ERIC MAXWELL

From the circling rumour, I knew who culprit spreading the pictures. Carmen, Sabrina and the person who set up my workstation had been fired immediately. Apparently, that noon the staffs were witnessing the awoken of great demon. Scaring them to the death.

I don't know where these culprits got the pictures. As I remembered, I'd never meet them before I stepped here. The source of the picture is in great mystery as Russel wrapped the case alone. He seems to know something, but deciding not telling me anything.

The office quite peacefully since the rotten eggs had been clear out. I could breathe without need to put a mask. Although, the effect not clearly clean, but still bearable. I just ignore these people with prejudice eyes.

Russel also kept me under his watch, twenty-four hours and seven days. He began bringing me into the board meeting room and introduced me to everyone. One thing I can conclude, Russel comes from high breed species. All his relatives inherit amazing traits, brilliant brain and outspoken. Nevertheless, Russel is tenfold perfect than his other cousin and only one in his own rare class.

Sounding as if I am over praising and treat him as a super rare human. Kind of praising him over the outer space. Crazy! I remembered the first time I entered the room, my knees almost gave up. Russel patted my back, whispering encourages words, and advises me to ignore these unimportant figures.

Heck! All the eyes on me, so how I am supposed to calm down. They scrutinize me up and down and some gave sneering sounds. I followed behind Russel and sat beside him. The glaring from his relatives becoming more and more as if they had burnt me alive.

How this man can withstand this great pressure without a flinch? His eyes were evenly strong against these glaring eyes. Sensing my stiffened, he grabs my hand under the table while hearing one by one presenting their report. He used his thumb to poke around my palm, sending waves of calming.

In just a minute, I got my calmness again. Taking a deep breath and slowly exhale it out, I began my job as a perfect secretary. A perfect match to this great demon too. Sorry, for my overly praising own self. I recorded minutes of meeting in detailed.

The moment meeting adjourned, two people gave me unreadable looks. They look almost similar as Russel. One of them is the old man barged into Russel's office previously. I knew he was Russel's father. The other is a woman. I guessed she was his mother or maybe something close to it.

"You get a good secretary here." The woman suddenly throws a bomb out of nowhere. "A lot better than any slut."

"Yeah, he is more capable than someone who ready to spread her legs anytime soon. At least he doesn't distract me from the duty." Come Russel retorted.

"Good, hope he hasn't turned like previous faggot." The sentence ignited an anger in his figure. A room become tense and suffocated.

"Hey, let's go." Without the glance Russel walk passing them. A faggot? Who he was? Maxim? No, he is like a golden egg in this office. Maybe his previous lover? My eyes widened. They is no way, I was his first man. Someone like him never lacks any bait to capture a man or woman.

Moreover, he'd confessed before we married, he swings both ways. Why I was so blind to see it? Woman never be my enemy because his heart belongs to a man. Where the person now? Why they separate? Did it have anything with his parent objection?

Maybe he married me only to shit on his parent's face. A way to tarnish their good image and clogged the word in their throat. Thinking it like this same as saying, I was only his tool of revenge. A hand touched my face break the disillusion state.

"Hey, are you okay?" A true concern appeared on his face. "I'd called you many times but get no answer."

"Argh, nothing." I collected myself and shocked when seeing we are in the basement.

"Let's eat outside." He said after sense my confusion.

"God, I don't know a meeting can be worse than a battlefield." I slumped on the seat once we get in the car.

"Told you and take your time to get used." The car smoothly leaving the basement. "And sorry for my parents uncalled attitude." My intuition is right. "Although they only parent in name."

"Don't be sorry. It's not your fault." I rubbed his free hand. Sometime, the parent just asshole to understand their child. They think they hold every right in a name of ensuring their child wellbeing. That was my parent word when they encountered the like species.

After lunch, Russel shocked me by stopping at Audi showroom. First, I think he wanted to change his car but my guessed is wrong. He asked me to pick a car for my own use. I told him that was absurd and wanted to leave the showroom soon.

However, the man's stubbornness has no comparison at all. In addition, he threated not to move from here if I never pick any car here. That is not an empty threat. Reluctantly, I walked from one car to another absentmindedly. With zero knowledge about the car, I just can admire their body design.

"Tsk." I heard Russel finally fed up with my manner. A slight satisfy entering me. This is his fault bringing me here without asking my opinion. My car still okay and there is no need to change yet. Did he think my car didn't up onto his standard? That may right.

"I will take this." I just daze around until Russel shoves me a bundle of document asking for signature. Seeing his stern eyes, I put my signature like an obedient child. My 'baby blue' have a new sibling now. More classy, more arrogant.

