“Excuse me,” said the doorman. “You must be mistaken. Mr Beaumont is not married.”
“Yes, he is and I am his wife,” said Emilia firmly. “Please, let me in.”
As she stepped forward, the doorman put his hand out to stop her. The security guy that came with her stepped out of the gold Bentley parked in front of the building and came to join them.
“Let her in,” he said with authority. “Or you can ring up and let Mr Beaumont know that his wife is here to see him.”
The doorman recognized the security man and he was stunned. “I – I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize – “
Emilia pushed past him and entered the building before he could finish speaking. She went straight to the reception area and introduced herself to the attendant. The lady was stunned too.
“I wasn’t aware that Mr Beaumont is now married,” she said with a nervous laugh.
“Now, you are. Which apartment is he occupying?” Emilia asked crisply.
She was following Lillian’s instructions perfectly. Everyone must recognize her authority and respect her.
“That’s 604b. But ma’am, I think he’s with a….guest.”
“I know,” she replied and catwalked confidently to the elevator. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest but she pretended to be calm.
When she reached the apartment labelled ‘604b’, the door swung open before she could even knock on it. Kane stood there, glaring at her like an angry beast.
Emilia drank in his gorgeousness like a thirsty horse. His muscled 6-foot-2-inch body was sweaty and bare except for a white towel that was tied around his lean waist.
“Yes?” He growled at her.
Her confidence evaporated like smoke.
“Will you talk or are you just going to stand there and gawk at me like a deer caught in headlights?”
“Well, I – I wanted to find out why you haven’t been home since… since our wedding night.”
He smiled from one corner of his mouth. “Oh, I didn’t realize that you were missing me.”
“Not exactly, I mean, I just wanted to know if you’re ok.”
“You could have called.”
“Yeah…”
“Who’s it, baby?” A woman’s voice called out from inside the condo.
“The janitor,” he replied.
Emilia’s face turned red. How dare he disrespect her like this? She was his wife, goddammit!
“What is wrong with you?” She asked him angrily. “I didn’t force you to marry me. You and my father made a deal and now, I’m the one paying the price.”
“That doesn’t sound like the janitor,” said the woman inside and she pulled the door wider to see who Kane was talking to.
She was a tall lady with messy blonde hair and sharp grey eyes. She wore an oversized T-shirt that left her thighs and long legs exposed. Her nails were painted a bright red that contrasted with her fair skin.
“Who’s this?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.
“His wife!” Emilia replied sharply.
Kendra Banks slowly ran her eyes over Emilia from head to toe and back again, and then she threw back her head and laughed very hard.
It was the most irritating sound that Emilia has ever heard in her life.
“OMG, Kane. Are you serious? Is this the mouse you married?”
“Stop it, Kendra,” he said but Emilia could see that he was struggling not to laugh.
“Why are you here, wifey boo? Wanna have a threesome with us?” Kendra asked her with a naughty wink.
“Excuse me?” Emilia was shocked.
“Go home,” said Kane. “And don’t ever come here again unless I invite you.”
He shut the door in her face but she could still hear Kendra laughing inside the apartment like a mad woman.
********************
“That didn’t end well. Sorry.”
Emilia glared at Lillian. That embarrassing episode had been her sister-in-law’s idea and now here she was admiring her perfect manicure.
She was back at the mansion and they were sitting in the art room. It was a large room filled with a display of paintings and artwork. It was Lillian’s favourite room in the house.
“You know, what? I really like you, Emilia and that’s why I’m going to be straight with you.”
“Ok.”
“You need to find a way to cope in this marriage.”
“What do you mean?”
“Find a hobby, do something to take your mind off Kane and that giraffe he’s hanging out with. You’ve seen her, haven’t you? You can’t compete with that, so don’t bother.”
“So, I’m meant to be miserable forever?”
“There’s no perfect marriage, my dear. Not even the ones built on love, and I’m speaking from experience. Our father had mistresses too and our mother didn’t die because of that. Instead, she outlived him.”
“I see.”
“Find a way to cope.”
“How?”
“Go shopping.”
