She was caught off guard as she was dragged into the study room. They both sat opposite each other. The expression on the two people’s faces was like that of people on a battle field, as both parties had their hands folded on their chests and it kind of looked like they were going to exchange blows any moment if one of them did not break the silence that had overshadowed the study room. Rex threw a folder towards Ariel.
“Now start writing”
She furrowed her brows as she gazed at the man before her, a perplexed expression on her face. Her eyes scanned his features, searching for answers to the questions swirling in her mind. She tilted her head slightly, her confusion evident in her body language. “Wait, what should I write?” Ariel asked, staring at the man who sat in his executive office seat dressed in a tailored suit exuding an air of confidence and authority. With his legs crossed, he projected a relaxed yet commanding presence.
His posture conveyed a sense of control and deliberation. As if thinking of the next phase of his life. Ariel found herself unable to tear her gaze away from the breathtaking handsomeness of Rex. His chiseled jaw line and piercing blue eyes were like magnets, drawing her attention irresistibly.
“Your zodiac sign, personality, what you like and dislike, your favorite color” Rex said coldly.
“Are you now taking a census? Why not ask Pius to check it out for you? Tell me what did you want this time asking me to write down my personal information? Ariel asks with her brow raised.
Although we are married and we’ve been acting along for some time now, we don’t know each other well. I will take you to the Anderson mansion to stay for some days and we will be seeing grandma often. If she finds out we are still strangers, it will be all over for you and the Ann family.
When you mean over, you mean over, you…. She trailed off not daring to complete her sentence.
“Our cooperation with the Ann family and your Aunt’s treatment will be over”
If he stops Aunt’s treatment, what should I do? the Ann is sure not to give me money for her treatment and I wouldn’t want my mother’s hard work to go to waste. With a sweet and innocent smile plastered on her face, she quickly picked up the folder and opened it to a fresh page and quickly said.
“I will write, it’s just some personal information. I will write everything you need to know about me.”
“Then let’s get started.”
Some minutes later, Ariel handed the written document to him and she was handed a folder. Opening the folder, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She flipped each of the pages, each time she flipped over her eyes widened in surprise and she couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Devil Anderson, this is too much. How could you have so many hobbies sitting in a wheelchair?”
“I’m the heir of the Anderson family, this is what is expected of me. You just have to memorize the fact that I’m crippled, including my hobbies and my daily routine. There are three major rules you must obey. Firstly, you have to go along with my eating habits. You can’t eat what I don’t eat. Secondly, you have to listen to every word I say, which means you cannot go against me. Thirdly, you have to take very good care of me. For instance, massage my legs and push my wheelchair, wipe my mouth”
“But you didn’t mention moving to me earlier that your scheme involved moving from Flower garden villa and you also didn’t tell me I have to save a lot of information. Rex don’t go too far. All the time we visited the Anderson mansion, why did you not give me all these rules, and whats with wiping your mouth?”
“Ariel Ann, make sure you memorize each and every word on this document. Don’t have a slip and give yourself out.” She stood up with anger and charged towards the man.
“This is quite too much. How on earth was I supposed to memorize this?”
The man stood up with steady footsteps and walked towards her. She took a step backward until there was no place to escape. Then she fell backwards and sat on the chair. Rex caged her between his arms and they could feel each other’s breath.
“I’m asking you to do that because I want to make my grandmother happy and have a rest of mind. As long as you can make her happy the way I want, you should do just that. Mrs. Anderson, if you don’t memorize all this information and give yourself away in front of grandma or anyone else; you and everything you love will disappear. Is that understood?” The atmosphere in the study room was as they gazed into each other’s eyes, they felt the warmth of their souls intertwining, creating an unbreakable bond and their hearths beating as one, as Rex Arms wrapped around her, and she felt a sudden restlessness stirring within her. She gently shifted her body, attempting to wiggle out of his embrace. With a subtle movement, she angled her shoulders, carefully slipping out from his firm hold. Her movements were deliberate, aiming to avoid any unintended discomfort or offense to Rex. She employed a delicate dance of subtle motions, as if orchestrating an intricate ballet. Her limbs gracefully maneuvered, guided by an unspoken desire for personal space. A nimble twist of her torso and a slight bend of her knees allowed her to create just enough space to create separation. Her fingertips brushed against his arm, conveying a soft caress as she released herself from his embrace, she picked up the folder and rushed out of the room. As he chuckled, he watched as his wife fled from his embrace. The amusement danced in his eyes as he observed her innocent retreat.
Ariel sat alone in her room, staring out the window as the rain poured relentlessly outside. She couldn’t help but feel a wave of frustration and anger wash over her. How could she have fallen for him? It was never supposed to be like this. She was just a substitute wife, bound to a loveless marriage for the sake of her mother’s property and her aunt’s treatment “Ariel Ann wake up from your dream when you had agreed to the arrangement. You had convinced yourself that you would be strong, detached, and immune to any feelings that might develop. Knowing exactly, you are getting into a marriage of convenience with no room for emotion; he had sex with you because he is a man he has needs. Oh! Ariel, you are quick to forget he already told you he loves someone else” She wiped her tears as she stood up to arrange her things in a suit case.
As Rex entered his room he sighed in exhaustion and began to undress. He had been dealing with his company affairs since noon and lost track of time. Unbeknownst to Ariel, the towel around Rex’s waist was not tightly secured. Suddenly, as he turned to put his clothes away, the towel slipped from his grasp and dropped to the floor, revealing his well toned physique. Ariel, who happened to be passing by the bedroom door, froze in shock as her eyes widened. She had never seen Rex without his pants on before, and his unexpected display left her both intrigued and embarrassed. Her cheeks flushed with a mixture of curiosity and a hint of desire. Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, Ariel found herself frozen in place, unable to tear her gaze away from the man standing in front of her. Time seemed to stand still as their eyes met. The last time they did it in the Anderson mansion she had her eyes closed. Was this the thing that entered her? She had never seen that part of a man before. Rex grabbed the towel and wrapped it around himself. Breaking the silence, Rex spoke, his voice carrying a bit of playfulness and teasing “Have you seen enough?”
“Hmmm, No, yes” Ariel stammered in embarrassment. As she rushed out of Rex’s room to her bedroom and she couldn’t help but reprimand herself.
“Ariel, Ariel, what has come over you, it is fine if you are just seeing that part of a man for the first time? But what was that that you did over there staring at the man with some desire you had only done it for three times and you were only aware of one, what are you turning into? It’s all Rex’s fault. The devil must have seduced me on purpose. I must stay away from him. I can no longer allow him to touch me”, she was lost in thought and unknowingly fell asleep.