MARRIED

Chapter One

Lia's POV

As he removed the blindfold, revealing his beautifully decorated apartment, I couldn't hold back the tears.

"Happy birthday to you, babe" he sang softly.

Overwhelmed by the gesture, I let the tears fall freely. I had never celebrated my birthday before, partly because I had nowhere to go and nothing to celebrate. It had always been just another ordinary day for me. I had nearly forgotten my own birthday until Pharrell asked me about it.

"Don't cry, my pretty queen. Here, come, I have a gift for you before we have dinner," he said, gently taking my hands and leading me to the living area of the apartment. Sitting me down, he brought out a box and handed it to me.

"Oh my God! You've got to be kidding me!" I exclaimed in disbelief.

"No, I'm not. You don't have one, so I thought it would be the perfect gift. Come on, open it," he urged me on.

I wiped away the tears that were now blurring my vision.

"Oh, it's beautiful," I breathed as I opened the box and beheld the gift inside.

"Do you like it?" he asked eagerly.

"No, I don't like it. I love it! Thank you, baby," I exclaimed, unable to contain my gratitude as I stood up and rewarded him with a heartfelt hug.

"Now, you must be hungry. I made your favorite," he said with a grin.

I grinned back, feeling like I'd known him for much longer than just two months. He seemed to understand me better than anyone else ever had. I couldn't imagine my life without him, and I wished I could wake up to him every day. If this is what love feels like, then I'm completely and utterly in love with this guy. But of course, he doesn't know.

I followed him to the kitchen to help set the table, but he refused, insisting that it was my day and that I should relax and enjoy myself.

How did I miss noticing him the first time I saw him talking to Franca? Oh right, I completely ignored him. But now, I wish I hadn't. Thank heavens he noticed someone as insignificant as me and came to look for me at the cafeteria. I wondered who even told him I work there. I liked him from the first day he approached me. In a way, I approached him because I had gone to clean his messy table when he invited me to sit with him and left a huge tip for me. But I didn't make it easy for him at all. Mandy taught me that if you easily accept a guy, he'll treat you like trash, just use you and dump you. So I made him go through my version of hell. And after the care he showed me today, I'm totally sure that he loves me just as much as I love him. And what Franca said about him only wanting to sleep with me was false.

From where I sat, I watched him move around the kitchen, preparing dinner. Feeling the need to show him my appreciation, I stood up and walked over to him. With his back turned to me, I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on his back. He froze for a moment, then relaxed into my embrace.

"I never knew I could feel this way about anyone. I never even knew a feeling like this existed," I whispered softly. "No one has ever shown me this much care and love. No one has ever cooked with me in mind. Yet today, on a day I've never celebrated, you did all of this for me. Thank you, baby."

He turned to face me, locking my arms around him once again.

"No, dear, no crying today," he murmured soothingly, kissing away my teary eyes before capturing my lips with his own. His taste was unlike anything I had experienced before, a mixture of mints and chocolate that instantly left me craving more. In an instant, the kiss became heated, our breaths mingling as we struggled to keep up.

"I'm sorry. I know you're not ready. I shouldn't have kissed you," he apologized, his voice filled with regret.

Ignoring his apology, I summoned all my courage and placed my lips where they had just vacated. He relaxed, kissing me back with even more passion and strength than before. I wrapped my arms around his neck, wanting to close every possible space between us.

"Mmm I love you baby, awww I can't get enough of you." He said through our connected lips making it seem like groans.

"I love you too."I told him staring into his now lust-filled eyes. I reconnected our lips wanting more of him.

"If we don't stop now I will never be able to stop myself angel."

"And who says I want you to stop."

"You are tempting me and it seems you acting brave today. Let's see how brave you can be."

He dragged me to his bedroom closing the door behind us. Immediately the door was closed,he pushed me against it, kissing me passionately.

"You can't imagine how long I've wanted to feel these lips of yours," he murmured against my mouth, his words sending shivers down my spine. "Every time you bite them, it turns me on, and I know you're clueless about what you do to me."

His lips trailed a path down my cheeks to my neck, his warm breath sending tingles throughout my body. When he reached my earlobe and gently licked it, a moan escaped my lips, pleasure pushing me to heights I'd never experienced before.

Suddenly, he unzipped my dress, allowing it to fall to the ground. Shocked, as if cold water had been poured over me, I snapped back to consciousness and quickly used my hands to cover myself. Gently pushing him away, I pulled my dress back on.

