Chapter 2 Smile

It had been one of the worst afternoons he had ever had.

The car he was traveling in stopped in front of a house that looked more scary than gloomy, the driver got out of the car opening the car door to help him out, it was a huge residence of the plants with the entrance fenced with steel bars.

Was it a prison or a house?

She got out, pushed her way in pushing the gate bars which let out a creaking sound perhaps due to lack of oil or a warning she couldn't make out.

She walked to the entrance and opened it with the key provided by Gael's family.

She let out that air she did not know she was holding in her lungs.

She entered.

The room was so luxurious and huge, she crossed the hall going straight to the stairs, she climbed each step struggling with that heavy dress that made her look like a princess.

She groped her way down the long hallway to a room that had a red bow on the door, she played it down, her feet hurt and she just wanted to rip that dress off.

She turned the handle and walked into the room.

As she made her way through, she removed that beautiful stick that held her hair up, she almost tore off her clothes, she felt so suffocated. She wanted to cry at the frustration of their reunion. She removed button by button, almost hurting her hands as she pulled hard on the fabrics.

She removed the dress.

Remaining in panties and bra, she sat on the bed for a moment before walking a few steps and throwing her heels as far as she could into the room, she removed every last piece of clothing.

Naked.

Steadily following her gait to the shower.

She grabbed the doorknob with her hand, turning it a little, she managed to open it all the way, she froze as she found that familiar face in front of her.

Gael, who was getting out of the shower with a bath towel covering his lower body, raised an eyebrow at the other's actions. He looked around the other's body.

Alisha, his wife, panicked.

She tore off the bath towel Gael was using to cover his body, and they fell together.

The other's weight did not impact against her as much.

Gael supported himself with his hands, remaining a little suspended, those gray eyes connected with hers, they were so beautiful; they seemed to contain the universe. Gael intentionally moved closer towards Alisha, dropping his naked body completely over the other's, that sudden closeness on her and the scarcity of inches on her face, the atmosphere became tense.

"You're afraid" he whispered hoarsely.

While Alisha's heart was beating wildly.

Gael maintained that intimate stance, still his words were so merciless.

"You feel I treat you badly so you can't expect to get close to me" he spat full of cynicism.

Though his face was so handsome almost sculpted by the angels themselves, his words were too cruel.

"Couldn't you expect that you've tangled with another man at the wedding?" he accused over the other's lips.

"Not so..."

Gael rose coldly, propelling himself a little with his hands.

His gaze was so sharp it made her feel so tiny, this man didn't seem like the one she had met before.

Alisha held the bath towel against her body as if it were her lifeline.

"Don't waste energy acting so deliberate" she warned him, caring little if she saw his body, they were supposed to be married and he has enough self-confidence. "We were a fictitious couple and it will be just that, a fictitious marriage."

"You're a..."

"What? You want to argue with your lord?"

Gael leaned in slightly and held his chin.

"If you breach the contract, I'll get back the huge amount of money I've lent to your family" he released her making her tilt her face a little.

Alisha felt her eyes glaze over.

"Fuck you" she muttered.

Gael who was expressionless, ignored those words which he heard clearly because of the silence.

He snorted

He walked a few steps before turning a little.

"We'll have a feast in the evening" he cocked a smile full of derision, before warning her. "Don't act offended because you can't face the consequences."

"Offend me?" Alisha let out a laugh. She met his gaze with that man. "You think I'm interested in your meaningless warnings!"

"You'd better shut up."

"He's conceited" she got up from the floor, first sitting down and finally sitting up. Dropping that towel covering her body, she brought her hands to her waist. Completely ignoring that he's not wearing anything to cover him. "You know nothing but bark."

Gael cocked a sarcastic smile.

"You want to educate me" he dared to chuckle "You, a person with little courage, hardly know what you're looking for."

Alisha leaned closer.

"It was such fun to leave me with a thousand eyes speculating."

"You give it so much relevance" he averted his gaze.

Gael Williams was a head taller than her, he had beautiful gray eyes, his mane was disheveled and a few drops of water trickled down his temple, he observed that person. His wife had blonde hair, beautiful lips, a little shorter than him, her eyes were blue.

"Relevance? If you want to pretend, do it right!"

"You are so ungrateful."

"If you insult me again I'll beat you" she cared little for what happened next, she wasn't going to let him continue down that tortuous path.

"You're funny" blurted out the man in front of her, those blue eyes were on the verge of bursting into tears and he came with such a haughty attitude, it was funny.

She raised her hand ready to slap him.

"Let go" she struggled wanting to break free of his grip. "Don't come imposing your..."

"What?"

Gael dared to laugh in her face.

"A little status doesn't make you..." she wanted to counterattack being interrupted by the man in front of her.

"It makes you better. punching makes you better than me!" Gael released his grip making her back up a little, she was startled by such a quick change in that man. "You better not come make me laugh by being so hysterical."

Though her words were biting her voice remained gentle, she gave him one last look before walking out the door.

Gael had left with a grim look on his face.

He looked so angry.

Alisha picked up the towel and went into the bathroom.

She showered, returning to the bedroom, she approached the bed noticing that elegant dress, the one that made her understand why her husband had returned early.

It looked extremely expensive.

Of the finest fabrics, and she was sure it would be from the best designer.

However, she averted her gaze to the photograph next to the bed.

Time did use to pass in a hurry, she knew nothing of what happened in ten years, he had made his own way and got his love, he would be so happy with the woman in that photograph. He didn't know.

It was supposed to be his wedding room.

"Husband" he uttered in a faint whisper.

At the head of the bed was the photograph of her now husband with another woman, both of them were smiling.

It was the first time she felt envious.

That woman in the photograph was elegant, exquisite and beautiful.

"Calm down" she said to herself, as she felt that liquid she had contained, now dripping down her cheeks. "You'll be fine."

She wiped away that wayward tear.

And smiled.

Alisha Walsh was not so weak.