The tiredness day passed as if it never happened. On the next day, Russel urged me to drive the new car. Resulting me received a few glares and awes from colleagues when parked it in the basement. Some who knew about us give teasing whistles. I am bitterly taking all the direct and indirect emotion with intent to kill somebody. And that somebody is the one stood beside me with a poker face.

After that, not many interesting things happen. Seem life board on the right path again. The slightly different is Russel very busy with the new project and kept slipping out from my grasp lately. He always used small business trip accompanied by Maxim or back to his family manor.

However, when we were alone, he was becoming a wild beast and sweetest husband. Making me think it is not bad even that is faked. He fulfilled all my wishes and tried to accommodate all my needs.

Unfortunately, last night I had slept alone again as the dear husband back to his family home. Maybe they have a big event because he will not go there without a reason. Somewhat a deep hatred embedded in his heart and flesh. I don't know why he has a deep hatred toward them.

I am just a portion of the fortunate kids around the world, blessing with caring and lovely parents despite their busy life. Growing in close tight relation mould me for who I was today. I am strong because I have a great support and back up. Always, keeping me in a safe place and loved me boundlessly.

Therefore, I can't digest very well when sometime he blurt out the hatred he have for his parents. In this case, I can't fully blame his coldness. Most child negligent cases happened in an upper class family. With parents or relatives crazily pursuing a dream of wealth, unconsciously they leave their children in other care.

No matter how good and kind their babysitter, they can't compare to a parent's love. The children will always longing their parent touch and kindness over the stranger. In a worst case, they may also subjected to ill manner babysitter. Some cases may turned as molested or abused. Both causes will be leaving a dark mark in child's life. As a result, turning them as a next generation uncontrollable monster or king of coldness.

In my case, I'd met the latter. Admittedly, Russel has a thick coldness but I can guarantee he is not harbouring some sick fetish like thugs. He just a man with aloofness and hard to decipher. Being alone in growing process caused him comfortable to be alone.

As a human, I think no matter how much he loved to be alone, he will still longing for someone who can give him what he truly wishes. He may hadn't discovered the side yet or deny it due afraid to be hurt. The person who can love him for who he was and only belong to him alone. What is one day he found the person and discard me? Can I endure it? Can I keep smiling and pray his happiness?

No, he belongs to me. – My heart scream at me.

No, he never belongs to us. Moreover, if we really loved him, shouldn't we pray for his happiness instead? – My mind contemplates it.

"Good Morning Claudia and sorry because I will pass today's breakfast." I waved a hand and walked to the garage. I decided to drive the old car.

The staffs greet me with an honest and faked greeting too. The effect of the picture still breezing around in silence mode. They may have scared to get the same punishment as Carmen and Sabrina. Amidst of the event, some friend still stayed as a friend. Example, Kevin and friend I met in secretary department.

I honestly admitted to them, I am a gay. They accepted me like it is a normal. Kevin warned me to always put my guard high against Russell. However, when I asked why, Kevin replied that something had better not to be questioned.

The day passed with me doing a miscellaneous stuff as Russel still not enter the office yet. Surprising, when I get home, he is already waiting me with a banquet of flower and cake.

"Happy anniversary my dear husband." My tears flowing down like a broken dam. I'll drown myself in a pile of works just to forget today memories. I think he totally forget it due we married based on debt contract.

"Sorry... I... hmm... not preparing anything." He put the banquet on my hand and the cake rest on the table.

With free hands, he hugs me. A hug feels different from the usual he always gave to me. On the other hand, maybe I am just being emotional with this unexpected surprise.

"Shhh... it is okay because I am your husband and you're my 'wife'. You can prepare it next year instead." He laughed while caressing my back.

"Asshole, I have no vagina to be called as a wife." I spat at him.

"Oops, sorry my dear husband." I am scared with this new side of him. Likely, I'd encountered different person. So scary.

"Happy anniversary, Russ." I said savouring his gentle hugs. He brings me close to the table, lit up the candle and we blow the candle together.

He slices the cake and putting one for me and him too. The track of romantic songs playing as our background music. We chatted about anything we could, asking each other freely. Also, of course we have a hot steamy intercourse after that.

Although, the celebration simple but the night is so precious memory. The man looks completely off from his normal self. A night that unlocked my heart to wholeheartedly embedded him in it. This is not my first love but I would like to reserve it as my last love eternally. Beautiful and sweetest love I dared myself to taste.

