Chapter Eighteen
Rain
I have no idea why I teased Hazel like that.
The dreadful look on her face, the way her lips parted, every single expression she gave when I lied about changing her dress was torturous.
I shake my head with a single groan when my brain keeps sending me pictures of her in that skimpy nightwear. Even thirty minutes after she left, I still can’t get that image out of my head. The flimsy abomination of a nightwear clung to her curves, thighs on display as the spaghetti strap barely held the wear up. It’s still imprinted in my brain in 4K.
I pride myself on my high level of control because if I had none, my eyes wouldn’t have left her since I walked out of the bathroom. Pretending not to notice her was torture, then she almost brought me to my knees by drawing my attention directly to it.
Normally, I work in my home office on Sunday, and only indulge in happy hours with the guys whenever we’re all available. But not this Sunday. Not with a guest living next door to me. I’ve never had to draw out a plan for a human, but this time, I have a full proof six-month-guide drawn out.
Stay away from Hazel Wilmer until her job is done here.
I put a shirt on with my pants and open the group chat I share with the guys.
I throw in a message and wait for a reply.
ME: Anyone up for a quick drink?
Renzo’s response comes first. I read it and imagine him fuming as he typed furiously on his screen.
RENZO: Stay with your wife!!!
I scoff and throw my phone into my pocket while I stride downstairs for breakfast. I also have to meet with my staff to give them instructions regarding the new guest.
Frank, my butler, sees me first. He acknowledges my presence and I give him a nod in response.
I glance around the dining table and the kitchen area, but Hazel is nowhere in sight. “Is Mrs Dacosta down yet?”
“No sir. Angela has knocked on her door a few times, but there’s no answer from her.”
I nod, trying to figure out what could be holding her up. I take in a lungful of breath before I say my next sentence. “Someone announce to her that we’re having breakfast together.”
“Okay sir.” He takes a step to pass me, but I stop him.
“Take her on a tour around the house later and give her the full layout, especially where she should and shouldn’t go.” Which is only my room and my office. “Also, that damn door connecting both our rooms, lock it and throw away the keys.”
Frank nods his head, his frown evident even though he wouldn’t dare to say a word. He passes me and walks up the stairs.
Angela made me promise to have breakfast with Hazel on her first morning as a sign of respect, and because of the tiny soft spot I hold for my housekeeper, I agreed.
I snigger at said housekeeper’s approving smile when I take a seat in the dining room and watch her scramble around the kitchen. Angela is the only staff member in my house who acknowledges and greets me whenever she pleases.
Younger than my Mom by a few years, she was employed four years ago when I turned into a mess of myself. My Mom had been so worried about me and had brought in Angela with the hope that she would take care of me like a Mom would, which she does. She oversees everything about the welfare of the house, and has soon become an important staff member.
Joe following closely behind her.
She scolds me, cautions me, and even insults me when I behave like ‘a spoiled child’ as she calls me. Even after the times I threatened to fire her.
‘ Your mother employed me, your mother will fire me , ’ she tells me every time as if the house isn’t mine.
“Don’t bother saying anything,” I say when Angela’s mouth opens as she sets breakfast on the table.
She throws me a hard stare that I ignore. Her lips purses, but a smile soon makes its way back. “You did well.”
“I haven’t done anything. After today, this morning , I’m not having breakfast with her anymore.”
Angela sighs and I grit my teeth, my fist already clenching on its own. She only sighs like that when she’s about to talk about my ex girlfriend.
“Don’t say it,” I warn, my eyes dark. I get no warning before a hard slap lands on my back, and I let out an unplanned yelp. I turn to her with a glare. “What was that for?”
“For being stubborn. You’re always stuck in your own ways. That’s not a great way to live, Rain.”
“Stop,” I warn again.
Angela just shakes her head and resumes applying peanut butter on the toast. “Fine. Shut everything and everyone out. Don’t you know that being hauled back by the past is bad? It’s like a terminal disease that rubs you off your future.”
People think I stop them from saying anything about Sara because I’m still in love with her, but they don’t know that I’m just protecting my heart. Remembering her, talking about her, or even as much as hearing a familiar name, reminds me of the things I lost, things I could have had.
“You’re going to do what you’re best at, and ignore me?”
“That’s what I’m going to do, because I have nothing else to say to you. Also don’t slap me like that in front of Hazel. I have a reputation to maintain.”
“Oh no,” Angela coos deceptively. “Is the almighty Rain scared of being spanked in front of his wife?” I shut my eyes with a frustrated puff of breath. As I open my mouth to lash at her again, we both hear movement from the top floor. The sharp look she throws at me can cut a stone as she takes what she needs from the table and returns into the kitchen.
The sound of a shutting door draws my attention to the stairs, but I busy myself with my breakfast, not wanting to see Hazel when she walks down.
Her scent invades my nose first before she comes to sight. The scent of lilies surround the kitchen and dining area, and I groan. What was I thinking, accepting to have breakfast with her?
She takes careful steps toward the table and draws out her chair across me awfully slow and loud—or maybe it’s just me who hears it like that.
Angela strides out of the kitchen, her disapproval and anger visibly mitigating as she sights Hazel on the dining table. She arranges the smoked salmon and fruit salad next to the pastries and pot of tea.
“Good morning, Mrs Dacosta,” she greets, her voice warm.
