Vivian POV
I dropped to the ground in a heated choked breath and coughed out. Max’s brows arched, his eyes flashing to my trembling hands as he instantly stood and walked towards me at the door.
“Are you okay Vivian?” He asks and I nodded negatively, my breaths now relaxing at the warmth of his closeness, safe, protected; I didn’t Know when my hands flew around him, ceasing him all up in a tight hug and oblivious to my own ridiculous actions. He tightened the embrace, surprising me and caressed my hair softly, tugging few strands behind my ear as he gave my back a gentle massage.
“It’s alright Vivian, I’m here, I’m here” He repeated, his hands moving soothingly at my back, I felt relaxed in his caress, wanting to elapse in that soothing touch for eternity, blocking my mind from the harsh reality that he truly belonged to another.
After a while, I pulled away, seperating myself totally from his body and stood up. He stood up as well, his gaze boring into mine in a questioning manner.
Should I tell him? Or just ignore it? No, no way! I had made it clear it was none of my business. Whatever comes out his family, he should be able to handle on his own right? But then, this was his life, Max’s life secretly threatened, right now he wasn’t safe.
I don’t even Know when Daniel would carry out with this plan of his and in as much as I loathed Max at the moment, I still didn’t want him dead.
“Do you wanna say something?” Max demanded and i shook my head negatively instantly, avoiding gazes with him. Living with Max for three years, he could easily tell when I was lying or not.
“Are you sure Vivian?” He asked and I nodded again, blocking out my subconscious that kept screaming at me to say those things to him.
Yes! Max didn’t seem to be on a good page with his brother but what if he doesn’t believe me? What if he says I want to manipulate him against his brother simply because they aren’t on Good terms? So many what if’s that kept restraining me.
I didn’t want to get attached to his problems at all, my only business here was staying with him for only a month and I’ll fucking leave. All these are only going to pull me back and I wouldn’t let that happen.
I quickly ran into the bathroom to avoid further questions from him, I had totally forgotten that I was putting on his Louis Vuitton limited brand shirt when I instantly turned on the shower and it poured down on my head, completely soaking the cloth.
I shut my eyes, feeling the soft caress of the water flow down to my whole body.
When had this struggle for power began in Max’s family that it has reached to this point where it involved assassination? Does Mr Norman know? Somehow, a gut in me tells me that Max’s father knows all of this.
Max seemed to be living in oblivion, not knowing that the people surrounding him are truly not what they seem.
Should I help him? Somehow, I didn’t want him to get hurt, he is the father of my baby. No, I shouldn’t get involved! Max should do with it himself!
I was still totally lost in thoughts when a hand enveloped me from behind, embracing the soaked clothes that clasped wet on my body. I stiffened, recognizing the family pair of strong arms.
“Your heart” He said ” It’s racing faster than normal Vivian” He added, so close to my ear that I shuddered at the feeling. Max wasn’t even doing much yet I have already started to feel the urges bubble slowly to the surface.
“Is something wrong? Something that’s bothering you Vivian?” He asked, his voice seemed to lace with worry.
“I know we aren’t that close and we’ll not be staying together for long but I still get worried If you aren’t okay” He blurted out, his grip tightening harder around my waist. I felt his bulge poke my ass from behind.
Damn! Hewas heading at it again. Max was really a flirt!
Does he think I’ll believe those words of his that easily? When had he ever gotten worried or cared about me in our three years of marriage?
” If you’re saying all these to make me think you’re good then you’re doing a bad job because the Max Norman I Know never cared if I existed or not, he only had his eyes on one woman, only waited for one woman and will only bond with one woman and that was Ruth not me” I replied in a jest and I felt his body go stiffen immediately.
What was wrong with him? I asked in my head and as if in a blur, he turned me around to face him, his expression sharp, intense, serious, and slightly raging.
“What” I rolled my eyes ” Isn’t true, you made it clear to me yourself so stop with the act Max” I added.
” You say I never cared if you existed?” He suddenly asked which felt quite entirely strange but I nodded in full assurance of my own words.
There was never a day Max showed interest of care towards me!
” Do you remember the day you fell on the staircase?” He began and my ears twitched in their corners at his question. My mind suddenly recalling the event that day. It was the day I had accidentally slipped and lost consciousness. I had been rushed and taken to the hospital and there I laid for a week. In those times, Max never came, it was only Sofia that visited so what was he saying? Each time I had asked the doctor if a man had visited me, the doctor would not give me a reasonable answer instead would keep dropping my favourite food personally on my bed.
“You never came Max, you never visited me!” I raised my voice at him warily as I vividly recalled the painful memories.
” I did, I stayed with you every night on the hospital bed and left the following morning Vivian. I didn’t want you to see me or know that I actually cared, the switched off lights that always scared you, the hands you feel in your belly to keep you warm in the night, that was all me” He revealed the shocking words.
“But then even if I hadn’t care then, I want to care now. Is that so much to ask for?”