“We did that three days ago.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, darling. You’re married to a billionaire and there’s no such thing as too much shopping. Travel, hang out with your friends, and do exciting stuff. You won’t even have time to worry about Kane or whatever he’s up to.”
Emilia thought about it. Maybe Lillian was right. She needed to distract herself and keep busy.
“I could go back to my teaching job,” she said excitedly.
Lillian was horrified. She stared at Emilia with wide eyes.
“No way, darling. That is not allowed. The Beaumont women don’t work like that. We host grand events and support charities. That’s what we’re cut out for.”
“But you have a university degree, don’t you? What do you use it for?”
“Please, don’t interrogate me, Emilia. It’s not ladylike.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Don’t mention that work thing to my mother, by the way. It will annoy her.”
Lillian flipped her long black hair that’s always styled in a sleek ponytail and then checked her wristwatch.
“Ooh, it’s almost Crystabel’s bedtime,” she said and got on her feet.
She was nearly as tall as Kane and had the same features as him, except for her brown eyes which she shared with their younger brother, Jack.
“Think about all I’ve said, dear. And please, stop frowning. It will give you wrinkles.”
She kissed Emilia on the cheek and sashayed out of the room. Lillian was by far nicer than her older brother who has spent the past couple of days treating Emilia like trash.
She hadn’t counted on being this unhappy when she agreed to this marriage of convenience.
“Lillian said I’d find you here.”
Kane’s deep voice brought her back to reality. He was dressed casually in a white polo shirt and navy pants. His wavy black hair was neatly combed and he smelled like expensive wine.
He looked like a model on the cover of a magazine and Emilia’s body immediately reacted to his beauty.
“I see you finally managed to tear yourself away from your lover. I hope it’s not because of me.”
“No. She’s hosting a gig at a nightclub tonight.”
“Good for her. At least, she gets to do what she enjoys, besides sleeping with a married man.”
“Don’t be dramatic, Emilia. What do you want?”
“Me? Nothing. I’m just happy to be your latest collection in this room right now. Lucky me!”
He chuckled. “Sarcasm. I love it,” he said and began to approach her slowly.
“I know what you want, but your pride won’t let you say it.”
“And what’s that?”
“This,” he said and leaned down to kiss her.
Emilia melted like butter. If she truly had any pride, she would push him away and tell him to get lost, but she didn’t. She couldn’t.
“Let’s continue this in the bedroom,” he murmured against her lips.
She was tongue-tied. Desire had her in a chokehold and she couldn’t fight it. He held out his hand to her and she accepted it and followed him.
Emilia couldn’t tell if she walked or flew or floated beside him. All she knew was that they ended up in his bedroom and he was peeling off her clothes like a desperate man.
“Wait, I don’t know how to do this stuff,” she said nervously.
“I’ll show you,” he said and began to undress too.
When Emilia saw his full unclothed body, her breath ceased. He was a beautiful man in every sense of the word.
“Wow…” she whispered.
“Thank you,” he replied confidently. “You’re beautiful too.”
He freed her long chestnut-coloured hair from the bun it was tied in and ran his fingers through the strands. He then drew her close and kissed her. She was a petite woman and she fit snugly in his arms.
Emilia didn’t know that a kiss could make her feel the blast of fireworks going off inside her body right now. She had been kissed before, but it never felt like this.
“I like how you respond to me,” he drawled.
“I don’t have a choice,” she responded.
He touched her and she shivered with excitement. Any apprehension she ever felt about making love for the first time disappeared in that instant.
She wanted him and she wanted him now. She let her hands roam over his chest and back, feeling his taut muscles and liking how he moaned in response.
“Come here, I need to feel all of you,” he said and carried her to the bed.
He did things to her that made her sigh with pleasure and blush in equal proportions. When they joined together, the beauty of the moment overshadowed the slight discomfort she felt from his first entry.
“You’re amazing, Emilia,” he sighed as they rode the waves of ecstasy together.
“I love you,” she said.
He kissed her and held unto her as they climaxed. It was by far the most delightful intimate experience of Emilia’s life.
She snuggled into his arms when it was over. He may not love her or be in love with her, but this moment was priceless.
