"You believed what I claimed?"
"Shouldn't I be when you trotted here after several years of silence?"
She was speechless, with her eyes wide, staring at him.
"And I want to remind you that our marriage is legally binding and consummated by your choice, even though it was done by proxy."
She rolled her eyes and glanced down the road to cover up the heat in her cheeks. When she managed to respond, she merely muttered, "It... that wasn't tallied. Before everything happened, we had already signed the documents, and it wasn't your fault. As you’ve said, it was my choice."
"And I could have refused," he retorted. She burned in his eyes.
"Can we not discuss it?" She avoided looking at him to cover up her humiliation. She didn't want to talk to him about what she had done in the past. Everything that had occurred was her idea. She struggled to despise him because of it, but she never regretted what she did since the outcome of her action made her life worthwhile to move on.
"Certainly. You're skilled at that, Rafa. Avoiding the topic that needs to be discussed."
The accusation from the man caused Rafaella's mouth to open.
"You barged into the hotel and demanded my attention, but as we spoke, all you seemed to be doing was trying to hail a cab. Choose a side, Mrs. Latimer!"
"All right, let's settle this once and for all."
"Join me, please."
Once more, he held her arm firmly but without the force of the bruising. "In my opinion, we should not converse on the road."
Despite the strain, Rafaella retreated before realizing she was either caving in or being led away.
"There is no way for us to leave this place. How is your fiancée?"
"I'm only talking to you about the status of something you claimed a while back," he replied.
She saw a sleek black car, and Alexus walked toward it. H opened the door and led Rafaella to the front seat. There's still a faint scent of costly perfume in the air. Was it his fiancée or a different person? Before she could fasten the seatbelt, Alexus sat in the driver's seat and bowed in front of her, which caught her off guard.
"Impressive. Still a gentleman..."
He gave her a brief period of attention before carefully entering the traffic flow. "I don't recall ever making such a claim. Before, you didn't appear to care."
Nope, she wanted to say, although it was a one-sided desire. She adored his confidence just as much as she loved his physique body built.
"Please bring my mother to me, drop me off at the hotel where I'm staying, and I'll take a cab to the airport," she said.
Instead of replying, he started to run the car. She was thrown against the door while waiting for him to turn the vehicle to the right.
"Wait, that's the wrong direction! Where are we going together?"
"Inside my home. Where else can I bring my wife?" He stressed the word "wife" with pursed lips.
She swung the seatbelt around. "Stop the car right now. I'm leaving. You are utterly mistaken if you believe an illegal divorce provides you any rights."
"Just shut up. Your action implies that you're worried we'll be left alone. You are protected from me, Rafa. So, relax. If you want to see your mother, then act properly."
"Latimer, you certainly have a short memory. Tonight, I tried to get you alone, but you refused." Her entire body becomes more and more enraged.
"That was before I understood your desires."
She mocked, "I wouldn't have had to come if only you had answered my calls."
As the car was being driven toward the garage across the big lawn, Alexus quietly got under the awning and stopped it.
"Walk with me. We can discuss it upstairs." He spoke before exiting the vehicle without giving her another glance and forcing her to choose.
Rafaella paused briefly, then picked up her purse and shoes. She looked about the mansion, which she had never seen before.
Standing at the house's front door, Alexus turned to face the rear. And he was holding the door with one hand as she ran after him.
Without saying a word, he motioned her down a few steps into the living room.
She removed her shoes and let her tired, swollen feet fall onto a luxurious white fluffy carpet. The plushness of the rug appealed to her. She couldn't help but savor the comfort it gave to her legs by closing her eyes for a minute.
He was observing her with those unreadable eyes when she opened her eyes and realized where she was. She swallowed hard and pretended she didn’t notice how he looked at her.
"Do you want anything to drink? “Alexus made the offer when he sat in the sofa's corner across from her.
"Yes, please. Water will do, thanks," she darted him a smile. She tried to hide how uncomfortable she felt to be alone with him, knowing they were not legally separated.
He tapped the side table's button while nodding. He said, "Water here, please."
Rafaella heard the approaching footsteps a short while later. She peed at the older woman's recognizable face and noticed a modest smile on her lips.
She drank water from the crystal glass and quietly replied, "Thank you, Mrs. Woods."
Their former governess gave her a satisfied smile once more, but Alexus interrupted.
"Bring mom here if she's awake."
He received a nod from the governess before she discreetly walked away.
Rafaella gave him a big smile and said, "Thanks." Her happiness at seeing her mother was visible in her eyes.
"However, I don't believe hearing the sad news would benefit her condition. I advise you to remain here while I speak with the attorney who handled the matter.”
