The Substitute Wife

Chapter One

It was in the midst of the night, but her eyes were wide and opened. Looking at the man who was sleeping soundly next to hers.There were her slender fingers tracing his unscathed and handsome face. It did not take her long enough to fall in love with him. He was the perfect man she had laid eyes on. Good looking, well built body and never-ending wealth. Meeting him was very unexpected and mysterious. One day, he showed up in the shabby little town called Missi. Where she was born and was raised in a simple living. It was the first time she had met such an elegant man who claimed to be her destiny. She wasn't convinced by his words, but he kept visiting and got her parents' trust and they had agreed to let him have her. To live together in his wide and silent luxury mansion. He did not make her feel like he was a stranger. In fact, she was confused by how he treated and cared for her. He seemed like he had known her a long time ago. The way he spoke was filled with gentleness and love, the way he looked and caressed her hair. He was good at doing it. There was no doubt about everything he did to her.

"Hmm, can't sleep?" He intertwined their fingers and pulled her closer. She could feel his heartbeat and warmth. And every time he did it, she felt safe and loved. Which made her heart love him more as days passed by.

"Yeah, my eyes won't just shut." He was 30 years old and she was 22. She found it very strange at first how far their age gap was. But Alexander never cared about it , they were just numbers. 'I love you and that's all that matters,'he mentioned before. And that's where she took the initiative to forget about it.

"Do you want me to sing a lullaby?" It was the first time he had offered to sing. They've been living together for almost a year, and he never did or said that to her. He doesn't even call her name once, nor ask for it. Sandy Egeneman didn't exist, there was only her body and nickname which he always called, Amara. And it had been bothering her since day one, but she was getting used to it until she let him. She asked him one time and he only said, it was the name that suited her. Beautiful and sweet woman, Amara.

"Yeah, I'd love to." Those were her last words. She tried to close her eyes as she listened to his soothing voice. But she was more bothered when his tone on the last sentence turned very sad and aching.

'Take my hands, take my whole life too. But I can't help falling in love with you..'

"Are you okay,?" Sandy tried to touch his face, but he held her hands and kissed her passionately. She was lost for a moment but started to kiss him back. The confusion in her thoughts had faded instantly.

"Ms. Amara, Master was waiting for you at the breakfast table." one of the chambermaids,, spoke with manners. Sandy just got out of the shower room and saw her fixing and cleaning the bed. She woke up without Alexander beside her, and it was expected. And somehow she was getting used to his weird actions and behavior sometimes.

"Thank you, I will be there in a minute." One thing that the maidservants adored about her was being soft-hearted and genuine. But she could never forget how their knees trembled and turned pale upon seeing her. It was one of the mysteries that kept lurking in her mind. And she was hoping that one day or when the timing came to her, there would be answers to her confusion.There were some restricted areas in the part of the mansion where she was forbidden to enter. She was never allowed to go outside without him, beside her. Sandy found it very weird how her personal maid looked like they had seen a ghost every time they fixed her hair and make-up. And all of those stood unanswered and shoved her to overthink countlessly.

"Ms. Amara, which one would you like to wear today? This peach one or plain white dress?" Charlotte, one of her personal maids, interrupted her thoughts. Her attention caught the white dress in her right hand. She took it from her and level on her body, indeed, she looked beautiful. The white color made her porcelain skin lighten more.

" What do you think?" The maid stared at her with sparkling eyes. Sandy always predicted her response every time she asked her opinion.

"You look beautiful, Ms. Amara. How would you like your hair to be fixed?" she glanced at her reflection in the wide range of mirror in front of her. Usually, she had it braided into waterfalls but a sudden idea popped into her head.

"I would like to free my hair today, but you can place a couple of hairpins on each side of my head." Her personal maid did as she said. She then gently combed her black and silky hair and let it fall behind her back.

"Now you look like an angel, and breakfast is ready. Do you want me to escort you downstairs?" Charlotte was four years older than her. But the woman sometimes acted the same age as her. Among the five personal maids, she was more comfortable talking to her.

" Thank you for your help, Charl. I will find my way to the breakfast table. You still have plenty of chores to do." After sliding some golden flat shoes. She headed outside of her room. The soft edges of her dress were bouncing nonstop as her legs walked along the grand staircase, downstairs.

Alexander was sitting on the chair, staring at her with admiration in his deep blue eyes. The man did not flinch and stayed focused, watching every step she took. And there went her wild heart, beating rapidly as they both stared at each other's eyes. She wasn't planning on taking her gaze at his perfect face. The clearer angle of his jawline and the perfect growth of his long and thick eyelashes. His slender nose and kissable lips. She could still picture how his eyes darkened more every time he looked at her, as they made love. But mostly, she finds it cute when his thick and dark eyebrows furrow when he gets upset.

"I missed you, and you never failed me to be mesmerized with your dazzling beauty. Take a seat, mi amore." He took a peck on her lips after she had settled. Her alluring green eyes glowed happily as he filled the food on her plate.