Chapter 3: Three is a crowd

LAURA’S POV.

I saw her seated comfortably on Elijah's bed, while he sat on the office chair by his window.

“My Goodness, Laura, can't you knock? Do you need something?” Elijah asked nonchalantly, almost like he never wanted me in that room.

“Uhm I needed the reports for the company,” I answered firmly.

“ they're on the top shelf,” he said and returned his gaze back to Astrid.

Meanwhile she was chuckling silently, I couldn't say a word. I picked the sheets and left the room.

*****

“Laura, can you get me a glass of water?” Astrid asked with her annoying voice as we sat by the dining table.

I looked at Elijah, hoping he'd stop her and ask Lilly to do it, but no. He was busy scrolling through his phone.

I let out a sigh, got up, and poured her a glass of water. Anger boiled inside me, but I kept my cool.

Elijah stepped out of the dining room while keeping his eyes on his phone, busy as usual, giving Astrid a small peck on the forehead before he left the dining room. “I have to make an important call,” he assured her.

“Can you pass me the bowl over there?” Astrid ordered. She had a grin on her face which was as fake as could be. I was surprised Elijah didn't see how fake she is.

I took the bowl of salad and shrimp; I served a little on her table and returned to my seat. By this time, my appetite was spoiled.

“Ah! Is this shrimp? I am allergic to shrimp, Elijah!” Astrid screamed. The scene she caused puzzled me; she was panting and gagging. I stood there not knowing what to do, as she kept rejecting my help.

“Elijah!” she called out again. “Don't come close to me, peasant,” she coughed.

Elijah came rushing into the room, his face showing so much worry and anxiety.

“What is wrong? Are you okay?!” he asked worriedly.

My stomach churned. He had never used such a gentle expression with me before.

I took the bowl of salad and shrimp; I served a little on her table and returned to my seat. By this time, my appetite was spoiled.

“Ah! Is this shrimp? I am allergic to shrimp, Elijah!” Astrid screamed. The scene she caused puzzled me; she was panting and gagging. I stood there not knowing what to do, as she kept rejecting my help.

“Elijah!” she called out again. “Don't come close to me, peasant,” she coughed.

Elijah came rushing into the room, his face showing so much worry and anxiety.

"But I didn't do anything wrong," I muttered silently while a tear rolled down my cheeks.

I remained behind as my husband rushed her to the hospital, he did not take a second to doubt if I deliberately did it or not, but instead. He immediately believed her over me.

An hour later, I heard the gate open. I jumped from my bed, hoping it was Elijah. I stood by the window, looking down as he held her by the hand and walked into the mansion.

He showed up with Astrid; she was walking weakly like someone who had been run over by a truck. By this time, I should have been used to this feeling. I did not know how to defend myself at this point. Lilly walked through the door, and her face said it all; she looked worried and sorry for me.

"Madam, Mr. Elijah Reed is asking for you. You'll meet him in his chambers," she said. Her voice was low yet trembled with fear. I knew this meant one thing, and I was scared to face him.

“Laura, how can you be so heartless? Astrid is asthmatic and allergic to shrimp. I clearly ordered everyone to take good care of her. I left strict instructions on what she can eat and what she can't!” he huffed.

My eyes were beaming with tears, and I could not utter a word. I had never seen him this angry.

“I am sorry, I… I had no idea,” I stammered. My heart pounded against my chest.

“No, you are not. You have shown me how heartless you are; you can do the same to me and worse. For this reason, I am divorcing you,” he said. His breath was fanning heavily.

“Wait, what? No, Elijah, you cannot do this,” I sobbed and begged.

“I can't be with you; you're heartless!” he yelled.

“Please, Elijah…” I begged, but he was not listening to a word from me.

“Nonsense, Laura! Look at what you did to poor Astrid! She almost died—” he was cut short by the ringing sound of his phone.

He picked up the phone, pulling his gaze away from me.

"Yes, Aunt, she's here with me," he gritted. "What? But Aunt, you know I don't want that!" he gritted, clearly annoyed.

I kept calm as he seemed to be debating with his Aunt, Ms. Ivy Reed.

"Okay, we will pick you up in 5 minutes," he said and cut the call. "Laura, let's go and pick up my Aunt, Ivy, and Ethan at the airport. And prepare for tonight; we are going to a party together, Ethan's birthday celebration. She expects you to be there," he scoffed.

I scanned the expression on his face; I could tell he was not happy about this. Whatever they discussed on that call must have triggered him.

“Okay,” I said, “but you ordered me to take care of Astrid.”

He walked towards me and held my hand tightly.

“Ms. Lilly will do that for now; you have to act as my wife since Aunt is back.” His gaze was fixated on me, his green eyes shooting daggers at me before they softened for a split second.

He lowered his head to my neck, and I could feel my breath changing. His lips brushed against my neck, teasingly, and I almost let out a moan. “Do not mess this up for me, or else,” he said bitterly.

He let go of his grip on me, and I let out a breath I did not know I was holding. I hated his effect on me; how he made me so angry, yet I could get aroused by his presence. “Let's go and wear something presentable,” he scoffed, clearly unimpressed with what I put on.

****

Astrid stood by the doorway; I could see anger through her smile.

"Oh, pookie, be back soon. You know I cannot be alone for long; I'm still weak," she whined while Elijah tucked in his suit. Richard stood still next to Elijah as usual, ready to leave.

"I am sorry, but Ms. Lilly will take care of you while I'm gone, and you are not allowed to call me that. We are grown," he sneered.

I smiled a little because I could no longer be his “friend's” assistant . But my joy was cut short when he reached out to her and pecked her forehead leaving me standing idly.

Was I invisible or something? My blood boiled with jealousy. I should not be feeling this way; I was aware of his feelings for her.

He walked out with Richard, and I made my way to the car.

The reality is that I was just a secretary in his eyes; he would never see me as his wife.

After all, it was a favor he did for his grandfather before he died. I happened to be at the right place at the right time when his grandfather's drink was spiked by a waiter, and I could not just sit by. I had to step in and save him. As a reward for the good deed, he granted me a job and later arranged for me to marry Elijah as his last dying wish.

How I wish everyone knew that Elijah never loved me; it was all a deal that I should get used to because soon it would be over, and he would be with Astrid Stone, the love of his life.

We walked out the hallway and I took one last look at Astrid, she had a mischievous grin on her face and smirked devilishly.

“He will be mine soon…” she mouthed the words silently.