*MALIYAH*I moved in with Ben that day because I just couldn’t spend another day away from him.The following day,I got to the office super late.It had been hard for Ben and I to go our separate ways to work this morning.He had dropped me off at the front of Mobilotech and it was another struggle to get down from his car.He had to walk me into the company’s lobby hand in hand and we eventually let go of each other,promising each other that we would close from work early.“Look who finally decided to show up.”Timothy teased when I walked into his office to submit some documents to him.“I’m sorry…I was stuck in traffic.”That made him laugh,because it was an obvious lie.“My God,look at you,you’re glowing.You two are so in love.I was watching from my window…he practically walked you into the company,I thought he might just start work here because of you.”I laughed.”I’m missing him already.Tim,can I close early today?”“No.”He chuckled.“Please…”“Maliyah,look at the time…you’re very
THREE MONTHS LATER…*MALIYAH*“He just got here.”I announced to the others and we quickly took out positions.As soon as Ben walked into the house,we turned on the lights and yelled.“SURPRISE!”“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!”We began to sing for him.I knew he won’t be overly thrilled but he tried his best to look thrilled.He had said before he’d prefer spending his birthday with just me.But I wanted him to be surrounded by other people,to know more people found him amazing.In attendance were Logan,Leah,Timothy,Miles,Simon,Madam Valentina,my mom and Aunt FeliciaI could his smile fade as he saw Madam Valentina and I quickly walked up to him,whispering and warning him not to chase her away.He had been talking into forgiving my mom but he won’t forgive his grandmother.He always says what his Grandma did was unforgivable but she was remorseful about it and I felt that was all that matters now.Not that things were back to the way they were with my mom,I was still pretty wary of her but she
*BENNETT*"Mr. Bennett, I'm sorry. Mr Da Silva is out of the office, perhaps you might consider coming back another time."This is the fourth time this week, and of course I know it's just an excuse for Mr Da Silva to avoid me. I had practically dreamt of working with him for years and finally,the opportunity presented itself but it turns out that the man was old school.His condition to partner with me was only if I was married.He believes he can only trust the judgement of men who are married because that was what stability meant to him. That was absurd. I thought he was just bluffing.But he told me with his actions that he was serious...So I have to do it now..."No problem, I'm not here to talk to Mr Da Silva about work. I just wanted to tell him that I'm getting married soon. Please pass it on." After I finished, his assistant was obviously a bit shocked; after all, the news was indeed my impromptu decision.Getting married would not have been a problem for me because I alread
"Okay, go to his room now." There was no more time to backtrack, and I was asked to move into the strange husband's room immediately.I was in awe as we rode into the big gates of the mansion.I couldn’t stop looking out the window. I followed Madam Valentina into the house.Another maid which I had become friends with,Skylar had come with us. “Follow me,I will show you to your room.”Skylar said to me.Wordlessly,I followed her up the white stairs and through two hallways before we came to a big door.She pushed the door opened and I gasped.The room was so massive.“This is Master Bennett’s room but I was told you are to sleep there.”Skylar pointed at a chaise lounge.I pouted. I had been eyeing the huge bed. Since the man rarely wanted me to be around him,why couldn’t he just give me another room to sleep in?But I know I'm not qualified to ask. “Skylar, Could you please tell Madam Valentina that I need to go home and get some of my stuff.”Skylar nodded.”Sure.” I could see she
*BENNETT*I was about to start eating when my phone started ringing.I smiled seeing it was a call from Charlotte. “And my fiancé got married today.Should I congratulate him?”She began,sarcastically. “Oh come on,babe.We already went over this.” “Is she someone I should be worried about?” “We trust each other,Charlotte.That’s all that matters.You do not need to worry about anything.”“Put it on speaker,I want to talk to her.”Grandma said,excitedly. As I did just that,Mason let out. “It’s been months,Charlotte.I miss you.”“Awwn.I miss you too.Tell me about the girl,is she beautiful?”I shut my eyes,briefly.Again with this.“She is not and I will make sure she stays ugly.”Grandma replied.Yeah,my grandma has always been like this.She talks down and look down on people from low society. “Has she eaten?”I asked my grandmother who shook her head.I blinked,incredulously.”She’s not completely a slave in here.If we do not treat her right,how do we expect her to cooperate in front of
*MALIYAH*"No, no, no! I can't..." It's not in the contract! It's not what I expected!I kept struggling to get him away from me, but he wouldn't let me go. I just climbed off the bed and he held my ankles and wouldn't let go no matter how much I kicked him.He grabbed my hand and pressed me against his body. His erection prodded my buttocks.“Can you feel it? Feel how nice I can make you feel.”He growled. I don't want to feel this, I just agreed to be his temporary fake wife, I'm not a whore!“Let me go!”I thundered,struggling with him.“I can already feel how sweet you will be.”With that,he pushed me to the floor,slamming my head against it.“Argh.”I groaned,holding my head.That hurt so bad.“Please…please…”I tried to sit up.“No need to beg for it,baby.”He unbuttoned and unzipped his pants.He pushed me back down onto the floor and lifted my hands above my head,holding them firmly in place.As he began to kiss my neck,I gathered all the strength left in me and kneed him in the gro
*BENNETT*There were still tears that had not dried in her eyes, that set her off even more innocent and pitiful. Just like a simple little dove, one cannot help but want to protect and comfort her.Was this what unattractive meant to my grandma?I couldn't resist touching her face, but she quickly avoided my hand, still trembling continuously.“Please…please don’t take me to him.I don’t want that…I…won’t tell anyone he tried to do that to me.Please,just don’t take me to him.”She cried.Him? Who was she talking about? What did that man do to her?"Who..." I was just about to ask for clarification when I noticed her messy clothes, and she wasn't even wearing shoes. And with the hostile look in her eyes, I was almost sure of it. Someone was trying to bully her!I clenched my fists and kept filtering through my mind for possible people. I don't know why I'm so angry, maybe it's a man's nature, even if it's a fake wife, she can't be treated casually!"You get up first, I will investigate,
*MALIYAH*He completely ignored my surprise, dressed and headed out the door, and ordered the maid.“Esme, get her breakfast now.”With that,Bennett walked out of the bedroom.I stared at Esme,the middle-aged woman.“Good morning.”I greeted with a smile but she didn’t smile back.Instead,the look on her face hardened.“What will you like to eat,ma’am?”She asked,with a straight face.“You don’t have to call me ma’am.Maliyah’s fine.And I’m not a picky eater.You can serve me anything.”“Okay.”Bennett walked into the bedroom again,now clad in a suit.Oh boy.This man is hot.Too hot for my eyes.He handed me a picture.”Is that him?”I stared at it and dread filled me to recall the previous day.I slowly nodded.“That’s my cousin.I apologize again for yesterday.” He has apologized countless times, but it really has nothing to do with him."You'll be staying in this room from now on." He gave me this guest room to stay in, perhaps as a gift of apology.I nodded and smiled at him,gratefully.