Be careful with my heart

Chapter 8

I couldn't get the thought of Matt off my head. The way his blue eyes stared into mine and the feeling of his hand on mine, made me shiver. That moment was electrical.

"Stop daydreaming about another man, Ari." I knocked my head slightly to get him off my head. As if that could help.

I took off my necklace and couldn't believe I was wearing a fortune on my neck. I carefully placed it back in the box. I couldn't add more debt to my record. I wiped off my makeup and applied some moisturizer on my face, then changed into my comfy night wears.

When I got back to the bedroom, I saw Dustin on his own side of the bed, working on his laptop. He was so engrossed that I could bet he didn't notice when I occupied the other side of the bed.

I placed a few pillows in the middle of the bed to indicate 'off limits'. He scoffed but didn't look away from his laptop.

I tried to find sleep but it was not coming because I had an issue bulging me. I kept on tossing and turning.

"Why didn't you tell me I was wearing such an outrageously expensive necklace?" I finally asked him.

He glanced at me and went back to working on his laptop.

"Why? So you could run off with it?" He said with a straight face.

"Just what do you take me for?" I asked. Eyebrow furrowed in total anger. I have had enough of his ridicules.

"A golddigger?" He said blankly. No emotions on his stupid face.

"You are a monster." I said softly with tears threatening to stream down my face

"And you are married to him" He stared into my eyes with smirk on his face.

I felt like punching that smirk off his face. I hate him! I hate him!!!!! I screamed in my head.

Sharing a bed with a monster like him would make one. So, I took a pillow and went to find my place on the sofa.

"Just what I thought." He snickered.

Asshole! I said under my breath.

The sofa wasn't all comfortable but it was still better than sleeping on the cold tile. Few minutes later, I drifted off to dreamland.

The morning sun shine through the curtain and landed directly on my face. I sat up on the sofa, stretched my upper body. Well, I had a neck but I could still manage.

I checked to see if Dustin was still in bed and there he was sleeping peacefully with his chest faced up and his hands supporting the pillow.

I walked gently to his side. I wanted to see what he looks like when asleep. He looked way peaceful and innocent. Wow! I wasn't expecting a cold hearted human like him to be sleeping peacefully. I was expecting to see a frown on his face and horns on his head but that wasn't the case.

I moved a little closer to him, so i could get a clear view of his face. He has quite a fine face tho..... I mean, long but scattered eyelashes, his eyebrows were neatly groomed and his slightly parted lips were so tempting. I felt a urge to press my lips on them. I quickly gathered myself and moved an inch away from him. Whoa! I shouldn't be thinking of these things. Just then, my phone started to ring.

I went to the vanity where I left my phone last night, It was a call from my cousin. I went to the balcony to receive the call.

"Hey girl!" Mercy yelled immediately I answered the phone.

"Hey!" I said back.

"So, how is your honeymoon with the mister handsome going?"

"Mister handsome? or you mean to say ugly monk?" I rolled my eyes.

"Why? is he acting like one?" she chuckled.

"Coming here is like a nightmare. He snapped at me and rub his stupid wealth at me at every chance he gets." I reported.

"It can't be that bad..... I mean you get to stay in a luxurious hotel and sleep on the fluffiest bed ever, right?"

"As for the luxurious suite, yes but the fluffiest bed, I slept on the fluffiest sofa ever" I answered sarcastically.

I gave her the gist of everything that happened, from meeting Matt to finding out he was Mr and Mrs Rodriguez son.

"So, you are saying you met another very hot guy at your honeymoon?" She asked enthusiastically.

"Yep. I just said that."

"Is he hotter than Dustin?" she asked.

"I have never thought of making a comparison though." I narrowed my eyes and cringed my face in a thoughtful manner.

"Can you do that now?!" She whispered yelled.

"Chill girl. Why are you even so interested in knowing?" I narrowed my eyes and arched my eyebrows.

"I just need to know. Either ways, you are already married to Dustin. So, it is quite impossible for you to be attracted to another man."

"Says who? Who said I can't be attracted to another guy? You know what this marriage is to me and it is not like I am married to the love of my life, you know? What if the love of my life is out there looking for me?" I said to her.

"And what if this love of your life is the one you are married to?"

"Tell me you are joking. How can that be possible? You know how I feel about him, right? He is a big pain in the ass. It can never happen." I said sharply.

"Every love story starts from some where...... Take this from me, the both of you will come to love each other so much one day"

"Get off my phone" I said in the best possible deadly tone I could.

"Okay. Get back to me when you meet Matt again. Laters, Mrs Blackstone" She mocked and hung up.

She is just too silly. I chuckled and shook my head.

"We could arrange yours and the Matt guy's wedding you know?" I froze at Dustin's sudden outburst.