“Good morning–”
I realize that I haven’t introduced her to any of my staff. I clear my throat and shift in my seat. “That’s Angela. She’s our personal housekeeper and chef. The most important staff member of the house although she takes advantage of it sometimes.” Angela’s head snaps to me and a reproving look crosses her face. “And Angela, this is–”
“Your wife. I know who she is, sir . She’s your wife.” Angela interrupts, cutting the ‘sir’ with the harshest tone ever, as if reminding me of the relationship between me and the stranger caught up in my mess. She turns to Hazel, her warm smile returning to her face as she passes the black pepper. “There are three more staff in the house. There’s Frank, the butler. Gino, the gardener. And you already know Joe, the driver.”
“Ahhh” is all Hazel drawls out before she takes her cup of tea to her mouth.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get to know everyone better with time. Let me know if you need anything. Also, I hope you like your room. Closet especially. I tried to make it to your taste.”
Hazel’s eyes pop. “You arranged it? Oh my God, thank you. I love it so much. It definitely is to my taste.”
“Of course, it is.” A pointy stare is thrown at me as she says her next sentence. “After thorough investigations, I figured out what you’ll like and what you won’t.”
My eyes roll involuntarily. Angela is aware that I’d hired a hacker to dig into Hazel’s online purchase activities to notice a pattern on her comfortability needs, including having her shopping wishlists tracked. I bought all 206 items on her wishlists, scattered across various brand apps. Some dated back six years, that I doubt she even remembers, but the intel gathered every single one from the search.
It’s not kindness, it’s a calculated move. The last thing I want in my house is a headache and drama. Not when every staff member looks smitten by her, and will, without a doubt, jump to her defense.
“Thank you,” she says again. “I fear I have one more request. Is it okay if I ask?” The way she flitters her eyes from Angela and me tells me that she’s asking both of us, but I keep my silence while Angela nods at her. “Is it okay if I prepare my own food from now onwards? I appreciate your cooking,” she counters quickly after catching Angela’s furrowed brows. “It just … I like to cook my own food.”
“Only your food?”
“No, no. I can be in charge of cooking in the house, but if you also like to cook your own food, then I can be responsible for Rain and I’s meals.”
I throw a glare at Angela, noting the smirk and side-eye she gives me as evident that she did this intentionally. If she was on my side, she would have said I also don’t eat any food that’s not prepared by her. I’m surrounded by betrayals.
“That’s a good idea. Okay, you’ll be in charge of both of your meals from now on, hm?” Hazel nods with a bright smile. “I’ll leave you to your breakfast now,” Angela takes her tray, leaving Hazel and I in the dining room that’s crowded with deafening silence.
“Did you sleep well?” My fork pauses midway at Hazel’s attempt to initiate a conversation. Her voice cuts through the quietness like a gentle breeze.
My eyes meet hers and I fix her a steely gaze. “Fine.” My reply is curt and the finality in my tone clearly leaves no room for further discussion, which she seems to catch on.
The clinking of silverware against each other becomes the only soundtrack to our breakfast.
I narrow my eyes on her. Is she making so much noise with everything on purpose? My question is answered when she sips her tea so loud that I growl out in irritation.
“Do you want something?”
Her answer comes before the question fully leaves my mouth. “Yes, I have a question.” Her face falls at my lack of response, but I watch her straighten her shoulder as if gathering herself for confidence. “What are we in private?”
I lift my eyebrow for just a fraction. Although I’m uninterested in having a conversation with her, I need to clear whatever motion is currently running though her head.
“What do you mean by ‘what are we in private’?”
“Well, we’re married, but our marriage is a secret from the public, which means we can’t act as a couple in front of anyone. But what about in private? If we can’t act as a couple in private too, then what exactly am I doing here?”
Respect blooms in my chest at her question. I haven’t expected her to question me about the terms of our marriage. I’ve told her I’m being blackmailed by my Dad, but that’s only half the truth.
“We’re not acting for anyone. Everyone in my family knows how fake this arrangement is, and the public are not aware of it at all. Just think of it as having a housemate for six months.”
“So what? We just stay on our own? We never talk? No attempts to know each other? No plans for the weekends or exploring the city? Are you going to satisfy yourself with other women?” Her voice dips toward the end of her questions and realization dawns on me.
So that’s what this is all about?
“It’s not that I want to sleep with you,” she continues, pinning me with a look that says she knows what’s running through my head. “I only want to know. What are our expectations in this relationship?”
“I would never engage in a relationship or sleep with another woman while married to you.” Cheating? I would never. Being cheated on was what brought me to this version of myself, I wouldn’t do that to someone else.
The surprise flickering across Hazel’s eyes tells me she isn’t expecting me to promise her loyalty and fidelity, and I realize just how low she thinks of me.
“Oh … okay.”
“And whatever is between us is a business arrangement. Let’s keep it that way. Again, we’re just housemates.”
Hazel’s expression wavers, hurt flickering in her eyes. “I know it’s just a business arrangement, I just want to–”
“Since our marriage is secret, we won’t wear our rings in public too. I’ll have someone deliver a better option to us.”
My phone beeps twice and I remove it from my pocket to check.
KNOX: Nah! I’m picking Princess up today.
The asshole does eventually pick his daughter up.
ANTON: Yes, I could use one. I had a fall out with Dad again.
Thank God.
I get up to my feet, my untouched breakfast scowling at me. Hazel raises her head to look at me, a crease formed between her brows as she scans me. “Remember, our marriage is just a contract. As long as you fulfill your duties, which is living with me for six months, we shouldn’t need unnecessary discussions.”
I leave immediately, not wanting to hear her reply.