ALESSIA
It was seven in the morning when I woke up. I suddenly sat up and hurriedly got out of bed, but I fell to the floor, landing flat on the cold cement. I cried out as I felt pain in my chest, stomach, elbow, and especially between my legs. I tried to get up but struggled.
The door to my room suddenly opened, and Claude appeared.
“Hey, Sweetpea! What happened to you?” Claude rushed to me, helped me up, and laid me back on the bed.
“Did you fall? Where does it hurt?” Claude asked with concern, brushing some hair from my face.
“I don’t know. As soon as I got up, I just fell,” I replied, examining my elbow for any scrapes.
Claude noticed me checking and looked over my body as well. “You don’t have any scratches or cuts. But where does it hurt?” he asked.
I grimaced and pointed between my legs. “This hurts the most. The fall wasn’t as painful.”
Claude scratched his head. “We overdid it last night, Sweetpea. You told me to go faster, and then you asked for another round, so we went twice before sleeping.”
My eyes widened. “So, you’re saying it’s all my fault?”
“I didn’t say that, Sweetpea. I’m the one to blame for starting it. I think I wore you out because you fell asleep right after the second round. I even dressed you because I didn’t want Adrian to notice anything. I tore your pajamas and underwear, so I got new ones from the cabinet.”
I looked at what I was wearing. I am now in pajamas, with panties but no bra. Claude probably didn’t know how to put a bra on me, so he didn’t bother.
“Where is Adrian?” I asked.
“He and Pia just left. They went to school.”
“Why are you still here? I thought you arrived with a chopper last night,” I asked.
Claude scratched the back of his head. “Vaughn just dropped me off. He had to leave and needed the chopper.”
“Oh, okay. I thought there was still a chopper waiting for you.”
Claude shook his head. I looked at his clothes.
“Those aren’t your clothes. Whose are they?” I asked.
His white T-shirt was tight and short, and his shorts were also small and short, showing off his bulge.
“They belong to Pia’s daughter. These were the only clothes she had that fit me,” Claude explained.
I nodded. Claude was much taller and bigger than Remi.
“There’s nothing I can do, Sweetpea. I was blessed with this body that drives women crazy,” Claude said.
I scoffed. “Wow! You’re so full of yourself. I might need to hold on so the wind doesn’t blow me away.”
“You’re exaggerating. I’m just telling the truth. I am a big guy and handsome too. That’s why you fell in love with me, right?” Claude said with a grin.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Fine. You’re handsome. But Adrian is even more handsome than you.”
Claude laughed slightly. “Of course, our son should be more handsome because his mother is so beautiful. When you combine a handsome father and a beautiful mother, you get an even more handsome and beautiful son.”
I just smiled.
“Come on, let’s eat. I haven’t had breakfast because I was waiting for you to wake up.”
I stood up, and Claude helped me walk out of the room. I went straight to the sink and brushed my teeth. When I finished, my husband sat me down and served me food on a plate.
We had a quick breakfast in the bed that Pia had prepared before she headed out with my son to school.
“Where are your clothes from last night? Bring them out so I can wash them and you’ll have something to wear later. You look like a wrapped rice cake in those clothes,” I said, shaking my head.
“No need. I already washed them earlier when Pia lent me some clothes. They’re outside drying on the line.”
“You did the laundry?” I couldn’t believe Claude had done it, as he never did chores at the mansion. There were many maids to handle all the tasks and take care of them.
“Who else? I couldn’t ask Pia to do it. That would be embarrassing. You have a washing machine, so I used it.”
“Stay here, okay? I’m going to take a shower and then open the shop to talk to Isla. I need to leave some instructions to her. I’ll be right back.”
I was walking back to the room to get some clothes when Claude spoke.
“Can I come with you? It’s boring being alone here.”
I turned to face Claude.
“Don’t bother. I won’t be long. I’ll be back soon. Besides, you don’t have decent clothes. How will Isla believe you’re my husband?” I asked, glancing at Claude’s outfit and noticing the bulge in his front.
“Are you embarrassed of me?” Claude asked.
“It’s not that,” I replied. “But look at what you’re wearing. You look like you’re modeling underwear with how tight your clothes are.”
Claude looked down at himself and scratched his head. I didn’t wait for him to respond and went straight to the bedroom. When I came out, Claude was in the living room watching TV. I quickly took a shower. After getting dressed, I returned to the bedroom to get ready. I blow-dried my hair and applied a little lipstick before heading out.
“I’m leaving now,” I said to Claude, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
“Come back quickly, okay? I might get stolen here.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Who would steal you? Can a person even be stolen?”
“It’s possible. But I wouldn’t go with the thief. However, you could be stolen from me. It’s not impossible. With your beauty, anyone would be interested.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re funny! You just said you might get stolen, and now you’re saying I could be. Who would dare steal me from you?” I played along with Claude’s teasing.
“Many would, I’m sure. But I won’t allow it. I’d kill anyone who tried to take you. So go ahead, leave now. I’ll give you one hour to get back. If you’re not back by then, I’ll come after you, whether you like it or not,” Claude said, standing up and leading me to the door, giving me a quick kiss on the lips.
I shook my head as I left and got into my old car. I waved at Claude before driving off.
When I arrived at the shop, Isla had just opened it. I quickly explained my plan. Isla cried and hugged me when she heard it.
“Thank you so much, Ms. Alessia. This bookshop is a big help for me. I’ll make sure to grow it.”
“You take care of it, Isla. Just make sure to take care of the shop and our customers.”
“I’ll do my best, Ms. Alessia.”
Soon after, I said goodbye. I was nervous about Claude’s one-hour deadline. It took thirty minutes to travel to the shop and back home, so I couldn’t stay long.
I returned home ten minutes before Claude’s deadline.
“You’re quick,” Claude greeted me as he opened the door.
“I was worried about you, afraid you’d follow through on what you said.”
“I would have if you didn’t come back quickly.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Well, here I am.”
Claude spread his arms, ready to hug me, but I stepped back.
“Oops! Hold on. Who knows where that hug might lead. Just come with me to the bedroom and help pack Adrian’s and my things!”
I turned away and headed straight to the bedroom.
“Have you not packed yet, Sweetpea?” Claude asked when he found me in the bedroom.
I jumped, startled by Claude’s voice right behind me. When I turned around, our lips almost touched. I planned to step back but couldn’t as he wrapped his arm around my waist.