An Act Or Is It?

Daisy glanced at her phone impatiently and back at the parking lot. Where the hell is Thea and why isn't she responding to her calls?

She had run into Seth earlier in the lobby while she was waiting for Thea to get back from Balmero’s estate and he asked if she knew where Thea had gone.

Daisy couldn't tell him the truth, not when Seth looked so pissed. Hell, she wanted the ground to swallow her when his gaze met hers.

A taxi cab pulled to a stop and Thea stepped out of the car. Daisy almost jumped at her as soon as she got out.

“Goodness, you scared me!”

Daisy tried to catch her breath, holding onto her friend like she could slip through her hands if she wasn't careful.

“Mr Seth…he's been trying to reach you all day! Why aren't you responding to your calls?” Daisy snapped.

“You called?” Thea pulled out her phone and true to Daisy's words, she had a dozen missed calls.

“You need to find Mr Seth and…I think he's upset.”

Thea exhaled, and she rolled back her shoulders. After confronting Adam today, she's ready to confront anyone.

“Where is he?”

“The pool. I need to stop by the cafe. Something happened. It's nothing serious but keep me posted.” Daisy hugs her.

“Okay. Take care.” Daisy flags down a taxi and soon, she is gone.

Thea walked into the hotel, approaching the hotel's pool area, steeling herself. She caught sight of a familiar figure by the edge of the water.

Seth.

He was dressed in a dark linen shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, revealing strong forearms and tattoos. Thea's eyes narrowed on his exposed sleeve, studying the tattoos quietly. Of course, she could recall it from that night.

Thea cleared her throat, trying to push the thought behind her. Seth was on his phone, his profile sharp and intense as he spoke, his gaze distant.

Just as she was about to turn and slip away unnoticed, his head snapped up.

“Stop.”

His eyes locked onto her. He ended his call abruptly, his expression hardening. His brow furrowed, and a muscle in his jaw twitched. He pushed off the loungewear he was leaning against and strode towards her.

"Where have you been? What's the purpose of a phone if you don't respond to calls?" he demanded, his voice low and harsh. His eyes were fixed on her intensely, forcing her to stop in her tracks.

Thea met his gaze unflinchingly. "I had to attend to family business," she replied, her voice cool and steady.

Seth's shoulders seemed to relax after her words and his gaze softened almost instantly.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer, though still devoid of warmth.

The question hung in the air. Thea stared at him, genuinely taken aback. Was he asking if she was okay?

"I'm fine," she stated.

"You could have responded to my messages or told me where you were headed," Seth adds.

Thea chuckled. "Why does it matter to you where I am? Our contract didn't state that..."

"My dears! There you are!" Celine's cheerful voice echoed in Seth's ears. His eyes landed on her.

Celine is in a flowing kaftan, strolls gracefully into the pool area, her eyes sparkling, a warm smile on her face. She was making a beeline directly for them.

In a split second, before Thea could finish her statement, Seth moved. He reached out, his hand circling her waist and pulling her towards him, startling her with the sudden closeness. His other hand cupped the back of her head, pulling her face to his. His mouth descended, capturing hers in a deep kiss.

His lips moved tenderly over hers, warm and firm. Thea, despite how stunned she was, felt her body respond to him. His arm tightened around her, pressing her against his solid form.

The faint scent of jasmine mingled with his intoxicating cologne, pulling them both closer to each other. Seth whispered against her lips, warm and heated.

“We've been here all day. If Celine asks.”

Thea nodded, her eyes fixed on his lips and mouth slightly parted; she wanted more and so did he. He angled his head, taking her lips in his once more, more tense than the last, tasting and wanting her.

When he finally broke the kiss, Thea was breathless, her lips tingling. His eyes held a hint of something deeper, something unreadable. He released her slowly, his eyes staring deep into hers but kept a possessive arm around her waist.

"Oh, look at you two!" Celine chuckled as she approached them. "You're here? I've been looking all over for you."

“Celine,” Thea muttered, a smile on her face as she tried to catch her breath.

“Good morning my dear,” Celine replied with a smile. “I've checked everywhere for you two, I didn't know you two were here.”

“We've been here all morning. You decided to stop by to say hello?” Seth asked.

“Yes, I was around the area and I decided to check up on you.”

Thea smiled. “You didn't have to.”

Celine reached out, patting Thea's cheek affectionately. "It's fine. How was your wedding night?" Her gaze, brimming with anticipation, darted between them.

Thea coughed, choking on her saliva. Celine moved closer, a look of concern on her face. “Are you okay? Do you need a glass of water?”

Thea shakes her head. “No…I'm fine, thank you. "Seth was... exceptionally attentive to me last night." She smiled, her palm lay flat on Seth's chest.

Seth's gaze flickered towards Thea momentarily, What on earth is she talking about?

“Is that so?” Seth said, his eyes fixed on her. Thea cleared her throat, her eyes fixed on Celine instead.

“Thank you so much for this, I appreciate it.”

"It's nothing, So, when can I expect a great-grandchild? I'm not getting any younger, you know.”

Seth's arm around Thea's waist stiffened. Thea glanced up at him, It's his turn to give a response.

"Celine," Seth began, his voice calm. He gave Thea's waist a subtle squeeze. "I would like to enjoy my wife's company for the time being before the little ones come," Seth said, placing a kiss on Thea’s forehead.

"Very well I agree. For now. But don't you think I'll be waiting too long, you hear? I want a great-grandchild to spoil, and soon!" She laughed, a light sound.

Thea nodded.

“I should get going. I have a few friends to catch up with. See you!” Celine placed a kiss on both their cheeks and soon, she was gone.

Seth stepped away from Thea slowly, hesitant to move away from her oddly soothing embrace.

“That went well,” Thea said, avoiding Seth's gaze.

“I'll assign a bodyguard to you..”

Thea stared at him, eyes wide open. “A guard? Why?”

“You need to keep me updated about your movements. We don't want a repeat of today..” Seth said simply.

As much as she wanted to argue against him being on her tail, she nodded. He's right.

“Fine. You are full of surprises, Mr Seth.”

Seth's brows arched in question, What is she talking about?

“If you're talking about the kiss.. “

“It's all for show.” Thea mimicked. “But, is it?”

Seth stiffened under her gaze. She smiled, one that seemed to make him freeze in place.

“What…”

“See you around.” Thea turned on her heels, leaving Seth completely stunned.