CHAPTER 31
The morning was not as tense as Amara expected it to be. In fact, by the way, Rafael was reacting, she wondered if the last night was just a nightmare.
Rafael was making breakfast as soon as Amara entered the living room. The sweet delicious aroma of blueberry pancakes filled the air, along with a tangerine whisk of orange juice. It took her a while to process the situation.
Rafael was making breakfast. For her.
However, that wasn’t enough to calm her raging heart.
The hurt from last night was too much. She barely slept a wink, fighting with her demons.
Afraid that Rafael would barge into her room and force her once again.
She was so scared that she stayed cocooned under the blanket with a vase so that she could use it to protect herself from her husband. The situation was laughable.
Amara took a cautious step forward, making sure not to give Rafael any— “Oh, you’re up. Good morning.” Rafael spoke stopping her in her tracks.
Amara tensed as he looked over his shoulder at her scared face. He sighed, his eyes lowering as he flipped the pancake. “I’m sorry for last night, I was drunk and didn’t know what I was doing.”
Amara wanted to laugh. Drunk? Without alcohol he was drunk? She didn’t smell any alcohol on him last night how could he say he was drunk? Was he lying just to make her feel better? What was the point anyway?
She cautiously slipped to the living area. “It’s…alright.” Despite wanting to say so much, she kept herself from initiating a conversation that would lead to such a situation. Amara kept looking over her shoulder visibly uncomfortable as she started tidying up the place.
Rafael watched her — attentively and calmly. He knew what he did last night. And he was ashamed. But what about the things she did? Sneaking away with his brother? The man who wanted her more than fire needs gasoline?
His jaw clenched. Despite cheating on him, she was acting like a victim. He felt his emotions swirling into rage and frustration.
“Don’t step out.” He muttered. “If I find you out, I’ll punish you severely. You wouldn’t want that, do you?” He said with a smirk making Amara shiver. The teasing suggestive smirk had her take a step back.
“No.” He stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous.
"Good.” Amara shuddered as he put his trench coat on and grabbed his phone. His brows furrowed as he looked down at the phone and then at her like silently asking her to obey him.
Amara averted her eyes to her plate and wished for him to leave soon. She needed time to think and with him hogging on her tail, she didn’t know how much longer she could bear.
It had been only an hour since Rafael left. Busying herself at work, she was wiping the counter when she heard the doorbell rang. Driven by startled surprise, she placed the cloth on the counter and wiped her hands on the apron before walking to the door.
Anticipating, she twisted the door knob.
“Hi.” His deep voice fell upon her ears before she could see him.
“W-what are you doing here?” Shock echoed in her voice, a sudden gasp escaping her lips as her eyes widened. Her body tensed, and she took a step back, hands instinctively reaching for support as Kaelith casually walked in as if he owned the place.
What was he doing here? After what happened last night, she couldn’t be seen with him.
What if Rafael comes back soon and finds him?
What would happen to her? A sudden fear gripped her.
“I was expecting a good morning at least.” He mused taking a look around.
His lips widened in a grin when he noticed the peonies on the table.
Amara panicked looking at the door anticipating if Rafael would come back. She grabbed Kaelith’s arms and tried to push him to the door.
“Y-You can’t be here. Rafael will know!” Kaelith looked down at her as she struggled to move him an inch. He sighed grabbed her hand and pulled her to his chest.
“Are you afraid of him?” He raised his brow. Amara shook her head.
“I-“
“Come.” Kaelith pulled her to the door when she flinched and struggled.
“I…I can’t go out!” Kaelith stopped and turned around. His eyes thinned. Voice lowered. “Why?” Amara swallowed hard, remembering what happened last night and trembled. “Rafael…won’t like it,” Kaelith observed her. Something was wrong with her.
“Then we can stay in.” He pulled her to the couch.
“N-No!” Amara resisted. Her eyes flickered to the door as Kaelith pulled her down on the couch with him. Hooking his arm around her waist, he pulled her to his side.
“What were you up to today? Painting? Or dancing?” He asked curiously grabbing the remote and turning on the television.
Amara exhaled sharply hoping Rafael wouldn’t be back any time soon.
“Neither. I needed to do Rafael’s laundry and iron his clothes. He’d be home early; I have to prepare dinner for him too.”
“And what about you?” He asked genuinely curious. She wants to know what she does in her free time.
“I am his wife. It’s my duty to serve him.” Amara mumbled fidgeting with her fingers, betraying her inner unease. Eyes darting around avoiding Kaelith’s piercing eyes.
Kaelith thinned his brows suspiciously. Skepticism lingered in his eyes.
“Serve? Sounds more like a slave to me.” He mumbled distastefully. Amara sensed the tension before she looked at the door and sighed.
“Can you please leave?” She muttered.
Kaelith clenched his jaw. As much as he loved her, he hated the disobedience and disrespect the most. No matter who it was coming from. He fists his hands and raises his brow.
“I’ll say this more politely this time. No.” he said with a deep gravelly voice.
She nervously looked around as if seeking escape. She hated how Rafael made her feel. A shallow, subtly irregular breath betrayed the internal turbulence, and a forced uncertain look crept on her face as Kaelith sighed and stood up.
Amara quickly alarmed, backing away as he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her to his chest trapping her between his strong arms. His piercing gaze immobilized her.
“Come on, little one, don’t tempt me with that pout.” He muttered his eyes darting to her lips as she unconsciously licked them. “I can be a more dangerous man when provoked.” His voice suddenly husky and low, carried a seductive undertone, each syllable draped in velvety allure.
Amara gulped feeling trapped in his muscular arms. Her head barely reached his chin and even with her toes, she could barely reach his shoulders. The height difference was too much and too intimidating.
“Kaelith…” she tested the waters. His gaze subtly traced the contours of her figure, a lingering sensuality evident in the way his eyes moved. A sly half-smile played on his lips, betraying what he felt for her.
Eyes hooded and darkened with the glint of both amusement and playfulness.
He knew the impact he had on her. How he made her feel.
How much control he had over her. But then again, he loved her too much to see her being scared.
So, he causally let go of her wrist and took a step back putting his hands in his pockets.
Tilting his head, he licked his lips glancing at her pink-hued ones. “Okay, I’ll leave, but on one condition.”
Amara cradled her wrists close to her chest. “What is it?” Voice barely audible.
Kaelith glanced down as he watched how the dress flowed down her curves and rested at her ankles.
“Paint me.” He muttered seductively. “I’ll decide the place and time, and you’ll have to paint me.”
Amara blinked unsure how she should process his words. Her brows narrowed in confusion.
“Only paint?”
“Do you want something else?” He asked amusedly.
“N-No, I mean. Will you leave then?” She shook her head as her cheeks crimsoned. Kaelith clicked his tongue.
“For now, yes, I will leave. Once you promise me.”
Amara glanced at the clock. And let out a tired sigh.
“I promise.” Anything to make him leave for now.
“Then, be prepared. I’ll have someone pick you up at 11 tomorrow.” Kaelith said walking to the door. Amara stopped him.
“I cannot leave the house.”
Kaelith stopped looking over his shoulder and crossed his arms across his chest. “Then I will not leave now.”
“Okay…I will.” She mumbled defeatedly.