Public shadow

Laura

His face flushed as if the questions had burnt him, his eyes turned damp and unblinking, something familiar staring through his deep ocean gaze.

Yes, that look. The one that made him punch Kai in the face. Guilt and rage tangled in his eyes.

He swallowed hard as if gulping down all the emotions swirling on his face. Then, something resembling a smile straightened on his lips.

“Oh, Cute Bug?” he replied casually, the indifference evident in his tone.

I crossed my arms. “Yes, Cute Bug?” I snapped, clearly irritated by his indifference.

He bent to my height, his blue eyes locked to mine as if I held the answers to my own questions.

“Who's Cute Bug?” he let out a dry, humorless chuckle. “You could have just asked your husband nicely, instead of whining like a child.” He tried to pinch my nose but I swatted him away.

The pain seized my wrist, amplifying the irritation bubbling inside me. At times I wonder if this man was made of steel, instead of bones, because hitting him was clearly punishing yourself.

“Fine!” he finally gave in, hands up in surrender. “She's my employee, and if I'm not mistaken, I think she's now my wife.”

My patience fell flat.

I was being serious, and he was countering my questions with sarcasm. Rage cloyed in my bones, urging my limbs to move on autopilot. Lifting a leg, déjà Vu hit me like a tornado.

I gritted my teeth. The man towered like a mountain, muscles ripped on every side. One hit from him and I'm sure to visit an orthopedist.

Sucking in a deep breath, I spun to leave, but he grabbed my wrist like he always does. “Is it about what Kai said?” His tone shifted. No sarcasm, just seriousness. “You don't believe him, do you?”

Ting!

An idea sparked in my head. I had used it on Kai when he still loved me, before he was stained with deceit. I called it “The face-charm card.”

Absurd, isn't it? Yes, but it always worked because men love pretty faces. And I, Laura, was an embodiment of beauty, at least that's one thing I'm sure about.

I rolled my eyes, feigning disinterest. “See, you're Kaida Crawford, the high and charming king of the business world. Who am I to force you against your will?” I paused, studying his expression.

His jawline drew sharper. “You're my wife,” his deep, baritone voice tinged with irritation.

That's it, the plan is working.

“Since we'll be living together now as husband and wife, you can text me your address and I'll just hail a cab while you drive your expensive Bugatti through the bustling streets of Greentop like the king you are. Once again, I'm sorry, sir.” I landed the deathblow, hoping it'd shatter his ego.

He hated being hyped by me, and I wanted to know the truth at all costs. I can't afford to sleep in a murderer's house— especially, when my life and that of my baby's is at risk.

He shot me a glassy stare. “She was my fiancée and we were supposed to get married a week before we had a little squabble.” His expression paled slightly, then he continued. “I was drunk… broke her heart by telling her I didn't love her. It drove her insane, and later that night, she had an accident.”

Beejesus. Accident?

I stepped back slightly, giving him a once-over and nodding subconsciously. He sure looked like heartbreak in a tuxedo. Poor girl.

“And?” I pressed further, not letting any detail slip past.

“I didn't kill her, and you don't have to believe that dumpster. Kai's nothing but a bag of hate; that's what he is and what he'll always be.” His eyes searched mine for any hint of disbelief, but I gave a satisfying nod as if buying his explanation.

“Yeah, everyone makes mistakes, don't they? That's what makes us human, so… um, I–” I fumbled with my words, finding the right words amidst my messy thoughts.

“Just wanted to say, if you don't love someone, just tell them and it'd only hurt a while before they get over it. Not playing Romeo with her fragile heart, and giving her the illusion of a happy ever after, now she's—”

The words tasted bitter in my mouth, and I couldn't bring myself to say them. I didn't buy his half lidded story, because something in my gut screams there was more to it. Nonetheless, boundaries had to be respected.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, forcing a smile. “It’s very late; I think we should head home,” I said stiffly, but he remained rooted to his spot, staring blankly at me.

Was he angry?

