Chapter Five: Confrontations
1970 Words
April woke up with energy with a flutter of excitement as she thought about the upcoming visit from Marcus's family. She had met his parents before, but it had been a while since they'd all been together, especially since the wedding.
She knew that Marcus's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood, were warm and kind people, and she was looking forward to seeing them again. But she is worried about Marcus coming in late. She doesn't want them to see Julian coming home with him.
She took a deep breath, smoothing out her dress as she headed downstairs to make sure everything was ready for their arrival.
She ordered the maids to prepare their favorite meal and to make sure that their wedding pictures were all in place. After seeing that everything was finally in perfect order, April went upstairs to shower and dress properly.
Meanwhile, miles away from the newlyweds’ mansion…
Marcus and Julian came down from the private jet and entered the awaiting car. After both were safely settled inside, the limo moved forward.
“I want an apartment, Marcus,” Julian said without looking at him. “I need my sister closer to me and I want it in one of your family estates.”
“I will get you a private apartment where you can move in with your family. It doesn't have to be the estate,” the well-built Blackwood heir assured his mistress while looking through his email in his expensive triple-fold mobile.
Julian turned to him immediately, shocked to hear his last statement. “I can move in with my family?” She asked him, not certain if she heard him right.
“I want you out of the house because of my parents. My father is too smart. I know that he didn't buy that story of April needing a female companion, and I don't want them to be suspicious of us.”
“Well then, get me the Bothress estate and I will move out without anyone noticing.”
Marcus's eyes widened in surprise, his face going pale. "Julian, you can't be serious," he retorted, his voice firm but laced with a hint of unease. "The Bothress' estate is not mine to give. It's under my mother's name, and it will eventually belong to my wife.”
Julian's expression was cold, calculating. "I know, and that's why I want it," she said, her voice steeped in malice. “If you can't give it to me, then forget about me moving out. I'll stay in the house, and I'll make sure that your precious April knows her place.”
Marcus's eyes blazed with a fierce warning as he growled, "Stay away from April, Julian. Don't even think about going near her!" His tone was low and menacing, leaving no doubt that he was dead serious.
Julian's smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I'm dead serious, Marcus," she said, her voice vindictive. "You think you can just marry April and forget about me? I don't think so. I've invested too much time and energy on you, and I'm not about to let you go or what we have that easily."
Julian slid closer to Marcus, her piercing stare locked onto his. "As for staying away from April, don't worry. I'll make sure to get to know her... intimately," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "After all, I'm still living in this house, and I'm not going anywhere."
As the front door slammed shut, the tension between Marcus and Julian was palpable, that even the servants who were carrying their luggage from the car could feel it. Marcus quickly retreated upstairs to shower, anxious to compose himself before his parents appeared.
As he stepped into the master’s bedroom, he quickly scanned the suite for April's familiar smile, but she was nowhere to be found. Marcus’ heart sank, and for a moment, he wondered if he was being punished for leaving right after they first made love. Suddenly, the room’s bathroom door swung open, and his wife emerged, looking… stunning. Her blond long hair was tousled, and her skin glowed with a warm, radiant light, as if she'd just been reborn. Marcus’ breath caught in his throat as their eyes met, and he felt his pulse quicken with anticipation.
April smiled in welcome as Marcus' eyes widened in appreciation. He couldn't help but be drawn to her, and before he knew it, he had wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.
"I called you so many times," he whispered, his lips brushing against her ear. "Where were you?"
As he spoke, his hands began to explore her body, his fingers tracing the curves of her waist and hips. April's eyes fluttered closed, and she let out a soft sigh as Marcus's touch sent shivers down her spine.
His hands slipped beneath the towel, caressing her skin and sending waves of pleasure through her body. His wife drew in a ragged but pleasured breath as Marcus’ touch became more insistent, his long fingers lightly brushing against her inner thighs.
The towel slipped from April’s grasp, and Marcus's eyes were drawn to her exposed loveliness. He could not hold back any longer, presently overpowered by the need to be close to her and to make her his once more.
Without a word, Marcus knelt before her, his lips brushing against her skin. April's eyes fluttered closed, and she let out a soft sigh.
Marcus realized that April was already aroused and ready. He felt a surge of pleasure knowing that she was instinctively responding to him. Their love-making was intense, but this time, Marcus slowed down, savoring every moment.
Their movements were gentle, their breathing synchronized. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in their pleasure and passion.
As they reached the peak of their climax, Marcus held April close, cherishing the warmth of her body. They remained entwined, basking in the afterglow of their intimacy.
