Chapter 33

***Kenya.***

It was Thursday, the following day. About 48 hours since I got married. I should have felt different, like they said a woman did after her wedding, but I didn't.

I gazed through my side of the window at the lush landscape of Irvington village, as the SUV drove us to the Ruthford family estate. Just a few minutes' drive from Manhattan. The beauty of the place as we drove past was remarkable and I couldn't help but watch the landscape unfold, as the car drove through the quaint village. The village was embedded in a gorgeous shelter of towering forest trees that gave me a welcoming distraction. The unique architectural designs, captivating.

Popular for the Hudson river, I couldn't keep at bay the excitement I bore to see the place, since I got to know our destination earlier that morning. I hadn't even been able to hide my excitement from Levi, even though I had tried to mask it. I had caught the glint in his eyes as he had watched my reaction, after informing me. And when I had put back on my wall of indifference, he had simply gone with it.

Sitting in the car now, after alighting the plane, I shifted my focus to my phone rather than my husband's very handsome form beside me. He was dressed in a casual blue 'T-shirt and black Jeans. His black blazer draped over the back of his seat. I couldn't help my admiration for the man, even though I detested him. His freshly trimmed facial hairs. His jet black hair, freshly cropped and tussled, all made him look roguish.

"If you keep staring like that, your eyes will fall out." Levi's teasing voice broke through the silence.

I startled. Heat flooding me from embarrassment. Shuffling in discomfort at being caught, I hastily returned my gaze to my phone. A text came in from Andrea, asking about the style they were to wear for the wedding reception later in the evening. I huffed, irritated at the reminder of my situation. I had invited my entire colleagues, even Claudine and Dave for the party. Mum and Amanda had other prior engagements, so they weren't attending.

My phone hadn't stopped ringing since the news of my marriage to Levi broke last night. And I had said the same thing over and over again that I was sure I had rattled those same words in my dreams last night.

*"Yes, I am now Mrs Ruthford."*

*"Yes, we are in love."*

*"Yes, we are inviting you all for the formal reception."*

I had felt so exhausted, saying those words through my teeth that I had tossed my phone far away to get a decent sleep.

After Levi had ditched me in my aroused state, last night, I had struggled to sleep. Tossing in bed. My body wound up tight from all the burning need of him I felt within me. My body, treacherous. My face still burned from embarrassment, every time I recalled how he had raised me to a state of orgasmic craze, only to leave me to a free fall. My inner turmoil, unabated.

An incoming call from Mum broke my disquieted thoughts, dragging me back to the present.

"Hi mum." I answered, exasperated. Mum's weeping at the other end, suddenly alarmed me.

"Mum, what's wrong, why are you crying?" I asked, alarmed.

"Why didn't you tell me that you had been burgled and gravelly injured in that school of yours a month ago, J'aime." She cried, her voice crippling me. I inhaled deeply, wondering how Mum got to find out. She didn't take bad news well.

"HowHow did you know?" I managed, the grimness in my voice, catching Levi's focus. Our gazes locked.

"I had to hear from the news this morning. Apparently, there was a fire and you had been hurt, to the point Levi had brought you to the hospital that night. The hospital had confirmed it." Mum cried. She felt betrayed. My insides twisted with guilt. I should have confessed to her. Somewhere along the line.

"The hospital shouldn't have done that, mum."

"Is Levi with you?"

"Yes." At her request, I gave Levi the phone. I barely heard all she told him. By the time the phone was returned, she was more soothed.

After the call ended, I turned to Levi. "What did she tell you?" I was helpless.

"She was displeased that I hadn't encouraged you to tell her about the incident, even after the wedding. She was just worried about you." He was tender. He put aside his laptop and focused his eyes on me. My eyes searched his for any evidence of sincerity.

"Just like I assured her." He pulled my palms into his. His warmth, my comfort. "I would handle all this negative publicity. As a matter of fact, my PR team is on it as we speak. And after tonight, everything would turn out alright."

His words would have calmed me. Should have calmed me. And it almost did. With the way he said them, tenderly. They penetrated and soothed me. Sadly, I thought about how much of my life had been disrupted by this one act of his. This unconventional marriage arrangement and I couldn't help but feel sorry for myself. Yes, I was grateful for how he rescued me from Hank and I could never show enough gratitude. But I couldn't ignore the feeling that this man's presence in my world was going to cost me more.

Pulling my hands slowly from his, distaste climbing my throat, I shifted my gaze to the line of trees and buildings that came into view, as the car pulled into Hudson Coast.

A few seconds later, my phone beeped in my lap with an incoming message.

***Unknown number****: "Hey beautiful! I hope you are smiling. I wanted to ensure that you keep your smile on, no matter what."*

*11:20am.*

A small smile crept in.

***Me****: I just smiled. Thank you."*

*11:21am.*