"I'm starving," I said hastily, trying to diffuse the tension that had built up between us.

“I'm sorry, princess. Let's go and eat.”

"Jeez, this is delicious," I moaned appreciatively as the taste of the pasta danced on my tongue.

"Glad you like it," he replied with a grin.

"I love it," I exclaimed, unable to resist taking another bite. I wished I could eat this every day.

"Did you really cook this?" I asked in amazement.

"Yeah, I did. I'm the big chef," he boasted, his smile radiating with pride.

After we finished the pasta, he brought out a tray of freshly baked chocolate cookies and vanilla ice cream, which I wasted no time in digging into. Yeah, I know I eat a lot. Who can blame me when I've gone several nights without eating because I couldn't afford three square meals a day?

"Take your time, babe. You might not want to choke on that." He uttered making me blush, smiling through my embarrassment.

Pharrell's POV.

How long do I have to pretend to like her just to sleep with her? I had hoped it would be today, and I was glad when things started off smoothly. I was able to lead her to the bedroom, but this b*tch turned me down. I only have two weeks left here, and I've wasted so much time and effort on her to leave without getting what I want. Watching her eat right now was disgusting, like watching a homeless person feast at a party. I've learned that if you want a woman, you have to make them feel special and loved. One way of doing that was to make her think I cooked for her when, in reality, I ordered the food and made it look like I prepared it.

Two months ago, when I made it my priority to have her, I went to the office cafeteria where Franca told me she works. It wasn't difficult finding her because, as I had noticed earlier, she is a bubbly person and seemed to be all over the place. Taking a seat, I monitored her every move, from chatting with the customers to cleaning their tables. I ordered my meal, but a different worker attended to me. Taking the food while still keeping an eye on her, I made sure a vast amount of it fell on the table, using it as bait to get her to come to my table. And it sure did work.

*FLASHBACK*

"Aren't you a messy eater?" she said, clearly amused at the sight of a grown man eating in such a manner.

"That's why I need the assistance of the very beautiful cleaner," I replied, flashing her a charming smile.

"No problem, just feel free and, um, enjoy your meal,"she responded, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"I will enjoy it more if this beautiful angel before me will consider joining me," I said, my tone flirty.

"Sorry, we aren't allowed to do that."

"Okay, how about we talk later then? When you're not working?" I persisted.

"Hmm, okay, I think we can," she finally agreed.

"Good! Here's my card. I'm Pharrel," I said, handing her my business card.

"You can call me..."

"I know, Liana," I interjected, a grin spreading across my face.

"What?" she looked at me, clearly confused by my sudden interruption. Then the reality of what I said dawned on me.

"Oh, I mean your tag. Your name is on your name tag," I hastily corrected myself, feeling a bit foolish.

"Oh yeah, how silly of me. I need to clear the other tables, so we'll talk later. Nice meeting you, Mr..."

"Pharrell!"

I reminded her. With that, she left with a rather contagious smile. I couldn't help but smile at my achievement.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

"Are you ready for your cake, baby?"

"Pardon! You did a cake for me?" Her eyes widened in disbelief.

I nodded, forcing a wide smile. "Actually, I had it made specially for you."

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "And please, no more tears, young lady. It's no big deal," I said gently, reaching out to wipe away a stray tear.

"But it is for me. I'm overwhelmed by your efforts. No one has paid that much attention to me. No one has loved me like you do," she confessed, her voice quivering with emotion. I find her reaction quite irritating.

"Like I said, no more tears. I'm here now, and I won't leave you. I'll make you so happy that there won't be room for any pain," I can't believe these words were coming from me.

"Thank you, baby. I can't believe I have a cake all for myself." her face lit up with a radiant smile , a smile I can't deny made her more beautiful and alluring.

"And I can't believe I have such a pretty angel all to myself."

"Now angel, make a wish then blow out these candles."

She did as told then I handed her a slice of the cake.

"Hmm this tastes so good. it might have caused a fortune."

"Money doesn't matter when it comes to you. I have a lot and wouldn't mind spending it on my queen."

************************

"Babe."

"Yes, what is it queen?" I watched as her face held uncertainty.

"I was wondering, you have given so much but I haven't given anything"

"All I need as gift is you."

"Then you can have all of me .

I looked on as my fantasy played before me. She slowly but shyly removed her blouse.

"We can continue from where we left off," she said attempting a flirtatious tone. I wasted no time in taking her lips