Bands of the Unpaid Dowry

Chapter 24

Millicent calmly situated herself on Jace's bed, sitting beside him after the call with Sean. He picked his laptop from somewhere on the other side of the bed still entertaining a frown on his face. She sat crossed legged in front of him, settling herself softly on her heels and she faced him when he opened it and began to type.

"What are you doing?" She asked and he looked up from his furious typing to tenderly gaze into her calm and intrigued eyes.

"I'm sending an email to a friend - a journalist. I have evidence of my stolen work." Millicent's visage altered to a confused look.

"I thought you held no resentment for her." He set the laptop to his side and turned to face her, following her manner of sitting.

"Little M, I won't let her sabotage what I have with you." She could see that he was really desperate to preserve what was happening between them and so was she. She scooted forward till she could grab him and pull his lost face to hers.

"She has no authority over the relationship we share, Jace. We found ourselves and decided to like each other. Yes, you need to prove your innocence but I don't want you doing it as pettily as she did. That would make you look as immature as she is, hmm?" A small smile took over his features when he saw the conviction shining in her eyes which reflected in his own.

Jace snaked his arms around her waist while hers remained on his face. "Thank you, that brought my sanity back. I don't want you to get the wrong idea because for some reason, the thought of you doubting or hurting because of me succumbs my heart to pain."

"If you want to know how I'm feeling, just ask. I'm not going to hide them. No one knows me more than me. You'll get the truth anytime you ask and all I ask is your honesty as well." She smiled when he dropped his head in the crook of her shoulder, and she felt him sigh.

"I fear sometimes you'll run before we can talk." Millicent ran her hand through his hair and stroked his scalp to feel him relax further. It made her ask how many times he had experienced that. His relationship with the heiress might have made him insecure.

"I mean sometimes I need to be away sometimes to keep my emotions in check, but I don't run easily. If anything, you'll be stopping me from breaking your neck." When he pulled back laughing, she was overwhelmed by the adoration that shone in his eyes. She had not seen him give such a look to anyone else, and she could have sworn that she had finally met the man who was made for just her.

"How did I find such an awesome woman?" Millicent giggled when he groaned and faced up to the ceiling. "And why can't I kiss you?"

"Because I already broke my morality code with you after a kiss. I still feel guilty."

"I'm sorry. I'll bear that guilt." But she just shook her head with a smile and let him hug her. Somehow the man seemed too good to be true. Afterall, she got him after starting on a false journey with him.

"Can I kiss your cheek then?" Millicent chortled at how he could not seem to keep himself away from her. She turned her cheek to him and almost mollified with how sweet the action was.

"I still want to confront Gwen. I'm not going to be able to work until I get it straight with the woman." He grinned when she kissed his cheek as well. Seems I have to settle for pecks.

"I'll come with you after church." Her eyes lit when his own glinted at the mention of her weekly endeavor. He went with her the previous week and everyone fell in love with him. From the pastors to every single woman, she knew in the auditorium, but all she could do was hover around him because she did not want outsiders prying into their relationship at its early stage and none knew of their fake marriage allegiance either.