His Trophy Wife (R-18)

Chapter 3

AUDREY'S POV

When I woke up the next morning, I was left alone in our bed. I looked at the bedside table and saw that it's only seven in the morning. I sat up and stretched for a while before proceeding into the bathroom with my eyes half-closed.

"What the f**k?" Liam's loud cursing took away my drowsiness.

He was standing under the shower without anything to cover his body. My mouth gaped open when I saw his naked body. My eyes grew huge, and shock was written all over my face, making me feel a little hot. He had obviously just turned the shower off and would have gotten a towel to cover himself when I barged in.

"I-I'm sorry," I stuttered and hurriedly went outside. I could feel the sudden warmth on my face. I know Liam was a hunk, but this was the first time I saw him completely naked, and the image seem to be stuck in my head.

I took a deep breath and cleared my mind. I hadn't meant to take a peek on him. It wasn't my fault that the door was left unlocked. Yes, Audrey, it wasn’t your fault he left the door open.

My heart was racing fast when I remembered how his perfectly-toned abs looked so inviting. I bit my lower lip as the image of his erect member flashed in my mind. God, it was so huge!

I paced back and forth in the room as I was trying to get it out of my mind. A minute later, Liam opened the door and walked into the walk-in closet. I looked away and silently went inside the bathroom. Once inside, I looked at my face in the mirror and realized how red it was.

I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I don't understand why I'm suddenly feeling something unusual. My cheeks are bright red no matter how I try to act like I saw nothing. But who am I kidding? His naked image kept on flashing on my mind.

When I got out of the bathroom, he was already dressed, although he's having a little trouble with his tie. I stared at him like he was the most glorious masterpiece I've ever seen in my entire life. I was brought back to reality when I heard him say something.

"Enjoying the scene, Audrey?" he asked with his eyebrows raised.

"I'm sorry. I'll just go downstairs," I said as I felt my face heating up again.

My heart was still beating fast inside my chest as I took a step only to be stopped by him again.

"Wait, can you help me fix my tie?" He pleaded.

I drew a deep sigh to calm myself. Being approximately near to Liam is dangerous. I feel like I'm a bomb waiting to explode any minute.

I slowly walked towards him without meeting his eyes. I stood in front of him and fixed his tie.

"There you go," I said as soon as I was finished.

"Thanks," he simply said and a lopsided smile crossed his lips.

I gasped, realizing that this was the first time he smiled to me ever since the news of our marriage broke a few months ago.

We went downstairs and proceeded to the dining table. The long table was already set-up with various utensils and cutleries. I sat on the far side, away from Liam as much as possible. I am still not used to having his presence around. Every time my eyes caught him, my heart beats erratically.

"Sit beside me, Audrey," he commanded.

I had no other choice, but to stand up and move beside him. We ate in silence as we both don't know how to deal with each other anymore. Gone was the closeness and bond that we used to share. We were just like strangers with childhood memories now.

"I'm going home late tonight, don't wait for me," he said, all of a sudden.

I averted my gaze on him and looked at him with a bewildered expression on my face.

"Where are you going? I thought your work is just until five o'clock?" I asked. I didn't mean to sound nosy, but I do not like what I hear.

"Wherever I'm going is none of your concern, Audrey," he said sharply and eyed me.

"Of course it is, Liam! You're my husband now," I insisted. I need to assert my right; I'm his wife for Pete's sake.

"I've lost my appetite." He suddenly stood up and left the dining table.

A minute later, I heard the roaring of his engine as he drove away. I sat still, contemplating whether I was right or wrong. I know he doesn't love me, but do I deserve this?

I felt the hot liquid on my cheeks as my tears fell. I wanted Liam to see that I'm doing everything to make this marriage work.

After he left, I wasn't able to finish my breakfast. I immediately went upstairs and silently cried. We've only been married for a day and yet, I'm already hurting. I stood up and wiped my tears hastily. I am Scarlett Audrey McKenzie, I'm a famous model so I shouldn't sulk over these things. I took a shower and got dressed, thinking of going somewhere to freshen up my mind.

I just wore a simple blue sundress and a high-heeled boots to pair it with. I wore my signature sunglasses to hide my eyes from the public's scrutiny. Being in the limelight was worse than you could imagine. Everyone seems to have so much expectation from you and you don’t have the right to make mistakes. Failure has no rooms.

