Chapter 2. Sleeping With a Stranger

A moan escaped Kimberly's lips as she felt a sharp, agonizing pain in her sensitive spot. Her body felt utterly broken, as if she'd been beaten by a thousand people. Ah, damn it! She cursed softly, feeling the ache all over.

Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. She massaged her forehead, which was starting to throb. Wait! Suddenly, her expression changed as she realized she was in a strange room. Not only that, but she also saw clothes scattered on the floor.

What happened? A million questions flooded Kimberly's mind. In a split second, she remembered going to a club last night. But why was she now in a strange room?

Kimberly gathered her courage, peeking under the covers to look at her own body. Instantly, her eyes widened in shock at her nakedness, not a single thread on her. And that wasn't all; there were kiss marks all over her body—making her skin crawl.

“Oh God, Kimberly! What did you do?” Kimberly muttered anxiously to herself.

The sound of running water from the bathroom made her realize someone was in there. Her brain immediately went into overdrive. She was sure the person in the bathroom was the man she'd had a one-night stand with.

“I have to go now,” Kimberly muttered again, the idea of leaving this hotel room before the man finished showering taking hold.

Kimberly mustered her courage. Ignoring the pain in her sensitive area, she got out of bed and gathered her clothes. She dressed quickly. The next moment, barefoot, she walked out of the hotel room, carrying her heels and bag.

Not long after Kimberly had left the hotel room, a handsome and dashing man, still wearing a towel around his waist, emerged from the bathroom. The man's expression changed as he saw the bed was empty and Kimberly's clothes were gone.

The man smirked knowingly. “You can't run from me, Kim.”

***

Kimberly gently squeezed her hair as she recalled the events of last night. The night she spent with a stranger she didn't even know. Honestly, she never expected to have a one-night stand with a stranger. Her goal in going to the nightclub was to calm down, but in reality, she'd only gotten herself into more trouble.

For a moment, Kimberly regulated her breathing, trying to forget what happened last night. But, unfortunately, instead of forgetting, she kept remembering the touch of that stranger. Something she couldn't possibly forget. A touch that left such a strong memory in her brain.

The man's strong hands caressed every inch of her body, exploring with such gentleness and longing. Starting from the nape of her neck, then playing in her most sensitive area, giving a stinging sensation throughout her body.

“Argghh!” Kimberly screamed like a frustrated person.

The door opened. Reflexively, she turned her gaze towards the door. Her expression changed as she saw Fargo, her husband, standing in the doorway. Kimberly's hazel eyes stared at Fargo coldly, full of suspicion.

“Why didn't you come home last night, Fargo? Where did you go? I called you last night, but you didn't answer,” Kimberly demanded, approaching Fargo.

Fargo Jerald, the man who had officially become her husband a month ago. Initially, Kimberly hoped that after getting married, she would have a wonderful life like in a fairy tale, but it was all just a dream. For the month she had been married to Fargo, he always came home late and never paid attention to her. The climax was last night, Kimberly was so frustrated that she went to a club to calm down.

“I'm busy, Kimberly. I have a lot of work to finish,” Fargo replied coldly and indifferently. His expression showed he was annoyed to answer his wife's barrage of questions.

“What are you busy with, Fargo? Last week, you said you were busy looking for investors in your new company. I already helped you release a not-small amount of funds to help your new company. You shouldn't be busy anymore now. Or at least, you could come home at normal office hours. In reality, you still come home late at night, and you didn't even come home last night!” Kimberly exclaimed, starting to get emotional.

Last week, Kimberly even willingly released a large amount of funds from her family's company just to help the new company built by her husband. It all started when Fargo experienced high losses in his company. Fargo didn't have the face to ask for help from his father again. That's what made Kimberly reach out to her husband.

“Kimberly, I don't want to argue right now. I was really busy last night. My company still needs a lot of investors. I want to expand my company's branches. If you don't believe me, you can ask my secretary. Enough, you're so nagging. I'm tired.” Fargo was about to head to the bathroom, but his steps stopped when Kimberly blocked him.

“Kimberly, move!” Fargo ordered his wife with a warning.

“We're not done talking, Fargo!” Kimberly snapped, annoyed.

Fargo sighed roughly, trying to suppress his anger. “I don't want to argue right now, Kimberly. Stop your crazy accusations. You didn't come home last night either, right? The maid reported to me that you didn't come home last night! Now I'm asking you, where did you go last night?”

Kimberly's face began to pale at Fargo's question. She seemed to be overcome with great fear. Her breath seemed to catch in her throat. Her tongue was tied, struggling to form words. But as much as possible, she tried to calm down so she could answer her husband's question.