"The lawyer who is now your brother-in-law. Anyway, thank you for the offer, but I don't believe staying under one roof is a good idea," she added after clearing her throat.
"Considering that we are still married, why did you say that?"
"I don't want your fiancée to assume the worst and confront me. So, while waiting for the procedure, staying in the hotel where I booked is appropriate. Besides, the only thing binding us is the paper to finalize it. I deemed it finished when I didn't hear from you for a while." She spoke up.
"What about you, then? Is my brother still being pursued by someone? Are you safe there?"
She purposefully lowered her eyes to her feet, partially hidden by the soft carpet's thickness.
"No, there was no issue like that. Everything’s fine when he’s gone," she admitted, meeting his eyes." And living alone is safer."
"What are you saying?"
"I don't think I can afford to put anyone's life in danger with the kind of job I had. I still have my doubts about safety. Nobody knows."
"What?"
Rafaella was silent as she considered the implications of her words. "Considering what happened to your half-brother, it's wise to play it safe."
Alexus regarded her intently as if he was not convinced. His brows furrowed. "Is someone following you then? Are you in danger or something?"
She heard footsteps behind her before she had a chance to respond. She could not express how she was shocked when she spotted her mother seated in a wheelchair. She got to her feet. But at the same time happy to see her at last.
Alexus and Mrs. Wood quietly left the premises. Rafaella ran in a fit of emotion to hug her mother.
"Mom?" She could not help sobbing. She didn’t care that she was seated on the hallway's chilly marble floor. Her attention was on her mother.
"I'm so glad to see you, Rafa," Mrs. Jones said gently. She softly stroked the face of her daughter. "You seem doing well."
“Yes, mom. I’m fine. “Despite her tears, Rafaella grinned and nodded. She kissed her mother's hand. "Mom, I missed you beyond words."
Mrs. Jones gave her daughter a sad grin as she stared at her. "I missed you too, honey. Whatever happened since your dad died, I still remember how we used to be, a happy family. And it would be great to see you both with your sister Cindy. I understand that she has her path to follow as you do. So never be sad on my behalf as I am happy where I am. Alexus is always there to assist me. So, please do not consider me but think about what is best for you. Have you heard from Cindy recently?"
"Sure, mom. She didn't want to return here yet but called twice recently to inform me she was fine."
Her mother's eyes once more showed grief. "We fell apart as a result of your dad's disappearance. I appreciate Alexus' consideration and politeness toward me."
"Mom, I'm sorry for being a slacker. Since then, my life has been a total wreck, but I’m doing fine now. I wanted to take you with me, but I believe you are safer here than you are with me since Alexus is taking care of you. But you have my word that I will return to you, mom. As soon as everything is okay."
"Is there something bothering you, Rafa?"
He made her voice happy, "No, Mom. It's just that returning here brought back those restless nights." "Ignore what occurred here. There is no other way to proceed. Rafa, may God prosper your endeavor." "Mommy, thank you." She darted subtly at her back when she felt a soft movement and found Alexus standing with his eyes on them. She cleared her throat, "I appreciate you giving me this chance, Alexus." Rafaella looked at the man after her mother said something. She was worried Alexus had overheard what she had said—observing the shape of his grin subtly as he approached her mother. Did he hear what I said? She pondered. "Thank you for having the time with my mom," she said firmly as Alexus walked to the front door together. "I'm sorry to say this, but I can't ignore what you’ve said after seeing my mother. I agree that she’s okay to be here for now. Don’t worry; I will continue to send Mrs. Woods what I can spare." "And you think your mom's simply thinking about money?" He said in
"I used to enjoy your ex-wife," Marla explained with a twitch at the corner of her mouth. "But abandoning you for another man like that is beyond my understanding." "Marla, my wife. Who gave you the impression that she left me for another man, by the way? As I believed during our divorce proceeding, I learned that all of her outward infidelity was a deception. Back then, she never cheated on me, which I blindly believe." "God, oh God!" Marla exclaimed in shock. "What a big lie! Is that what she claimed to be when the video clearly showed that she was-" "Cut that crap, Marla. I don't want to hear any of that nonsense. Save her from your bias. You are unaware of the specifics." "Now what? Are you siding with her because you were in bed with her for less than an hour?" His face was etched with anger at what his sister had said. "Marla, watch what you say. Because the divorce was not public, so Rafa is still my wife. And let me add that I shouldn't have trusted that video. I slept wit
