Chapter Five: His Wife
1432 Words
Emma
Reid is equally stunned but doesn’t do anything. My tears run down my face but I say through the bile in my mouth.
“You are a monster, James. You really will have someone kill me? And you will just watch? Is this how much you hate me?”
James is silent but looks at the man, holding the gun against me. James doesn’t speak, but I swear something passes between them, it’s like they talk to each other without speaking out loud. Maybe I am insane, but the man lowers the gun and steps away from me.
“Your gorillas are ready to risk their lives for you at any given moment, I know that., “ I say, my eyes never leaving James’. “But to be honest- I don’t care if I live or die. Being here with you is worse than death. So you’d better kill me!”
I yell, “Put this gun to my head and kill me. Come on! Do it with your own hands. I’d rather be dead than lose my baby and live as one of your pawns! “
Something shifts in James’ expression. I don’t know what it is, but the unreadable expression he normally has changes.
James stubs his cigarette out and waves everyone off.
“Leave us. “
he commands. When everyone is gone, including Reid, James exhales, composing himself.
“Why didn’t you kill me?” I clench my teeth.
“I can’t have you die here. “ James says, then walks towards me.
“What are you going to do?” I ask, voice trembling.
My heart speeds up. James is looming over me. I press myself against one of the walls. James places his hand on the wall, right next to my head.
I squeeze my eyes shut, waiting for him to punish me. Instead, I feel him rest his forehead against mine.
What is he doing…
I’ve never been this close to James,not like this. My heart is going to burst. I don’t dare move. I both want to stay like this forever and open my eyes.
But if I open my eyes this might prove to be an illusion.
“This will never happen again. James says, quietly and pulls away to look at me. I miss the touch. This insane madness - the mixture between mind-numbing fear and the desire to be close to him, to make him touch me, will never leave.
“I am your husband, “ James says, “And no one will dare come close to you like earlier. “
I shake my head.
“Those are your men. They will always be concerned with your safety. “
“They will face the consequences. You were scared.“
“I wasn’t. “
I lie and he observes me.
“Was it true, “ he asks, “What the doctor said, “That if you abort the child you may never have kids again. “
“It’s true. “
James pushes away from the wall and nods.
“Then keep it. “
I look at him, wide-eyed. I don’t know what is happening and where the sudden change in James came from.
“Really?” I gasped, my heart fluttering, this time with excitement. “I can keep the baby?”
“Yes. And I will act as your real husband. I will take care of you and the child. “
“Are you going to do this?” I ask, still in disbelief. I never thought I would hear James say anything remotely like this.
“But… what do you mean as a husband and wife?”
A slow smile appears on James’ lips. Every time he smiles I can’t help but notice how stunningly attractive he is.
At the same time, the smile has an edge to it, that constant reminder I don't know who my husband is. A mixture of desire, attraction and intimidation.
“You said you would never touch me?” I breathe out the words and he lifts his hand. James runs his fingertips very slowly on my cheek. Then his fingers trail lower to my lips.
“I might reconsider. “ he says, voice down to a growl. They send shivers down my spine and I press myself towards the wall harder.
His fingers trail lower. He brushes them over my neck, my pulse thudding under his touch.
“Do you like me touching you?” he asks, leaning towards me. The color in my cheek rises and I can’t stop it. James smiles at my reaction and I feel even more embarrassed.
“Of course you like it. “
James says and my eyes flutter closed as he leans in further, his lips right against my ear. I want him to kiss me and I am scared of the thoughts in my head.
His warm breath dances on the sensitive skin behind my neck as he says.
“But I have one condition if you want to keep the child. “
A bad feeling spreads in my chest and my eyes snap open. James pills away and I meet his eyes.
“What condition?” I ask.
“You will never meet Michael again. “
This seems like an easy thing, a no-brainer. I have to say yes. But I also know I have to meet Michael one last time. Our agreement was he would tell me what happened that night I got pregnant if I did the job for him.
“If I find out you’ve talked to him, or if he’s contacted you in any way, this will be the end. Of everything. James says and I nod.
“Okay. “ I promise. “I will never meet Michael again. “
“Good. Then- I expect you to be ready tonight at eight pm. Reid will pick you up. “
“Whh… where?”
“You’ll see, “ James takes out another cigarette from his pocket, “We’re husband and wife now, we have to act like such, remember? I will send over clothes for you. I will send money to you as well. And one more thing.”
“What/”
“No funny tricks, remember?”
“Yeah, “ I mutter.
James leaves and one of the servants escorts me out.
Before I meet James tonight, however, I have one last thing to do. I have to speak to Michael for the last time. I sent Michael a message and we agreed to meet in a small restaurant downtown. Right before I got to the restaurant, I received a call.
It's from the hospital.
“Miss Miller, “ the doctor asks, “I am calling regarding your mother’s operation. “
“I am so sorry, “ I begin, “I will get the money, just…”
“Oh, no, no. “ he says, “The money's been paid. I am calling to give you details about the date and some information about the operation itself. “
Then he starts explaining.
The operation has been paid for. My heart flutters happily as I walk towards the restaurant. Maybe Michael really kept his word.
I get in and see him.
Michael is tall, with hazelnut hair and blue eyes you can’t miss. I take the seat opposite him and begin first.
“We can’t meet like this anymore. “ I say, “I gave my word to James. “
Michael snorts.
“You’ve lost your mind. “ He says, “But go on, especially if you want to lose your life. “
“I have an agreement with him... “ I admit, “But I have to thank you.”
“For?”
Michael asks, taking a sip from his drink.
“The money for my mother’s operation. I… Thank you. You saved her life. “
But Michale looks at me, puzzled. The confusion is there for only a second but it’s enough. It’s like a slap in the face.
“You didn’t pay for the operation, “ I gasp, “Then who…”
This is when I hear a raised voice. I turn around to see my sister, bursting into the restaurant and pushing people away.
“What the f**k is going on here?” she yells. Claire is wearing a bright red dress with even brighter lipstick.
She looks furious.
“You didn’t tell Claire you were here?” I exclaim, looking between Michael and my sister.
“You stupid b***h!”
My sister yells and grabs me, forcefully. “Stop trying to steal my man from me!”
- Writer
