Harieth

Thump, thump, thump, thump...

There goes the fast rhythm of my heart once more as I stared into his eyes, anticipating the unbelievable. Why is this happening? Truthfully, that was a question I couldn’t give a simple reply to. Perhaps, this is just that one-minute exciting feeling a woman gets when a man gets too close to her body or... possibly a different feeling entirely. The fact that I want to... no, I want him to kiss me is a bit scary.

What exactly is happening to me?

Christian

Maybe, I got ahead of myself. Maybe, I shouldn’t have pulled on her purse the way I did. Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of immature and unlike me stunts. Now, I’m laid here on top of her, my eyes somewhat glued to hers and my body a bit frozen at the spot. The surprise was the culprit. What am I doing? I should just get off her and leave as simply as possible but for some reason... I couldn’t.

For the first time, I had to admit to myself that Harieth wasn’t so bad when it came to physical beauty. Every inch of her face seemed perfect. Her eyes were a simple pair of black orbs. Her nose, slim and long, perfect for her oval shaped face. Her skin was not as white as snow but tanned enough to keep her even. Her lips were a shade of light pink, thin and well curved. Slowly, my eyes travelled down her smooth and slender neck. I gulped down.

Look away, Christian.

Quite, involuntarily once more, my eyes attempted making its way down her top. As if slapped at the back of the head to regain some sense, immediately, I looked elsewhere, away from her. In an instant of that moment, I made my way off her and back on my own two feet. That didn’t just happen.

The first few seconds after that, I couldn’t seem to look at her side. I didn’t want to. It felt really awkward and unfamiliar. I couldn’t seem to find my usual self. In the end, I just stopped thinking. Instantly, I unzipped her purse, took out the card and threw the purse at her, now raising my eyes to her.

“You want a card? Work for it.” I stated in a single breath, pretending that everything was okay with me. Our eyes met and I saw no reaction on her part. Perhaps, we were both taken aback by the strange situation that occurred not long ago. At least, I wasn’t the only one to sense the awkwardness. Without wasting a minute more, I turned away and made my way casually towards the door. I stepped out and shut it behind me.

I sighed a bit loudly as I drew to a stop. What on earth just happened?
I took one last look at her door. I must really be desperate. Desperate enough to actually... actually start to see Harieth as a woman. Hormones... I blame them. I’ll have to keep myself in check. This can never repeat itself and with that thought, I walked away, hoping to forget this day as fast as possible.

Harieth

Crazy! Crazy!! Crazy!!!

I ruffled my hair in an insane manner, making a mess of its usual form.

“I must really be going crazy,” I concluded as I finally looked up to the mirror, now staring at my own reflection.

I could barely recognise the woman in front of me. A glimpse of what happened earlier returned to my mind and watched as my cheeks slowly heated up. Damn it! I looked away from my reflection in irritation. I could hear my own heart racing fast once more. Gently, I placed a hand on my chest and it felt like the sound resonated throughout my fingers.
A sigh eluded my lips as my hand slumped down to my lap and stared back once more at my reflection.

“What’s wrong with you Harieth?” I questioned myself. A question neither I nor my reflection had an answer to. This... this feeling wasn’t here about a month ago. I wasn’t even that impressed the first time we met. Sure, his family background had been a bit enticing but that was it. There was no heart racing, nervous feeling an uncontrollable desire to be by his side. Why now? What does this actually mean?

I need a change of environment. Yes, that’s what I need. Quickly, I got up to my feet and made my way into the wardrobe.

“Harieth.” Dad’s voice draws my attention away from the staircase I was about to step on. I had packed a few things and made my way down to father’s home without letting Christian know. It was a bit late so I presumed dad would have gone to bed or still be at the office.

Nevertheless, I’m happy to see his face. A smile drew upon my face as I turn away from the stairs and now make my way up to him. I flung my arms around him, holding him in a tight hug.

“I’ve missed you so much.” I expressed while reminiscing all the good times we had together.

“Harieth, what are you doing here?” He questioned as he takes my arms off him so our eyes could meet. His question puzzled me for a second but then I understood his reasons. It was late and I showed up uninformed.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you beforehand. It was a quick decision...”

“Go home Harieth.” He ordered, letting my hands go at once before turning away. My brows are slightly narrow at the unexpected.

“Dad,” I called before he drew to a stop. I took steps towards him and only stopped in front of him.

“Dad, I can’t go back there tonight. I... I just need to stay here for a while.”

“Are you tired?” His question came out quick and unaware. Nevertheless, the fact he cares brought a simple smile to my face.

“Yes.”

“Then, end it quickly.” His sentence comes out short and a bit confusing that the smile on my face slowly dies down.

“What do you mean by that?”

“What do I mean? Harieth, we had an agreement, an understanding and I believed we were on the same page. Is living with Christian Hendrix so frustrating? Then, end it quickly. Do what I asked of you and we don’t have to deal with that family ever again?” He expressed and all I could do at the moment was stare at him, his words not quite what I was expecting at this moment.

“But... I... It’s not as easy as you made it out to be. He doesn’t even let me spend as much as I want. How am I supposed to take over the entire Hendrix wealth without him knowing a thing?”

“Are you really asking me that question?” He asked with a stern expression that I’m rendered speechless and pathetic for a moment.

A sigh eluded his lips as he looked away from me for a moment, the fact he was disappointed in me was evident on his face and it made me feel terrible.

“Harieth, you’re a woman and you’re his wife. Doesn’t that expression give you an idea?” He questioned but I remain silent, a little confused about where he was headed.

“Use your body! Seduce him! Make him madly in love with you! Use any means necessary but be fast about it. We don’t have much time left. I can barely hold the company together anymore. Soon, the fact that we’re going bankrupt will be exposed. Whether we rise above this or we crumble to dust, it’s all up to you. Go home Harieth.” His words hit me like a tornado before he was well on his way, leaving me to reminisce on his words.

