<If you expect to rise from the ashes, you have to embrace the burn- Kat Savage>

|Kian|

Monday, July 19, 2021

THE GENTLE rays of the morning sun streamed into the room, hitting the gorgeous woman who slept without a care in the world.

I had been staring at her for minutes now, taking my time to feast my ravenous eyes from the twists that crowned her head, down to her black-polished toes peeking out behind the duvet.

Tilted to my direction, Jadesola's face was cast in an innocent expression. Like that of a little child. Her long lashes fanned her cheeks while she slumbered in reckless abandon, legs and arms spread askance. A little sigh escaped her pouty lips and she burrowed deep into the red sheets as if to hide her body from my gaze.

I took that as a cue to quit the creepy stalker act and shifted away, sidestepping the shopping bags that perched beside the bed.

On the first steps towards the little coffee machine mounted on the table, my phone rang. I glanced in Jade's direction to see if she was awake. She wasn't but her upper body stirred a bit.

Stifling a curse, I picked it up. "Kian Fields. Who's this?"

"Antonio Marco. Mr. Zaverio De Santis's assistant," an accented voice spoke into the phone. "You were meant to have a meeting with my boss this afternoon but that has been canceled."

The fuck?! In a hushed tone, I snarled, "And why is that?"

"He has a situation, sir so he won't be attending."

Situation my ass.

"I see. When will the meeting take place then?" I furrowed my brows, already welcoming the sparks of fury that raged through my veins.

"Friday, sir."

Then Anton or Mars, whatever his name was, informed me of another useless information I didn't care to retain in my brain and we clicked off.

As I poured scalding hot water into a mug, my thoughts centered on Zaverio. He was doing it on purpose, I was certain. Riling me up. Trying to mess with me. The mulatto bastard. Cocky dumbasses like him were a threat to my business and at the moment, he had me ensnared in his dirty clutches, free to do as he wished because he held the upper hand. Fucking arsehole.

Pissed, I veered to the wide window, nursing a cup of steaming coffee. Paris, in its entirety, laid before me, a beautiful view. The sky was a mesh of blue and white, the cars below zooming by. It was sort of calming, observing the lovely scenery from such a towering height. Like dragging a surge of fresh air into my lungs after being stifled in a stuffy room.

The strong aroma of the drink wafted to my nostrils as I took a sip to recharge my stressed cells. As I drank slowly, I wondered if the pungent scent of it would wake my wife up.

My wife.

That had me pausing. I lifted my right hand to study the wedding band on my finger. Unlike Jadesola's which was fierce and glittering, mine was simple. Just a plain gold ring encircling my finger. But it felt familiar, regardless. Attached and not at all strange. A metal testimony that claimed I was married to someone I thought I hated.

Raising the mug to my lips, I mused on how I'd found myself in the husband position yet again.

Apart from making it up to Jadesola, the greater part of my agreement to the marriage was due to my dad. I sought to ruin his plans of getting me and my ex together so what other way than getting married? Yes, I was a selfish bastard but it was the only way I could see fit.

Unable to help myself, my eyes were back to the creepy stalker act. They strayed past my finger and fixed on to the woman's form on the bed.

Jade still slumbered, except that the duvet had shifted lower than her body, revealing the dagger I'd gifted her.

A stab of pain pricked my heart, my eyes flaring wide in disbelief. Was she really that scared of me? Did she still believe me a beast? A barbarian who would pounce on her any minute her guard was let down?

"We are not having sex, right?"

The question she'd asked the night before resounded in my head, offering the answer. Jadesola did see me as a savage.

She stirred again, knuckles clenched tight around the dagger's hilt. This time, the blade was upturned, lying dangerously close to her chest. And if she happened to move an inch, –which was certain with the way she kept on stirring– she was likely to be impaled.

Fearing for her safety, I rounded the bed and kept the mug on the nightstand. Then I crept close to pry the blade away from her fingers.

My fingers curled around hers, gripping them softly. With slow turns and as much precision I could muster, I tried to extricate the dagger. It slipped out of her hold an inch. I tugged again gently to avoid waking her up and just as I was about to remove the entire thing, Jadesola jolted up.

