Chapter 5 - Married Life

Pov: Kayden

Even though I did nothing productive for the whole day except for getting married, I feel exhausted. I decide to take a quick shower before going to the study to resume work. Work seems never-ending.

The water running over my body makes me relax a little. I wrap a towel around my waist and come out.

Suddenly, the door of my bedroom opened and Zara was standing there unwelcomed. She looks at me with wide eyes and turns beet red before closing the door.

I frown. For a moment, I regretted agreeing to my family’s demands so easily. I liked women who are elegant, poised, and dignified with proper manners and etiquette. Just like Monica. But now, I’m married to someone who doesn’t even knock on the door before entering all because of a ridiculous reason.

I’m not compatible with her, but this woman is now my lawful wife.

I put on some clothes and opened the door, still a little cool about the situation earlier. She was standing outside. “Do you still want to come in?”

She froze in a place before apologizing as she stepped inside. I’ve already established we will live together after marriage including sharing a room. It seems we both will need some time to get used to each other’s presence.

Zara closed the bedroom door behind her. Looking slightly helpless she says, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just that… I’m still not comfortable with the fact that I’m married and that I live with you now. That’s why I reacted in that way.”

My gaze rested on her white and glowing face. Compared to other women, her skin was so white, it almost seemed translucent. It appeared to be as soft and smooth as a baby’s skin.

What the hell are you doing? Now isn’t the time to admire her skin. I paused before shifting my gaze, looking to the side. “I don’t care what bad habits you used to have, but I hope that the first thing you learn here is to knock before you enter.”

“Are you blaming me for coming in without knocking?” she said indignantly. “How was I supposed to know that you were naked? I think you should be the one to adjust. Now that there’s someone living with you, you shouldn’t just walk around naked.”

Blood almost sot through my head. This unreasonable woman has the audacity to tell me how I should live in my own house?

I decided to take the high road and stop conversing with this woman. I picked up my blanket and walked towards the couch.

“I’ll sleep on the couch.” She called out from behind.

“There’s no need for that.” I threw the blanket down. “I’ll sleep on the couch. You sleep on the bed.” A gentleman should only do this.

“It’s alright I’ll sleep on the couch. I’m used to it. Plus, with your height, it would be uncomfortable to sleep on the couch.” She stood right beside me and was prepared to pull my elbow.

But before she could touch me, I reflexively blocked her. But I didn’t put my mind into controlling my strength because she fell directly to the ground.

She looked up at me kind of hurt and I could see the anger rising in her eyes. She stood up and yelled at me. “Are you crazy? Forget that I came to sleep on the couch out of kindness. What do you mean by this?”

But I’m not the epitome of kindness either. I raise my eyebrows, lowered my head, and pat the part of my elbow that she touched. I looked calmly at her “Let me get one thing straight. You caused all of this to happen. You’re saying that you were being kind. Don’t you think it’s a little late now?”

“Even if I drugged you… I didn’t make you push me on the bed. If you were so concerned you could have rubbed one out instead of jumping on me. I should be the one to complain.”

I grit my teeth at her ‘rubbed one out’ phrase from her uncouth mouth as another layer of ice seemed to freeze over my face. I pointed at the door with my finger. “Get out!”

She froze in her spot and looked even angrier as she glared at me. I close my eyes and turn around. I don’t want to even see her face.

Suddenly, she jumped onto my back. “Oh no! There’s a rat. It’s so scary! Rats are my greatest fear.”

I tensed up. Her soft, fragrant body latched onto me like a sloth, my body jolted and I instinctively tried to shake her off.

“Let go!” I stretch my arm backward to push her off, but the two soft unfamiliar lumps called breasts pressing against my back started a flame inside my body and I freeze.

Although she’s tall compared to other women, she was much smaller in front of me. Her body is soft as silk and as pliant as water. She clung to me like a thin snake, making me realize that she is very slender.

Her pale fingers held onto my arm were comforting even though they were cold to touch.

However, during this time, her breasts pressing my back felt more and more prominent and my body began to heat up uncontrollably.

Damn it. The effect of the drug should have worn off a long time ago…

This means my body is obviously reacting.

“I won’t let go. There’s a rat. I’m afraid of rats…” She held onto me for dear life and refused to let go.

Enough of this! I stretch my arm around to grab her waist. I pull her off my back and throw her down. But she was holding on to me too tight and due to the momentum we both fell down.

When I regained my bearings, right before me were her soft, pink lips. They parted a little as she gasped and I could see a silver of pearly white teeth. It was like a passionate invitation that left my throat dry.

Surprised by my own thought, I subconsciously pushed away from her delicate body that was on top of me.

I take deep breaths and began to relax when I saw Zara sitting on the floor with her hands on her chest while tears flowed down her porcelain cheeks. Strangely, my heart lurched in my chest as I looked at her trembling shoulders.

Somewhat frustrated, I regained my rationality and started reprimanding myself. I indeed went overboard. She was merely in her early 20s but she was forced into a marriage without love. After all, we both were at fault, she isn’t the only one to blame.

I was ultimately at loss. I don’t know how to comfort people so I just stood there. “Sorry, I apologize. This time, it wasn’t your fault. I was too emotional. To be honest, I’m just like you. I haven’t gotten used to having a woman beside me. I didn’t push you because I dislike you, actually… I have an illness that doesn’t allow me to touch women.”

She raised her teary eyes at me, partly surprised, partly confused.

Since we have to live together now, I should tell her about my illness.

Letting out a sigh, I explain it to her. “It’s fine when I touch men, but all women make me uncomfortable. And it’s not that simple. If I do come in contact with them, I’ll develop rashes, I’ll vomit, and my blood will flow backward. That’s why I avoided you. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

She furrows her brows. “Such a thing exists? Wait… is it Haphephobia. Like is it a psychiatric condition? ”

I was used to these questions. After all, I’ve been seeing countless doctors for 28 years now. I only have to keep it a secret from outsiders.

“It’s both.” I massaged my temples. This is so exhausting. “You must keep this a secret from outsiders. I’m telling you only because we’ll be living together. I hope you know that my family wanted us to get married because they think you can curb my illness since I touched you.”

She nodded her head slightly embarrassed. “Of course. It’s not your fault that you’re ill. Sorry, I touched you because I didn’t know about it. I promise I won’t touch you again.”

I look at her doubtfully. She smiled sweetly at me as she crossed her fingers in a gesture of promise.

“Okay, let’s go to bed then,” I said quietly.

She nodded her head and massaged her chest as she stood up. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“No need,” I said and lay down on the couch.

She didn’t argue with me this time and quietly obeyed and went to the bed. She turned off the lights and the room plunged into darkness.

The couch is obviously not comfortable so I keep adjusting my body. I could clearly hear the tossing and turning on the bed. I furrowed my brows. She is obviously sleeping soundly but the way she sleeps and her posture are quite questionable.

I can’t really get used to having a woman—especially one who I had slept with—share the same room with me. I let out a breath, get up, and walk out.