I slowly turned my body to see him. He was leaning his shirtless body on the balcony's doorframe with his hand folded on his chest. his always neatly styled hair was scattered.

"I never thought the great Dustin Blackstone knew how to eavesdrop on others conversation." I folded my hands on my chest with an arched eyebrow.

He scoffed "You wish. I wasn't eavesdropping on your worthless conversation you were just too annoyingly loud" He said and went back into the bedroom.

Not in my wildest dream will I ever fall in love with this good for nothing. He is just too annoying. I boiled with anger.

The hotel's pool area was the most extravagant pool i have ever seen. It was flooded with people of different race and gender. I searched for an empty lounger and found one just by the poolside. I made my way to the lounger and laid on it. I took out a fashion magazine from my tote bag and began to read. Few minutes into the magazine, I dozed off.

"Hello to you Mrs Blackstone." a deep husky voice greeted. I opened my eyes slightly to see a big muscular body standing right in front of me. I sat up to get a more clearer view and the person happened to be Matt Rodriguez.

"H h hi" I greeted back, my words held up in my throat.

"I was over there when I saw you come in but I couldn't come to you sooner because I was in a serious conversation with someone." He pointed to a bar.

"Oh. That's okay." I answered anxiously.

"What do you say about lunch?" He offered

"Erm...... that's fine." I smiled nervously.

'Get yourself together Ari' I said in my head.

I packed my stuffs back into my tote bag and followed him to the hotel's restaurant.

We took a table that was by the window and just shortly, a waitress came for our order.

"So, you are Dustin Blackstone's wife?" He asked his eyes not leaving mine. His stare was so uncomfortable that I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

"Something like that." I chuckled nervously.

Why does he make me so nervous?

"Something like that?" He laughed.

The sound of his laugh rang countlessly in my head. How can someone's laugh sound so nice to the ears?

"You should have no reasons to deny that. I mean if you are his wife, it should be a good thing right? Every lady want what you have, you know right?" He said.

Oh please, not him too. Everyone I have met just keep reminding me of how lucky I am but nobody except Mercy, know what I am going through with that man. He is a pain in the arse.

"I thought you went back with Mr and Mrs Rodriguez yesterday." I tried to change the topic.

"Yeah. I only dropped them off at the airport and came back. I still have lots of things to take care of before going back." He explained.

"Oh. okay then."

Our orders arrived and we started eating.

"I hope Dustin wouldn't mind that I invited his lovely wife out for lunch?" He asked.

"I don't think he would mind and by the way he is busy in his world." I smiled and he chuckled.

"You can't blame him you know, he is a business man and a very diligent one." He said.

"Do you guys know each other personally?" I asked with my eyebrows knitted in a curious way.

"Not quite. We have only met at events and just one time my parents introduced us, then yesterday when I was introduced to you." He explained further.

"Okay. You seem to speak for him a lot. Wait! Do you perhaps like him too?" I narrowed my eyes and arched an eyebrow at him in an interrogating way.

"What?!" He almost choked on his food

"No! of course not. I was just trying to make you understand him since I am a business man myself." He said.

"Okay but I was just joking." I laughed.

"I am straight. I am into beautiful women like you but unfortunately for me, you are already taken and by a powerful business tycoon too." He said jokingly.

I wish I could tell him my marriage with Dustin is not real. We may be married in paper but not in heart.

"Yeah." I tried to smile.

We enjoyed the rest of our lunch in silence, exchanging words once in a while.

"I see you have gotten to meet my wife personally, Mister Rodriguez." I turned abruptly to Dustin's deep and bold voice.

'What is he doing here?'

"Oh, Mister Blackstone." Matt stood up from his seat.

"Yes. We met at the patio and we came for lunch. I hope you don't mind?" Matt asked politely.

Why would he mind? it's not like I mean anything to him.

"I wouldn't mind if only she had picked my calls." He smiled mischievously at me. but I could feel the tension in his voice

"Did you call?" i took out my phone from my tote bag and checked to see if I had any missed calls. He wasn't lying, he called but only once. So what is with the 'Calls'.

"Sorry my phone was on silent." I apologized.

"It's okay. I only called to tell you to get your things ready." He said.

"Why?" Confusion laced my face.

"We will be going back home tonight.." He blurted.

"Tonight?" I asked in shock.

"Why? You have not had enough of our honeymoon? Tsk tsk tsk! my dear wife is such a naughty girl. You have had enough of me. Now, it is time to go back home and focus on work, my darling" He faked a smile and pinched my cheeks.

Ewww!

"Mister Rodriguez? Thank you for keeping my wife company. I will surely pay you back for your kindness." He shook Matt's hands.