"Aunt Mercy, I'll be out today," I didn't wait for her reply, instead, I immediately went out of the house and headed towards my car.

“Ma'am, are you going somewhere? Sir Liam said –“ before he could even finish his sentence, I cut him off.

"It's okay, Henry, I can drive for myself," I smiled before I went into the driver's seat.

While on the way to Liam's business center, I called my best friend, Chanel. It took a few rings before she answered her phone.

"What's up, b***h?" she greeted over the phone and I just chuckled.

"Xandre Business Circle, ten minutes. See you, ciao!" I said and ended the call.

Xandre Business Circle is a large establishment where signature clothes, accessories, shoes and bags are being sold. There are also restaurants and spas inside, a complete one-stop shop, they say. I parked my car in the parking lot and waited for Chanel before going out.

I don't know how to act in front of her without her noticing my swollen eyes. I sighed. This isn't the life I dreamt of. I blinked when I heard a knock on my car's window. I immediately went out of my car and saw Chanel's raised eyebrows.

"What did Liam do this time?" she asked as we walked around some boutiques.

I looked away and avoided her gaze, but she held my hand firmly. She made me face her and removed my sunglasses, revealing my eyes. I hurriedly got the sunglasses from her and put it back on my eyes again.

"Why do you let him hurt you? Audrey, you're way better than this!" She hissed.

"Lower down your voice, Chan. He did nothing, okay?" I reluctantly answered.

"Tell it to the f*****g Marines, Audrey! You should have known better than to lie for him," she said through clenched teeth.

"He's with her last night. He spent our supposed to be 'first night' night with her," I told her softly.

I drew a deep breath to stop myself from crying. I hate this, I hate dramas, but with Liam, I am doing all the things I hate. People perceived me as someone high and most women idolize me for being prim and proper, their definition of the word perfect. But in reality, I am far from those.

Channie immediately pulled me into a tight hug. She patted my back as I silently cried on her shoulder. That's the thing about best friends, you can cry on them without judgment. We've been friends since college and she knew about my secret love for Liam. I shared everything with her. In fact, she tried to persuade me not to marry Liam to avoid heartbreak. But I was stubborn as a bull so I didn't listen to her advice. And now, I'm wondering whether marrying Liam was indeed a right decision.

"Hush now, he's not worthy of your tears. Why don't we just relieve you of your stress? Let's go get ourselves some stunning outfits!" She exclaimed and pulled me with her.

We jumped from boutiques to boutiques, bought quite a lot of dresses, shoes and even bags. Feeling a little tired, we made our way into a spa and had a massage and facial. It felt like all my stress and restlessness were being taken away and I instantly felt refreshed.

As we were heading out of the spa, we realized we haven't eaten at all. We were so engrossed that we haven't noticed the time. The sun has already set and the darkness has covered the whole place. Only the bright light from the moon and the fancy lights from the lamp posts illuminated the whole place. It looked so magical from all the different colors of light used by the different establishments.

I pulled Chanel's hand and entered the first restaurant we saw. I stopped in the doorway when my eyes landed on a couple seated on the left side of the restaurant. As if on cue, the man turned his head towards my direction and his cold blue eyes almost froze me. He quickly looked back to the woman without acknowledging my presence. When I looked at the woman, there is a triumphant smile on her lips.

"Come on, Drey. I'm really hungry," I heard Chanel's complain, but I still couldn't move.

I was about to go back when I heard Chanel's loud cursing.

"f*****g asshole! He even had the guts to parade that ugly slut in here. Doesn't he have the decency?" She asked and looked at them sharply.

"Come on, let's just eat somewhere," I said.

"No, we're not going anywhere. You are the legal wife; you don't have to be ashamed." She walked inside confidently and passed by Liam and his girlfriend, Angelie, as if they didn't exist.

I slowly followed her inside and sat on our assigned table. While waiting, I stood up and made my way into the restroom. I removed my sunglasses and washed my face. I retouched my make-up and washed my hands when I suddenly heard the door open and closed. I looked at the woman's eyes through the mirror. She was smiling devilishly at me, but I ignored her.

I dried my hands and walked passed her, but before I could open the door, she held my arm tightly. I flinched when I felt her nails digging on my skin, but my face remained emotionless. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of seeing me in pain. My pride simply wouldn't allow that to happen.

"Well, well! How does it feel to be married to a man who will never love you, Audrey?"