head slid from me.He knelt on the bed,positioning himself between my legs,nudging my legs wide with his powerful hair roughened thighs.I tried to catch my breath as I looked up at him,I tried to calm the thundering of my heart,the roar in my ears, but all I wanted was to feel his weight on me…in me.He was poised against me,I could feel him.One push and he’d be inside me.He leaned down over me, his legs opening me wider,his forearms resting next to my head as he looked straight down into my eyes.His jaw flexed before h
*MALIYAH*I tried to ease my tensed muscles,to calm the erratic breathing,the roaring of my blood,but only managed to gasp again as he rocked back and forth once more.“It’s okay.”He groaned.”Relax”I swallowed at the blunt pressure,squeezed my eyes shut and tried to do just that.I shifted my hips a little on the bed in a futile effort to ease his way, for a better angle,to help alleviate the feeling of fullness.“Easy.”He ground out.I was holding myself taut in anticipation of his next retreat and entry.I could feel it,but my muscles wound tighter,nerves strung taut.My body just wouldn’t cooperate.It felt as if he was breaking into me all over again.He moved completely out of me and I quickly held his hand.“No…please…don’t stop.I…I just…it’s been awhile since I…”I paused,not sure if I should talk about the men I had tried to be with in London.“I don’t want to hear about your sex experience with other men.”He informed me,calmly.“Does that make you love me less?”I asked,my heart
*BENNETT*“Kiss me,Ben…please.”She urged,pulling her face close to mine.I caressed her gently in my arms.She was warm and soft.I lowered my head and molded my lips to hers.Fuck!I ran my tongue over her lips and between them.I groaned at the shaft of heat that arrowed down right into my cock and tightened my balls.I dipped my tongue inside her mouth,once,twice, a third time before I pulled sharply back.God I had been avoiding kissing or touching her,because I knew that would wear off the tiny bit of resistant I had left.I took a deep breath in a futile effort to stem the rapid thud in my heart and fight the urge to kiss her again.But when she rubbed herself against me,I gave in again.I pressed my lips against hers.Maliyah nibbled along my bottom lip,used her tongue to taste the shape of my mouth.The soft,tentative moments caused a curl in my gut.I felt her soft breath fan out against my mouth as she pulled back and that sigh was my undoing.Before I had the time to think about
*MALIYAH*It’s a Saturday morning and I awoke without Ben in bed.I knew he wasn’t going to work today.Running my hand through my hair,I walked out of the bedroom and went in search for him.I found him at the gym.I leaned against the door as I watched him do some exercises.I nibbled my lower lip watching him do some pulls up.He was bare chested and his muscles bulged with his every movement.I squeezed my thighs together feeling hot and bothered.Oh God,I wanted him to touch me so bad.I stood there,watching until he was done.When he started to gulp down a bottle of water,I finally walked in,trying to keep my hands to myself.“I might just take you by force,Mr Graham.I don’t know how long I can resist this temptation.”I said to him.I could see he was trying hard not to smile.God,how much longer was he going to make me chase him?Not that I was tired of chasing him but I wish he could just give in a bit.He clearly was still very much attracted to me and he’s equally been trying
*MALIYAH*Things were pretty messy at the office that day.With so many calls,the news of him coming out was pretty scandalous,because it also had to do with a divorce.People were throwing shades,saying whatever they felt about the whole thing but Timothy was unbothered.I could tell he wasn’t fully unbothered though.He loved his family and it would make him happy if they accepted him.But he didn’t really care about what the public thought though.He felt people who didn’t know him personally had no right to judge him.Hell,he had even set up a date with Miles.Miles seemed to like him too but was still pretty hurt by Timothy’s rejection in high school so he was currently playing hard to get.I hope they could get back together soon.At the close of work,I walked out of the office,excited to go see Ben.I frowned seeing someone else at the receptionist stand.My mom.The receptionist had called earlier that she wanted to see me but I had specifically told her to send this woman away.
*MALIYAH*Since he might not come down for dinner,I’ll bring it up to him.I dished out the meals and headed upstairs with the tray.Getting to his bedroom,I walked in to finding him pulling on a sweatpants.“Jesus!”He seemed,startled.”Why are you still here?”“Let’s eat together and get some sleep.”I announced,setting down the tray.When I turned to face him,he was covering his bare chest with a robe.“You could’ve at least knocked.I could’ve been naked.”He lashed out.I laughed.”So?Well now that you mentioned it,I want to see all of you…I’ve missed seeing you.”I purred and started walking up to him.He walked back.”What is wrong with you?Where the hell is Timothy?I thought I heard the sound of a car.”“He knows I belong here.”“You don’t belong anywhere near me.Get out.”“I don’t want to.”I backed him against the wall.Oh how the tables had turned.He used to be the one chasing after me.Not that I mind being in this position right now.It’s actually quite fun.“Maliyah,go home.Stop
“I don’t care what happens to me now.I just want to be with him.”“Then don’t give up.Don’t give up on him.He needs someone.He needs love.He’s just scared to say he needs you.You have to show him that he doesn’t need to be scared,okay?”I nodded.”Thank you,Emily.I should have come see you sooner.”She hugged me,tightly.”Thanks for being alive,Maliyah.Drew will be so happy knowing you found your way back to Ben.”I sobbed into her arms.A sound came from the door and I lifted up my head to see a boy and a girl walking in,obviously returning from school.I wiped my cheeks as I stared at them.“Aiden has gotten so much bigger.”I cooed.“He’ll be thirteen in a few days.”“Mommy.”The little girl ran up to her and hugged her.“How was school,baby?”“It was fine.I learnt a poem.”“This is Ava.”Emily introduced.”I was pregnant with her when Drew…passed.”Oh.I hope Charlotte rots in hell.“Hello.”Aiden beamed at me,politely.“Aiden,this is Ben’s wife.”And then he frowned.”I thought she…”“It