"It's my pleasure." Matt smiled and shook his hand too.

"I expect you to be in the room in ten minutes." He whispered into my ear and pecked my cheek to not make Matt suspect a thing and walked away.

I stood there still trying to assimilate everything he said to me.

"So, this means goodbye then?" Matt's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"Erm...." I looked at him and his captivating smile.

"I guess that's a yes." I said with a little bit of sadness.

"It was a pleasure meeting you Mrs Blackstone and thank you for having lunch with me." he brought his hand forward for a handshake.

"It's Ariana or Ari and it's a pleasure meeting you too." I shook his hand.

"Okay Ariana." He chuckled and I smiled.

The spark between us cannot be denied or was it just me?.

********

Dustin's Pov

I was at the hotel's restaurant, holding a meeting with a new investor I just found for the jewelry store. I shouldn't be the one doing this but what does she know? Though grandma handed the jewelry store over to her but she is still a newbie and an i***t when it comes to things like these. She didn't even know what she was wearing around her neck when we met the Rodriguez yesterday.

"I heard you just got married to a beautiful woman and she is likely to take over the jewelry store." Mr Williams said to me.

How news fly. I bet the whole world knows I got married. Well, what am I saying? I am Dustin Blackstone. The country's most richest bachelor...... I mean marri-...... Ugh! I can't say it.

"Yes. I just got married and she will be taking over the store." I faked a smile.

"She should be with you then. Is she around? I'd like to meet her." He said

I flashed back to her outburst of how tired and jetlagged she was when I invited her to breakfast with Mister and Mrs Rodriguez.

"She has been meeting lots of investors and she is tired. Mr Williams, you should understand how fragile women are and I do not think I want my wife to fall sick. it will make me very sad." I lied.

"Oh I understand. You seem to be very caring and it shows how good of a husband you are." He commended.

'if only he knew' I scoffed inwardly.

Just as I concluded my meeting with Mister Williams and he left, my personal assistant informed me that Ariana was in the restaurant too.

I looked to the direction she pointed at and I saw my stupid wife with Matt Rodriguez.

I flashed back to the conversation she had with someone on the phone this morning and how she was praising Matt's handsomeness. Not that I care or jealous, I just detest it when someone play rivalry with me over what belongs to me. Married on agreement or not, she is still mine and mine only.

I walked up to them and to say I did not see the shock on Ariana's face when she turned to look at me, would be a lie.

I gave Matt a deadly glare but I compressed it with a fake smile, so it was not visible to them.

After exchanging more words, I snarled words into Ariana's ear and I left the vicinity.

I sat on the bed in the hotel room, impatiently checking my wrist watch and tapping my feet on the floor. if after ten minutes and she is not in the room by then, she will get it from me.

Eight minutes later, she entered into the room.

"What did I tell you about wandering around?" I roared but still trying to keep my cool. I could swear I saw her flinch but quickly comport herself.

"Well, you didn't tell me I was a prisoner." She talked back.

"Hey! listen to me! Do not talk back when I talk to you, you hear me?!" I snarled.

She stared into my eyes, she was going to talk but decided against it I guess, because nothing came out of her mouth. Did she give up on me? I mean, what does her silence mean?

'Silence is the best answer for a fool.' a voice interpreted in my head.

She brought out her travelling bag and start to pack her stuffs in it.

"Get yourself ready. When we get back home, you are going to be meeting and convincing investors to invest in the jewelry store. That is your job as the manager of the store." I informed her.

"I don't think I am cut off for that." She said still packing her stuffs Into the bag.

"That is not my business. You should tell that to Grandma not me."

She dropped what she was doing and walked up to my front.

"Choose one, it is either you convince her for me or watch your precious Jewelry store go down the drain." She threatened.

I stared into her eyes and they were so captivating.

"Then, that will show how incompetent and unconfident you are." I said still looking into her eyes. I saw her overly confident eyes drop to zero. I got her.

She rubbed her face and groaned out in frustration.

"This was not what I bargained for!" She blurted.

"Well, you signed up for this. You should rather be grateful for the opportunity given to you on platter of gold. It's not like you are deserving or anything." I said with a mischievous smirk on my face.

She glared at me. Her anger visible through her face.

"Just stop!....... Stop looking down on me! Who do you think you?! Uhn! Yes! I agree, you are fortunate to be very rich but not everyone is as fortunate as you. You think i'd agree to this torturous marriage if I had other ways?!" She yelled, tears streaming down her face.

"You got it good. So do not think others are lazy....... We just have different luck." She said as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand, then she went into the bathroom.

After her outburst, I couldn't help but feel bad within me. I think I might went too far this time around. 'You got it good, so do not think others are lazy. We just have different luck' last sentence rang in my head.

