MY HUSBAND’S BROTHER

SU CASA ES SU MI CASA

Maizah takes a moment to fully appreciate the architecture of the impressive building before her, her eyes widening in admiration and her mouth forming an "O" shape as she marvels at the beauty and attention to detail.

"Close your mouth. You may catch some innocent mosquitoes flying around."

Did he just say that? Maizah quickly closes her mouth and stares at Amare's back as he walks away from Maizah to the house.

Despite feeling out of place, she tries not to panic as she follows Amare inside. The interior design combines luxury, sophistication, and cutting-edge technology.

Upon entering the house, Amare takes a moment to give Maizah a comprehensive briefing on the property. This information will help ensure a smooth and successful stay while also providing essential details about safety and security.

"Exactly how rich are they?" Maizah's mind wonders, as Amare explains.

The grandiose entryways are adorned with marble floors, towering ceilings, and elaborate chandeliers. The living spaces are spacious, and the decor is meticulously crafted with materials like silk, velvet, and gold accents. Custom-made furniture is often made of rare and expensive materials like exotic woods, leather, and precious stones. The walls are adorned with original artwork, and the windows are dressed in luxurious drapery.

As Amare continues explaining, Maizah's eyes grow wider and wider, even though they are already significant. She doesn't understand what he is talking about, but she knows that if she doesn't want to upset her in-laws, she should never touch anything in their house for as long as she lives. She is unaware of the cost of everything in the house, and she has no desire to find out.

Amare's house was built as a residence for one family, but it hardly seems like a house. Their primary residence is a large log home with a private-seat movie theater, a four-lane bowling alley, an indoor lap pool, and a large outdoor pool. Each family member has a living space, including a bedroom, private bathroom, and an additional room for study/work/entertaining. There is a large commercial kitchen, a family dining area, a formal dining room, and a family room with a fireplace and built-in bookcases.

Amare and Maizah have their suite, which features a double bathroom, two walk-in closets, and a sitting area with a lovely old writing desk. The suite has a large four-poster bed and a fireplace, and one wall is virtually all glass, offering a stunning view of the backyard and lake. The property also features a seven-car garage, a pole barn, a small stable, and a boat house on the lake with space for multiple boats and jet skis.

The on-site staff is relatively small, including a chef, maids, security team, drivers, and vehicle maintenance people who live on-site in their lovely homes. Employees like personal assistants, grounds crew, pool caretakers, stable managers, and medical staff also work there. The flight crew and maintenance team that cares for the family aircraft fleet are based at the airport and are part of the staff.

After Amare is done, Maizah's mind begins to wander again.

Imagine having the world at your fingertips - endless possibilities, boundless opportunities. With all of that within reach, why would anyone settle for her? She's just simple and imperfect.

One thing she knows for sure is that she will be the cause of their headache, but they are the ones who brought her into this situation.

"Make yourself at home," Amare says, moving towards the bathroom.

Maizah is left standing next to the door with her luggage next to her, not knowing what she's supposed to be doing. If she were back home, she would've been dreaming by now. It is way past her bedtime, but more importantly, where is she supposed to sleep?

She inhales deeply before muttering, "Su casa es su mi casa."

This is not her native language but rather the language her parents learned while on vacation. They started speaking this language among themselves to keep their conversations private. Although they didn't say anything harmful, like sacrificing their kids for wealth, Maizah was still curious about what they were saying.

Maizah was intrigued by her parents' conversations, but as she gradually picked up on their gossip about other people's kids, she felt appalled. It was clear that her parents were being unfair and insensitive towards other children without considering the impact of their words.

Maizah spoke up using their secret language and made them realize the harm they were causing with their words, and that's when both of her parents almost died of a heart attack. Those were much brighter days compared to how dull her life turned out.

As she is still confused about where she is going to sleep. She hears movement in the bathroom, and the door opens, revealing a naked Amare.

She loses control of her eyes, and instead of looking away, she finds her eyes staring at the weapon in between his legs.

Thank God! It's not formed against her!

