Happy Easter guys!!!
Thank you so much for reading my book and constantly waiting for updates.😘😘

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Christian

“Is that the morning papers?” I questioned as I spot one of the maids walking back into the mansion with the folded papers in her hands.

Upon hearing my question, she drew to a stop and gave a light nod alongside reply.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Let me have it.” I requested and within a blink of an eye, she had rushed to me and only left after handing the papers over to me.

Unfolding the papers, I read the tabloid. In a bit of a second, my brows narrowed as I felt the anger surge through my entire body. In a rush, I folded the papers into two and quickly stormed my way up the stairs and towards Harieth's room. I placed the first knock in a hurry and loud enough to her hearing but got no reply, I placed another knock but this time louder and nonstop. Still, I got no reply. Impatiently as I was, I took hold of the doorknob and pushed the door open before making my way in.

I stopped for a minute as I sight her turning on the bed, still asleep. Is she deaf? How is it possible she didn’t hear my knocks? Without wasting a second more, I hastened my pace towards her and once beside her bed, I threw the newspaper at her causing her to flinch a bit. Her brows narrowed as her face squeezed in disapproval whilst her eyes slowly fluttered itself open.

Harieth

At first, it seemed like a dream but the force of its impact seemed so real that I had to open my eyes and be sure about what exactly all this meant. As I opened my eyes, the first I see is Christian’s vexed face.

Vexed?

I look down at my body to find out the newspapers was the impact I had felt. I look back up to Christian and the look on his face, in his eyes tells me he had something to do with what just happened.

“Did you throw this at me?” I questioned as I picked up the newspaper and looked up to him. I took a look around.

“Did you let yourself into my room?”

“Stop asking irrelevant questions and read the newspapers.” He ordered in a tone that aggravated my annoyance with him which eventually led to the narrowing of my brows.

“You can’t use such tones on me…”

“Read the damn newspapers Harieth!” He ordered in a slightly higher voice and I’m forced to stare at him, a little surprised by his strange behaviour. It was no new news that Christian wasn’t a fan of mine but he always kept his cool which I usually found a little charming about him and now, he was acting differently.

Regardless of it all, I sat up, brushed my hair back with my fingers before properly straightening the newspapers to read.

HARRIETH GRYFFIN’S POSSIBLE DECEPTION

I read the tabloid and my eyes widened a little at my name being the topic of the sensational news. Normally, I would be happy but this has something to do with me being deceptive. I continued by reading through the article and with each word, I could see my world crumbling down. The names of the men I had dated intercepted its way through the article, each sentence making me out to be some sort of social slut. Eventually, I look away from the paper and elsewhere for a moment before attempting to meet Christian’s face. Looking at him, I understood his reasons for feeling the way he felt presently but still, I wasn’t going to let him scold me or act the way he earlier did.

“So I dated a few men, big deal,” I stated nonchalantly while getting off the bed and walking elsewhere that wasn’t the least bit close to him.

“Big… deal?” He questioned in a strangely calm manner that I had to turn back to him, my arms folded across my chest.

I watched him let out a light sigh while looking elsewhere before his eyes shifted back on me.

“Harieth, I don't care the least bit about what you did with your life in the past.” He started as he walked up to me.

“All I care about is my family’s image and at the moment, it’s something your past is threatening to ruin.”

“You think I like what I read?”

“I don’t care if you liked it or not. Presently, you’re my wife and any scandal attached to your name will be linked to mine, my family’s and the company. You do know what that means, right?” He questioned, his eyes glaring down at me hatefully and I’m forced to look away from them for a second. Quite frustrated by what was going on.

For some reason, he seems to think this was amusing for me. I might not act it but I’m quite worried myself about the sudden news.

“I’ll fix this.”

“You better.” He stated before taking a step closer so our eyes met.

“I married you for a reason. Don’t make me regret it.” He added, a threatening look in his eyes before he was well on his way out of the room and slenderly, I look behind my shoulders as I watch him go.

“I can regret it as well,” I stated as I look away from the door, irritated by his comment. My eyes fell on the papers once more and I walk back to the bed to pick it up. As I stared at it, I wonder who could have enough guts to write such nonsense about me. Honestly, more than half of my life had been spent relating to the public. I had a new boyfriend, the world would know but now, the writer seems to have gone too far. Talking into detail about how higher I’ve gone by settling down with Christian Hendrix and the possibility of our supposed love being a farce, well at least on my part. The writer wouldn’t dare write so much without actually being a little sure of the story but how could he possibly know?

“...you’re going to feel just as I’ve felt and you’re going to know what it feels like to be mocked and humiliated.”

I recalled his words and my hold on the papers tightened, my hands folding into fists.

“Spencer.” I spat out bitterly as I finally concluded whose responsibility this mess was.

