Alexus felt the movement as his wife fell asleep, leaning against his chest. They were being carried through the air, and he expected Rafaella to wake up at any moment. And his eyes narrowed at the slight movement of Rafaella's eyelashes. She looked so tame. That's what he thought. Her eyes steadily stared at his chest until they opened furiously and twisted her head, and their eyes met. A smile slowly gaped at her lips. Then it widened as it seemed realization hit her. "Where am I?" "Easy..." he said when Rafaella moved to sit down, and her eyes widened when she saw the flight stewardess gliding the trolley. She then turned back to look at her husband. "Yes, we're already boarded as you went to sleep..." "Oh... I'm sorry," Rafaella said softly. Her brows were slightly furrowed. "I wasn't aware that I was dozing off." "I'm not surprised at all. It would be best if you had it," Alexus remarked. "How's your head?" She stroked the part of her head almost at her nape wrapped in a ba
Rafaella felt relieved after a long soak in the shower as she thought about the issue of her married life. If she was honest with herself, she knew she didn't know what to do now that she and Alexus were alone in the main bedroom. So, she came out of the bathroom while patting her chest. Alexus was leaning against the bed's headboard with the laptop on his lap. It was the first time she saw him wearing reading glasses. The aura on his face looks serious. Maybe the man felt his eyes on her, so he raised his head. Their eyes met momentarily before he wandered over to her outfit, a pair of dark silk blue pajamas. Her face warmed when she noticed his eyes resting on her chest. "Can you not look at me like that," she scolded, pulling the bath towel around her head so it won't reach the water on her head with a bandage. The smiles that appeared on Alexus' lips. "Come here, Rafa..." he said, patting the side of the bed. "Why?" She asked as she approached the bed. She sat down, and the tw
Rafaella awoke slowly, burrowing into her plush cushion and keeping her eyes closed. She was alerted that she was awake later than usual by a warm beam that caressed her skin via the bedroom window. She rolled over as the orchestra, primarily bass drums, started playing a symphony in her thoughts. When the bright sun blinded her, she slowly opened her eyes before closing them again. She twisted to look at that side of the bed and found Alexus facing her sideways, but she stopped when she realized he appeared asleep. Rafaella fixed her gaze on his serene demeanor. She was trance-like. She moved gently, leaned closer to the man's face, blowing on his eyelashes to ensure he was still sleeping, then lowered her head back onto her plush cushion. Not even the slightest shift from what she did. She didn't look away from the man. When the person next to her sighed, she felt her stomach ache to tighten into a painful knot. No. God, no. That groan was one I recognized. Even worse, it brough
Alexus looked at him. He was looking over his profile. The older man was busy formulating ideas. Then Mr. Jones returned to the table once more while still standing. He waited for the older man to speak as he lifted both hands to the table."I'm not as heartless as their father, but even if I squeeze my brain at these times, I can't think of a way to solve the problem I'm currently facing. I now recognized what a huge error I had made. When I accept that course of action, I depend on material things. If she marries him, their lives will be happy and content. So tell me, how can I escape this predicament? Nothing at all." While looking at Rafaella's father, Alexus's emotions were torn between sympathy and wrath, but he was also considering ways to save the older man and his daughter. "Yeah, I admit it. I made a terrible mistake, and I did it because I was fixated on gambling. But the truth is, I am too weak to get out of it." "However, Mr. Jones, do you understand the implications o
Rafaella watched her father and Alexus as she murmured, "Mum claimed you've been together long inside this room.""Hey, sweetie. You surely beat the investigator with your questions," Alexus was purposely attempting to catch her attention. " The truth is, among other things, your daddy and I were just discussing your debut."Her joyous eyes expanded as she said, "Oh. Alexus, are you coming?""Naturally, I'll be your second dancing partner, just like your dad would be."You won't get lost that day, promise me."He cheered, "Sounds like an ultimatum. I also want to see how men snatch my gorgeous adoptive sister so that I won't miss it for anything," he joked."That's fantastic, but where have you been? It seems like you've been away for a while.""Oh, you know, I was doing an undercover thing.""Difficult situation?""You may say that, but I must conduct my inquiry as usual, or else my client will be in serious trouble.""But what if your client is the guilty party?""I hate to entertai
The picture frame slid to the ground, and Alexus grabbed it up. It was broken. He fixed his gaze on the people he was within the group photos, which also included Rafaella's father and other friends. The picture was taken at an inauguration they both attended, where he had the opportunity to meet Sandy, one of the speakers since she was a shareholder in the newly established business. Now that he was secretly married, Alexus questioned what might have happened. When a peculiar cold sensation overcame him, he gazed around carelessly. Why am I experiencing this? Why am I the only one feeling this way? Which does this imply? He chose to leave his study space. When he saw his sister rushing toward him, he was still perplexed about what was happening to him. "What's up, Marla?" Oh, brother," she murmured with a hint of worry. "What I'm about to tell you is something you won't believe." He was impatient and said, "Tell me straight, Marla." "Something happened... Mr. Jones died. Mrs. W
A succession of taps on the door of their chamber cut short Alexus' explanation to his wife of what had happened to her father and why he had married her by proxy.Mommy? Daddy?The twins' cheerful voices could be heard as they entered their room."Oh, where have they gone?""On the balcony," Alexus yelled, "In here, Josh," before glancing briefly at his wife and vanishing, leaving Rafaella to wipe away her tears swiftly.The twins gave him a bear embrace as soon as they saw him."Daddy, we have a question for you."He observed their glances at each other and inquired, gazing back from Joshua to Lucy.Joshua was ready to get started. "May we go swimming, Dad?""Okay, but just a little swim."The twins became animated.Joshua asked as he took a glance around. "Where is Mommy?"He turned to the twins and stated, "Mom and I were just conversing," before looking up at Libby. "They've eaten, right?"Sure, Daddy," Lucy promptly replied. "Let's go to the pool!""Well, go ahead. Mom and I wil
Rafaella was unaware of the three undercover spies, including Timothy and Libby, who saw her holding hands with her spouse. And Alexus would focus on her every time they watched the twins playfully paddle in the pool. Also, her husband frequently caught her looking at him when speaking to Timothy. He once offered her a sweet wink when she turned to look at him. So, that day was a significant occasion for them all. At the pool, Mrs. Jones was present as well. Rafaella fed her mother and expressed gratitude for her presence. Her mother grinned quietly whenever Alexus came to her side and put his hand on her shoulder or, sporadically, her waist. Mrs. Jones told her daughter, "You looked good together. It's a shame Teresa isn't present because she will undoubtedly shed happy tears when she learns that you and your husband have reconciled." Rafaella grinned. "Mom, when will Mrs. Wood be back?" "Let her leave, and she hasn't been home to them for three years because of dedicated her work