Dislikes

"Sir, I don't mean to be an interloper, but I think you should stop seeing Miss Walters since you are married. Like I said earlier, I don't mean to intrude."

"Sam? That will be my volition."

"Point well absorbed." He replied.

"Good."

Sam changed direction and drove to a different location. The car pulled up, and I clumped down.

"Hello, Nina, how are you?" I asked, kissing her on the cheek.

"I am fine, sir. What can I offer you?"

"It's okay, don't worry, Sam is in the car waiting, you can ask him.

"Oh, he is? I will do that." She said, smiling at me.

"Where is Miss Walters?"

"In her bedroom."

"Thanks," I replied, walking towards Valeria's room.

Nina has been Valeria's worker for about 5 years and anything I come here, I find her busy. She's very hardworking and dedicated.

I got to the bedroom entrance and without knocking, I entered.

"Who taught you to enter someone's room without knocking?" She questioned angrily.

"It's me you are speaking to, not Nina, mind your speech," I said as my lips slanted a smirk.

"Am I blind now? Of course, I know it's you I am speaking to."

"Shush..... Stop with all these dramas, I didn't come here for that, I don't have enough time for that" I murmured, holding her by the shoulders.

"How many times have I heard you say that? Will you ever, for one day, have enough time?" She questioned, turning her head side to side.

"No darling, time is limited."

I leaned over to kiss her and she pulled away.

"Oh, Valeria?" I walked away to pour myself a glass of wine. I offered her a glass and again......she denied it.

I raked my hand through my hair in frustration, I turned around, such that my back was facing her.

"Valeria? What's with that ugly attitude? I can't stand it."

"Where were you yesterday? I tried calling you countless times, but you didn't answer any nor did you bother to return them."

"I now understand what you are getting at."

"That doesn't answer my question _", she cuts in

I turned around to face her. "Take the drink, I will tell you everything."

She took the drink and we sat on the bed together.

"Well, yesterday I had important work outside of the office, after I finished I couldn't call you."

"That's exactly what Lucia said." She said with a confused expression.

"That's the truth, you will continue hearing the same over again if you don't believe me. I don't get why you are doubting me today."

"Is that all?" She asked…

"Is there anything else you would like to hear? What do you want me to add?" I asked sarcastically, cocking my head.

"I gave my empty glass to her and walked towards the door."

"Where are you going?"

"Where do you suppose I'm going?

I am leaving, didn't I warn you, I don't have enough time for drama. If I'd wanted to see any, I would have settled for a movie. See me when you feel better."

"Just like that? Won't you even kiss me?

"Not anymore, see you later. Enjoy the rest of the evening, Miss Walters."

"Whatever." She said, clicking her tongue disrespectfully, and I turned back, facing her.

"Don't ever say that to my face, get it? I will be waiting for you, sweetheart."

I turned and swayed out.

"Nina? See you later".

"Likewise, sir.

"Sam? drive, let's get out of here," I said as I sat in the car.

"That was quicker than usual, did you argue?" He questioned, starting the ignition.

"Yeah, nothing happened. You know women, sometimes you don't understand them. You know me very well, I won't waste my time explaining things."

"Yeah," He replied and drove off.

Adriana's POV

"Helena? I told you I am not hungry, I will tell you if I am. I said buried in the bed, seeking comfort as I poured my words into a stream of tears.

"I know but you have not eaten anything since you got here. Mr. Johnson asked me to make you eat something when you wake. And it's already evening, please Ana." She pleaded with me, trying all possible means to get into my head. I could feel it wasn't because of Alex, but out of pure concern.

"Don't worry about me, what I want now is to see my family," I said defensively.

"You will see them, but first you have to eat. I am concerned about your well-being. I wouldn't like to see my daughter in this condition. You know, I'm 43 and I have a daughter about your age, one thing I don't allow her to do is to starve herself."

"I already told you not to worry." She sat near to me and started to pass her hands in my hair."

"Well, I am because Mr. Johnson won't be pleased if he comes to meet you like this. I would be seriously pissed."

"I don't care if he's pleased or not, I just want him to hate me enough to send me back to my family_" I cut in.