“L–last night my mood wasn't good because of you. You didn't answer my calls! You ignored me! That's what made me stay at my friend's house. I'm tired of waiting for you at home, not knowing when you'll come home,” Kimberly retorted sharply.

“Fine, I believe you. I hope you believe me like I believe you. I need to shower. I'm tired. Don't bother me!” Fargo ended the conversation. Not wanting to argue anymore, he continued his steps, leaving Kimberly standing still in her place.

Kimberly rubbed her face roughly. She looked so annoyed. Again and again, Fargo always ignored her. In fact, she thought he would bombard her with questions when he found out she didn't come home. But, it turned out what she thought was wrong. Fargo instead showed an indifferent attitude and seemed not to care.

***

“Kimberly, get ready! Tonight we have a dinner party.” Fargo said, approaching Kimberly who was sitting on the bed with a tired face.

“You go alone. I don't feel like going out,” Kimberly replied flatly. Her body was so tired. She was reluctant to go out of the house. Especially with her mood still messed up, she preferred to stay in the room.

“I can't go alone. My extended family will ask about your whereabouts. Hurry up and change your clothes,” Fargo said coldly and firmly.

Kimberly snorted in displeasure. The next moment, she was forced to obey Fargo's words. She stood up and immediately changed her clothes. Even though she didn't want to go, Kimberly couldn't refuse. Because, every time there was a family event, she and Fargo had to appear together in front of many people, including family. They only knew Kimberly and Fargo were like a perfect couple. But it was all just a trick.

Throughout the journey, Kimberly wore an annoyed and upset face.

“Fargo, why did you tell me so suddenly like this?” Kimberly asked, turning her gaze to Fargo who was driving. “You should have told me if there was a family event.”

“I just found out this afternoon too. My mother called me, my stepfather who lives in Seattle is in Los Angeles. That's why the extended family is having dinner together,” Fargo replied flatly, informing his wife.

“Your stepfather?” Kimberly frowned, looking seriously at the man.

“Damian Darrel, my mother's stepbrother. He's in Los Angeles now. You met him at our wedding party. He rarely stays in Los Angeles. He prefers to live in Seattle. He only comes here if there's work that requires him to come,” Fargo replied again, informing.

Kimberly was silent for a moment, remembering the name 'Damian Darrel'. Her memory immediately went to her husband's stepfather. Damian and Fargo had no blood relation at all. At that time, Kimberly was told that Deston Darrel, Fargo's step-grandfather, married Rula Wylie, Fargo's biological grandmother. Deston and Rula married in a state of having children before their marriage.

When Fargo and Kimberly arrived at the Darrel family mansion, they immediately went inside. A smile appeared on Kimberly's face as she saw her mother-in-law welcoming her arrival very warmly and friendly.

“Kimberly, you look so beautiful,” praised Fidelya, Kimberly's mother-in-law.

“Thank you, Mom. Mommy is also very beautiful,” Kimberly replied, praising her mother-in-law.

“How are you, Kimberly?” Deston, Fargo's step-grandfather, greeted warmly. Even though he was no longer young, the middle-aged man still looked very handsome and dashing.

“I'm fine, Grandpa. How about you?” Kimberly asked politely.

“Good, I'm also good,” Deston replied warmly.

“Grandpa, where is Uncle Damian?” Fargo asked, not finding his stepfather's whereabouts.

“Tch! That kid said he was on his way, but why hasn't he arrived yet?” Deston said annoyed.

“Dad, look, the person we've been waiting for has arrived.” Fidelya said to Daston, turning her gaze to the handsome man who had just entered the mansion. Everyone there also turned their gaze to the man who had just arrived.

Kimberly's expression changed instantly. Her eyes stared intently at the figure of the man who came. He seemed familiar with the man's eyes. But, no! Kimberly was sure it was just her feeling. In this world, there are many people who have dark brown eyes.

“Damian, where have you been? Why are you just arriving?” Deston asked, staring sharply at his son who had just arrived.

“Sorry, I had something to do,” Damian replied coldly with an expressionless face. The next moment, the man's gaze shifted to a beautiful woman wearing a silver spaghetti strap dress. Her face was gracefully charming. Her full, luscious lips were painted with red lipstick, making her look very sexy.

“Long time no see, Uncle. I guess I don't need to introduce her again. You must know Kimberly, my wife,” Fargo said as he noticed Damian had been staring at Kimberly.

A mysterious smile appeared on Damian's face. His gaze did not leave Kimberly's hazel eyes, which looked a little confused. Then, Damian approached Kimberly, looking deeply and meaningfully at her.

“We just met, and now we meet again. Nice to see you again, Kim.”