Vivian POV
My hands grazed through the walls of the long passage, the flashes of the last time I had come here stormed my memory. It was the day I had gotten married to Max, I could still remember the familiar scent of the rich wall paints. This place brought back memories, memories I didn’t want to recall. In this same house, I had my first night with Max until he started accusing me of infidelity, being a whore and a sex maniac who couldn’t be satisfied with one man. I had accepted all those accusations then knowing that it wasn’t what I was after all and there was no point arguing, I left him to believe whatever he thought I am and as to that, he concluded that I had accepted all his false claims since I didn’t retort back or disagree to his accusations and ever since then, I had became a mute wife.
The only thing I was satisfied about was the fact that Max wasn’t flirting with women, he was reserved not until Ruth came back and he started staying late nights and taking excessive alcohol, she was the only one that could make him go out of the way of his usual lifestyle.
I was lost in thoughts not realizing when a hand pulled me back and I lost my footing, whirling around and hit a familiar hard chest
“Max!” I called, stunned by his attitude as he sneaked his hands around my waist, holding me close and in between his body.
“That was incredible, you did great out there” He said, his breath fanning myself as I struggled to pull out of his hold but he held me firmly to his body, his sweet cologne waxing my senses and making tingles flip through me.
“What__ what are you talking about” I stuttered, trying faze of the bumps that smeared through my body.
“I saw that. I mean what you did with Daniel and whatever you must have said to him definitely got him wifey, you’re becoming more mysterious than I thought” He tightened the grip around my body, I didn’t like the feelings I was getting from this single act of his and neither did I even want it to stop.
Could I be any more shameless than this?
” I didn’t do it for you, I did it for___”
“Of course, you did it for the deal” He cut in on my words immediately, his face turning with a mischievous grin. I felt flustered with that single act.
When was the last time I had Max up so close? Except when he needed me in bed.
Was there even a time he ever held me this way?
‘Common!, this was a man that was so eager to divorce me for his first love; a man who only wants me to help him get his assets and properties then after that, I’ll be disposed. He has no feelings for you!’ I screamed at myself in my head, shutting my mind instantly to block the feelings that would make me vulnerable in his arm.
“Let me go Now Max, as you know already, I did it for the deal” I blurted, shoving all my efforts to release his grip from my body. I was supposed to hate this man, I am not even supposed to get closed, I shouldn’t have any feelings for him yet, one single touch from him could melt all those resolve I had built within myself.
I was totally useless against Max? But no, I will still have my revenge! As soon as the deal is done, I’ll leave the city with my baby and he would never find out about it.
The only thing I am scared of is Max finding out that I a actually pregnant. I would be discreet with my baby as much as possible till I am out of his damn clutches!
Reluctantly, after much efforts, Max released me but instead took my hands sharply, pulling me along with him and making me wonder if something had come over him.
“What are you doing?” I demanded and he smirked.
” We’re going in there as couples not as total strangers. Have you forgotten so suddenly Honey?” He called and I sneered with contempt at his last words, knowing he was trying to get on my nerves.
” So this is the first impression to create just in front of my parents and nothing more than that, just be all lovey-dovey Vivian” He added but I kept mute, knowing what he said was right, after all, I should do this if I wanted to see my mother but one thing was sure; I would definitely make Max regret.
As we glided passed through the interior designs of the passage, we took the stairs that led to an outer space of the mansion and finally arrived at the spacious living room and there, ten pair of eyes sat with the same aura of dominance; Mr Norman, Max’s mother, Daniel and the woman he came with as well as the one I recognized as the butler with his dress code.
At the same time, their eyes ran in scrutiny towards our entwined fingers, my heart raced at their gaze, it felt as if I was standing in the midst of multitudes of crowds. There was something similar that the Norman’s family had and that was their intimidating aura, even Max possessed it or even more.
Max tightened his hands on mine as if noticing my uneasiness, my mind reeled with nervousness especially at Max’s mother who gave me a different kind of look.
Wait! I knew that look well enough; Hate, disappointment. But why would she look at me that way? It felt totally strange and for the first time in my entire life, I was utterly terrified of her presence. It wasn’t the first I had met Max’s mother but this time around, it felt different from what I used to know of her.
“I was expecting you tommorow for dinner and not today Vivian?” Mr Norman broke the silence aos I struggled to make out words to fit his questions but Max beat me to it ” She told me of your invitation Dad and we decided to come today ” Max replied, turning to smile at me and urging me to comply with his words.
I nodded, flashing a smile at him as well ” Yes, he’s right” I concurred, feeling a sense of calm envelope me not until Mr Norman’s next questions.
” What changed, you both clearly signed Divorce papers and she already packed her things and left. How quickly were you both able to get back together?”