“Go to your room,” he said drowsily.
“Huh?”
“I said, go to your room.”
Emilia was confused. “I don’t understand. This is my room too.”
“No, it’s not. It’s mine and it’s my private space. We’re done for tonight, so you can leave now.”
Humiliation washed over her. Was a husband supposed to talk to his wife like this? A ten-year age difference didn’t give him the right to talk to her like a little brat.
“Sometimes, you act like an asshole!” She fired at him and got up.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her against his chest. Their faces were only inches apart.
“Don’t you ever call me an asshole again,” he said through clenched teeth. “Is that clear?”
“Yeah.”
“Say yes!”
“Yes.”
“I’ll remind my mother tomorrow to get someone to start tutoring you on how to act respectably and speak properly like a lady.”
She snatched her arm away from him and got off the bed.
“I’m not a charity case for you and your family. I’m fine just the way I am.”
“I don’t agree but I won’t argue with you. Get out of my room.”
“Now, who needs to be tutored on good manners?”
“Don’t make me lose my temper, Emilia, get out!”
“To hell with you!” She lashed out and began to pick up her clothes from the floor.
“Don’t ever come near me again, you hear. If you want to have sex again, go to your lover.”
“I didn’t need your approval for that, but thanks anyway.”
She marched out of the room through the adjoining door and slammed it hard. Oh, how she hated Kane Beaumont.
This will be the last time she’ll let him humiliate her like that. Never again!
“I’ll be hosting the Inner-city Relief Charity Ball next month,” Elsie announced cheerfully at the breakfast table the next morning.“I think it’s the best opportunity to introduce Emilia to everyone,” she added.“That’s nice,” said Kane indifferently.“I love balls,” said Samuel with a mischievous grin.He was Lillian’s middle-aged husband who worked as a cosmetic surgeon. He had a plain face and a receding hairline.“Seriously, darling,” said Lillian with a chuckle.He giggled. “You know what I meant. Not the other balls.”Lillian laughed. Emilia cringed. Kane rolled his eyes. Elsie sighed.“Where’s Jack?” Kane asked.“Still sleeping, I’m sure,” his mother answered. “He came in very late last night.”“Nothing new,” Lillian drawled.“Mother, I want you to get Emilia an etiquette tutor,” Kane said casually.Emilia dropped her cutlery. “I beg your pardon?”“That’s a brilliant suggestion, dear,” said Elsie. “Every young woman should take lessons on poise and gracefulness before getting
“How do you feel, darling?” Her mother asked sympathetically.“What do you think?” She snapped.Her mother flinched and Emilia felt sorry instantly.“I’m sorry,” she apologized.“It’s ok. Do you remember what happened?”“I don’t want to talk about it.”There was a knock on the door. Her mother responded and a doctor stepped in.“Hi, Mrs Beaumont. I’m Doctor Roshan. How are you feeling?”“Isn’t it obvious?” She replied nastily, then bit her lip. “Sorry.”“It’s ok. I understand,” said the pretty doctor. “Where’s your husband?”“He had to be somewhere urgently, but he’ll be back,” said Lara with a bright smile.Her mother’s lie pissed her off. Why was she covering up for Kane? He was just as evil as his girlfriend and he didn’t deserve any sort of cover-up to make him look like a good person.“Oh, I see. There’s actually something I wanted to discuss with him and Mrs Beaumont.”“Please, call me Emilia,” she said impatiently. She was tired of that stupid title.“Of course, Emilia.”“What
Emilia woke up the next morning with a smile on her face. It immediately turned into a frown when he barged into the room and threw a newspaper at her.“What the hell is this?” He asked her angrily.She picked up the newspaper and looked at the front page. There was a paparazzi picture of a couple kissing. Only, it wasn’t just any couple, it was her and Chad.“Oh my god!” She gasped.“You haven’t answered my question, Emilia. What the hell is this?”“I – I don’t know. I don’t understand,” she stuttered.“Is that you in the picture or not?”“Yes, it is. But – ”“That’s enough! I don’t want to hear any lies from you. I can’t believe you would do this.”“Kane, I think I was set up. This isn’t what it looks like. Chad and I never kissed yesterday.”“Who’s he?”“My ex-boyfriend. We never had the chance to break up properly because he was filming a documentary in Africa at the time you and my father made your deal. I tried to reach him and tell him what was going on but the network connecti