Christ! Quietly, Alexus whispered. For some reason that he couldn't understand, he sensed that Rafaella was lying when she claimed to be his sweetheart. What other lies remained? To make his point, the attorney raised a finger. "We need to show he wasn't the only one to have a sexual encounter with her." "Are you saying that the only way to get a divorce is to turn her into a whore?" Alexus gave David a stern look while seeming irate. "Yes, something like that to prevent her from receiving anything." He mumbled under his steely exterior, "David, I'm not buying that. I'm sorry, but I disagree with you regarding my wife's reputation. Her lack of promiscuity is too much. No way." Marla intervened, saying, "Alex, try to be objective. She is with someone else, as you just stated. Then perhaps she wants you to end things soon so she can wed." "Whatever. I want it done well without putting her down, "Alexus answered. "Perhaps I can get her to agree to anything before I go and file it in
She turned to face the man in the elevator. He looked back at her, and an idea crossed her mind. When she told Oscar he was her lover, she overheard him chuckling. He confronted Oscar, whose ears grew pink, and then strolled away to demonstrate his point by coming to her side and bringing her closer to him. When she overheard him speaking to someone on his mobile phone, she realized he was gay. He grinned broadly as he extended his hand to her. Rafaella hoped that her steadfast relationship would enable her to escape the terrible circumstances she had found herself in. She had no idea why she had a stalker all of a sudden. As he held the elevator door, Luigi reassured her, "Complete discretion." Starting with that hallway encounter, she and Luigi became best buddies. After she unexpectedly called him for security protection, he became her excellent buddy and was ready to assist her and treat her like a VIP at his friend's business. As she and Luigi started to stroll down the thickl
"If they haven't already left the hotel, that is," Alexus remarked dryly. "My life is in chaos every time she's here," he said grimly. "So you would prepare that you don't see her around?" Alexus opted not to respond, but his demeanor was anything from happy. "How come you got married to her in the first place?" He gave him a scathing glance. He could not talk about his relationship with Rafaella without feeling regret, especially what went wrong after their marriage. "I've previously questioned whether the events in your marriage are still impacting you. Your current state of agitation proves that everything in your life is spiraling out of control. Since you engaged me to take care of your injury five years ago, I have only learned a little about your marriage. And most often, when you're angry and complaining about how foolish you are." Alexus let out a long sigh. "I wed her by proxy just a few days before she became 18." "What?" He gave him a stern look. "For this reason, I
Alexus jerked from his reverie when he felt a hand gripping him on his shoulder and met the eyes of his Physical Therapist. He didn't realize tears were falling down his face. He quietly ran his palm on his face to wife it. "Are you alright?" Timothy enquired. He studied the distressed CEO intently, a look of worry on his face. He took a deep breath and shook his head. He was watching the emergency entrance with concern. "Did you hear anything from the doctor that examined her?" "No, and that only makes it worse. I'm going insane while waiting here, anticipating the worse." "Alex, you can't be acting like this. Be upbeat and consider the children's feelings." "What, children?" He inquired, appearing perplexed. Timothy stared at him and shook his head. He realized Alexus was not in the right mind to handle another issue. AFTER MIDNIGHT, the surgeon informed Alexus that his wife's procedure had been completed and was a success. Within twenty-four hours, she was supposed to be awa
"I don't dispute that. But Alex, it's just for fundamental gratification. Not enough for me to want to wed him." "Well, that's your issue, and I'd rather not be part of that. And never claim you wanted to be my fiancee because you love me. Then we have a different outlook on loving someone." "Alex-" "Sandy, no. Enough already. As you know, I am still married and would like to try it again with my wife." "Even when she betrayed you many times?" Hoarse laughing was heard coming from Alexus's mouth. "She didn't, in my opinion. And I chastised myself for assuming the worst. She might have, but I still want her back." "You're nuts!" "Spare me this name-calling, Sandy. Have a good time. Bye." And as if nothing had happened, he pocketed his mobile phone again when he saw Timothy enter the room. Timothy patted his shoulder and grinned at him, saying, "I'm happy you look better than the last time I saw you. Guess what." "You tell me, and stop seizing me with your eyes," he stated. He w
He commented, "That was quick service." Lance grinned, "Most folks here know me. One of my clients owns the business. " "Good business you have, but not to what you did though I wouldn't mind now that the hazy side of my messy problem started to put some light," he stated, veiling reference to what Lance said. "My sister told you why I wanted to see you, so I guess you knew. But make it brief and to the point because I don't have much time now." "So much the better, as I prefer it that way," Lance nodded. "But first, I wanted to apologize for waiting until today to meet you though I expected this moment when you discovered what I did. You'll learn I did not file your petition, which grounds my practice. I thought you would learn the truth quickly, and it bothered me, but I was waiting for you to confront me first." "Why?" At last, he asked that question that made him wonder overnight. "I was waiting for you to retract your decision." "Why would you think I will?" "I was aware of