Christian

Unbelievable.

That was the only word I could use to describe Harieth’s sickening plan to rid herself of the mess she had created. She just had to create more mess in the name of undoing the one she had built out for herself.

My hands folded into tight fists as I watched the two security men I brought along with me, rescue Harieth from her car and began walking back here. The paparazzi, on the other hand, refused to back away. The fact I was here as well probably gave them the idea of hitting two birds with one stone. In as much as I wanted to be vexed with them, I couldn’t. Only one person was responsible and that was my wife.

The door to the back seat which I sat in was pulled open and she quickly got in before it was shut. I watched as she let out a light sigh before looking my way. I stared at her for what seemed like a while and she, on the other hand, was unable to directly meet my gaze. At least she’s feeling guilty.

“Relieved?” I questioned a bit sarcastically and she instantly looks back up to me without giving a reply. Sooner than later, the car began moving.

“I’m sorry you had to come to get me.” She apologised as she stared elsewhere.

“Really? That’s all you can apologize for?” I had to add, seeing she didn’t seem to get the memo.

Her eyes went round for a while before it was back on me.

“I was trying to fix everything…”

“By going out in the open on the very same day your face was printed out in the papers. Very smart move Harieth. You couldn’t have been smarter.”

Slowly, a frown surfaced on her face.

“Perhaps, my action was slightly wrong but I don’t think that gives you enough right to speak to me the way you’re doing. I’m not a child and I very well know what steps to take in my life.” She declared all at once and my hands on my laps form a tighter fist in annoyance. I wanted to say more. I felt like cursing out on her but… I just couldn’t.

I looked elsewhere, away from her.

“I’m taking you home so for the meantime, don’t do anything. Just stay put and lay low.” I narrated without still looking at her side. A subsequent sigh on her part made me understand that my words had gotten through to her.

The rest of the ride home was in silence and neither she nor I wanted to get a glance at each other.

Harieth

“....She’s an heiress who actually has billions under her name and she’s widely known as a bit of a rebel. It just doesn’t really make sense to me that she would marry for the money.”

My brows are barely narrow at the comment of the red-headed lady that sat amongst three other women making my situation out to be a topic of conversation on their show. To think this was my favourite gossip show.

“Well, that’s because you’re not a billionaire. These people actually get married to each other in other to keep the money secured amongst themselves. She’s…” Another added.

“Truthfully, I don’t see an issue here.” Another intervened as well.

“But what really gets to me is the fact that these two really made it out to seem like they were very much in love. I mean their wedding was splendid. It was literally the talk of the town from the moment of engagement to the very wedding day and now, we find out they’ve been deceiving the public? What could they possibly get from that?”

Money, fame and more money. Seriously, keep up.

“I must say, I’m quite disappointed in Harieth. Christian Hendrix, on the other hand, has always been quite reserved. I mean the Hendrix brothers really try to stay out of public eyes and now this… well, they’re in for a bumpy ride.”

In annoyance, I quickly switch off the television and throw the remote on the bed before getting up on my feet. I ran my fingers through my hair before my arms drop to my sides in exhaustion. It has been over two days since this whole situation popped up. One would think staying indoors for a while and being off the social media platforms would help the case but no it didn’t. People always want something to talk about, something to make them feel like their miserable lives is actually better than that of the rich and now that they’ve found one, they’re not letting it go easily. They’re turning this into some big story and blowing it out of proportion.

A sigh eluded my lips as I walked up to the windows and slightly shifted the curtain to get a glance at the unfamiliar car driving into the compound. My brows narrow once more.

Who could it be?

Christian and I have barely spoken since the day this entire issue started. Truthfully, I was a little vexed with him. I mean, I know I caused a little ruckus but that actually gave him no right to scold me like a child. Dad scolds me and now my husband? I just couldn’t take it.

But… he did come to my aid when I needed it. He has been trying his best to resolve this issue even though it seems like nothing’s working. Perhaps… I guess I could cut him some slack. It won’t hurt to do that.

