''You… you can't keep calling me like this, my husband is here. ''
Michelle whispered to the person on the phone. She hid in the toilet to pick the call, lowering her voice, so Douglas would not hear.
''I don't care, Michelle, I love… ''
''don't, don't do that now, please. It's late, go to sleep, I'm hanging up now. ''
She said, grabbing a bunch of her hair frustratingly; and without waiting for his reply, she cut the call.
She heaved a sigh as she wiped her face with her hands. If he continued calling her, he would really put her into some big trouble. She knew Douglas, he would never let her go free, and he would hunt him down to the end of the world.
She watched her reflection in the mirror for a moment before she turned to leave the toilet. But just when she opened the door, she saw Douglas standing by the door;
''Arrgh!! ''
Michelle screamed as she stumbled backward in shock; her face paling and her chest heaving heavily as she watched her husband stare at her with creased brows.
''You… You scared me… ''
She said and beat her chest with her hand as her eyes struggled to remain at a place;
Did he overhear her conversation?
She wondered as she struggled to remain calm. Douglas was a heartless man. If he knew what she was doing behind him, he would never forgive her, in fact, he would kill her himself.
''What? Why are you so startled? Are you doing something wrong? ''
Douglas asked in a calm tone, his eyes looking around the toilet.
''No… no, what would I possibly do wrong; I was just shocked to see you by the door when I opened it… I thought you were a ghost or something. ''
Michelle explained as she chuckled lightly, trying to ease the tension in the room.
Douglas pulled his gaze from the toilet to his wife, and he watched her for a few seconds;
''Mmm, I know. I just wanted to use the toilet, didn't know you would step out at the same time.'' He said and walked deeper into the toilet;
''Alright dear, I'll be waiting for you in the room. ''
Michelle said with a bright smile and walked gently out of the toilet, her heart in her mouth.
She closed the door behind her and swiftly took out her phone from the pocket of her pajamas and unlocked it, deleting the call log before quickly hiding it under her pillow and lying down.
A breath she didn't know she was holding escaped her lips as she lay down on the bed.
That was close!
If Douglas caught her, it would be the end of her. He was a very heartless and calculative man; she had lived with him for 24 years and still, she couldn't still discern what he was thinking. He didn't hesitate to take a life when it pleases him, and hers was no exception.
He was hot-tempered and had instilled fear into her very bones from the very beginning. No-one dared to go against Douglas, except Nicklaus, who was just playing with fire. She knew her husband well; he would peel her skin from her body like one peeling an orange if he discovered her promiscuity.
But she couldn't help it; she wished she never agreed to marry him when her parents forced her. If she had waited, if she waited one more year, she would have been with the man she loved.
She was cut off from her thoughts when she heard the toilet door screech open;
Her eyes shut instantly, and she pretended to be asleep. She heard his footsteps approach the bed and his side of the bed deepen; her body stiffened a little when she felt his hands go around her waists and he pulled her closer to him.
She gulped before she stiffly turned around and hugged him back.
…
Nicklaus had a meeting with another person the next day, but he would not take Tiana along; first, he didn't want her to know what the meeting was about but more importantly, he didn't want another man gawking so l.u.s.tfully at her, he wasn't sure he could prevent himself from gauging out their eyes this time.
When he stepped out of the room the next day, he found her sprawled on the couch, her hair disheveled and she was laughing as she watched the TV.
He raised his eyes to the TV and saw that she was watching cartoons!
His brows creased in surprise. How did she find those children shows intriguing? He didn't even fancy those when he was little.
As though Tiana felt his presence, her eyes instantly darted towards his room and she saw him watching her. Instantly; she rose from the couch and she stood up quickly, arranging her hair with her hands.
''Boss… you said nothing about going out today? ''
Tiana stammered; she was surprised to see Nicklaus fully dressed; he mentioned nothing to her about going out.
''You're not going with me. ''
He said calmly; his gaze still on her.
''Oh... '' Tiana mumbled and looked down at her hands. Although she was unhappy that she wouldn't get to see the city; a greater part of her was glad that she would have the whole day to herself, without ever seeing his face!
Nicklaus watched her for a moment, his mind wandering. This hotel housed many elites daily and most of them were bachelors. She hated him now, if she met with any of them, she wouldn't hesitate to leave him. He wanted to tell her not to leave the penthouse, to avoid them seeing her and taking a liking to her, but he didn't have a reason to say so; it would seem awkward if he told her not to leave without a cogent reason.
He thought for a moment and then unlocked his phone, tapping on his email icon; he forwarded ten doc.u.ments to her email.
''While you're at home, I want you to review the files I sent to your email. ''
Even if she is a genius, she wouldn't finish reviewing those emails before he came back. That would keep her in the penthouse till he returned.
A mischievous smirk found its way to his lips;
''okay. ''
'