Chapter 4

"Wait! Where are you going to take me?"

I attempted to free myself from his grip, as he proceeded to tug my arm elsewhere.

We were walking down a familiar corridor. It's the corridor leading to the master bedroom. What does this man have planned for me?!

"I was just kidding! Don't take it seriously!" I said puzzled as we neared the room.

I can't give up now, oh my god! Being with him was wrong since it was a sin and against the law!

He dragged me inside the room and closed the door behind me. He leaned against the door and slammed it shut. In fear, I close my eyes tightly. Shit! What did I get myself in?

He asked softly but forcefully, “You truly love testing my patience, huh?”

When I opened my eyes, I was struck by how close his face was to mine. My eyes widened even more as I noticed his lustful eyes! The darkness made it difficult for me to see him! I could feel the heat radiating from his body, and the smell of his apparently exquisite scent made my mind almost roll! My body shook with excitement.

Temptation, oh my gosh! Please leave me alone!

"H-haha, I w-won't test y-your..." I gulped hard and realized something.

Why am I so tense? He didn’t even touch me. His face was near to mine, yet his arm was not in the way. I can resist temptation. I can’t be attracted to this.

I gave a silly smile and slid my body beneath Karious’ arms with a fast motion. I swiftly distanced myself from him by a few meters. I also opened the light shade of the side table.

When the room was lit up, I noticed him leaning against the door, like a wild animal observing his prey before devouring it. With arms crossed and eyes wide, he looks like a ferocious alpha. The sight terrified me. My chest hammer made breathing difficult. The lights I turn on have no effect. My chest grew even wilder.

“Look, Karious, we don’t have to argue every time we see each other. We’re husband and wife, right?” Softly, I entice him. What is the best way for me to leave this room?

“You said you’re not my wife,” he declared.

“Huh?” I mutter innocently. “Look, I know I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’m sorry. Let’s start a new chapter in our life. Let’s be civil with each other. We don’t need to argue every time we see each other. Please. Karious,” I kindly pleaded as I carefully approached him.

He was deafeningly quiet and fixed his gaze on me. I approached him again when he didn’t respond. “Karious?”

His unexpected movement caught me off guard. He drew me in closer to him. I was on my way to colliding with his chest when I almost fell. I would have hugged him if it hadn’t been for my hand on the door.

I was rendered statue-like by a gentle touch on my waist and a gentle caress on my neck.

I could practically smell and feel his breath because we were so close. His eyes circled all over my face, which I could see plainly.

“Okay wife. Pretend to be my wife and we’ll be fine,” he said softly, and just like a lightning, something soft touched my lips, as all the butterflies began to dance the old fate song.

“MOMMY, WHAT HAPPENS AFTER Simba leaves their kingdom?”

When I heard Rious’ voice, I came out of my trance. I grin gently as I stare at him.

“Well, Simba met his buddies Timon and Pumba, and they traveled and grew together, and Simba learned to eat worms,” I added, brushing his hair.

“But he was a lion.”

“Yes, he was a meat-eating lion who also ate insects,” I said with a smile.

I couldn’t stop myself from going further after that very awkward kiss, since after that touch of small skin, I couldn’t stop myself. Instead of pulling away, I intensified the kiss. I felt as though I were in the desert, and there was never any water! It seemed as if it was the first time I had quenched my hunger. I have no shame!

I can still taste his lips. I’m so hot that I’ll feel it long after we’ve finished. Even though I was in my own bed, it didn’t stop.

Before leaving the room, I muttered, “Good night and dream sweet dream,” and kissed Rious on the forehead, who was already fast asleep.

I raced out of the room, ashamed of what I’d done, and went straight to Rious’ room to read him a story. I can’t believe I’m capable of it. I’ve just returned to reality after pushing him into the bed. I awoke to sanity as a result of his fall.

I couldn’t forget what he said before. Is he expecting me to play as his wife? Why? Is he starting to realize I’m not his true wife? How?

Maybe it was because I claimed to be his wife. Is he just going along with my act?

I didn’t respond, but my angry response suggests that I agreed with his proposition.

So, what happens now for the two of us now?

I was rash. I need to speak with him about it. We shouldn’t be in the room to avoid any possible wild interaction. He was like a fiery ball. The heat will burn me as soon as I touch him.