“No, it’s nothing dad. I’m okay.” I stated what could have been the right ending of our conversation.

In the end, an exhausting sigh eluded my lips as disappointment as well as frustration washes over me. Dad was right. My fate was all up to me. I had wasted so much time occupying my thoughts with irrelevant things instead of thinking up ways to push dad’s plan through. After all, it’s for my safety as well.

Christian

I stepped out of the room with an empty jug at hand, gently shutting the door behind me before heading out down the hallway. Slowly, I drew to a stop as my eyes remained on the scene ahead on me. I watched as Harieth sneakily took a step up the last staircase before turning opposite my direction. Only then did I notice the small suitcase by her side. My brows cease up a bit before continuing on my steps.

“Where are you coming from?” My voice startles her to an immediate turn, the expression of surprise playing out on her face. She looked very suspicious that I had to analyse everything about her at the moment. Clearly, she had dressed up and stepped out without letting me know. I would love to hear her explanation.

“Are you deaf? I asked where you’re coming from.” I had to repeat myself. I watched her look sideways for a moment, clear evidence that she was about to lie. Still, I waited patiently.

“I... I just stepped out for some fresh air.”

“You stepped out for fresh air this late in the night and with a suitcase?” I had to ask. She hesitated but gave a reply.

“Y-yes.” Her reply sounded unsure. I just stared at her, actually quite exhausted from dealing with her troubles all the time.

“Truthfully, I don’t really care about what you do with your life. Make sure none of your tantrums affects my family.” I expressed before walking past her, refusing to make the ideal of her situation anymore. It was no lie that Harieth Gryffin was exhausting. Suddenly, I recalled something so I had to stop on my tracks and just as I look back, over my shoulder, I caught her murmuring away.

“He says family like I’m not included. I’m his wife.” She stated while still on the same spot, clearly unaware of my presence behind her. I looked away for a moment, deciding to pretend like I heard nothing.

“The company...” She immediately turns to me.

“...is handing out its annual charity to the orphanage. Every year, we just send a gift but this time, Paula proposed you hand them out.”

“Me?” She questioned, a bit surprised by my information. I continued regardless of her expression.

“She said something about this little gesture changing the way the public views you.”

“So there’ll be reporters?”

“No, but we’ll leak this information to a reporter. The rest will play out to our favour. Tomorrow, be dressed on time and I’ll come by the house in the early afternoon.” I summarised before attempting to walk away only to be stopped by her sudden hold on my arm.

“Wait!” She exclaimed as well that I had to first, take a look at her hand on my arm before looking up to meet her eyes. As if being told of her wrongdoing, she slowly retracted her hand away from my arm which actually made me feel better once more.

“I... I’m not good with kids. Plus... they’re orphans, random kids. I don’t think I can do what you ask of me.” She explained and all I did was stare at her, a little blankly at first but pitiful in the end.

Suddenly, a light chuckle escaped my lips that a confused expression played out on her place.

“For a moment, just a moment today, I forgot who you truly are,” I stated whilst looking directly at her. To think I was attracted to such a woman for a second. Unbelievable.

“We’re going. Period.” I ordered before turning and walking away regardless of her calls for me to listen to her nonsense once more.

Harieth

“For a moment, just a moment today, I forgot who you truly are.”

I recalled his words once more while laid back on my bed. I could barely get any sleep. All I’ve done was turn from one side to the other, this very sentence, playing over and over again in my head like a broken record. In the end, I sat up in frustration.

“What on earth did he mean by that!?” I threw the question to the air but was only replied by the silence that settled itself around me. It was clearly dark outside and everyone must be fast asleep but I can’t seem to do the same because Christian just had to speak to me in some kind of riddle. Then again, why am I so hung up on understanding what he meant by that? I’ve never really cared about his words. Hell, they never got through to me. What has changed?

I sighed in exhaustion as I dug my fingers into my hair.

“Christian. Christian.” I called almost in a whisper as I slightly pushed the door into his room open and peeped in first to see if he was in. The lamp by his bed was on and I think he was on the bed. I took one look behind to be sure no one was behind me. I didn’t want to wake everyone up. I just need Christian to clear up his bothersome sentence for me. Then, I could finally fall asleep.

Carefully, I shut the door behind me after stepping into his room and in a stealthy and steady manner; I made my way towards his bed. As I drew closer, I noticed he barely moved and finally saw for myself that he was asleep. Now, standing by his bed, I let out a breath in frustration. I can’t even get the answer I’m seeking for now that he’s asleep. What bad luck is this today? He’s sleeping so soundly after putting such words in my head. I squatted so my face was on the same level as his.

“Bad Christian.” I scolded in a whisper, knowing full well that he was sound asleep. Strangely, I couldn’t look away from him. There was a comfortable and peaceful feeling deep down. It just felt right and warm that I couldn’t help drawing up a simple smile on my face. On a closer look, he wasn’t so bad after all. He was just like every other human being. He was also handsome and quite charismatic. Somehow, my husband was the total package.

My fingers itched and I found my hand gradually approaching his face. In a light and careful manner, I stroked his cheek once before moving up to his hair. If only I could run my hands through them, what great feeling that would be. For now, I just made do with light touching, careful enough not to wake him up. The smile on my face only played out broader.

My insides were somehow jumping for joy. My sense of reasoning had been thrown out of the window. My desire to enjoy this feeling encouraging me further to go mad, truly, what feeling was this?

Hi guys! Sorry for the late update. I hope you liked this chapter. The next chapter will be uploaded by Sunday or next Monday. Don't forget to vote and comment.😙😙