My cell phone rang and I picked it up from the bedside table. As I read the caller ID, a light sigh escaped my lips before eventually picking the call and bringing the phone close to my ear.

“Harieth can you explain to me why I have to read about you in the morning papers!?” Dad’s voice came through, filled with annoyance.

“Dad…”

“I thought I made our situation clear to you. I thought you understood just how important your staying in the Hendrix family meant to us.”

“Dad I…”

“I don’t want to hear whatever silly excuse you have. Fix this Harieth before it gets out of hand.” with that, he hung up right away and I’m left staring at the phone. He didn’t even want to hear what I have to say. He just concluded that everything was my fault. I can’t believe this. I have to go through all this just because somebody refused to accept reality.

At first, it was just a threat but now, I’m going to make Spencer ever regret doing what he did.

Christian

On my way to the office, I busied myself by going through a few documents I had brought home with me. My phone rang and I reached out for it. Lucas’s name displayed as the caller ID and I took in a deep breath before picking the call. I knew what was coming next.

“Have you seen the news?” His voice questioned, worry clearly evident in them.

“Yes and she promised to fix it,” I replied and right after, silence followed. I could hear a bit of his breathing and that alone concluded for me just how much he was holding in. I knew he wanted to say more, to scold a bit but he couldn’t.

“Good… We’ll talk later.” He stated and with that, the call got disconnected. As I move the phone away from my ear, a brief tiresome sigh eludes my lips and I’m forced to stare out through the tinted window.

How long do I have to live like this? I got married with the thought that everything would be alright. Everything would fall into place but nothing has been working. Nothing is going according to plan and I’m far from being okay. Sometimes, I wonder how long it’s going to take before I explode.

Can I really keep up this marriage?

Harieth

I drew to a momentum stop as I sight Spencer in the pool alongside a female model, giving their best pose as the photographer took their pictures. I felt the anger surge through my body and once again, I was on my heels towards him. Ignoring the crew hanging around, I stopped only when I was in front of him.

“Spencer we need to talk.” I dictated loud enough for his hearing.

A sly smile develops at the corner of his lips upon sighting me and I wished nothing more than to wipe it all off.

“Excuse me, you can’t be here. We’re working.” The female photographer protested.

“I’m Harieth Gryffin and I need to have a word with him.” I declared before turning away from her and back to Spencer still in the pool. Less than a second later, whispers began filling the air. I glance back once more and realised the crew members were responsible for the whispers. Regardless, I turned away from them.

“Harieth?” I heard her question behind me but I care less about her.

“Harieth, there’s nothing to talk about. We’re done.”

“No, we’re not. You’re going to fix the mess you created or you’re going to be in some serious problem.”

“Mess I created?” He repeated as he made his way out of the pool.

“Someone call security.” The photographer ordered and I glance her side. Slowly, my brows furrow at the sight of the crew members filming the scene with their phones. God, I shouldn't have said my name so loud.

Immediately, I look away from them. Okay, perhaps I didn’t think this confrontation through. I might not have fully understood how wide the news had spread. I thought I could get Spencer somehow to deal with the situation he put me in but maybe I was doing this the wrong way.

“See what happens when you act high and mighty.” His voice pushed me back to reality and I look up to him only to realise that he had gotten closer much to my dismay.

“You won’t get away with this. I promise you.” I told him before walking past him and hastening my pace away from the members that kept filming.

As soon as I stepped out of the building, several flashlights and resounding voices bombard my attention all at once. Each reporter trying to get their question through to me. For a moment or two, I stared at them in surprise. How did this happen? How did they know I was here? Regaining my sense, I began trying my best to walk past them and reach my car but it was harder than I had expected. Not that all this was quite new to me but the type of questions and their reasons for it was all too annoying.

“Harieth tell us, why exactly did you marry Christian Hendrix!?” A reporter questioned amidst the struggle.

“Are you after the Hendrix’s fortune as suspected!?” Another questioned while I struggle my way through their midst and eventually got to my car.

“Harieth is your marriage a farce!?” Another questioned and in annoyance, I pulled open the door to my car and quickly got in, shutting it right afterwards.

Once within the serenity of my car, I could hear my own beating heart and loud breathing. As I stare at the paparazzi that cloud around my car, making it quite hard for me to move, I could slowly feel panic slipping in. Their noise found its way into the car, the continuous clicking of their cameras and radiating flashlights put me in bigger jeopardy. How on earth do I get out of here? I have no one with me. No help in clearing my path. What on earth am I supposed to do now?

Almost in a jiffy, an annoying thought crossed my mind and without wasting a second more, I reach for my phone and dial the numbers before bringing the phone close to my ear.

“Hello, I need your help.” My plea comes out polite and a bit out of breath. God, I just hope I don’t regret this later.

Sorry for the late update.