"Well Ma'am, that is never going to happen. I would advise you to get used to this marriage. You have married him and it's forever until death separates you."

As she said those words, my memories flashed back to when we took the oath. I was lost in thought, I didn't even realize we took them. A man asked,'' Do you take Alexander Johnson as your lawfully wedded husband? You will love and uphold him, whether in good health or sickness?"

And I responded "yes," then he slipped the expensive ring on. I remember he said the same oath and I slipped the ring on his finger. Did I really do that? I wasn't myself, I didn't know what I was doing.

"Mrs. Johnson, Helena called. Are you alright?"

"Yes I am fine, thank you.

She cupped my cheeks and looked straight into my eyes before speaking.

"I will always be here for you Mrs. Johnson. Whenever at whatever time you would need anyone to talk to, I will be here, I will listen. Is that okay with you? You need to stop crying.

I don't even know why you accepted the marriage. You don't like him, do you?"

"No, I don't," I replied with an audible voice.

"Then why did you agree to marry him, were you forced?"

"It's not like I had a choice, it's a long story, which I had to find out just a few days ago."

"It's fine if you don't want to talk about it now."

I nodded, then sat upright and we hugged, it felt like moms.

"It's okay, get out of bed, I will help you change into something simple, this gown has been on you for a long time."

She smiled, opened my suitcase, and brought out the peach dress my mom bought for me.

"Let's get you out of the gown, it's very big and looks expensive."

She helped me out and I wore the dress myself.

"You look very beautiful, now wipe your eyes and turn around, let me take a good look at you.

As I turned around, the door burst open, and I coincidentally met his gaze. Exactly what I have been avoiding all day.

"Excuse me," Helena said and vacated.

"Have you not ever heard of manners and politeness?" I questioned impolitely.

"No, my dear wife, I would be glad if you could teach me." He said, faking a grin.

"Well, first of all, the appropriate thing to do before entering someone's room is to knock," I replied sardonically, not giving him the satisfaction of seeing me down.

"Sounds very boring, I am not doing it. What did you eat today?"

"That's not your business." He moved closer enough that I could smell him.

"Before you start messing and talking to me anyhow, just have this buried in your head, I won't put up with that. I am asking for the last time, what did you eat?"

"I have not eaten anything, happy?" I found myself replying to him, "did I just reply to him?" I questioned my inner goddess, while I looked blankly at his serious yet flirting face.

"Oh, Ana?" He called, suppressing laughter.

"Don't call me that_" I warned, because he said my name was so beautiful, with a seductive kind of slang, and the bottom line is, I don't want to like anything about him.

"Ana? Listen very carefully to this, I am very mindful when it comes to food being wasted, I want you to behave, do you understand? You can choose not to answer, but don't dare to do otherwise."

His look becomes neutral, not very intimidating as he continues.

"I am listening, be fast with it, why haven't you eaten anything?"

"Mr lovely husband? Stop acting as if you care, it doesn't suit you at all." I said smiling, cocking my head from side to side.

"Stop getting me wrong, I am worried about my food being wasted, not you. On a more serious note, don't make my food go to waste, if you try again, you won't like me. I will have Helena bring you dinner."

He said, attempting to leave, but my words stopped him.

"Oh really, Alex? Who said I want to ever like you? You would be doing a great favor by doing things that will make me hate you. You have no idea how I desire to hate you." I said with a serious tone.

"If I have to remind you for the last, no offense taken. Don't be talking to me anyhow."

"I can talk to you anyhow I prefer, don't you also give me orders, I am not your slave," I replied, this time around, challenging him by talking at the top of my voice.

He came closer and gripped my arm, I tried to pull away but he was 10x stronger. I tried again and suddenly, everything went black.

As I opened my eyes slightly, I realized I wasn't in my bedroom, I opened it wider and realized I was in a hospital.

"What am I doing here? What happened to me? Did I faint whilst arguing with Alex?" I asked myself as the door opened and he entered. Speaking of the devil…

I automatically cataloged his features, broad chest, narrow waist, and lean hip. Moving up to his face, I noted his high cheekbones, the well-characterized brow, matching his beautiful natural long lashes, and the piercing blue eyes so striking against his flawless skin. His dark hair was well behaved, how can a person be this perfect?

