Chapter Two : The Game Is On'
1627 Words
April’s POV
I let out a deep breath as the wedding ceremony finally came to an end. The ordeal was quick and I could finally relax. The drive to Marcus's mansion was brief, and before I knew it, we were pulling up to the largest mansion I had ever seen.
The mansion was breathtaking, with towering columns and beautifully manicured lawns. I felt a sense of awe as I stepped out of the car and gazed up at the imposing structure.
I followed Marcus into my new residence, but I was still livid, especially after seeing Julian walking beside him, her hand clasped in his. I felt a surge of fury and discomfort at their intimate gesture.
Marcus seems happy to notice my reaction, smiling warmly at his mistress as they walked together. On the other hand, Julian glanced at me, a hint of a shrewd smile playing on her crimson-smeared lips.
I felt a pang of unease as I realized that Julian was still very much a part of Marcus' life. The wedding vows we had exchanged just hours before seemed to mean little to him as he blatantly flaunted his illicit relationship with her.
I took a deep breath and tried to push aside my feelings of jealousy and insecurity. I had known what I was getting into when I married Marcus, and I couldn't expect him to change overnight. But as I watched Marcus and Julian walk together, hand in hand, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for our complicated little trio.
I turned away from the sight of them, feeling a sense of detachment. I didn't care about their display of affection. I had more important things on my mind.
I made my way to my bed after the maid deposited my bags and closed my assigned bedroom door behind her. I took a deep breath and picked up the phone, dialing the hospital's number.
I waited for someone to answer as I felt a sense of anxiety wash over me. I had been worried about my mom all day and I just wanted to know that she was okay.
Finally, someone picked up the phone, and I asked to speak to the doctor who was in charge of my mother. After a few minutes, he came on the line, and I asked him about my mom's condition.
He reassured me that she was doing well since the surgery had been a success, and that she was recovering nicely. I felt a wave of relief wash over me, and I thanked the surgeon for the update.
I hung up the phone with a sense of calm washing over me. My mom was going to be okay, and that's all that mattered. Marcus and Julian could do whatever they wanted with their lives. As long as mother’s condition was stable, I couldn't care less if they decided to elope!
A few minutes later, the maid returned to my room. "Ma'am, I need to move your things," she said as she gathered my still untouched luggage.
I looked at her in confusion. "Why? Where are you taking my stuff?"
The maid hesitated before answering, "The boss wants to see you in the master bedroom, ma'am."
I repeated the sentence in my head, "The boss wants me in the master bedroom." For what? I wondered. Is this his idea of playing house?
I pushed open the door to Marcus's room, expecting to see Julian lounging on the bed. But instead, I was met with a sight that made my heart skip a beat. Marcus was lying on the bed, his shirt half-open, revealing a glimpse of his chiseled chest. My eyes were drawn to the curling hair that dusted his skin, and I couldn't help but stare.
Marcus's voice broke the spell, his tone low and husky. "Have you had enough?" he asked, his eyes glinting with amusement. It was clear that he knew exactly what I was thinking.
I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I tore my gaze away from his chest. "What do you want?" I asked, trying to sound calm despite the turmoil that intensely brewed inside me.
"What do you think I want?" he asked, his voice low and mysterious. He stood up from the bed and began to walk towards me, his eyes fixed on mine. I moved back, trying to create some distance between us, but my back hit the wall, trapping me.
He kept moving closer, his eyes scanning me up and down, making me feel like a specimen under a microscope. I tried to move away, but he was too strong, too imposing. I was frozen in place, unsure of what he was going to do next.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally moved back, a small smile playing on his lips. "I want your things in here," he said, his voice firm. "And make sure the maids know that we spent the night together."
I was taken back by his request. What was he trying to achieve? Why did he want everyone to think we were together?
Before I could ask him any questions, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me feeling confused and frustrated. I was left intently wondering about Marcus Blackwood's attitude and what he was really after from me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marcus’ POV
I stepped out of my bedroom, my mind reeling from the encounter with April. I had intended to toy with her emotions, to gauge her s****l attraction to me. But instead, I found myself unsettled and bothered. My body was aflame with desire, and all I could think about was taking her right then and there.
But I had to remind myself that April was just a means to an end. She was the key to unlocking my inheritance, a requirement set by my father. I couldn't let my desires cloud my judgment.
"Don't let that little Miss Nobody get under your skin, Marcus," I chided myself, trying to shake off the feeling of attraction. But it was hard to deny the way April made me feel. She was beautiful, captivating, and as for tonight, my legal wife.
"Focus, Marcus, keep your damned focused," I muttered irritably, willing my body to behave.
I entered the guest room, and my heart sank. Julian was sitting on the bed, crying her eyes out. I felt a pang of guilt and concern, and I quickly went to comfort her. What had happened? Why was she so upset? I saw my wedding pictures displayed on her phone.
“This was supposed to be me, standing beside you Marcus,” she hoarsely whimpered, finally getting my full attention. “What were you thinking now, Marcus?” Julian's eyes searched mine, and I could tell she was already suspecting that something was amiss. "Is it… April?" she hesitantly asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I tried to brush it off, but Julian's gaze lingered, as if she could see right through me. We lay down together, but the tension between us was palpable. We usually made love with passion and intensity. However, tonight, it felt forced, and we both knew it.
I fell asleep, exhausted from the events of the day, but Julian remained awake, her mind racing with questions and doubts.
As I drifted off, I could sense Julian's eyes on me, wondering what was going on, and why I was distant. But I couldn't bring myself to tell her the truth - that I had felt a spark of attraction towards April, and it had left me unsettled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April’s POV
Around dawn, Marcus slipped back into the master’s bedroom, trying to be stealthy. Unfortunately for both of us, I was wide awake, my senses on high alert. I couldn't sleep, not after the events of the day. My mind was racing with thoughts of Marcus and his mistress, Julian.
A spark of anger ignited within me as I thought about how he had undoubtedly spent the night in another woman's room, assuredly, passionately pleasuring each other. I felt a surge of possessiveness, and my determination hardened. Marcus was my husband, no matter how unconventional our marriage was. And I was going to make sure he remembered that.
No little mistress was going to come in and disrupt our marriage! I decided then and there that I will not be ignored or pushed aside. With a newfound sense of resolve, I drifted off to sleep, a plan already forming in my mind.
Things were about to get a little crazy around here.
It began that morning…
I made my grand entrance downstairs, and the dining room fell silent as all bewildered eyes turned to me. Marcus and Julian's gazes locked onto mine, and I could sense a flicker of surprise, even admiration, in my husband's eyes. He couldn't seem to tear his gaze away from me, and I felt a thrill of satisfaction that I had achieved my aim.
"Good morning," I remarked, my voice sweet and cheerful, as I slid into my seat at the breakfast table. I smiled warmly at Lucy, the maid, who was hovering nearby. "What are we having for breakfast, Lucy?” I asked.
The young red-haired servant launched into an enthusiastic recitation of the dishes on the table, and I listened attentively, nodding along. "Can you get me some fresh orange juice, please?" I asked, smiling at her as she excused herself to fetch it.
As Lucy bustled off, I turned my attention back to Marcus and Julian, who were still watching me with interest. I met Marcus's gaze, holding it for a moment before looking away, a small smile playing on my lips…
The game was on.!
- Writer