She lurched forward, an ominous glare on her face and before I could explain myself, I was her captive. Her dagger pricked the base of my throat, as she clutched my wrist, tight, sharp nails digging into my flesh.

Shit!

"What were you doing?!" While her voice came out in a fierce whisper, there was no mistaking the tinge of fear laced in her tone.

To avoid triggering the knife-wielder, I said softly, "You were about to be stabbed with your precious dagger. So I did what any sane human would do. Take it away from you or try to. Don't worry, touching you inappropriately is the last thing on my mind."

Eyes narrowed in distrust, she hesitated and glanced down to our connected hands.

For a few minutes, I waited with bated breath to see her reaction, wary to move an inch. That fucking knife laid too close to the throbbing vein by my Adam's apple. Too close for comfort.

When she realized I spoke the truth, her tight hold on me relaxed. The knife shifted away from my neck and she released my wrist to abandon the dagger on the bed. As soon as she did that, I hauled my ass off the bed, just in case she decided to change her mind.

Jadesola flopped on the bed with a sigh and I heaved out a silent breath of admiration. Her bedsheets were bunched around her waist, granting me an opportunity to notice how light passed through her nightgown. The gown's fabric was transparent, the tempting silhouette of her taut nipples poking through the material.

A surge of lust speared my loins and I looked away immediately. There was no use imagining things that wouldn't be happening any time soon. Or ever.

I grabbed my mug, about to depart from her sight when her question stopped me short, "Are we still going to meet Mr. De Santis?"

The lie left my lips before I could process it, "Yes."

"What's the dress code?"

"Casual but not too simple," was my reply, my mind running through the untruths I'd fed her. Why the fuck had I lied? The answer floated to the surface. I desired to spend quality time with her. Bring down her nerves. Lately, she was too on edge around me and I fervently hoped the restaurant date would take off that edge.

"Alright." She rolled off the bed and that was my cue to leave.

I headed for the study, my lair of shame since yesterday night after her question, We are not having sex right?

As I waited for her to bathe, vivid imaginations of her wet, nude body played in my head. Sensual and arousing. To take my mind off those racy images, I worked through a small pile of business emails that awaited my approval. Since I'd abused Jadesola, I did the job of two people, boss and personal assistant, most times.

Eventually she was done bathing and I advanced towards the bathroom, quickly averting my gaze from the sight of Jade in a towel.

When I came out, she was in a bathrobe, rummaging through the shopping bags. I had half a mind to offer a helping hand, but she was 100% likely to dismiss me and I was half-nude so I did the best thing. Grab a gray slacks and a sky-blue dress shirt to wear in the privacy of my study.

Three hours later, I was helping her inside Pierre Gagnaire, one of France's most expensive restaurants.

The first thing that caught one's eye in Pierre Gagnaire was the luxurious decoration. Bold. Striking. Gold decors and vintage furnishings, reminiscent of the late 1880's century, manned the length and breadth of the widely spaced restaurant. A violin played, the smell of freshly made food permeating the atmosphere.

I crooked a thumb to a passing waiter. He approached us, a pleasant smile gracing his wide face.

"Bon apres-midi monsieur et madame." The young man in checkered shirts, a bow tie cinched to its neckline and black slacks bowed his brown head in greeting. "Bienvenue a la Pierre Gagnare. Avez-vous une reservation?"

"Yes, we do. The tenth table," I told him in English, reluctant to speak French before Jade.

Andre, courtesy to the name on his name tag, nodded and led us deeper into the huge room. We weaved past occupied tables, elegantly dressed patrons sitting before their respective partners and stopped at a secluded alcove.

I pulled out a seat for Jadesola. She dropped her black Chanel bag on the silver trimmed tablecloth and sat, not acknowledging my effort. Used to her nonchalance, I wasn't exactly bothered. Rather, I turned to Andre.

"Give us a few minutes to choose our order. When we are done, I will let you know."

"Alright, sir." He left.

I took my seat and faced Jadesola. "De Santis is going to take some time before he appears. Would you like to order anything while we wait?"

"No," she uttered in a cold voice, tugging her phone out of her bag. "I prefer not mixing business with pleasure."

A tight smile was thrown my way, the jab laced in her words noticeable. Then she resumed thumbing through the screen of her phone, basically dismissing me.

