Grabbing her arm, he pulled her into his arms.
"it was only a joke but I've never felt that way with anyone before" he pinched her cheeks softly.
she raised her face and he could see she was tearing up. Her innocent eyes were covered in tears yet her cheeks were still red.
He clasped her face between his hands gently. "what's wrong? did I hurt you? was it painful?" he searched her eyes for answers as he caressed her cheeks softly - that made her cheeks redder.
The tears on her eyes made him weak and it pierced into his heart. Maybe all that happened last night wasn't supposed to be. The thoughts of hurting her would torment him all the Days of his life.
"I don't know...it was my first time" she replied shyly smiling. Putting a string of her hair behind her ear, she blushed as she saw the reaction on his face.
"was that blood I saw on the couch?" He asked scratching his head with his hands pointed towards the door. His eyes were popped out and he closed his mouth in awe.
She nodded wiping her tears."silly tears..."
He hugged her tightly. "I would protect you with everything I have". He patted her head gently as though he was putting a child to bed. It gave him a kind of satisfaction that she was meant for him - ALONE.
Joy laughed releasing herself from his grip. Arranging his hair, she replied "you still owe me a million dollars...pay that first" she flicked his forehead.
"ouch! hey...do take care of me from now on...I should perform well next time.." he winked at her with a smirk.
"next time?..." she turned confused. "you brat!.." she threw the pillow at his face playfully when she understood what he said.
::::::::::::
A week later...
Sitting on his office, his hands travelled across some files. Business hasn't been going as expected since the monetary value of their stocks reduced by 10%.
James scrutinized some documents on his desk and jotted things down with his pen. Searching his laptop files, he tried verifying the cause of the incident.
He scratched his head Severally since everything seemed Greek to him. There wasn't any particular reason apart from reduced demand and so on.
He angrily slammed his hands in the desk, scattering the files on the table angrily. He shut his eyes to get some rest. Work this days have been very tiring.
On opening his eyes, he was shocked to see Merl. She was in front of him, legs crossed as she relaxed on the chair, swinging it gently from side to side.
A bright but not so sincere smile was in her face as she stared at him.
"what an unexpected visit!" he exclaimed leaning forward. He packed the files in his Desk and tusked them into a brief case.
Merlin just twisted her lips. "I'm here to see you" she replied studying the office.
It was same as she left it except the glass inscription which was now back to it's original name.
"how long have you been here? when did you arrive?" he asked interrupting her thoughts.
She sighed. "just now... brought you lunch" she smiled handing him a lunch bag.
He paused with what he was doing and looked at her. "lunch?"
weird... she has never done that before.
"yes lunch. it's your favorite even. I made it." she replied urging him to eat the food.
"you really made this? how did you even know my favorite? I've never told you that." He asked as he opened the dish with doubt.
Merlin of all people make food? I guess she loves me that much...
"you're my husband darling...I ought to know everything about you.." she grabbed a fork too. "let's dig in"
he smiled on perceiving the aroma. minted beef stew with sausage and carrots. "yummy"
"you sounded stressed out earlier. is something wrong?" she asked in-between meals looking at his face.
"nothing serious. just reduced income but it can be sorted out within some days..." He tried waving the topic away.
Merlin smiled mischievously. This is just the tip of the iceberg....
She stood up abruptly saying she had some shoppings to do.
James nodded and continued his meal.
At the door step, she turned and smiled at him. "More bad news are coming your way" she muttered "so take heart..."
she snapped her fingers and instantly, James received a call.
"boss an investor just declined our offer for the contract. He said he's not interested anymore..."
"what?" he almost choked.