Especially if you get his attention. He doesn’t seem content to simply stare. He appears to have a strong desire to touch and caress the objects that his gaze has been drawn to.

He was perfectly sculpted. From his gorgeous thick brow through his jaw to his body, which I believe was practically built of stone due to its hardness. It was as if his lips were the only part of his body that was soft. And being drowned in his arms was a pleasure.

I abruptly rise from my fetal position and gather myself. I slapped my cheek, which was probably as hot as a pan whenever I was cooking.

“Stop fantasizing, Kassandra! That man is married, so he’s off-limits!” I restrained myself and quickly understood what I had said. “What a jerk. He’s married, and yet he kissed me? What the hell have I gotten myself into?”

And what happened to my plans to flee this house and never look back? Have I just thrown it out the window like nothing happened?

Where is Kassandra, who craves independence so much that she will go to any length to obtain it?

Where has the independent woman gone?

Where am I? Why is my path different?

The scene inside the room lingered in my thoughts as I went off to sleep that night. There were no borders between us. No obstacle existed.

The kisses seemed real in my fantasy. We didn’t stop there, though. We did not put an end to the heat. In my fantasy, we accomplished more.

And the only thing that mattered in my fantasy was him and me.

After taking a bath the next day, I was shocked to see that my closet was stuffed with the latest fashion trends. When I inquired about it, Manang Tess simply stated that my husband had ordered it the night before and that it had only come this morning. I’m at a loss for words. Don’t tell me it’s in exchange for the kiss we share.

With that notion, I felt compelled to face that man once more and punish him.

“MOMMY, I DON’T KNOW HOW TO SUBTRACT THIS THREE NUMBER FROM ANOTHER THREE NUMBER,” Rious grumbled and pouted.

I grinned and lightly nipped his cheek because of his sweetness, making him laugh. I used scrap paper for the example.

“You see, you’ll need to start from the left, and if the number above is smaller than the number below, you’ll borrow 10 to the side of that number, and that number will be reduced by one,” I scribbled on scrap paper.

We’re working on Rious’ assignment In the living room. We were late for dinner and were waiting for his father.

After two days, Karious was so preoccupied with work that I couldn’t talk to him. I’m still planning to question him whether he believes I wasn’t Veronica.

It’s not that I don’t want to live with them. It’s just that I have a separate life from Kassandra. I can pay them a visit, but I can’t leave my own life to act in other people’s.

I haven’t resigned yet, and I may already have an AWOL mark on my record, which isn’t good. I need to return.

I heard a noise from the car outside the house. Karious must have returned home.

“Are you finished with your assignment, baby?” I inquired instantly.

“Yes, mommy!”

I assisted Rious in organizing his belongings. Karious walked in with his suitcase through the front entrance. Manang Tess, who opened the door, took it from him.

“Daddy!” said Rious as he dashed to his father. While carrying Rious’ backpack, I stood up.

I told Rious’ nanny, Mabel, to carry it to Rious’ room, and handed her the stuff.

I was unsure whether to approach Karious or proceed directly to the dining area.

By approaching him, what am I hoping to achieve? I’m not Rious, who longs to kiss his father. I don’t need to be kissed!

I marched into the kitchen with a heated face to see if the supper was ready.

I saw Gigi putting the rice on the platter. I took the platter from her.

“I’ll do it, Gigi,” I said, “help Hana set the table in the dining room.”

“Okay, ma’am.”

I got a warm sensation inside my body. I’m not sure what it is, or why it is happening. I was hesitant to stay at home at first. I had a lot of plans to flee. Where did my plans go now?

‘You’ve grown to enjoy your role as the housewife.’

‘Impossible! I don’t even want to marry dad’s business partner, so why should I accept to be a housewife here?’

‘Or maybe the wifely duties are what you actually desire, hehehe.’

I gave myself a slap for the thought.

You're a real flirt! Oh my!

I had just finished transferring the rice when I was startled by someone touching my waist.

“Fudging horse!” I exclaimed, stunned.

Karious’ beaming smile caught my attention as I turned around to check who was holding me. For a brief period, I was taken aback because it was the first time I had seen him with such a look.

“Wait a minute, go away!” I said as I realized he was getting too close to me once more.