“An undisclosed source has informed us that the marriage between billionaire CEO, Kane Beaumont, and former school teacher, Emilia Taylor, has allegedly hit the rocks. This comes after Emilia was caught, cheating on her husband with her ex-boyfriend, Chad Buruss. We’re told that – ““Shut up!” Chloe snapped and turned off the TV. “I can’t believe Kane and his family! Why would they make such wild claims to the press?”“We can’t blame them, you know,” said Emilia. “I was the one who got caught with her hand inside the cookie jar.”“Yeah, but you weren’t stealing the cookies, you were just counting them.”Emilia laughed. There was nothing funny about her situation, but her 17-year-old sister always had a way of finding humour even in the worst circumstances.They were in Emilia’s bedroom where she was feeling sorry for herself while Chloe tried to cheer her up. She’d skipped her classes for today to be with her big sister. She was a freshman at the fashion design academy where she had o
“I can’t get over how lovely this place is,” Emilia gushed.They were sitting by the Lake and enjoying some sandwiches that Matt had brought for them.It was her second week in Wyoming and having lunch together at Lake Vida was becoming one of their favourite pastimes.“These days, it reminds me of you,” Matt said softly.Emilia smiled and looked away. She knew Matt had developed feelings for her and it made her feel guilty.She’d led him on with her constant flirting even though she had no interest in taking their friendship any step further. It had only been a fun distraction for her.She’d eventually confided in him and told him about her situation but it didn’t discourage him one bit.“I know we’ve only known each other for two weeks but the truth is that I really like you, Emilia. I’d like it very much if you can be my girlfriend.”She chuckled. “That’s very adorable. The last time a boy asked me to be his girlfriend was way back in high school.”“But I’m not a boy, am I? I’m a m
“Is it true?” Elsie asked her son. “Is Kendra truly pregnant?”Kane cursed under his breath. “Who told you?”“The gossip magazines!” She snapped and threw them at him. “I can’t believe you, Kane. Why would you keep this from me?”“When did you start reading those rags?”“That’s not the point. Why is Kendra pregnant and I’m finding out about it through third parties?”“It was supposed to be under wraps until my divorce from Emilia is finalized.”“Is it?”“No.”“Why not?”“There’s a process to it, Mother.”“Get it done this week and propose to Kendra.”“I beg your pardon?”“No grandchild of mine will be born out of wedlock.”“I thought you disliked Kendra.”“I still do b
“It’s ok. We can try again some other time,” said Matt while trying his best to hide his disappointment.“I’m sorry,” Emilia apologized.“Please, don’t be. Would you like something to drink?”“A glass of water would be fine.”“You got it!” She said a little too cheerfully and she cringed. The awkwardness in the room was unsettling.He walked across the room to get a glass of water. While he was at it, she watched him and admired his taut ass in those cotton boxers he wore.Why was she finding it difficult to have sex with Matt? After that impulsive kiss on the farm, she’d been sure that there would be a ginormous cosmic explosion once they joined hips.Instead, her body had gone into panic mode and she’d pushed him away when he tried to touch her. She had never felt so stupid in her life!“Here you go,” he said and offered her
“Granny, I’m home!” Emilia called out as she strolled into the house through the kitchen.“I’m in the den!” Granny responded.Emilia dropped her handbag on the kitchen table and went in search of her grandmother. When she entered the den and saw who was sitting with her grandma, the smile on her face melted.“What are you doing here?”“Hi, Emilia,” said Kane, rising to his feet.“I’ll excuse you two,” Granny said, rising too.“Stay right there, Granny!”Her grandmother promptly obeyed and lowered her bum on the soft couch. She already knew that there’d be hell to pay for allowing Kane into the house.“What the hell are you doing here, Kane Beaumont?”“I came to apologize to you.”“Save it! Now, get out of here before I call the police to report a disturbance.”“Your anger