Not that it matters anyway. I've gotten the answers I wanted, maybe not all. But from now on I'd be cautious, so I won't top the list of dead lovers.

I rolled my eyes and turned on my heel. He can piss off, for all I care.

“Do you think I'd kill you too?”

I halted in my steps, my back to him.

“I’d sleep with one eye open and a dagger underneath my pillow. You’re welcome to try.” I said jokingly, but my words were laced with venom.

I got into the car, and his footsteps drew closer. He slid into the driver’s seat, the tension thick between us as he drove through the night air.

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After a thirty-minute drive, we arrived in front of a mega-mansion. The car beeped, and the massive gate, adorned with platinum bars, stretched open, revealing the entrance to paradise.

We moved through the granite-coated driveway into the garage apron which boasted twelve luxury cars.

The environment oozed opulence: aesthetic sculptures, a sleek pool, and crisp air filling my lungs through deep, satisfied breaths.

The hell?

I blinked twice, gaping at a separate wing, brimming with helicopters. One, two, three…

My blood flaked into hot chips. I turned to the Elon Musk wannabe, stunned and annoyed. The bastard had a smarmy grin, his veneers peeking through the side of his mouth.

Trillion dollars, my foot.

We stepped out of the car, and Kaida offered me his arm. His lavender cologne mixed with the cool, intoxicating, night breeze, making my nostrils tingle with the urge to hold him tight and breathe him in fully.

“Fantastic, isn't it?” he gave a satisfied smile, his gaze fixed on the mansion. “You probably haven't seen anything like it before, have you?”

His pride made my jaw tighten.

He leaned closer, his lips inches away from my ears. “Don't worry, you're Mrs. Crawford now. You'd be handling the affairs of this house.”

The words rolled on my skin, leaving angry welts in its wake. Proud Simp.

Just as I was about to give him a piece of my mind, a middle-aged man in white, long-sleeve shirt, black trousers, and dark polished shoes, walked up to us.

“K.D boss, welcome home,” he greeted Kaida as he turned to me with a questioning look.

Kaida instinctively wrapped his hand around my waist, pulling me closer to his hard frame. “My beautiful wife, Laura Crawford. She'll be staying with us from now on,” Kaida gave an awkward smile. “Laura, this is my butler, Cyprian.”

Cyprian's nose flared in shock. “Welcome, ma'am,” he said, bowing slightly, and I did so as well.

Courtesy wasn't my thing.

Kaida's phone rang, and he excused us, leaving me with the awkward staring butler. I wasn't ready to break the silence, but a question crossed my mind.

“Um, Cyprian… do you know about any Cute Bug?” I inquired.

He cocked a brow, confusion evident on his face. “She's a woman,” I added.

He scratched his scalp as if digging for answers. “Ma'am, I don't know any Cute Bug. Is that a person's name?”

My stomach hardened in frustration.

Kaida was truly a public shadow; you know him, and at the same time you don't.

I turned to the still confused butler. “Never mind, Cyprian.”

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I settled into my new home, now living the life of a pregnant, married woman. Sitting in front of the vanity, I applied my hair products, gently combing my hair, a smile gracing my lips.

“Married to his brother’s wife,” I said to myself as my reality looked funny to me.

It sounds like those binge-worthy novels you'd see on novel platforms. I never thought it would happen in real life, but here I am today, married to my husband's brother and also in his pajamas.

I ambled to the walk-in closet to return the remaining pajamas I didn't choose from, when my eyes caught a half-closed box in the wardrobe. I attempted closing it, but I saw a file written. “Marriage license.”

This wasn't me and Kaida's own. I mulled for a second. Cute bug's, maybe?

Prying further, I flipped the file open before a loud crash boomed from the bathroom.

Kaida was taking a shower… was he?

I bolted to the bathroom, heart pounding like a war drum.

Shards of glass littered the floor, an acrid smell stinging my nostrils. My pulse exploded as I followed the trail. Kaida…