He stepped away, but he was still clutching my waist, so I concentrated on getting rid of it.

It was dangerous for me when he approached me like this. I’m getting wild for no apparent reason. I need distance if I don’t want to be a victim.

Or I might become a suspect. I hope you understand that.

“What are you doing here?” he inquired as if he had seen me fleeing the living room earlier.

“Ahh, cooking?” I responded then stay away from him.

“By the way…” he trailed off, “regarding what happened last time—” I instantly stopped him off.

“It’s nothing! Don’t even think about it!”

I hastily exited the kitchen. He was following me.

“I just wanted us to talk, but you seduced me—” Because of what I said, I swiftly turned around.

“I did not seduce you! It is you who initiates the kiss!” What the hell! Is it now my fault that I was so appealing? We wouldn’t have gone to bed if he hadn’t kissed me!

“Well, you managed to seduce me…”

“Whatever!” I exclaimed as I rolled my eyes and set the tray on the table.

Rious had already taken a seat and was watching us.

“Baby, you need to eat vegetables to stay healthy.” I remind Rious. He doesn’t eat certain vegetables, which I noticed. He eats other types, such as spinach, and places some he doesn't like on the plate’s side. He isn’t even chastised by his father.

“How about daddy?” he asked, my gaze falling on Karious, who was staring at me. He took a chair and sat down.

He just stated, “I don’t eat grass.”

I gave him a menacing look before smiling at Rious. I turned to Karious and said, “Of course, he’ll eat the veggie, and it’s not grass.”

“You can’t make me eat that gross—” he grumbled, as I locked my gaze on him. “Fine!”

Even though I was upset with Karious at times, our dinner was quiet. I’m not sure if he’s flirting or not because he smiles or bites his lower lip every time I glance at him.

Of course, I’m susceptible to temptation, so I try to avoid it as much as possible to avoid repeating what happened last time. And certainly not in front of the child.

“WHERE HAVE ALL THE GUARDS GONE?”

I walked outside to water the plants one morning but did not see the guards, which startled me.

I went directly to the guardhouse instead of going around the rear of the house. There was no security personnel inside.

I locked my gaze on the open gate. They would never notice if I planned to flee.

I took a few steps back before returning my gaze to the house to see if anyone had witnessed my escape.

I was also unsure because it appeared to be a poor decision. After they show me kindness, I won’t even say goodbye.

I can also envision Rious’ reaction if he discovered I had gone. When I leave, I’m sure he’ll be heartbroken.

I was opposed to the idea of fleeing. I don’t comprehend myself either. Just last week, I was on the verge of sacrificing my life to get out of this place. I feel as if I were a prisoner who had been condemned despite my innocence. They stripped me of all my rights.

But now? I’m not sure. I don’t believe it’s me anymore.

I touched the iron gate and examined the outside. One-step and I’m finally outside. One choice and I’m finally free.

I grip the metal gate tightly while I consider my options. I close my eyes to concentrate. When I heard a voice nearby, I opened it.

“Care you tell me why you’re here?”

My eyeball nearly pops out of its socket when I open my eyes.

Karious’ face was almost close to mine. He leaned over me as his arms rested on the iron gate.

Their gate is not that high. It almost reached my chest. That’s what all the house gates in that village look like.

I looked back and spotted his car.

He cocked his head to look at me. Because of what he did, I take a step back. I inhale deeply.

“W-what?” I stammered out.

He pressed his lips together. “Are you planning to flee?” he inquired, reaching for the gate to open. I kept backing away from the gate when he came in.

“I’m not. If I had a plan, I would have left earlier.”

“If that’s the case, why are you standing here as if you’re about to step outside?” he charged.

“It’s not my fault if the guards aren’t here. After all, I saw your car approaching, so how could you think I’d be able to get away?” I lied.

Of course, I didn’t see his car because I was astonished when I ran into him earlier.

I backed away again as he neared. Because of the rock, I almost fell. He was fast to react and immediately caught me in the waist.

He murmured near my ear, “You little liar, your eyes were closed when I approached you. Looks like you need to be punished, hmm?”

I’m not sure, but all I hear is my heart the entire time he’s talking. My heart was wailing. Electricity is rushing from my head to my feet. I might have fallen to the floor if he hadn’t just supported me because I can’t seem to feel my legs anymore.