Okay... The date wasn't heading off on the right foot but I would persist either way. Signaling to Andre just as he passed by, I ordered, "Get us two glasses of sparkling water."

"Qui, monsieur."

He returned with a tray and set the wine tumblers on the table. I responded to his service with a dip of my head and shifted the glass flute past the flickering candles and roses towards Jade. She ignored my action, not even glancing up. For all I knew, I was practically invisible.

Frustrated, I withheld a disappointed sigh. How exactly was I to please a woman who spared hardly any time for me?

Clueless was how.

Resigned to my fate, I opted to sip my sparkling water, my eyes roving past the elegantly dressed people who laughed and dined, their boisterous noises mingling with that of clinking glasswares and the soothing music of the violin.

Apart from the sulking woman before me, the entire scenery was a perfect depiction of a romantic date between two couples. If only my wife would get on with the flow.

My wife. I was beginning to get used to it. Especially the word my.

I studied her, content to spend my time admiring the beautiful black woman who hated me with a disturbing passion. Her ginger twists were styled in a bun, a few tendrils left to frame her expressionless face. They cascaded down her cheeks to the formal white camisole she wore, the slight swell of her creamy breasts displayed. I didn't need to look down to know her lower half was donned in black slacks, a belt cinching the entire attire with a sophisticated air.

Suddenly, Jade raised her head, pinning me to a fierce stare. Caught peeking, I diverted my gaze down to my wrists and fiddled with my cufflinks, embarrassed.

Smart move, Kian, I chided. Really? Looking away?!

"Thirty minutes has passed with no appearance of Mr. De Santis. Where's he?" Agitation was tinged in her accusing voice.

I quit fiddling with the cufflinks, whipped my phone out and pretended to swipe through my messages. "He just texted me. Traffic is heavy downtown so he's coming in thirty minutes max."

She hissed, eyed me for a second, hatred glinting in her honey orbs and resumed shunning me.

Nervous for absolutely no reason, I chugged more sparkling water down my throat to calm my rumpled nerves. When was the last time I was this flustered? I had no idea. My actions were pissing me off. Here I was, acting like a teenage boy who thought his whole life revolved around pleasing his girlfriend. I hated the feeling. Not only was it fucking maddening, it made me feel humiliated. Vulnerable.

Another thirty minutes trickled by and Jadesola's anger seemed to increase in volume as well.

"It's been an hour now and he's not here. Are you sure this godforsaken meeting is still holding? 'Cos I've got better things to do than twiddle my fucking fingers, sir," Jade snapped.

Fuck, I couldn't stall any longer.

"He's not coming," I deadpanned, regarding her intently with silent, pleading eyes. Please, please, don't make a scene.

"Then why are we here?" A deep vee knitted her brows in a dreadful frown.

"To spend quality time together," was my lame reply.

In a flash, Jadesola stood up and snatched her bag. "I'm not interested in acting what we're not."

Without thinking, I seized her left wrist before she could move. "Please. Just this once?"

Her twists flew over her shoulders as she tipped her neck down, her acidic gaze fixed at the hand I held. Then she looked into my eyes. While mine glinted with contrition, hers was piercing. Revolted. The terror and disgust present in those amber depths almost blew me away.

"I'm sorry." I lifted my hold, remembering my vow not to touch her without her consent. "I just wanted to put you at ease. You've been on edge around me since and I hate seeing you that way. But if this makes you uncomfortable, having to pretend that we are in love, then we can leave."

"Of course it makes me uncomfortable." Jadesola glowered at me for a minute but her next act surprised me. Settling her bag on the table, she hoisted down on the chair again and flipped open the pages of the menu.

"But, since you insist on spending your money, then I have absolutely no problem," was her excuse.

I don't mind laid on the tip of my tongue but I swallowed the reply down. She could order the most expensive shit and I wouldn't bat an eye. If spending generously was the way to possess her body and scale past her erected walls, then damn yes!

Instead of going through the menu to pick my own meal, I watched her, pleased I was finally making headway. After she had pored through the heavily glossed pages, she said, "Call for the waiter. I know what I'm going for."

I craned my head to check for Andre. He wasn't in plain sight so I beckoned to another passing waiter. Heavily built, his tummy bulging in his uniform, he arrived, pen poised on his notepad to write.

