Chapter 4: Echoing the Word, 'Husband'
1711 Words
As though deciphering the turmoil in Scarlett's mind, a shadow of annoyance flashed across Maximus's face. He firmly realigned her retracted finger, fitting the ring before she could pull away again.
The sheer audacity left Scarlett astounded.
However, she quickly composed herself. Here she was, having successfully blindsided Celeste and poised to leverage Maximus's influential stature to shield her unborn baby. Killing two birds with one stone indeed!
For her child's welfare, she could brave any storm.
Detecting Celeste’s jealous gaze flickering over them, a smug smile found its way to Scarlett's lips. She turned towards Maximus, her eyes mirroring a look of profound affection, a mirage so convincing that it could make hearts flutter.
Just then, the emcee, jolted out of his stupor, managed to regain his composure. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for the bride and groom to cement their vows with a heart-stopping kiss!"
Scarlett's endearing visage, ripe with unspoken emotions, fractured at the dreadful aegis of a 'kiss'. Could it be — an actual kiss?
Discerning the sudden flicker of astonishment that danced in her eyes — a stark contrast to the profound affection mere moments before — a mirthful smirk played around Maximus’s lips. Anticipating her instinct to create distance, his hands cupped her face, drawing her a breath closer to his mesmerizing visage.
Her eyes widened like saucers, the rhythmic thudding of her heart pounding against her rib cage echoed in her ears till the inevitable moment their lips fused together in a delicate dance.
The jolt that resonated within her when their lips first collided was akin to the shock of being zapped by static electricity. Her curled toes uncoiled involuntarily, her body froze rigid, and her fingers fluttered with unease.
Stealing a glance at her flushed face, demure in its responsiveness, Maximus's eyes sparkled with an intriguing sense of amusement. He deepened the sweet torment of the kiss, committing the moment to the labyrinth of his memory.
Once their breathless, minute-long kiss ceased to exist, Scarlett found her vision swimming with obscurity, her eyes still besotted with the headiness the kiss had induced. Before her senses could rally, Maximus swept her up in his strong arms, leaving in his wake a throng of disoriented guests and a Celeste lost in the throes of despair...
He set Scarlett down on an opulent marital bed in the luxuriously decorated bridal suite.
Her body barely brushed the comfort of the bed when Scarlett quickly succumbed to the cocooned safety of the covers, transforming into a pillowy fortress against the remnants of the lingering taste of the kiss. Now was not the time to face the complexities of the man she had inadvertently intertwined her destiny with.
As Maximus took in Scarlett's sudden retreat into shyness, a chuckle of amusement bubbled within him. His diminutive wife's display of modesty was an unexpected, yet adorable juxtaposition.
Her reaction starkly contradicted the scandal-laced whispers she was notoriously known for. Was this truly the woman rumored to haunt the city nightlife, engaging in questionable companionships?
He was undeniably convinced that they had mistaken her for another. After all, the taint of innocence in her kiss could never be a measured charade.
Just like the unforgettable encounter, her delicate allure proved just as intoxicating.
As she fluttered her alluring eyelashes, peering from beneath with those enchanting orbs that held an unaware seductive charm, she began, “Um, Maximus, may I pose a delicate question?”
Maximus’s tone, suddenly somber, instructed, “Address me as your ‘husband’.”
Caught off guard, Scarlett's features flushed a captivating shade of rose. It indeed seemed misplaced to address him formally now that they were entwined in matrimony.
Caught between her own reservations, propelled forth by his domineering aura, she surrendered, murmuring in endearing embarrassment, "Uh… my dear husband."
Her voice, a whisper as soft and as sweet as summer rain, held an uncanny power to clench at heartstrings.
Eyeing her shy demeanor, Maximus's eyes darkened, giving a measured nod of approval as he instructed, "Proceed, what's your inquiry?"
His response, subtly light-hearted, hinted at a relatively decent mood.
Heartened by his amenable response, Scarlett’s lips curved into a shy smile, her tension melting away. She meekly inquired, “Is your decision to marry me purely out of your obligation to take responsibility, devoid of any emotions?”
Maximus: “...Yes.”
That was his initial intention.
In the absence of any woman who captured his fondness, his choice of a life partner held minimal importance.
His prominent stature, bolstered by the influential standing of his family, evaded any need for a marital alliance.
Had it not been for that somewhat fortuitous event when he fell prey to a spiked drink, he wouldn't have found himself ensnared in her delirious charm, let alone making such a prompt marriage proposal.
Moreover, that particular night... was his introductory experience of intimacy, leaving behind an indelible impression...
On discerning his sentiment, Scarlett’s eyes glimmered with newfound hope, "So that means, if you harbor no emotional ties towards me, we don't necessarily need to perform the traditional, conjugal duties of a married couple?"