A knock came through, loud enough to my hearing and disrupting my thoughts.

“Who is it?” I questioned as I walk away from the window.

“It’s Sylvia, madam.”

“Come in,” I stated and in a moment or two, she was in my room.

“Mr Hendrix is requesting your presence.” She stated politely and I couldn’t help raising a brow at the unbelievable.

“Really?” I questioned and she gave a slight nod. Was he caving in? Perhaps, he has realised his mistake and wants to finally apologise. A slow but definite smile began surfacing at the corner of my lips.

“He also said to let you know that it was important you show up…”

“Then we shouldn’t keep him waiting. What are you waiting for Sylvia? Let’s go.” I stated all at once as I walked past her and out of the room, down the hall and stairs.

Suddenly, I halted on my steps.

What are you doing Harieth?

My subconscious questioned and truthfully, I had no answer to the question. The normal me wouldn’t make things so easy. The normal me would make him kneel and grovel at my feet before his apology would be accepted. What in the world was I about to do?

“It’s this way Mrs Hendrix,” Sylvia stated with her hands forward towards the direction into the living room.

“Um… Yes, lead the way.” I uttered much to my surprise and as I followed behind her, I concluded the fact that something’s definitely wrong somewhere with me.

As soon as I stepped into the living room after her, my face fell.

All I could do was unwillingly look at each person in the room except the lady that chatted away in front of me. I had never seen her before but presently, I was told she was the best at handling situations such as the one I was in. My eyes fell back on Emerson seated beside her husband and who barely looked anyone in the eyes. I would say she seemed a little uncomfortable. Well, she should be. She was in my home trying to get nosy with a problem that doesn’t really concern her. I think feeling that way is justified.

My eyes shifted to Lucas and as usual, he put up a bold front. A little too serious for my liking but it didn’t change the fact that he was quite good looking. My gaze finally shifted to my husband. His eyes seemed anywhere else but on the lady that was speaking. Of course… he wasn’t very much interested in resolving my situation. Why did I ever think he was going to apologise? Even my thoughts these days doesn’t seem to resemble the usual me. As I was about to look away from him, I noticed his gaze had suddenly become steady. In fact, they were fixated on something and so I followed the direction of his eyes and realised he was staring at Emerson.

A sudden wish of dejà vu hit me and a light frown surfaced between my brows. Emerson who seemed to haven’t noticed his gaze at first suddenly made the mistake of looking his way. Their eyes met and it remained in contact for a moment before she looked away, inhaling a deep breath and rubbing her hands together. Christian on the other hand finally looked away as well, discomfort mixed with guilt now drawing all over his face. An unfamiliar feeling settled within me.

“Harieth what Ms Petite is trying to say is that you’ll have to rebuild your image in the eyes of the public.” Lucas’ voice forced me to shift my eyes back to him and for what seemed like forever, silence engulfed our presence.

“Will you be willing?” His voice disrupts my thought once more and my eyes barely widened at him.

Get in control Harieth!

My subconscious warned and without wasting a second more, a smile appeared on my face.

“Of course, after all, it’s for my good… for the family’s good “ I replied in positive energy and everyone seemed to finally relax a bit.

Strange.

“Lucas, can I ask you something?” My question popped out from nowhere, disrupting the feeling of achievement they all seemed to be undergoing.

“Okay.” He replied and I installed a momentary and quite dramatic silence.

“Why’s she here?” I questioned, my eyes directed to his wife. A little surprise plays out on their faces but what the heck… I’m definitely going to have my way.

“Because she’s my wife.” His reply comes out quick and with a little ‘don’t you dare’ warning lashing out from his eyes. Protective much? Okay. I can definitely deal with this.

Abruptly, a wide smile displayed on my face as I give a light nod in understanding while looking away from him. An awkward silence followed and it seemed the case has been settled.

“Lucas you might not have noticed but your wife’s presence is making my husband quite uncomfortable.” I dared to speak up once more before glancing my husband’s side and his eyes widened a little at my statement.