I know this love will have many rocky road ahead, a high hurdle like mountain as well a wave of misery waiting along the pathway. However, I had this strange confidence out of nowhere to conquer his iceberg heart. Some part of me believed if I continue to pursue his heart, one day he would love me like I do. I don't want his status nor his fame. I just wanted his love and heart always belong to me.

"What have you dreamt in open eyes?" A finger caresses my cheeks. "Why are you crying? Did I make a mistake?"

I lower my sight from his face to his finger, spotting a wet stained there. Damn, I'd unconsciously shed the tears. "No, I am just a little emotional." I shake my head. "Believed me, last night you have been a great husband."

"Thanks God." He slightly relief. "First, I fear the celebration would not fit your standard."

"Whatever you give or do always will be the precious gifts or a memory I would like to keep for the rest of my life." I kissed his lips. The very tasty lips.

"I love you." The word past my lips unprepared. My body turned rigid when seeing he'd frozen with conflict emotion. "Sorry..." That is the only word I can offer.

"You don't do anything wrong to apologize." He kissed me back without replying the confession. A part of me feeling a little hurt while another part like to think this is just a beginner step.

"...." My mouth open and close without any word.

"Let's bath." He lifted me from the bed and placing me in front the sink. Taking out two toothbrushes and giving one to me.

The gloomy mood only last for a minute or so when Russel lifted my mood again. He's good at finding an opportunity to dissolve negative mood quickly. Although today is anniversary date, we didn't ditch the work. If we take another same day off, I bet the rumor will be thickening. No matter how the rumor flying around, I'd prepare myself to ignore it as I know I never did anything wrong in the first place.

Russell and I have shared the legal relationship. I also didn't snatch him from anyone when agreed to marry him. He is single and available that moment. These intimate scandals decorated tabloid chest only a part of the richest boy playground.

Entering the office, we have greeted by heavy suffocated environment. There are a couple of uninvited people inside Russel's room. His parents. The woman wore a scary face while the old man only shows blank face. Russel's mood immediately plummeted down to earth.

"Why did you fire and reject Carmen as a wife?" My heart shocked by the news. So that's why he always commuted in between our house and his parent manor.

"That is my right to choose whatever person I feel fit. Marriage is not like some fashion show. So, if you get my clue please leave my office now."

"Don't be so rude to your mother, Russel." His dad scolds him, "She only did this to ensure your future."

"What a joke? Ensuring my future? Do you think I am still eight years boy who always believing every empty promise from you? I don't like the bitch. One and last warning, don't ever dare to arrange my life." Russell really in the angry monster mode now. "Eric call the security if they didn't step out from this floor in five minute"

"Hmm... okay." I wake up from my stupor.

"Son, please give us a valid reason why you reject this marriage? If you have a valid reason, we won't disturb your life again." His mother tone low down with a hint of hurt.

"Reason, ugh?" My face turned pale when seeing his bring out a white paper and slammed it on the table. The couple get close and their eyes widened reading the content.

"You already married?" The woman tries searching something upon his son figure. As if the paper hadn't yet giving the complete answer.

"Who is this man?" His father voice filled the room while my whole body turn shaking and wanted to bury in some hole.

"Him." All the eyes on me. "Eric comes here." With blank mind, I walked like some machine.

"Father, mother, he is my husband. Eric this is my father and mother." I hold my hand for shaking but get no respond causes me to retract.

"I warned you to never cause any bad manner or plot. This time I won't sit and see whatever you do. My threat is not empty promise either." Russel put his hand around my waist and dragged me out from the room.

"Where are we going?" I fastened the seatbelt. Although, his anger has cool down but one mistake will be jolting it again. As a resolution, I just follow him around.

"Nowhere... let's ditch today work." It is the boss suggestion so I guess there will not be any problem.

He stopped the car at the corner of the cliff, "Did you want to crash down there?" I teased him.

"Nope... sorry for revealing our relation to my parents." He sighed.

"It's okay. Why your mother looks like so angry?" I asked him.

"My mistake was using Carmen as a shield when they desperate to do matchmaking." Russel rummaged his neat hair.

"And?"

"I never love the woman and our relationship only stand in between employer and employee."

"Did you slept with her?" the bitterness seep in my mouth as the question coming out.

"One night stand."

"Owh..."

"It happened long ago before I meet you in Hungary. My mother coincidently barged into the house and saw us together. Thus, she has some misunderstand where I have no intention to correct her either." I clench and unclench my hand as a jealousy assault my heart.

