What Nonsense

Linda's POV 

"Why does this feel so heavy!?" I cursed under my breath, as I struggled to pull the weight of my box along. I exhaled, feeling fatigued, when I got to Alex's mansion in the GRA. 

Straightening my gown, I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear before touching the house bell. 

"Who are you?" A hoarse voice demanded, making my insides twist in anger. I adjusted myself promptly, trying to ignore the wave of anger that surged through me. 

"I'm Lin...." But come to think of it, why would this good for nothing, whoever he might be, ask who I am? I'm sure he saw my face from the security camera and should recognize me. Was he trying to pretend that he didn't know of my relationship with his boss when we were dating? 

Everyone and everything that had to do with the Hayes knew me as a close friend of the family, so it's not necessary to explain myself to him. When I successfully pave my way into this house as Alex's wife, only then would I have his time and make him pay for asking irrelevant questions. 

"Open the gate now! Don't keep me waiting" I retorted, with a harsh tone. I was his soon-to-be madam. Starting now to teach him how to take instructions from his superior wouldn't hurt. 

My outburst took him by surprise hence his silence. I heard his footsteps receding and soon he was discussing in muffled tones with another man, whose voice was familiar to me. 

I strained my ears to hear and identified it as Dune's, Alex's driver. "Dune, tell him to open this gate now if he cherishes his job. Why should he keep me waiting? I will-"

The huge gate, its height as tall as a skyscraper's, finally creaked open before I completed my threats. I puffed out air from my lips. Driven by a surge of anger, I approached the supposed gateman and delivered a firm slap across his cheeks. The impact sent him reeling back as he struggled to maintain his balance. 

I expected him to read the handwriting on the wall, that I was not one to be toiled with, and apologize to me, but his silence infuriated me more. I swung my hands in the air ready to slap him again or even smash his face in the process if possible, but Dune intervened. 

"I apologize on his behalf, ma. Please pardon him; he is new here". Dune said, taking his position in between us. 

"I will today, but the next time-" I darted my eyes up and down his misery figure. "You should know what to expect".

My anger, however, dissipated when I ventured into the house. A small smile spread across my face as I took in its beauty. Well sculptured and extravagantly furnished, to anyone's taste. Typical of the Hayes after all.

"Soon, it will be all mine to enjoy", I said aloud to myself, but not loud enough to give myself away to the servants in the house. I couldn't wait to see the look on Bella's face when she saw me with my box, heavily loaded like I was going to live my entire life with Alex.

I intentionally packed almost all my possessions, to make Bella feel intimidated and hasten the divorce process.

A maid came to help with my luggage, gliding it down to the guest room. "Where is Bella? Tell her she has a guest" I said nonchalantly, moving to make myself comfortable on the couch.

"Mrs. Alex is not in the house, ma," She said and resumed dragging the box along the marble floor. I furrowed my brows.

"Hey, where is she?" I halted her. My voice was laced with a hint of curiosity. 

"She's been away for two days now. No one knows where she is," She replied, a matter of fact. 

"Oh really".

Her reply tarnished my plans of wanting to make Bella miserable, but at the same time, skyrocketed my hopes. Does it mean just Alex and I were going to spend the night in this mansion together? This was getting way more interesting than I expected. If Bella was not in the house, this was a good opportunity for me and I was definitely going to make tonight count. Definitely.

I cleared my throat pretentiously, keeping my thoughts at bay. "Then take that box to the master's bedroom. I will be spending the night there".

"Ma?" She blurted out like she had been punched in the guts. 

"Are you daft now?" 

She shivered slightly, "I'm sorry ma. But we are not permitted to enter the master's room. It's only our madam that has the right to their room".

I tilted my head to the side with a quizzical expression. Their room? Does it mean they've been sleeping together all along?

I'd cunningly inquired from Mrs Caroline and she told me she vehemently refused Bella and her son, sharing the same room. Does it mean Alex went ahead to share a room with Bella regardless of his mother's instructions? That could mean only one thing!

I clenched my palm into a fist, so tight that my nails dug into my flesh. Does he have feelings for Bella? If Alex had started developing feelings for her, it was going to make my plans more difficult to actualize. 

Exhaling sharply, I shook my head, "Snap out of it, Linda. It's just your imagination. It's nothing". I muttered. 

"Take my box to the room now!" I ordered with a sharp voice, sharper than the previous.

The maid remained unfazed, "But ma I could lose my job if...." 

I got pissed. "I guess I will do it myself then!" I was about to snatch the box from her grip when the sound of Alex pulling up in the parking lot caught our attention, and we remained silent.

We both seemed to be relaxed in our stance, waiting for his entrance. I could read her mind. She wore a pretentious look of innocence but deep down, I knew she was happy her boss was back. She couldn't wait for the embarrassment that would befall me when he confirmed her words and sent me to the guest room.

I reciprocated her a stoic gaze. On the other hand, I was thankful that Alex was back. He was going to instruct her to take my luggage to his room and she would know, I too had some atom of authority in this house now. 

"Oh Alex, sweetheart!" I exclaimed and walked over to give him a passionate hug with my side eyes staring mockingly at the maid, making sure she witnessed every scene with anger as it unfolded. 

Alex looked confused and didn't quite return the gesture. "What are you doing here and why-" He said pointing a finger at my box. "What's this?" 

I felt humiliated. "Are you not happy to see me? I came all the way to spend time with you so you won't feel lonely and this is what I get?" I whimpered, collapsing into a heap of raw nerves and emotions to mask the embarrassment.

He suddenly turned sympathetic, "No, I didn't mean it that way, Linda," He apologized, rubbing my shoulders lightly, but I seized the opportunity to engulf him in a tight embrace, still sobbing with my head buried in his chest, and he didn't resist. It was working!

But his words the next minute brought my hopes crashing down as he turned to the mai

d and instructed, "What are you waiting for? Take her box to the guest room".