What? It’s not like I’m lying.

Christian

“Am I right Christian?” She questioned while her gaze remained on me.

As our eyes met, mine changed to that of glaring. They were clearly filled with hatred as I hated the very fact that she just had to open her mouth. At the moment, I couldn’t find a verbal remark that befitted her attitude but I knew one thing, my hatred for this woman was sure.

I was unable to neither meet Ema nor Lucas’s eyes.

“If that’ll be all then I’ll excuse myself.” She proclaimed as she got up to her feet. Neither of us said a word and soon, she was on her way out of the room.

Finally meeting Lucas’s face, I could see how hard he was trying not to be affected by her words. He didn’t want to meet my eyes and so did Ema.

A silent sigh eluded my lips. Harieth.

Harieth

As soon as I got into my room and shut the door behind me, an unexplainable sigh eluded my lips before I made my way to my bed. I had my seat. For the first few minutes, all I did was stare into space, a recap of the last scenario playing in my head.

I remembered having to look away from his eyes because of the much hatred that displayed itself within them. The smile on my face slowly faded but I tried my utmost best to retain it. The only way I could make myself feel better was to make them feel like the losers instead and so that was what I did. I played with their emotions. Funny thing… it didn’t feel as much fun as it used to feel. Perhaps, it was because of the look Christian had in his eyes or… I didn’t just do this right. Either way, the deed was done and I ended up living up to my reputation.

The sound of a car driving out of the compound retracted me from my thoughts. I shifted my eyes to the door. If I’m right about what I said earlier then it shouldn’t take long before Christian walks in here and so, my eyes remained on the door. After what seemed like forever, I looked away.

A brief smile displayed on my face.

He’s not coming. I was wrong.

I let out a loud sigh before throwing myself back on the bed, now staring at the ceiling.

“What in the world is wrong with you!?” His voice forced me to sit up at once, eyes widened and now staring at Christian who had barged his way into my room.

A frown wore itself well on his face, his eyes enraged with hatred for me and I could see how hard he was trying to control his temper. For the first few seconds, I just stared at him, a little taken back by the fact he… he came which means… I was right after all. For some reason, the realisation didn’t settle well with me. Still, I couldn’t let it show so I looked away from him as I gathered my thoughts once more before getting up to my feet.

“Nothing and I strongly believe you have no right to barge into my room the way you did…”

“Why did you have to do that?”

“Do what?” I pretended.

“Don’t play dumb with me Harieth.” He warned, his eyes threatening as well and I was forced to look away.

My silence followed for a few seconds before I was able to look up to him once more.

“Perhaps, you should answer my question instead.” I started, deciding here and now to get the answers to all my questions.

“Why did you keep staring at Emerson? Why did you do the same on the evening of our families dinner? Why did you seem uncomfortable…”

“I don’t have to answer your unnecessary questions. I just have something to say to you.” He interrupted before taking closer steps towards me.

“The next time you try to turn my brother against me… You won’t like what I’ll do to you.” He threatened before turning away. My hands by my sides folded into a tight fist as I felt the anger surge through my entire body causing the rate of my heartbeat to accelerate.

Who on earth does this man think he is?

“Christian I’m your wife!” I raised my voice causing him to halt on his steps, his back still turned to me.

“Whether you like it or not, I’m your wife and you cannot keep treating me this way. You can’t hide everything from me forever. Sooner or later… I’m going to know the truth.” I expressed and while my heart raced in annoyance, my breath felt a little suffocating at each inhale.

Don’t ignore me, Christian. Say something.

In the end, he did the opposite. He kept walking till he was out of my room and sight.

An exhausting sigh eluded my lips as I sat with a slump on the bed. In all my years of living, never has someone ignored me so much to the extent of annoyance. Just when I thought he wasn’t so bad after all, he had to ruin it.

When I get the chance, Christian Hendrix… I’m going to make sure to destroy you. I’m going to make you regret treating and making me feel this way. Just you wait and watch.

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