Chapter 55: For as long as we both shall live
Bulky limbs acted as a heavy weight that pinned her down on the bed, numbing her arms and legs and mildly suffocating her lungs as she gasped for air.
What was that? She felt like she was trapped under a big log as she struggled to move.
Forcing her eyes open, she finally saw the face of the man who had her entire body trapped in a tight grip, like a snake that didn’t want to lose its prey.
"Oliver." She whispered, wanting to wake him up and get him off her body. But he didn’t even stir.
With her heart beating harder against her chest, she tried to slowly move his arms off her body, but it was like lifting a massive rock.
"Damn! What have you been eating?" She muttered, not remembering him to be this heavy. "And when do you get the time to work out?" Realizing that his body had probably doubled in size since the last time she truly saw him this up close.
As much as she wanted to hate him, having him near brought back memories that she preferred to stay buried in her mind. Emotions that she would rather forget than relive.
"What are you doing to me, Oliver?" She asked as her eyes stared at those lips that whispered all those sweet nothings to her.
"I hate you..." Then, with her one free hand, she moved a few of his hairs away from his face. Careful, not to wake him up. "Yet, I can’t stop loving you."
It was the truth that she could not deny anymore. Despite everything, her heart still beat only for him.
"But I will never forgive you." Because this man had ruined her life.
"Oliver." Louder this time. Still, it was like she was talking to empty air when he didn’t even make a sound.
With every bit of strength she had, she wiggled her body out of his grasp until she had set herself free. Unfortunately, just when she thought she could finally walk away, a hand snatched her wrist, forcing her back to his side.
"You’re awake." The realization made her glare at him. Eyes wide. Jaw dropped. Stunned.
"Were you awake all this time?" She questioned, wondering if he had heard any of the things she had said.
Suddenly, scared.
What if he did?
"I just woke up." He finally answered as he blinked his eyes several times, as if he was trying to get rid of the fog in his eyes.
Without warning, with one swift move, he had her trapped again. But this time, he had her caged underneath him, with no way to escape.
His hands bound her wrists above her head while her body was pinned against his solid body and the soft cushion of the bed.
"Why?" He looked at her, focusing his eyes on hers as if he was digging through her thoughts. "Did I miss anything?" He asked, eyebrows furrowed into a deep crevice on his forehead.
Looking both curious and intrigued.
"Nothing." She could only hope that he was telling her the truth, but his eyes didn’t seem to suspect anything. "Anyway, can you get off me? I need to get to work."
It was her first day as his assistant. Even though her husband was her boss, she still didn’t want any special treatment. She didn’t want to be late.
"I’m the boss. No need to..."
"No!" She stopped him. "In this house, I’m your wife, but in the office, I’m your employee." She wanted that clear.
It was hard enough to keep up with this farce of a marriage in this house. She didn’t want people in the office gossiping about their working relationship, too. It was best if they kept their relationship professional.
This time, she kicked him on his side, and at the same time, pushed his chest with all her might. She knew it would hardly hurt him, but he pretended to crouch and roll on the bed, letting his grip on her wrist loose.
Quickly, she bounced out of bed and ran to the bathroom to get ready.
But her feet froze before she could disappear when he spoke again.
"Are you afraid of me?" The question sliced into her heart like a knife, sending shivers through her spine.
It was the way he said those words, the tone of his voice. It was as if he was digging into her soul.
Of course, she was afraid. Actually, she was terrified of what he might unearth and discover beneath her mask of lies.
But a deep part of her told her that there was nothing to fear. He was still Oliver. The man she loved. The man who always chose to settle things diplomatically rather than use violence.
"I don’t know." She replied with a confused expression. But she could not answer him with a yes or a no.
Still, there was something about his eyes that made her question what she felt for him. Which one weighed more? Love or hate?
She knew he wanted answers, but until now, she had none.
If she only wanted revenge, then the answer should be easy. Then, why was she hesitating? What was stopping her from saying yes?
"Have you killed a man?" The question was out of her lips before she could even think about it. But it was a question that was playing on her mind constantly every time she thought of him as the Mafia Don.
"Yes." Clear. Simple. Straight to the point.
It was exactly what she had expected, but why did she still hope that she was wrong?
"How many?" For some unknown reason, she wanted to know. She needed to know who the man was that she had married.
Hearing him say yes shattered all the illusions she had about the Oliver she once knew.
"Too many..." This time, he didn’t wish to elaborate, cutting his answer short.
In that moment, she wondered if she should have just kept her mouth shut. But would she be content to live in a lie? A life that was enveloped with secrets and deceptions.
"Why?" Again, she had to know that the man behind her was not just a cold-blooded murderer.
What happened to the man that she loved six years ago?
Did he change after she left him? Or had he always been a wolf in a sheep’s clothing? A predator, just waiting for the right time to strike.
"Does it matter?" In a swift movement, he stood behind her, not touching, but his mere closeness was enough to send goosebumps throughout her skin. The slight hint of his breath at the back of her neck created a spark that immediately raged into a wildfire.
Was it fear? Or desire? Probably both.
"Yes. Of course, it matters." His answer would determine what kind of monster he had turned out to be.
Was he just another psychopath who killed for the pleasure of it? Was he a vigilante who just wanted to save the world?
Or was he just another greedy businessman, driven by his hunger for more wealth and power?
Nonetheless, what was her right to demand that the most notorious criminal explain himself?
Moreover, would a man like him answer her truthfully?
"They deserved it." A direct, uncomplicated answer reached her understanding. Like a bright light, it shed some clarity on her doubts and reservations.
In her mind, it somewhat justified his actions. Although, of course, it still didn’t excuse him from the law.
"Sorry." He apologized, but she had no idea why.
What was he apologizing for?
Was he referring to her parents? His son?
Was he finally acknowledging he had something to do with their deaths?
"I’m sorry if I’m not the kind of husband who would go to work in the morning and come home to dinner on time. Who would sit with you on the couch to watch movies all night until we both fell asleep laughing or crying?"
"I’m sorry if I can’t go out on picnics with you on the weekends and pretend that it will be another quiet and uneventful day." Oliver continued, enumerating the things that she had thought a married life should be.
"I wasn’t asking you to do any of that." She suddenly said, confused why he was saying all those things to her.
"But I’m asking you to be my wife. For real. For a lifetime. Forever. For as long as we both shall live." He declared as if he were bearing his soul to her.
"Why are you doing this? Why me?" It didn’t make sense. As far as she knew, he still barely knew her. At least, Sophia Maddison. Why would he want to be with her?
"Because I like you." He confessed, then stopped. He still didn’t touch her, but waited until she looked him in the eyes. As if he read her question, he answered. "I think I’m falling in love with you."
The shock must have registered on her face because he suddenly smiled. A boyish smile that made him look like the old Oliver she knew.
"Is this a prank?" She finally recovered from her bewilderment as she straightened and broke their connection. "Well, it’s not funny."
She turned away, ready to bolt, but he stopped her again.
"I’m dead serious. And I want an answer." He spoke as if his voice carried a dangerous promise. "Soon, I hope." Or was it just her fear, afraid to cling to hope?
She walked away. This time, he let her.
Knowing who he was and what he had done, could she still be with a man like him?
But for the sake of her plans, she already knew what her answer would be.
