FATE - can a person in one lifetime fall in love with the same person twice?

Chapter 23

I knew who it was, but I never heard him come in. I opened my eyes to see him inside the room, leaning against the door frame. He was in his white shirt, sleeves rolled up, top buttons undone, and no tie. He had removed his coat and tie.

I climbed out of bed and moved toward him until I was standing right in front of him. I glared at him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"It's my house," he said, standing straight and looking directly into my eyes.

"I know," I replied, "but what are you doing here in this room?"

"Can't you see?" He took a step closer, now standing just an inch away. "I came here for the consummation of our marriage."

Oxygen left my lungs. I could feel the tension and those stupid butterflies in my stomach. "Will you not fulfill your duties as a wife?" he smirked, moving his hand down my right jaw, holding my face, and rubbing my bottom lip with his thumb.

I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks, and the warmth of his touch through just his thumb. I was speechless, and I hated that my words were stuck.

"Look at your face," he said, suppressing a chuckle.

"Shut up!" I smacked his hand away from my face.

"Why the hell did you kiss me on the lips?" I asked angrily. "I told you not to do it."

"That's the problem," he stared. "You haven't told."

"What?" I looked at him in confusion.

"You dared me," he said.

"What do you mean?" I furrowed my brows.

"You dared me not to kiss you on the lips," he began, "and I took it as a challenge. I never back down from a dare."

"So, if I had dared you not to have sex with me, you would do it?" I snapped without realizing what I was saying, surprised by my own words.

"Try me again and you'll see," he smirked. "There are so many things I could do with you." I just looked at him for several minutes as he pierced my soul with his stare.

"What are you doing here?" I changed the topic. "We decided to live in separate rooms."

"I came to get some of my clothes." He moved past me into the closet and came out with a few items in his hands.

"The workers here won't spread rumors, right?" I asked before he could leave the room.

"No," he assured. "Workers are not allowed upstairs when I'm present in the house. Only Jenna, who has known me since childhood, is allowed. The cleaning of this floor is done when I'm at my company, so you don't need to worry about that."

"Okay," I said, and he left the room, closing the door behind him.

I took my pajamas from the closet and went to the bathroom for a bath. As I entered, my jaw dropped. It was enormous, larger than any usual bathroom. It was decorated with candles and fragrances, featuring a huge shower area enclosed in glass, a separate toilet area, and in the middle, a massive bathtub set into the floor with two or three small steps leading up to it. It was surrounded by candles, towels, and rose petals. I was about to have the most luxurious bath of my life.

After the bath, I dried my hair and climbed into bed. It was so cozy and soft.

The night stretched on, filled with restless thoughts and uneasy dreams. I tossed and turned, unable to find comfort in the unfamiliar bed. Every creak of the house seemed magnified, echoing through the quiet darkness.

Eventually, exhaustion took over, and I drifted into a fitful sleep. But even then, my dreams were haunted by flashes of the day's events—the wedding ceremony, his unexpected kiss, and the intense gaze he had fixed upon me.

Morning light filtered through the curtains, stirring me from my restless slumber. I blinked, trying to orient myself in the unfamiliar room. Reality settled in slowly as I remembered where I was and why.

I woke up later than usual today, still exhausted from the wedding and the after-party. After getting freshened up, I went downstairs to the kitchen. Jenna told me that Eden had already left for work. Although his uncle had suggested he take a leave, Eden insisted it was the only time to grow his business further, and I supported him because I couldn't imagine being around him all day.

After breakfast, Jenna gave me a tour of the house, exploring every corner. There were old paintings and vintage decor throughout. Jenna explained that the house was built by Eden's great-grandfather and that Eden had lived here with his parents until they passed away, after which he moved in with his uncle.

"I looked after him when he was a kid," Jenna said. "Until the day his parents passed away. He was only fourteen, too young to go through that. His uncle took him in and supported him, loved him like his own child, but he was never easy on him. He was always strict about his studies and constantly reminded him that if he wanted his father's company, he had to work harder. After high school and college, his uncle sent him out to live on his own once he got a job. It wasn't until he became the CEO that he moved back here."

I listened to her as she told me the story, even though I already knew it. I absorbed every word.

We were now in another room, a huge space that was half library, half bedroom. There were countless books behind a massive desk, making it look like a mini library. I looked around and saw it had a bed, a closet, a balcony, and a bathroom—everything required in a room. It was essentially a study with a bed. I was sure this was where he lived now, as it was only two rooms away from mine. I carefully analyzed everything, touching items without misplacing anything. Once I was done looking at his room, Jenna took me to explore other parts of the house.

We continued the tour, moving through the expansive hallways and rooms filled with more vintage decor and family heirlooms. Each room seemed to hold a piece of history, echoing the legacy of the family that had lived here for generations.

As we reached the end of the tour, Jenna led me to a cozy sitting room that opened up to a beautiful garden. The large windows allowed sunlight to pour in, illuminating the room with a warm, inviting glow.

"This is one of my favorite spots in the house," Jenna said with a smile. "It's a perfect place to relax and read, especially on a sunny day."

I nodded, appreciating the tranquility of the space. "It's beautiful," I said, taking a seat on one of the plush sofas.

Jenna left me to enjoy the room, and I sat there for a while, letting my thoughts wander. The events of the past few days replayed in my mind—the wedding, Eden's intense gaze, the luxurious bath, and now this sprawling, historic house. It was a lot to take in.

After a while, I decided to explore the garden. The vibrant flowers and neatly trimmed hedges were a sight to behold. I wandered along the paths, breathing in the fresh scent of blooming roses and lavender. It was a peaceful escape from the overwhelming changes in my life.

As I returned to the house, I felt a sense of calm. This place, with all its history and beauty, might just become a refuge for me. I made my way back to my room, feeling a bit more at ease about the future.