I knew the man I married is not a saint or the best man out there. I married a man with high status in society. A man with thick egoist and coldness. In my standard, Russel has failed over sixty percent a lover I wished to have. Our compatible seem so low with a slim chance to be together.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. However, please bear in your mind, I ain't the man with high morality. If you get deepen in my life, you will soon discover how lousy I was and so on. At the some point you might disappoint and regret being my husband." Russell unlocked the door, stepping out and lean against the car.

"I won't disappoint with your past but if the thing continuous happen today and onward, I might be the one swallows the misery and hurt, alone." I stand beside him throwing my sight upon the cliff view.

"You don't know anything yet." I put my hand against his lips, stopping him from sharing something he still unwilling to share.

"Take your time..." I whispered slowly. "Would your parents against this gay marriage?"

"I'm not the small child anymore. What I do is my own choice. That's up to them either to accept or reject it."

"What about your position? What will you do if they want you off from current position?"

"Me or the position is important to you?

"Russel, I am not joking."

"They have no power to dethrone me. The company is completely mine when they messed up in the past."

"What do you mean?"

"I hold the real power within the company including a power to fire my relatives. Every day, they were struggling to maintain harmony and out from my anger zone. Around six or seven years ago, I had been kicked from the company and house when they found out my sexuality. The result was the company went down because human greed. Fortunately, I planted a few spies within the company, secretly bought the stock, and finally owned the company without people knowing it." This man is really frightening if one makes him as an enemy.

His story changed my perspective about him as a spoilt rich man. He depended on his own effort to success as he now.

Unconsciously, I lean against his shoulder, savouring the surrounding view with mind wandering around. Russel also stood silently while putting his hand around my waist. We ignore everything else. After an hour or so, Russel brings me to old cottage at the end of the city. He told me that is one of his escape place. The cottage was surrounded by the lake and I spotted a few families have family day here.

"You can rest inside the room or accompany me to fishing." Russel bring out a fishing kit.

"I choose the latter." I smile. He nods as I followed behind him.

After two hours, I regret with my choice. The fishing is so boring. To erase the bored, I sketched the view or more precisely drawing Russel's face. He engrossed in the fishing forgetting I was here too. His eyes as if wandering into a realm I never know. Sometime, the iris is bright and later darkening. Therefore, I think my guess is true.

Today harvest quite profitable and Russel's face showing a satisfaction. The sky already turned red shade and cottages around here had been lit up. Russell and I decided to go back home due we have no spare clothes. Once arrived, he gives the fish to Jamie.

"Hey, are you scared to go to work tomorrow?" Russel hugged me once we get on the bed.

"A little nervous actually." I replied him.

"Why?"

"I had a lot apologist to do with your parents. First, I'd taken their son without permission. Second, even after married I still never meet them." The best example of bad son-in-law.

"That's not important. They never allowed us to main manor if they know I am taking a man as a husband." Russell sighed.

"Hmm... good night." I said when exhausted suddenly hit me.

"Good night too." He placed his lips on me before scooping me closer.

It had been a week since the day Russel telling his parents about us. They never barge or harass me. The life resumed quite peaceful. On this weekend, we have a company team building at the beach. According to Kevin, Russell never takes part in previous years.

However, this time he unexpectedly agreed to go there too. I rolled my eyes when he gave an illogical excuse. He is scare I will bedding some else in drunkard state. Our room is situated side by side on top floor of the hotel. Many eyes jealous how I get special treatment. Even if I share the same bed as him, they can't sue me either.

"It only wastes company money when we rent an extra room." Russell said when we reached the booked room.

"Excuse me?" I confused by his sudden statement.

"You should have known your room will remain empty until we go back."

"Then, just let me sleep there. So the waste company money will not incur." I smirk at him.

"No, never. You will stay at my room."

"So, that's not my fault." I grinned at him.

"Smart mouth." He put down the luggage while scanning around the room.

We are going down to staffs gathering once changed into suitable clothes. The staffs already chatting lively and stop when spot us. Among them, I spotted Maxim with his poker face and Rachel hatred eyes. Wow, so much for team building so activity.

Once Russel finish giving his opening speech, I headed to Kevin's group. There is no way I would latched around Russel twenty hours here. I saw Maxim and others high executive members walked to grunted Russel. Making me smile inwardly.

"What are you talking about?" I greet Kevin's group.

"About some slut must take this chance to get on our handsome boss's bed." Kevin winks his eyes.

"Really?" Because there is no chance for them getting on his bed during this event.

"Yeah, this is counted as a miracle when the cold emperor suddenly joined us." Another staff added in.

"Too bad..." I said causing them to laugh.

A/N

Yay, managed to complete this chapter. Hope you will enjoy it. See you in the next update and good night for these in the same time zone as me and have a nice day for reader in another time zone.