Love and Lies

Chapter 17

 A ray of sunlight pierced the gap in the curtains, painting a golden line across my eyelids. It tickled, dragging me from a sleep that felt more like a whirlwind than rest. My head throbbed with a dull ache, a souvenir of the night's indulgence.

I groaned, rolling over and instinctively reaching for... emptiness. Panic jolted me awake, my eyes snapping open. I wasn't in my bed. Thank God I was still in my clothes. Disoriented, I took in the unfamiliar surroundings—a luxurious mess of rumpled sheets and a half-empty bottle of water perched on the nightstand. Then I saw him.

Alex.

His arm was sprawled across my waist, his dark hair a mess against the white pillowcase. My breath hitched. How? What? Memories, fragmented and hazy, flooded back—stolen kisses, a heated touch, a delicious storm that had consumed us. Shame washed over me, hot and prickly.

I remembered the kiss at the restaurant but not how we ended up at his house. Hopefully, I didn't spill my secrets while I was drunk. I slowly tried to remove his hand from my waist, but his grip tightened, pulling me closer to his chest. I tried again, more carefully this time, and succeeded in freeing myself. I stood up from the bed as quietly as possible and looked for my wallet, which I found on the sofa. Just as I picked it up and opened the door, I flinched at his voice.

"Where do you think you're going, Samantha?" he said huskily.

I turned around and found him only two steps away. When did he wake up? "I...was go...ing ho...me," I stammered, looking at him. He came closer, tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear, and placed his hands on my cheeks, turning my face to meet his eyes.

"Let's talk over some breakfast," he said.

"Okay," I replied, realizing we needed to discuss what had happened the previous night. I needed to clear things up between us. He went down the stairs, and I followed him to the kitchen, which looked luxurious. He motioned for me to sit on a stool while he cooked for both of us. He made some toast and omelets, served me, then himself, and sat across from me.

"So, I will be clear with my intentions here. I really want you to be mine. I don't care if you are committed to someone; you have to choose me over him," he said possessively after taking a bite of his toast. I was shocked by his words. Is he serious? He wants me to leave my fake husband and be with him? I couldn't deny that I was attracted to him, but this was not what I expected him to say.

He rose from his seat and knelt before me, gently taking my right hand in his. "I cannot avoid these feelings inside me. I am serious," he said earnestly.

I shared his desire to be together, but a nagging worry overshadowed my joy. What if he discovered my lie? I was certain he would fire me if he found out, and losing my job would mean the collapse of my parents' hard work and our pharmacy. I couldn't let that happen. Despite the potential consequences, I wanted to cherish these happy moments with him. I resolved to tell him the truth later.

Smiling, I finally replied, "I also want to be yours, Alex."

Tears welled in my eyes, but my smile remained as I added, "I have feelings for you that I cannot deny anymore."

His face lit up with happiness, and he hugged me, pulling me close to his chest.

As Alex held me close, I felt a sense of warmth and safety that I hadn't experienced in a long time. The weight of my secret pressed on me, but I pushed it aside for the moment, focusing instead on the joy of being with him.

After a few moments, he gently pulled back and looked into my eyes. "I'm so happy you feel the same way," he said, his voice filled with relief and excitement.

"Samantha, now that you are mine, I want you to live with me and divorce your husband. I cannot let you stay with him. I don't want you near any man but me," he said possessively.

In my mind, I apologized to Alex for lying to him, but I knew I had to continue the deception until the right time came to reveal the truth. I needed to come up with another reason.

"I... I don't actually live with him but with my cousin," I said, looking at him.

"He is working overseas on some contract, and he won't return for four years," I added avoiding his gaze.

"So, just as you got married, he left to go overseas?" he inquired.

"Yes, just a few days after the wedding. He cannot return before the contract ends, so when he comes back in four years, I will file for divorce," I said.

"Okay, but I still want you to live with me," he said, pulling me close by my waist.

"Sorry, but I can't do that, Alex," I said, looking into his eyes.

"My name sounds so good when you say it," he murmured. "You are going to be the death of me," he added, pecking my lips.

I was captivated, unable to move. He was so handsome. Alex offered to drop me home and didn't leave any room for discussion. The drive to Sia's apartment was silent, with him holding my hand the entire time.