NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: The Tension Is High!
Kaelynnee sat on her opulent bed, surrounded by a sprawling sea of papers. Almost a hundred sheets were spread out in disarray, each laden with dense information that made her head spin. The soft glow of her bedside lamp illuminated the text, casting shadows on the intricate patterns of her plush bedding. She had spent an exhausting night poring over the details of her contract husband, a task that felt increasingly overwhelming with each passing moment.
Isn't this a bit much?
It was hard for her to grasp why diving deep into his past was necessary, but he insisted that understanding every nuance of his life was crucial to maintaining the façade in front of his friends, family, and influential colleagues. Yet, despite her best efforts, she found herself struggling to stay awake as she trudged through the endless documentation.
The pages contained a plethora of personal details: his childhood habits, likes and dislikes that changed with the seasons, and a list of his favorite musicians and the instruments he had played over the years. She even stumbled upon names of relatives, friends, and his family's social interactions, alongside sensitive information like his social security number and license plate number. The sheer volume of data was staggering—seven different addresses filled the margins, including a lavish family vacation villa situated by the ocean across the city.
As she continued to read, she found specifics about his car—make, model, year—and even a chronicle of his past relationships. It all felt like an avalanche of information, each detail loading her with an unbearable weight. It was as if her brain was burning out trying to absorb it all.
Finally, she reached a page that outlined the six rules of the marriage contract. The rules were stark and unyielding:
1. Do not be caught with another man.
2. Absolutely do not leak any information regarding the contract or any household members.
3. No physical touching.
4. Do not address the family unless you are directly spoken to.
5. Speak with the utmost respect and deference.
6. Most importantly, under no circumstances are you to fall in love.
As she stared at the list, a mix of frustration and dread coursed through her. Each rule felt like an unbreakable chain, binding her to an arrangement that was becoming increasingly complex and emotionally draining.
As dawn broke, she slowly fluttered her eyelids open, feeling the warm, golden sunlight gently caressing her face. The delicate rays streamed through the window, warming her skin and coaxing her from the depths of sleep. With a soft groan, she rubbed the lingering drowsiness from her heavy eyelids and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. As her feet touched the floor, a subtle crinkling sound broke the morning's tranquility—a few loose sheets of paper tumbled down, floating softly to the ground. The weight of fatigue clung to her, dulling her awareness of her surroundings.
She trudged toward the bathroom, feeling an insistent pull from her body that urged her to heed nature's call. As she made her way down the dimly lit hallway, a series of peculiar, soft moans drifted through the air, capturing her curiosity and halting her steps. Drawn by the sound, she cautiously approached a slightly ajar door, her heart beating louder with each inch she moved closer.
Peering through the narrow crack, she was met with an unexpected sight: a man and a woman entwined in a passionate embrace, their bodies completely bare and illuminated by the soft morning light. The scene was both intimate and raw, their movements fluid and charged with a deep, unspoken connection. Instinctively, she averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing with a mix of surprise and embarrassment, and hastily retreated back to her own sanctuary. Her heart raced as she hurried away, silently praying that her brief glimpse had gone unnoticed. Inside the room, the man lifted his head, sensing a strange flicker of movement by the doorway, but quickly dismissed it as nothing more than a trick of the light, his attention returning to the warmth of the body beside him.
There was a gentle knock at her door, a sound that felt almost like a whisper among the quietude of the room. "Miss Kaelynnee, it's time to meet my parents," he announced, his voice steady and soothing, carrying an air of reassurance. The warmth of his demeanor contrasted with the flutter of anticipation in her chest.
She paced back and forth in her dimly lit room, her heart racing as she anxiously nibbled on her fingernails. Thoughts swirled in her mind, frantic and tumultuous. "What if I just pretend like I didn't see them? He won't notice a thing!" she mused, her stomach knotting at the idea. With a deep breath, she finally opened the door, only to be met by his piercing gaze.
In that moment of direct eye contact, memories flooded back: the sight of his toned six-pack glistening with sweat, the way his intense eyes had locked onto another woman's as he kissed her. A jolt of electricity surged through her as the image of his lips lingered in her mind. She recalled a moment when they had almost kissed, the air thick with unspoken desire, and suddenly she found herself envisioning a future with him—shared laughter, warm embraces, and intimate nights in bed.
Confusion twisted in her chest, an unsettling mix of jealousy and yearning swirling just beneath the surface. As she clenched her fists to steady her racing thoughts, a nervous laugh escaped her lips. "What should I even wear?" she questioned abruptly, the anxiety palpable in her tone, as she pondered how to face him amidst the chaos of her emotions.
"As the lady meticulously took your measurements the other day, I felt compelled to intervene and find something visually striking for you. After all, your sense of taste and fashion leaves much to be desired. While I want you to be yourself during the dinner, I simply cannot allow you to dress as you please; the thought of embarrassment is unbearable to me." He spoke with a hint of sternness, glancing toward his assistant, who stood nearby and held a stunning, form-fitting black dress that hugged every curve, paired elegantly with a set of sleek, dark heels. With a flourish, then handed the outfit to her, hopeful it would meet his standards of refinement.
As Kaelynnee carefully slipped her feet into a pair of elegant four-inch black heels, she marveled at how the shoes accentuated her long legs. She then pulled up a stunning, form-fitting black dress that hugged her curves perfectly, the fabric glistening under the soft light of the room. Standing in front of the mirror, she admired her reflection, but soon realized she couldn't reach the zipper at the back of her dress.
Frustration began to set in as she strained her fingers to grasp the zipper. Just as she was about to give up, she felt a cool yet gentle touch against her back, sending a shiver down her spine and warming her from within. "Miss Kaelynnee, you look absolutely exquisite," he said, his voice low and filled with admiration.
As he lowered his head, his gaze fell upon the smooth expanse of her bare back. His fingers brushed against her skin delicately as he expertly pulled the zipper up, the soothing touch igniting an unspoken tension between them. The room fell into a heavy silence, yet in that quiet moment, the unacknowledged desire between them crackled like electricity in the air. He finally spoke again, breaking the stillness. "My parents would find you stunning."
Her heart raced within her chest, each beat a reminder of the electricity that lingered from his gentle touch on her skin. The air was thick with unspoken tension, and she felt a pang of fear grip her, uncertain of what might unfold now that they were alone in her dimly lit room. Desperate to shift the charged atmosphere, she attempted a light-hearted invitation, her voice barely above a whisper, "Should we leave now?" As she turned to face him, their eyes met—an unexpected collision that pulled her in deeper. His gaze was magnetic, holding her captive as he leaned closer, causing her to lose her balance and tumble back onto the bed, scattering papers across the floor like fallen leaves.
Just then, the door creaked open, and the assistant stepped inside, his presence instantly altering the mood. He bowed his head respectfully, clearing his throat to capture their attention before speaking. "Sir and Madam, the vehicle is ready for you," he announced, his voice steady but soft in the heavy silence.
With a mix of reluctance and authority, he stood up and extended his hand towards her. "Shall we head to the chauffeur?" he asked, his tone inviting yet firm. She hesitated only for a moment before clasping his hand, feeling the warmth radiate from his skin as he gently pulled her to her feet. As she stumbled forward, she found herself pressing against his chest, the unexpected intimacy sending a shiver down her spine.