Marry Me, Mr. Sanders!

CCTV

KNOXX

The executive meeting had just ended, and Carl and I were still in the conference room.

"Bro, look at this," he said, handing me his iPad.

"What's this?" I took it with no expression. The first thing I saw was Sam's sexy figure. She looked stunning. The photos were from her new endorsement for underwear and swimsuits. I frowned as I scrolled through the pictures.

"Damn, Bro. Your wife is the epitome of beauty and goddess-like grace." He shook his head, obviously fantasizing about her. "Too bad I'm not her husband. I'd worship her like crazy," he added, clearly showing his playboy side.

I frowned even more at Carl's comments. It made me want to strangle him. Everyone knew that most people fantasized about her, but when Carl talked about it, I couldn't accept it. I wasn't pleased with her latest photos circulating on social media, either. I sighed and handed back the iPad.

"Seriously, Bro. What's going on between you two? Still mad at her?" he asked, pressing for answers.

Honestly, the last time we saw each other, it didn't go well. I said words that came out of nowhere, and I don't even know why I said them. They were harsh, and I know it deeply affected her. I couldn't accept that my body was already betraying me. She'd been on my mind for the past two weeks. Seeing her daring photos only brought back those thoughts. Behind those skimpy underwear and swimsuits are hidden pearls that I can't forget.

I suddenly became serious and stood up from my chair. "Hey, you haven't answered me yet," Carl called after me.

I didn't respond and went straight to my office. He didn't follow me because he had important matters to attend to. When I got inside, I looked out the window, overlooking the whole city. I wondered what Sam was doing right now. We hadn't seen each other for a while, and I hadn't stayed at the penthouse. I sat down and opened my laptop. I accessed the penthouse CCTV. Yes, I checked the CCTV because I wanted to see what she was doing. So far, I haven't seen anything unusual. She always comes home on time, cooks, does yoga, goes out to the gym, and I even saw her drinking, perhaps because she couldn't sleep, just like me. Call it what you will, but Knoxx Sanders is a stalker of his own wife. The hell I care.

Nothing unusual in Sam's routine. I leaned back in my chair and replayed the events from two weeks ago in my mind.

"In your dreams, Portman. You think I'd go for you? You disgust me. Consider yourself lucky that you even got a taste of me. I hate you more than you'll ever know! To hell with you!" I yelled, slamming the door on my way out. I was naked when I left the room. I went straight to the bathroom to wash away the heat in my body. I couldn't accept that my own body had betrayed me.

Since then, I haven't gone back. I've been staying at the mansion, but I can't sleep well there either. Samantha Portman can't be erased from my system—the woman I despise. I was deep in thought when the intercom buzzed.

"Sir, you have a visitor," Sandy said.

"Who?"

"Misty Reynolds." Sandy wasn't too familiar with her since Misty was often overseas. She's also a model and has been in the industry longer than Sam. She's my "childhood sweetheart" and was one of my girls back in the day. Misty is very liberated, likely because she's half-foreigner and studied in the U.S.

"All right, let her in," I replied.

The door opened, and she walked in. She was wearing a red, revealing dress, not very different from Sam in terms of style. She quickly hugged me, pressing her ample chest against me. If this were back in our youth, I would have taken her right on my table, but surprisingly, she no longer affected me.

"Did you miss me?" she said seductively. She sat on my desk, playing with my suit. "You didn't call me or check in on me. Haven't you moved on yet?" She was referring to Camille. My mood soured immediately.

"Will you stop it, Misty!" I said angrily.

"Oops, sorry," she said, smirking. "Now that I'm here, I'll keep you company until you forget." She teased playfully.

"So why are you in the Philippines? Don't you have projects abroad?" I asked, disinterested.

"Traveling all the time is exhausting. I'm planning to stay here for good," she said, examining her freshly manicured nails.

It seems she won't leave me alone. The only reason we lost contact was when she found out I was engaged to Camille and expecting a child. I have no escape from this woman if she found out I was married. But what if she learns I'm married to her fellow model who is even more popular than her? Yes, Misty's been in the modeling industry longer, but Sam rose to fame faster due to her natural appeal and undeniable goddess-like beauty.

Misty cannot know about Sam and me. It would ruin my plans—and hers, too.

"Care to join me for lunch?" she invited. "I'm starving!"

I agreed for old times' sake and took her to an Italian restaurant near my office. While Misty and I were eating, a familiar face walked in with another woman, probably her PA. People whispered and stared when they saw her. Misty noticed, too. "Is that Samantha Portman?" she asked, eyes wide.

"I don't know her," I replied, denying it. I heard someone call out to them from a nearby table. It looked like they had a meeting here.

"She's gorgeous!" Misty remarked in awe, showing she could appreciate beauty despite her confidence.

"Yeah," I replied, taking a bite of the pasta. There's no denying Sam's stunning appearance, even in a casual dusty blue dress showing off her back.

"I didn't know she had a tattoo on her back."

"What?" I turned to look in her direction. She had her back to our table, clearly unaware that we were in the same place. So, she had a tattoo done over the scar on her back. That's why she didn't have it removed.

"She's even hotter with that tattoo on her back," Misty said without restraint.

"Did we come here to talk about other people, Misty?" I grumbled, losing interest. I didn't want to talk about Sam. I might not be able to hold myself back and might drag her out of there.

"Sorry," she replied theatrically.