The drive to the airport was painstakingly silent. No one said nothing to the other. I kept on glancing at her but she had her head turned to the other side, she didn't look away from the road.

'What is going on in that head of hers?' I wondered.

I kinda felt something aside from dislike for her maybe 'pity'? but no! thinking back to my mother, I am still not going to change my mind about women. They are all the same, 'Golddiggers'

By the time we got to the airport, she had dozed off. I was going to touch her, to wake her up but I restrained.

I cleared my throat severally till I started to feel some sore pain in my throat.

'Wouldn't have been better you did what you suggested earlier? now your ego has given you a sore throat.' a voice said in my head.

She jolted up and looked around hastily.

"Are we here?" She asked groggily.

"Yes. Get In the plane." I instructed and alighted from the car.

I heard the car door open and close behind me and I heard her following behind me. We got settled into the Jet and few minutes later, we were up in the sky.

When we got back to the house, the maids were aligned and grandma was in the middle of them. As for the maids, that is what they do to welcome me back home but as for grandma, she must have been outside to welcome Ariana back home.

Ariana and I got down from the car, the maids bowed to greet us but grandma hugged Ariana Instead.

"Oh my dear Ariana." She hugged her excitedly

"Grandma." Ariana smiled back.

"How was your vacation? Did you enjoy yourself yourself?" She inquired.

"Well, it was okay." Ariana answered reluctantly.

Grandma gave me a sharp look and frown laced her forehead.

"What did you do?" She knitted her eyebrow at me.

"What?! What could I possibly do to her?" I replied and went inside the house.

My grandma is so unbelievable. She doesn't even care about me anymore, she chose a stranger over her own grandson.

I opened the door into my room and almost thought I entered Into the wrong room. What I saw left my eyes widely opened.

Our wedding portraits of different sizes were hung up on the well and were even placed on each bedside tables.

This is what it is now?!

I left the room in anger and stomped down the stairs.

"Why has my room become an art studio? What is with the wedding portraits everywhere in the room?" I said loudly facing my grandma because no one else would dare to do that but her.

"Your room? It seems you have forgotten that it has become 'Our room' because you now share the room with your dear wife." She replied with no sign of remorse.

I rubbed my forehead in frustration.

"Don't you think you are doing too much already? We had an agreement, right?" I said in total frustration.

"We never agreed on you not sharing the room. Come on dear, you must be tired from your flight" She said to Ariana and stood up with her, then went upstairs to the room.

Argh! I groaned out in frustration.

She is f*****g getting on my nerves.

'What would you do?' that stupid voice said again.

What could I possibly do to my grandmother? nothing!

My phone rang in my pocket and brought it out to see the caller. Ben! another headache.

"Yes?" I answered the phone.

"Yo! man. Is that any way to greet your best friend?" He replied

"I am in no mood for silliness this evening. Just tell me why you called before I pass my aggression on you." I warned him discreetly.

"What's up your f*****g ass again? well, I called to inform you that Melissa is in the country and would like to meet up with us. So, what do you say?"

Melissa?! In the country? Melissa is also my childhood friend and my first love but she left the country when we were about thirteen years old. Why is she back now?

"Hey buddy! you there?" Ben called out and I jolted back to reality.

"Yes. I need to check my schedule with my PA to see if I could make it happen this weekend." I replied.

"Okay then. How is your newly wedded wife? and how was the honeymoon?" He asked and I am certain he'd have a stupid smirk on his face.

"Later Ben." I said and hung up.

I returned my phone into my pocket and raced to my room.

When I got to the room, grandma was already instructing the maids to arrange Ariana's clothes and stuffs inside the wardrobe.

"Do I at least get my own space?" I asked

"No!" She answered sharply.

I glared at Ariana but she shrugged her shoulders instead.

I instructed the maids to get my stuffs and arrange them in another room. I'd rather leave the room than watch my privacy being intruded a stranger.

"Just what do you think you are doing?" Grandma asked with a hardened face.

"Something that will keep me from going crazy." I replied nonchalantly.

"You'd rather listen to yourself than to me?"

"There was an agreement when you forced me to marry her but now you are going back on your words. How do you think I will feel seeing all these stupid things hung on the walls? There is even more on the tables. I bet you'd print a big frame for the front door too." I replied her not caring about whatever.

"Now I see I mean absolutely nothing to you." she said sadly then walked out of the room and Ariana ran after her.

This is what she does to get her way, emotionally blackmailing me but it won't work this time around.

***********

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hello moi lovlies???

How are you guys doing?

What do you think about this chapter?

What do you think about Matt?

Do you think he is the best love rival for Dustin?

Let me know in the comment section. Thank you for reading my books!!!!

Love you guys sooooo much! Muah!??