"Can I have the confidence to brag about my beauty anymore?" I questioned myself.

I noticed for the first time that he was wearing a perfect-fit white T-shirt. Why did he choose this? For people to admire his excellent sculpted body? What is my problem? I asked, pushing aside my thoughts.

"Again, without knocking? What am I doing here?" I questioned him, he expressed a tiny concern.

"Isn't it obvious? You are here because you refuse to eat." He replied, walking to sit beside the bed.

I could tell he was annoyed, but I didn't care. I didn't say anything to his remark, I circumvented my gaze.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked.

"Not your concern."

I replied smiling, looking back at him.

He raised a brow to show his disappointment. The doctor entered and called my name.

"Mrs. Johnson? Everything is under control you can leave but please, make sure not to starve yourself again." He instructed, turning his gaze to Alex, he spoke again.

"M.r Johnson? Please take care of your wife, she's very beautiful, and you can easily lose her."

"I will, thanks for everything and please, don't cast lusty glances at my dearest wife. He smiled, giving the doctor a nod.

"Ana, shall we leave?" He stretched out his hand to help me shoot out of bed.

"Won't you pay the medical bills?" I asked as we stepped out.

"No, it's taken care of." He replied plainly.

"It's taken care of? What do you mean by that?"

He stopped, giving me a don't-be-stupid look." I own the hospital," he finally disclosed.

"You do? It's very big." I turned back, taking a good look at it.

"Yes, I know it's big. Shall we go?"

"Yes but…I paused … I don't see your car around, where is it?" I asked, as though I know all his cars.

"There. "He pointed to a blue-black Buggati La Voiture Noire.

"That Bugatti La Voiture Noire?" I asked to be sure.

He snapped at the question, he moved to the car, and opened it for me, quietly, I hopped in.

He sat down and started the ignition. This isn't a dream, just like marriage, it's real.

"What are you thinking of?" His question of which interrupts my thoughts.

"Do you perhaps engage in illegal acts? I mean, you are too young to be so rich. First, it was an expensive ring, a house too big for my two families, then a big hospital, and now an expensive car. You leave me with no choice but to think you are illegal."

"I don't recall telling you my age, did I, Mrs. Johnson?" He gazed at me and then to the road.

"No, but it's clear enough. I don't need to win a Nobel prize to realize it."

He stared at me but didn't talk, he shifted his gaze to the road. He drove faster and soon enough, we got home.

I entered my room and he followed behind.

"He pushed me against the wall and gripped my arm with all expression changed, he looked furious.

I maintained a neutral expression, I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me weak once more

"Alex? Leave me alone." His gaze was so fierce that I could hardly look at him.

He didn't, rather, he pulled me into his arms so I could feel the length of his body against mine, the brisk gesture taking me by surprise. He runs his finger around the nape of my neck, this movement sends an exhilarating shiver down my spine.

He pulls my hair gently so I'm forced to look at him, his stare was intense, I didn't dare tear my gaze…

"What happened today shouldn't happen again." He said and gently pulled away. He left without saying a word…

Oh my Goodness, what was that? Did I just blush? Oh, Adriana? I managed to sit down.

About 10 minutes later, he arrives with Helena behind him.

"Leave the food on the table and leave. He commanded.

"Excuse me, she said and left."

"What are you about to do?" I asked ironically.

"You will soon know. Have a seat beside me."

I complied, without actually knowing why I always comply with his orders.

"I will feed you, and you have no choice but to eat everything on this plate."

"I can't eat all of that."

"We will see about that, open your mouth." He said, leaving no room for discussion.

I obeyed, slowly, I opened my mouth and he fed me until I was practically full.

"I won't anymore," I said, struggling to swallow the one I had in my mouth.

"I don't joke when I say something, I mean exactly as I say, you are eating everything on this plate."

He fed me until I finished everything. He placed the tray aside and stared seductively into my eyes.

He pulled a strand of hair from my face, tugging it behind my ear. He stopped and pulled his shirt above his head.

My stomach churned, heartbeat accelerated, breathing in pants.