All Chapters of Groom who wasn't meant to be: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

RYKEREven after a warm soothing herbal bath, the feeling wouldn't go away. I checked the time. One in the morning. It's almost daybreak. Nothing happened yet. No distress calls. No running feet. Total absence of disturbing auras. Outside, there were guards stationed. I know this because I tried to leave earlier, only to see guards strategically placed. I wasn't in the mood for fights, besides, everything I needed was right here in this room. There was even a refrigerator inside the room with water, juice, alcohol, meat, wine, fruits, cakes and energy bars. Someone could stay locked in here for weeks without going hungry. Summer was safe, the house was quiet, sleep far away from my eyes. I got up and opened a can of water. I downed the entire 75 cl can, and tossed it into the trash can by the door. The room seemed more like a prison. Everything one might need was provided, even game sets. But I wasn't in the mood for gaming. Time became irrelevant, and I kept tossing around. My e

ZAREKExhaustion. Bone deep exhaustion. That was what I felt. Ryker is still as stubborn as I remembered, worse than I expected. I collapsed against the wall, feeling the sharp pain in my chest numb to a dull thud. My legs didn't seem to take me away fast enough. Too weak, too useless, too broken. My heart hurts, way more than it should have. Each breath a sharp dagger scraping through my lungs. My feet continued their movement, towards the hidden compartment in my dressing room. The moment I twisted the griffin statue, the seemingly ordinary wall slid apart, exposing a dimly lit passageway. The compartment slid back behind, perfectly in place. I rarely enter this place. It was forbidden. My secret, where I hide my demons. Each time I enter here, a piece of my soul is torn away. But I keep coming. Perhaps, it was because it reminded me of him. *****6.30 a.mThe person in the mirror stared back at me. The Zarek Lachlan the world feared and honored. One who wore power like a robe.

The call line beeped for a few seconds, then her bright smile flooded the screen. “Big brother!”I didn't realize how much I needed to hear that till now. A warm buttery feeling swarmed in my heart, and I felt my eyes stung. The dull aches in my arms faded, and all I saw became her. The reason that made everything worth it. “How's my princess?” My voice was unexpectedly hoarse, even as my face lit up. Her smile faltered and she leaned closer to the screen. “Riri, your face is so pale. And your eyes appear red. You look so sick and exhausted. Are you alright?”My smile froze. I didn't expect her to notice that. She gasped, and covered her mouth. “Last night, the bride-eating monster truly came?”Two heads popped in behind her, eyes sharp. “Holy cow, bro. What happened to you? You look like you barely survived World War four.” Xander’s eyes were as wide as saucers.“You weren't like this yesterday.” Altair’s brows furrowed. “The rumors were actually true.”“Brother, what exactly ha

RYKERReluctantly, I began to wash the pots and dishes. I loved my place sparkling clean. Taking out the trash followed, then sorting through my wardrobe. Just my bad habits at work. It didn't need much touch up. Once I was satisfied that everything was perfect. I turned on the air con, kicked off my shoes and dived into my bed. Within seconds, I was knocked out, sleeping with such comfort and happiness that I never felt in Zarek's castle. This was the difference between home and prison. A prison was still a prison, no matter how luxurious it appeared to be. My ringtone was what woke me up. I yawned, hating the idiot that interrupted my heavenly nap. I pulled the blanket over my head and tried to go back to sleep. The caller was persistent, causing the phone to ring over and over. “Which mother fucker is this?” My hand reached for the phone, simultaneously kicking the blanket aside. It was Caelum. I should have known. The idiot was the only one thick headed enough to invade my per

RYKER Rage was the first emotion that hit my heart the moment I heard their absurd suggestion. Hot and fast, scorching the inside of my chest. Then embarrassment followed right behind it, crawling up my neck and burning my ears. “You’re really treating me like a gigolo, aren’t you?” I spat the words out, eyes blazing. My voice came out rougher than I meant it to. Japheth chuckled and spread his arms wide, like he was offering me the world. “Come on, what’s so strange about that? He’s your husband for fuck’s sake. If you don’t take advantage of him, is he supposed to give it out to other people? Just ask him to sponsor. His money is now shared marital assets.” “Shared marital assets?” I gasped, half anger, half disgust. His absurd suggestion was biting hard on my nerves, teeth sinking deep. Me, beg Zarek for a favor? That wolf dog would finally find a leverage to keep me shackled, like some lowly consort waiting for scraps. I would never give him that kind of power over me. Not