"My wife and I know what we—"

Jadesola interjected, not giving me a chance to finish, "I would like a plate of Beouf bourguignon and two bottles of Dom Pérignon Vintage Champagne."

"As you wish, madame."

Pierre, I'd glanced at his nametag, turned to me. "And you sir?"

"I'll take whatever the lady's getting."

A muffled scoff reached my ear—Jadesola's— while Pierre nodded, scribbling down furiously.

He returned with her order first. A steaming plate of beef chunks in stew and vegetables. She stared at it for a while before reluctantly picking a fork.

Minutes later, Pierre dropped mine on the table. I reached for a fork, eager to eat. Seeing the scrumptious meal made me realize I was quite famished. About to place a bite in my mouth, I paused, my right brow arched.

Jadesola was frowning, picking at her food with blatant distaste.

"Do you not like it?" I cocked the spoon up, a little bemused.

She grumbled, "It 's tasteless, no spice. Absolutely nothing. I wish I could eat jollof rice right now."

Jollof rice. I tucked away the information, reminded again of what Jade's mom had divulged to me at the aIrport.

"I could make jollof rice for you later if that's what you wish for," I mentioned, shooting her a tiny grin.

"Yeah right." Disbelieving, she rolled her eyes and glowered at the beef stew. "Just shut up."

My smile withered, left eye twitching in rage but I wouldn't rise to the bait. She was a pure artwork of vexation. Honestly, if this were the good 'ole days, I would have been spanking her ass hard for daring to speak that way to me. But it wasn't. So I reined in the anger and questioned in a mild manner that belied the rising anger surging within me, "What else would you like to eat then?"

And that was how I opened a can of complaints. Jadesola complained of every single thing even after being served food thrice more. She complained of the wine. "Too bitter," she'd remarked, wrinkling her nose in disdain. I ordered another one. But It didn't end there.

She whined about the decor, the people, the waiters, chefs. Even the calming music of the violin, she ranted about, insisting that the poor dude who plucked the strings was deaf not to know what a horrible sound he played. In all corners of the restaurant, she found fault. It was utterly exhausting and if she wasn't my wife and someone I wanted to appease, I would have walked out on the date a long time ago. My patience was wearing thin.

Hell, I should have known. The only reason why she'd conceded to my please stay request was to vex me further. The date was turning out to be a fucking disaster.

Now Jadesola was quiet after making me go crazy with her incessant orders. Her attention was on her phone as she grudgingly helped herself to some chunks of fried chicken. The murmur of people's conversation filtered through, making me painfully aware of the fact that there was no discussion happening at our table.

"Are you going to keep quiet all day?" A fresh wave of mounting anxiety flooded me..

"There's nothing to talk about," Jadesola muttered and sipped the white wine, eyes still fixed to the screen of her mobile. "You're as boring as they come."

"Really?" I arched an eyebrow in annoyance and discarded the cutlery. My appetite had long since disappeared, the once appealing beef stew now tasted bland.

Her slender shoulders moved in a shrug as she stabbed at a chicken. Suddenly, she arched her head back and laughed at something on her device.

Enraptured, I gaped at her. This was the first time I was observing her laugh. She truly looked beautiful when she smiled, her dazzling dentition displayed to perfection. Pulled in by her charm, I wanted to reach out and curl her hair behind her ear. Wrap my arms around her waist and whisper to her that she was the most gorgeous creature my eyes had had the opportunity to capture. I needed her like I needed air.

"You're so beautiful when you laugh." The words came out before I could lay a wrench on them.

Her smile froze into a sneer. "I don't need you telling me what I already know."

That was the last time I saw her laugh or smile throughout the period we stayed at the restaurant.

Unease churned within my gut at her abrupt dismissal so I tried again, aching to start up a conversation, "I fixed the shattered mirror in the house."

The moment I said that I knew I was courting trouble. Jade would blow up but she said nothing, did nothing. Almost as if I was invisible and not a word had been uttered by me.

Despising that aloof air of hers, I repeated louder this time, itching to gain a reaction from her, "I fixed the mirror in your apartment."

