Breakfast?

ALEXANDER'S POV

6:00 AM

I silently crawled out of bed to have my bath before Ashley gets up. I've tormented myself enough by sharing a bed with her without touching.

I slipped off my boxers and slowly stepped into the shower letting the cold water cascade down my body.

While Ashley slept, I had forced myself to stay awake for an hour just to watch her. I let myself become her guard, watching her have her sweet dreams while I was in a hell of mine. She restlessly stirred and moaned in her sleep. Whoever was fucking her while she slept would be nothing compared to me when that time comes.

I will make sure to erase every memory of him from her mind and make her want only me, no one else.

That's another promise I intend to fulfill.

*********************

8:15 AM

Ashley still laid in bed. Her body ungainly sprawled on the mattress, her nightie shifted an inch above her long legs, her nipples taut against the satin of the fabric.

The flight must have taken its toll on her, I thought as I walked out of the room. I don't trust myself if I stay a minute longer with her.

I took the backdoor that led to the second floor. My temporary office had been stationed there so I could work from home sometimes.

Mother had sent me a mail earlier this reminding me of the reason I'm in France. The documents I have to send to her, and the pending business deal I had to settle between Jordan Jewelleries and Havillah Modelling Agency.

Jordan Jewelleries would be launching a new product soon, a set of our signature Diamond Jewelleries for newly Weds, and there's a need of fashion models for its official shoot.

I found it difficult to focus on the pile of unsigned letters sprawled carelessly across the table, as hunger pangs sliced gruesomely through my intestines. The pain so intense that I no longer cared about the documents that needs to be signed.

After all, a dead person can't take over a company.

Gripping tightly onto the edge of the armrest, I scratched the wheels of my swivel chair on the ceramic tiles with so much effort, and pushed backwards and rose to find something to munch on while I worked.

I took a quick glance at the gold watch locked firmly on my wrist, checking for the time.

9:05 AM

Ashley should be awake by now, and is probably scanning through the rooms, looking for me.

I didn't take her through this part of the house yesterday because I don't want her involved in my corporate job.

There's so much scandal with being a Jordan already, and the World's leading manufacturer of Jewelleries at that. And I wouldn't want to bring her into what she didn't bargain for.

Especially with the paparazzi always wanting to make headlines at all cost.

I'd give anything to keep her away from this life. Anything to see she's safe.

I strode leisurely into the lobby, descending the flight of stairs that led to the backdoor of our room.

Hmmmm, the air in here smells so delicious. I sucked in a deep breath as I inhaled the air around me.

Letting my nose lead me to its source, I sauntered into the kitchen where Ashley is fiddling with the espresso machine. She looked engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't hear me come in.

I paused and take a moment to study her, letting my eyes drink in the sight of her in its peripheral vision. I got to have a good view of her from this angle.

It's a good thing she can't see me yet.

Her hair was braided into a thick ponytail which slicked down her back. My white shirt, folded at the sleeves, sat loosely on her body. I lowered my gaze an inch, noticing her tanned long legs underneath the fabric.

I let my thoughts wander wildly, thinking of having her legs wrapped tightly around my cock in our heat of intense passion. My blood heats up, sending signals down south. Enough of fantasy, I hear it scream, but I wouldn't force her to this.

"Ahem!," I cleared my throat, announcing my presence to her.

Ashley jumped back in fright, nearly tripping over the tiles as she turned to me. "I-I didn't hear you come in," she stuttered. "Good morning."

A smile formed at the edge of my lips. "Good morning, little angel," I responded as I flumped my weight into the wooden chair at the long kitchen table.

"Breakfast?" Ashley asked. She graciously walked to the cabinet and pull out two ceramic cups from its place, setting it onto a tray.

"Does the options include you?"

Aha! My question caught her unawares as she abruptly comes to a halt in her tracks. Her face flush red as she slightly lowered her gaze to the tray she held.

She absentmindedly sets the tray on the table and poured the coffee into each cup. "How do you take your coffee?" She asked.

"I like it black," I said. "Ashley, is there anything you'll like to do while we're here?"

She was married to me, but that doesn't mean I should cage her in the house. I don't want her to pass out from boredom while we're here.

We might not seem to like the circumstances under which we got married, but in the past few days I've been trying to be a better husband. It's out of place for me to even do this, yet I'll try anything for her.

Ashley drank her coffee and stared at her empty cup. Her hands wrapped tightly around the ceramic frame. "Nothing," she admitted, her voice laced with an uncertainty of the future. "I know no one here, Alex."

My heart twinged in pain. I took a sip of my coffee as I mulled over her words. "Well," I say, my voice soft. "You have me, and I'm sure you'll meet nice people too."

"Yes," she whispered. "I hope to."

I took another sip of the coffee, watching her rise from the table through my lowered gaze. She had so much fears that I don't know how to clear them out of her head. Fear of the past, fear of the present, and even fear of the future.

Sighing deeply, I made a mental note to ask my brother for tips on how to help a woman overcome her fears.

My phone beeped in my pocket. I pulled it out to check the notifications.

Michael. Sonofabitch.

It's been three weeks since my brother and I last spoke. He wasn't in attendance at my wedding because of the rift between him and Mom. Mom was devastated when Michael had made his decision to pursue his own career instead of going into the family's business. He had blatantly objected to being controlled by anyone, leaving me as the only viable option.

I tapped the W******p icon on my phone's home screen. A text from Michael was waiting for me in my inbox.

-Michael: Hey Bro. What's up? A little birdie told me you're now married.

-Me: Yeah (I insert a sad emoji). Mom made me marry Ashley in a rush. And there's no way out of except after three months.

-Michael: Hold on. Do you mean Ashley Roberts?

I leaned back in my chair, wondering if Michael and Ashley had met in the past.

-Me: Yes. How did you guess right?

-Michael: I've seen her around the house when we were young. She comes to visit with her Mom. Ashley's a nice girl. Give her a chance, bro.

Unlike Michael, I found it hard to remember the faces of people I've met in the past. Except your presence had so much impact on my life.

-Me: The hell I'm trying, Mike. But she doesn't seem interested.

-Michael: Give her time, I'm sure she's still trying to adjust to all of this. You know how difficult the change can be. Besides, you're a Jordan and an irresistible one at that.

-Me: (inserts laughing emoji) You're so unserious right now, Mike. I'm very sure about that. (inserts another laughing emoji.)

-Michael: I'm right, bro. Another birdie told me your ex trailed you to France. So you might want to be careful with your new bride.

Gotta go, Alex. Jenny will have my head if she finds out I'm not beside her.

Bye, bro.

Dammit.

I slammed my fist on the table, and closed my eyes briefly.

Kelly and I didn't end things on a mutual ground before I got married to Ashley. Though I had explained everything to her and she had promised to stay away, it seemed she's having a hard time letting me go and would do anything to have me back now.

Even if it meant hurting Ashley.

Damn her.