"Does he always walk out of the bathroom naked? Don't they use towels here?"

The moment she lays her eyes on 'it,' her pupils dilate as she shamelessly looks away with her cheeks burning hot and her heart beating abnormally. Her mind screams, "My aunt didn't mention anything about a monster when she told me about activities I was supposed to do as a wife."

It is as if Amare forgot about his new wife; he turns back to the bathroom and, a few seconds later, walks out with a towel wrapped around his waist.

As he walks towards her, she takes a deep breath and remains calm. Though anxiety and panic start to set in, she reminds herself to stay grounded and collected. She focuses on her breath, allowing it to steady her nerves, and prepares to face him with a clear mind.

As someone who had insecurities about her own body, she was able to overcome them during three years when she was paralyzed. Therefore, seeing Amare naked should not be a big deal for her. However, she is unsure how to tell him that he shouldn't worry and that she does not judge him. The husband has a great body, Okay! He often flaunts his abs on social media. But why does he look angry now?

His intense gaze makes her feel like prey. Like a tiger calmly assesses his prey.

God! What should she do? Should she run away? Should she scream for help? That seems like a good idea, but everyone knows tigers are ambush predators.

What if he attacks her?

She can't even fight; she's more like an adorable kitten with large eyes that make her look innocent and vulnerable.

Well, if that happens, then she will be forever missed.

She gulps, staring back at the predator before her.

"I am here to assist you, but I want to clarify that I am not deaf. You don't need to come closer. Just tell me what you need, and I will do anything you say." She thinks as she backs away from him, but unfortunately, there is no space behind her. She still stands beside the door, so her back hits the wall.

Her eyes see an opening at the door. Great, if things get any more weird than they already are, she can sprint out the door faster than a cheetah.

While she is calculating in her mind, her view of the door is suddenly blocked by ripped masculine arms with veins visible from the skin: 'A doctor's wet dream from every patient.'

She fixates her eyes on the owner, meeting dark brown eyes staring back at her. Her breath stops in her throat, and her knees go all weak and shaky.

Her little confidence wavers out of the window as she slowly succumbs to her shaky knees; however, just in time, a pair of warm hands grab her and help her regain her balance.

"I'm sorry, I sincerely apologize. Let me tell you.."

Amare quiets her by placing his index finger between her lips. "Shhh," He whispers, moving closer to her personal space.

When she raises her eyes, all she can see is his chin, and her neck is already hurting from craning upwards. It's even more difficult now that he's closer to her. She closes her eyes, hoping that when she opens them again, she won't find herself in this uncomfortable position.

"Warm lips cut burning patterns across her body, feather-light touches as he explored every hill and valley of her luscious form. She, for her part, indulged in the sounds and expressions she could coax from him. Gentle touches, scraping nails, soft bites – whatever she could to leave him writing in pleasure, to have him surrender everything to her. His body was an instrument, and she was the musician. Yet, despite her lack of experience, she somehow enjoyed it all the more. Feeding off his ardor, his excitement - the sounds, the feelings. The way his bright eyes darkened as lust slowly overtook his mind."

Maizah opens her eyes in a panic; her mind is racing about a book she read a few days ago.

"Stop this! Okay! I don't believe that it's my fault that you came out of the bathroom naked." Says Maizah firmly, yet she is panicking on the inside.

"What did you see?"

Is this a rhetorical question, or what? Maizah stares at him. He stares back at her in a way that makes her feel he'd strip her naked and push her out into the cold, windy night, unprotected.

Seeing his expression, she gulps. "You saw nothing." She tells her mind.

"I saw nothing. As you must have known, or maybe you don't. I have a problem with my vision. Usually, I wear glasses or contacts, but they fell off when I cried earlier in the car." She replies confidently as she plays with her earlobe.

"Hmm, you smell awfully. Go ahead and take a shower so we can get some sleep." Amare replies, stepping away from Miazah.

Maizah mentally pats herself on the back for the success of her escaping from a heated situation, and she is even sweating under her feet. She is literally sweating everywhere.