Maximus receded slightly, a crease of confusion forming on his forehead, "What's your implication?"
Painting a smile, Scarlett elucidated, "What I insinuate is, we are a couple in name only. We just have to maintain the facade of being wedded in love before the outsiders, without having to endure the intimate aspects expected of a conventionally married couple!"
At once, the noble pride etched into Maximus's handsome features descended into an inexplicable abyss of darkness as he delivered two chilling words, "Such as?"
What sort of examples could she offer?
Scarlett felt an unexpected heat climb into her ears, her tongue stumbling over the words she intended to articulate. "Such examples might include… umm... things like embracing, kissing, sharing the same bed and... more of that…"
His dark, piercing eyes pinned her with a stare that felt predatory. "I am, after all, a regular man."
Scarlett caught on almost instantly to the undercurrent of Maximus's revelation, her thighs tightening reflexively. She brushed aside her discomfort with an awkward chuckle. "I... I understand. People do have their needs. And you, Maximus, being the strapping young man that you are, it's natural that your desires might be... robust. I wouldn't mind if you sought for companionship with other women, really!"
Maximus's visage froze, petrifying into a statue of incredulity. On their wedding night, his darling bride was not only repudiating him but also suggesting that he actively seek the company of other women?!
Part of him wished he could pry her mind open just to see how it was wired uniquely!
Her demeanor earlier today, at the wedding ceremony, seemed so contradictory to this!
"Wildflowers can never replace the fragrance of home-grown blooms. Tonight, our wedding night, every moment is more precious than gold. We shouldn't waste time dwelling on these uncertainties…"
Maximus’s gaze, narrowing to a sinister gleam, he abruptly leaned over; his arms were planted into the mattress on either side of Scarlett, his towering frame cloaking her petite form in a shadow.
Staring into the burly stature of the man, the scent that was unmistakably Maximus pervaded the air around her, enveloping her in an irresistible cocoon.
A blush seeped into Scarlett's cheeks. Instinctively, she tried to shuffle away, only to be pulled back by Maximus.
Her petite hands were braced against his firm chest.
Unbeknownst to her, such futile defiance would only steer her towards a path of irrevocable entanglement.
Maximus's steel-hard frame tautened, his scrutiny ensnared by the inviting temptation of her crimson lips. The memory of their recent passionate exchange stoked an unquenchable thirst, evident in the rhythmic dance of his Adam's apple.
However, Scarlett, swiftly discerning his expedited desires, hastily veiled her mouth, her eyes alertly confronting him with a silent caution. "Maximus, refrain. Our child is within me. This... could lead our innocent angel astray."
Her admonition caused Maximus's advances to stall, his lips twitching in an involuntary response.
Their child was but a tender life of three months in her womb, barely taking form. How could it be swayed from innocence at this stage?
Was his charmingly naive wife presuming him to be ignorant, neglecting even the most basic tenets?
Scarlett herself was cognizant of her reasoning teetering on the edge of absurdity. Yet, she had no choice but to persist. "Ahem, well, it's not entirely unfounded what I said. Our baby, though merely three months old, could potentially sense the unease..."
Maximus: "..."
Pleading with her unpretentious, blooming peach blossom eyes, she continued her appeal. "Maximus, you definitely wouldn't want our child to experience even fleeting discomfort, would you?"
Maximus's facade darkened, his gaze locking with hers in an intense stand-off for a moment before abruptly breaking off. He headed determinedly towards the restroom.
Meanwhile, Scarlett, cradling her petite bump, sighed out her relief, "Oh, my little guardian angel, you truly are mommy's charm, helping ward off the looming wolf!"
But she was aware, this was but a fleeting respite. A singular evasion couldn’t ensure lasting tranquility. She'd have to confront Maximus and address their circumstances at an opportune moment.
At this point, she didn't harbor romantic feelings for him. Forced affiliations seldom bear sweet fruits; surely, he'd recognize her stance?
And should all her strategies falter, she still held her ultimate charm - their unborn baby!
Tucked within the restroom...
Maximus wasn't truly anticipating a night of marital pleasure with his pregnant wife. His intention was a subtle retaliation, incited by her audacity. She suggested that he quench his physical desires with the company of other women, a proposal enough to ignite his wrath.
Contrary to his intentions to retaliate against her, the outcome only managed to exacerbate his own resentment further.
As his mind filled with thoughts of his delicate wife, his facial expressions turned notably solemn. After engaging in deep contemplation, he retrieved his phone and decided to seek guidance from a friend who was a seasoned medical practitioner.
Without beating about the bush, he asked, "Does spending the wedding night with a woman who is three months pregnant discomfort the unborn child, potentially affecting its development?"
- Writer