"I heard you for the first time! I'm not deaf," she hurled out, her fork cluttering to the plate with a metallic thump. "And what did you want me to say? Thank you for fixing my mirror? No na, should I jump up in jubilation? Fly? For a mirror that was broken because of you in the first place? Oh please!"

Pin pricks of guilt dug its claws into my chest and I started to speak. Except that her rising voice had overshadowed mine, furious and dripping with venom, "So because I got married to you, I get to tell you thank you every fucking time? Or call you master and tell you the time in roman numerals? Or not speak my African language huh? What else Kian?! And If I don't, you would take my cars, no? Maybe force yourself on me to prove a point?"

"You know what?" She looped her bag within her arm and stood, face wreathed in a scowl. "I'm done. Fuck this and fuck you."

Jadesola stormed out, clueless to the people who gawked in our direction, curious stares drilling holes into my shirt. A mirthless grin graced my stony face, as I bit the inside of my cheeks, as if I hadn't just been yelled at in the middle of elites who could be my business partners in the future.

Fuck I'd messed it up again.

Clenching my jaw tightly, I slapped five thousand euros on the table and rushed out after her.

The car ride was very silent, tension looming between us. I wanted to apologize but I didn't know how to go about it. Could I start with, I'm sorry for saying you're beautiful? Is it a crime to let you know what I repaired?

I had no idea.

We reached the hotel and she charged past me, to go up into the suite.

I walked slowly, hands in my pocket, at a loss. When I reached the entrance to the room, I paced around the corridor, reluctant to meet an angry Jadesola. What exactly did she desire from me? I'd tried but it seemed I wasn't even trying enough.

Aggravated, I raked a hand through my hair, resigning myself to my fate. With sluggish steps, I trudged to the door. Just as I was about to twist the door knob, a light bulb lit on my head.

Jollof rice.

She craved it and while that might not sorely make her forgive me, the deed was worth a try.

Who was this man? I asked myself, puzzled as I bounded down the stairs with renewed energy.

The one who ached to satisfy Jadesola's whims? The last time he'd showed up was when Rina had been pregnant with our first child. Before she— I forced myself to erase the dark memory and focus on the task at hand.

My destination loomed ahead, the reception. I had a quick chat with Bridgette and thanks to my connections to the hotel's owner, I was granted a space in the kitchen. I didn't want the chefs breathing on my neck either so I ordered them out.

Within minutes, I'd rolled up my shirt to my forearms, placed my ring inside my trousers, donned an apron and laid out all the necessary ingredients I'd managed to lay my hands on. With that, I got to work.

If I claimed it was no big struggle for a man who hardly went into the kitchen, I would be lying. Sorely. But after countless minutes of watching numerous cooking videos, I did it. The jollof rice was ready.

I took a quick glance at my watch before I walked out of the kitchen. 6:00 pm. Damn, I'd been cooped here for hours. Hopefully she wasn't asleep.

I used the elevator, praying and convincing myself that perhaps she would love it. It was a very big perhaps.

Balancing the tray on my left arm, I reached upstairs and opened the door carefully. As I placed a foot inside the room, I froze, eyes widened in shock.

Jadesola stood before the mirror. Utterly and disturbingly naked without a stitch of cloth on. That in itself wasn't as shocking as the smirk curled by her lips when she whirled to face me.

"Thank God you're back. Now, why don't you sit down and watch me dress up?"

A/N: Hey! How have you all been? It's been long, up to a month, sigh. I'm sorry loves, really but I was having exams. LE SIGH. Anyways, they're done and I AM BACK!!! This time to complete this book. It has been dragging on for too long fr.

Anyways, quick question! What are your thoughts about the chapter? Dyu think Jadesola is being too mean? Also, dyu love Kian's soft side? Or you'll prefer him being that hard, coldhearted being he has always been?

Well, considering what he did to her, I think Jade's behavior is a bit understandable but not exactly the right approach lmao. As for Kian, I kind of pity the poor guy.

P.s: NEXT CHAPTER IS HAWTTTTTT! Can't wait!

P.p.s: Thank you so much for 43.1k reads. Y'all are the best fr! For real!

P.p.s: If you don't mind could you please give me a follow on IG and tiktok? I post teasers on there and some *wink, wink, nudge nudge* videos! IG: _omanita and Tiktok: _omanitaa

Love❤️,
Nita.