In Her Place

CHAPTER 2 - HENRY

As his car drove into his huge compound, where a massive mansion stood at the center, my heart began to race heavily against my chest, I hoped to see henry again – someday. But not like this, does he even remember my name? He never really paid attention to me and was always all over clara, even though it was I who mentioned I liked him first to my sister.

But I guess it doesn’t even matter, would clara really have agreed to this, I hope he doesn’t attempt to consummate this madness, he’d have to drug me because that’s a boundary I’m not willing to put down, not tonight…not for him.

I chuckled at my thoughts which echoed in that quiet. “can’t contain your excitement to consummate your wedding.” Sarcasm brewing in his words as he stayed focused on the wheels. he hasn’t said a single thing since our drive, well… anything to ease the nervousness building up in me.

“Please feel at home.” Henry gestured to the couch for me to sit on before disappearing into a corner of the mansion and returning with a glass cup and a bottle of wine.

He served me, with nothing readable on his face, looking as radiant as ever.

‘Just when did he get this hot’ I pondered as I stared at his brown eyes, his dark hair faint with uneven waves scattered through it like they couldn’t decide whether to stay straight or curl, with tiny diamond earrings in his ear I just noticed, he caught my gaze.

“mind if I ask why we’re having a glass of wine whilst your bride is unconscious at the hospital.” I asked with a huge lump forming in my throat. Instead of replying, he smirked a smile “clara is in safe hands.” as he dashed out of the room.

I checked my hand watch wondering how time had passed quickly; I guess I had to pick any room of my choice as the guest room.

“Hey I was looking for you.” Henry’s faint deep voice caught my ear, I thought we were the only ones in the mansion, he has maids too?

Footsteps approached and a cologne I would recognize anywhere filled the air, clara approached me grabbed my hand which seemed to be shaking as I stared at her.

My lips apart with a thousand questions ready to fall out of it.

“we wanted to tell you, Nora… I promise, we wanted to but we couldn’t risk it.” Clara stared and my heart skipped a beat again.

I pointed towards Henry in anticipation of a better explanation “ there are so many people who don’t want us married, don’t want Henry to finally take his place as heir and claim his place in the company ,these people would take extreme measures, they’ll do anything to stop it, hence we had to take precautions ,you have to understand.” she said with a smile dancing on her lips.

“Are you saying I was bait?” I tried not to feel hurt, keeping the tears racing to come out under control. “no no…nothing like that, a diversion, yes but never a bait.” she said as she walked up to him and planted a kiss on his lips, with a beautiful smile, totally ignoring my presence as he gathered her into his arms, showering her face with kisses while I watched like the outsider I was, my phone pinged with a message, it began ringing so I decided to excuse myself.

“where’s the guest room?” I asked and clara pointed to the right, so I went there, opened the door, and began talking, it was a business call so I struggled to keep my voice clean without the seizures and sobs.

By 1am in the midnight, I was barely settled in my room and was going through my call log, I had dialed my parents number countless times. Either they were fast asleep or they were intentionally ignoring me as they probably played a huge role in this, not considering my feelings.

I was about dialing my bestie’s number to fill her in on the day I’ve had when I heard a knock on the door.

“come in,” I said thinking it was clara ‘what could she possibly want to say to me that would wave off the fact that I played bait for her without knowing, I wondered only to look up at the sound of the door opening and see Henry walking in.

My hands trembled, my phone falling from my hand to the bed as I watched him stop in front of my bed, his hands in his pockets.

He was still on his shirt from today’s occasion, the sides and arms now very visible withouth the jacket, struggling to contain his build as he fixed his cufflinks, his hair brushed and tweaked in a way that all the strands were let out in perfect curves.

“hi – hi.” I stuttered, but he didn’t reply; rather, he kept watching me almost poking holes through my skin.

His stare was so intense that my entire body felt like it was on fire, my palms steaming with sweat as I looked everywhere else in the room, but him.

“what happened yesterday wasn’t okay if I were to be honest,” I heard him say and turn to widen my eyeballs at him, I expected an apology but not from him.

It was unexpected.

“our actions were unfair, but you see, no harm would come to you as security was tight and up.” His explanations didn’t add up, if the security was tight why switch the bride, but that wasn’t my concern now, all that matters is that someone for once had a sense of pity to consider there actions wasn’t fair to me.

“apology accepted,” I think I saw a smile cross his lips ,but when I blinked, it was gone, like I had stolen something from him.

“you looked wonderful in that dress today anyways.” I chucked trying to ease the tension.

He leaned in further and buried a one time kiss on my forehead, and his gaze said that wasn’t enough as he buried another on my lips almost eating me up, he grabbed me by the shoulder, his touch sending Goosebumps all over my body, I found it difficult to breath, feeling saliva gathered around in my mouth. I gulped them down, my heart racing.

His hands stroked my face, his finger tips drawing circles on my lower lip.

He leaned in more deeper and bit hard on it, almost drawing blood, I winced in pleasure and held him in when his tongue swiped against me and my legs went weak.

They shook on the bed, my n*****s hardening as I felt his entire body pressed against me.

Wait, was I causing him erection?

He rocked my body gently and a moan escaped my lips as he kissed the corner of my mouth. His hand running through my hair, under my dress he found my panties and rubbed circles on my p***y.

His hands did wonders, I threw myself backwards into the pillow as I held him back briefly, and looked deep into his eyes when the door flung open and Clara came in.

“Nora.” She called, but froze in her steps, he mouth wide apart at the position Henry and I were in.