April descended the stairs first, a bright smile plastered on her face. "Julian, darling, how was your trip?" she asked, her tone laced with mockery, her expression remaining neutral. "I hope it was eventful," she continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Julian’s green eyes sparkled with amusement, but her gaze quickly turned icy as she noticed a love mark on April's neck. Her eyes narrowed, and she felt a surge of jealousy.
Before Julian could confront April, Marcus appeared, asking, "Are they here yet?"
Julian ignored him, and Marcus didn't seem to mind. Instead, he was secretly relieved that he had managed to waylay the redhead’s attention to something else at that moment.
Marcus's parents, Victoria and Reginald Blackwood, entered the house, followed by Marcus’ siblings, Vera and Tyson. Victoria enveloped April in a warm hug as she greeted her son’s new spouse.
“My dear, I hope Marcus is taking good care of you. And how is the trip?
April forced a sincere smile. “Yes, mama, he does. And the trip is great!” she lied while glancing at the man beside her.
Marcus stepped forward to hug his mom. "Of course I do, Mother. Don't you trust me?"
Reginald smiled as he approached them. "I'm glad you two are getting along. Seems my choice was just the right woman, huh, Marcus?"
It was Marcus’ siblings' turn to greet April with kisses on her cheeks, then they tightly embraced their brother. Julian, on the other hand, received only an indifferent nod of acknowledgement from the family.
As the conversation flowed, the older Blackwood couple nor any of their children bothered to include Julian in the exchange. Instead, all of them focused on catching up with their eldest and his new wife. Julian's eyes, however, kept drifting back to April, her expression a mask of politeness hiding a hint of jealousy and unease.
After half an hour of exuberant chatting, Reginald smiled warmly at his son. "Marcus, I can see that April will make you a very happy man, just like your mother has made me all these years," he proclaimed proudly, his eyes twinkling with affection.
This was the closest that the seniorly billionaire could actually get to bragging. Marcus's mother, Victoria, blushed at the compliment. Meanwhile, April smiled genuinely, feeling a sense of warmth and love in their company, which was the first time she ever felt in the house.
But Reginald's next words brought a hint of pressure to the atmosphere. "But your mom and I want to remind you two about our future grandkids," he reminded, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "When are you giving us grandchildren, Marcus?"
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to Marcus and April. Marcus swiftly looked at April, who seemed taken aback and was suddenly shy because of the question.
At the same time, Julian suddenly coughed out what she was drinking, and her face turned bright red. "Sorry," she muttered, her eyes wide and teary with embarrassment.
Everyone turned to face her, bewildered at her reaction. After a moment of awkward silence, Julian quickly got up from her seat.
"Excuse me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
With that, she rushed out of the room, leaving an unsettling aura in her wake.
Reginald gazed sternly at his son. "When is that imposter leaving the house?" he demanded with gritted teeth.
Marcus and April exchanged surprised glances. Reginald’s eyes narrowed at Marcus.
"Did you truly think that I wasn’t aware of your little arrangement?"
"Father, let me explain…" Marcus began.
Reginald raised his hand, silencing him. "Enough, son. I don't want to discuss her or what's been going on here in this house since you got married!"
“Honey, your blood pressure,” Victoria worriedly reminded her husband as he began to raise his voice while her hands moved to his chest. “Please relax, dearest.”
He took a deep breath before continuing. "Your mother and I had an arranged marriage too, but through the years, I grew to love her more than anything in this life… even my own. I personally selected April for you, and I want you to do the right thing. Start a great family, just like your mother and I have done. Make us happy by loving your wife and be a good husband. How on earth can you do that with that disgrace of a female under the same roof as you two?"
“I promise to fix this, Dad. Please trust me. But for now, let’s just have an intimate and civil dinner, alright. For all our sakes.”
Reginald opened his mouth to reply, but his wife gazed at him, wordlessly pleading with him. The Blackwoodl patriarch gave Victoria an imperceptible nod and almost everyone gave a hidden sigh of relief. And it was just in time, too.!
The maids arrived with the various dishes and laid them all on the dining table. It was obvious that they were foregoing the typical formal dinner with multiple courses and were opting for a more pleasurable buffet instead.
Marcus's mother smiled at all the different food on the table. "All my favorites!" she joyously cried out.
"Yes, mom," April replied, beaming with happiness at being part of this wonderful family. “And dad’s as well.”
“What about our faves?” Marcus’ two siblings pretended to whine, causing everybody to laugh.
Marcus acknowledged his wife's reply by squeezing April's hand, and his parents, noticing the tender gesture, exchanged a warm smile.
But unknownst to them, Julian had been listening in on the conversation, seething with resentment. Her eyes blazing with a fierce determination as she whispered to herself...
"I'll make you all cry over your perfect little wife. Just you wait and see, I will make you all pay!"
- Writer
