Chapter 3

**CHLOE**

It was Jeffrey. The real Jeffrey!

 

“Are you okay?” I heard a faint voice say over me. 

 

Shit! 

 

How can I be?

 

I sat up, trying to steady my breath.

 

"Yes, I'm fine. I was just feeling a bit dizzy.”

 

Jeffrey stood above me and helped me up. “You're my wife?”

 

What's this? Did he lose his memory from the accident?

 

Maybe that could be a good thing.

 

But what do I do now? He'll most probably find out soon.

 

I coughed, almost choking, before I replied, “Yes.”

 

Okay, his face looks like he believes me.

 

But for how long?

 

"Are you okay?" Richard asked Helen softly, his palms resting gently on her shoulders. She turned to give him a tender smile. 

I hadn't even noticed him by the side of the living room when I entered.

 

I looked at Helen. Surprise tinged her face, laced with a hint of disappointment. She seemed to yearn for the familiar warmth of reconnection, the joy of reuniting with a loved one lost, only to be met with…

 

“Please help me upstairs,” Jeffrey said, interrupting my thoughts. He had been staring at me.

 

I put his arm around my shoulders so he could lean on me for support while I kept my hand on his waist, guiding him up the stairs slowly.

 

I wanted to steal a glance at him, to gauge his reaction, but the fear of what I might see kept my eyes glued to my feet as we walked up the stairs. 

 

“Which door?” I asked. 

There were so many doors in the hallway.

 

He glanced at me, and I could bet he was wondering why I didn't know which door was his. 

 

“This one,” he pointed at the second door to the right.

 

I had thought my bedroom was huge and exquisitely furnished, but his was just breathtaking.

 

I helped him settle into bed, then turned towards the door. 

 

"Alexa, close the room door," he instructed.

 

"Closing room door," an automated voice confirmed.

 

I paused, turning back to him. "Why did you shut the door?"

 

“I just came back; you don't even seem like you missed me. Where are you going in such a hurry?”

 

Anywhere, you're not.

 

“My room,” I replied.

 

“Your room? His puzzled eyes narrowed. “We don't share a bedroom?” 

 

“I wanted to give you some privacy to take a shower. You..” 

 

"Yeah, shower. I'll need your help with that.” Jeffrey cut in, 

 

I definitely didn't hear that right.

 

He'll need my help with what?

 

“I’ll need your help taking my clothes off,” he continued.

 

I coughed.

 

What did he just say?

 

It seemed he read my thoughts because he said, “I have a cast, remember?” and used his free hand to touch the cast. 

 

My gut screamed defiance, but…

 

I held it in and walked over to help him. 

 

I am his wife, after all.

 

His eyes fixed on me while I carefully slid his white shirt across his arms and over his head. 

 

I wonder if he really believes that we're married.

 

“My pants,” he said, looking down and gesturing for me to help him take his trousers off. 

 

I narrowed my eyes on him. “What? Why should I do that?” I blurted out without even thinking.

 

“Is that a problem?” He looked at me puzzled. “Haven't you seen me naked before?”

 

“I've not. We agreed to wait till we're married before consummating our relationship. And you left on our way back from the wedding.” I said almost at once.

 

“I'm guessing that's when my amnesia-causing accident happens?” He announced with a sarcastic tone. It sounded more like a statement than a question.

 

“So you're a virgin, or what?” He uncocked a bottle of water from the fridge that stood by the side of his bed and took a sip. 

 

He sounded like he already knew what the answer would be.

 

My eyes trailed across his high ceiling and antique furniture, and then his panoramic glass that covered a full side of the wall, revealing a nice scenery. My eyes continued to trail across anything and everything, except those gray eyes staring at me, waiting for a response.

 

“You are?” A shocked look spread across his face. He had noticed I was trying to avoid his eyes.

 

Even if I wasn't a virgin, it doesn't mean I should help a random man take his clothes off.

 

Oh, I forgot; he's my husband now.

 

“How old are you?” His voice was laced with curiosity.

 

Why is he asking?

 

Age has nothing to do with sexual abstinence.

 

“twenty-three… Does that come as a shock to you?” I retorted.

 

He stared at me intently before he replied, “No." 

 

“At least we're married now. Help me with my pants,” he continued softly.

 

I walked towards him and unbuttoned his plain brown trousers. 

 

I looked away while unzipping his trousers, and I still couldn't help but notice how his trousers clung to his well-muscled legs. 

 

I pulled it down, revealing the navy-colored briefs he had underneath. I tried not to stare.

 

I looked up and met his eyes, which gave me a suggestive look. 

 

What's that look? 

 

Does he expect me to help with his briefs too?

 

No, he wouldn't ask something like that of me.

 

But what if he does? We're supposed to be married. 

 

I should leave before he gets the opportunity to say that.

 

“My phone is ringing. I should take this call from my dad,” I said, a bit uncomfortable by how exposed he was.

 

“But I don't see your phone ringing,” he smiled, showing off his perfect set of white teeth. 

 

He could sense how nervous I was.

 

He closed the distance between us, and I could feel his breath on my neck. 

 

“What are you afraid of?” His stare burned through my skin.

 

Oh, he was a sight to behold. He was tall and muscular. His beautiful brown and curly hair hung on his forehead, and he had piercing gray eyes that seemed to look through one's soul.

Why was he this close to me?

Our bodies were almost pressing against each other.

My heart pounded really hard against my ribs, and I wondered if he could hear it too.