Chapter 04: Secrets That Bind
1422 Words
"Don't worry," Caspian said. "The intruder that took a shot at us was sent by my father. He wants to make sure we aren't playing games with him. Thank goodness. This will convince him that we are real."
"Why are you doing all this, Caspian? Are you just playing with me? Just to achieve your own goals?" I asked.
"We're helping each other here, Tasha. And I really need you to help me out. I don’t want to disappoint my father. I see he's already starting to like you."
"Talking about helping me... I'd like to go see my brother tomorrow," I said.
"Fine, let's grab some ice cream," Caspian replied. "We should take pictures of us eating it and post them to make our union look believable."
"Sure," I said, extending my hand to him as he led me to the ice-cream stand. We got our cones and posed for a picture as we kissed. Caspian uploaded it to his i********:, and soon the comments flooded in.
"She looks beautiful! I’m happy for you, Caspian! You’ve finally found love," one comment read.
Another one quickly followed. "She’s not even beautiful. What did Caspian see in this low-life girl?"
Caspian closed his phone and took my hand, trying to reassure me.
"Don’t worry, Caspian. I’m not offended. They can drop as many comments as they want."
Caspian smiled, leaned forward, and kissed my forehead. Just then, another shot rang out from his father's detective, who vanished into the night.
In a flash, Caspian knelt in front of me. "Tasha, will you be my wife?"
"Is this part of the act too?" I asked.
"No, Tasha. I'm being serious. Please, will you be my wife?"
"I can’t answer that now, Caspian. Let’s finish this deal first. I’m already overwhelmed. Can we please go home?" I asked.
He stood up, disappointed. We walked to the car, and the drive home was silent. When we arrived, we said goodnight and went to our separate rooms, but then there was a knock on the door.
I sprang up and opened it. Caspian was coming out of his room too.
"Tasha, are you expecting a guest?" he asked.
"No, I was about to ask you that," I replied.
Caspian went to the door and opened it. His father stepped inside.
"Hello, lovebirds," Wolfe said.
"Father, what are you doing here?" Caspian asked.
"Can't I visit my son's home anymore?" Wolfe replied.
"But... It's awkward. It’s been a long time since you visited," Caspian said.
"Son, it's nothing to worry about. I just thought I’d rest here for the night," Wolfe said. "Is there a room I can stay in?"
"No, the other room is occupied by me," I said.
"Don't you both sleep together?" Wolfe asked, surprised.
"Father, she meant to say her stuff is still in the other room. Isn't that right?" Caspian asked.
Knowing I had almost ruined everything, I stuttered, "Well, since I started living as Caspian’s wife, I haven’t had time to pack my stuff into my husband’s room. We’re still on our honeymoon."
"Oh, I see. Solid point. I thought you two didn’t share a room."
"What should I do?" I thought. "I need to go pack my things and clear the room so it looks like I’ve never slept there."
Caspian understood the assignment and distracted his father.
"Let’s have some champagne," Caspian said.
"I want to talk," Wolfe said to Caspian.
Should I clean up the room or eavesdrop on their conversation? I thought. But I knew I should clean up the room. So I hurried to tidy it up, pack my clothes, and move everything to Caspian’s room.
Once I finished, Wolfe entered with Caspian. Caspian gave me a thumbs up for being smart.
"Wow, this room is clean, and the bed seems so soft," Wolfe commented with a light grin.
"Sleep well, Dad," Caspian said. We locked the door behind us.
Inside Caspian’s room, we both sighed with relief. "How could Wolfe come for an impromptu visit without warning?" I asked.
"Because he's still doubting us and wants to know if we’re real," Caspian said.
"Oh, what have I gotten myself into?" I murmured.
"Nothing is happening, I promise," Caspian reassured me.
"I think you should sleep in my room. My father will still be awake, making sure everything seems right," I said.
"Fine," I said, lying next to Caspian. The night dragged on, and morning refused to come. By midnight, the air grew cold, and snow began to fall. Caspian pulled me close, and I could feel his body pressing against me. In a flash, we kissed. It was hard to resist his touch, and we ended up being intimate that night.
The next morning, we woke up exhausted. I rushed to the kitchen to grab water for us when Wolfe startled me.
"Tasha, it seems like you enjoyed last night with your husband. I couldn’t help but remember those moments with Caspian’s mother. Love is a sweet thing," he said.
I blushed, too shy to speak. "Good morning, Wolfe, and Merry Christmas in advance," I said, quickly leaving him and heading back to our room.
"Caspian, can you believe your father heard us last night? I can’t look at him," I confessed.
"Come here," Caspian said, hugging me. "You don’t have to be shy. We’re married."
"Married? A fake marriage. Stop acting like it's real," I said. "Please lower your voice," Caspian said. "Father's still here."
Caspian stood up to meet his father in the living room. I followed him.
"Good morning, Dad. I see you’re ready to leave?" Caspian said.
"Yes, son. Take care of your wife," Wolfe said, leaving with a sly smile, his eyes gleaming with hidden knowledge of the night before.
"Father, you never seem to want to get old," Caspian joked.
"Goodbye, Wolfe," I said.
"Goodbye, Tasha. Be a good girl," Mr. Wolfe said as he shut the door behind him.
Caspian got ready for work, and I prepared to visit my brother, Ryder, at the hospital. Ryder was angry I hadn’t checked on him for a few days.
"Hey, dear, I’m sorry I…”
Before I could finish, he shocked me with his words.
"When you're married to the wealthiest man, why won’t you forget about me? Besides, you’re not even my real sister," he said.
"Why would you say that, Ryder? Who told you that?" I asked.
"I saw it on TV," he said, pointing to the screen in his private ward.
"I never wanted to burden you. You won’t understand... Caspian and I aren’t really married," I confessed.
"But I saw you two kissing!" he argued.
"Does that matter?" I asked, trying to calm him down. "Please, calm down. You’re the only family I have, and I love you. I’m sorry for not telling you earlier." I hugged him tightly.
"It's fine, Tasha," he said, relaxing a bit.
My phone buzzed, it was Camilla calling.
"Hello, girl, meet me at the club we saw Logan at. I want to party," Camilla said.
"Okay," I replied, and the call ended. "I’ll check up on you later. Take care," I said to Ryder and left for the club.
At the club, I met Camilla, and we hugged. Just then, Grimes showed up.
"Can I have a word with you, please?" he asked.
"No," Camilla said, standing her ground.
"It's fine, I’m safe. Don’t worry," I reassured her.
"Yes, but make it quick," I said to Grimes.
"Let’s have coffee," he suggested. I hesitated, but he insisted, so I agreed.
"Who are your parents?" he asked me.
"I’m an orphan. I lost my older brother when I was young, and since then, I haven’t seen him. I was adopted, and I have a brother from my adoptive parents, but they’re both dead. He’s the only family I have left," I explained.
"So sorry, Tasha," Grimes said, gently touching my hair.
"Can I go now?" I asked.
"Sure," he replied.
"Are you okay?" Camilla asked.
"Yes," I said. "But don’t you think it’s risky talking to Grimes, knowing he’s an enemy of Caspian?"
"You’re right," I admitted. "I’ll be more careful next time."
Not long after, Logan arrived and greeted us. "Have fun, guys," he said, heading to his girlfriend. I excused myself and went home.
When I got home, I relaxed, but suddenly there was a knock on the door. I assumed it was Caspian and eagerly opened it, only to freeze in shock as a strange figure stood before me…
- Writer
