It's 3 in the afternoon. The sound of the engine smoothly running is calming. She looked out the car window, a path of old trees lined up like British guards in formation. She doesn't remember this path from nine years ago. All she knows how to do growing up is to keep herself small and always follow his father's commands and stay out of his way.
Nyla left the apartment with her two beloved luggage. She already cleaned the whole apartment and had Jacques' things boxed to be picked up by movers. They will be stored in a rented storage unit outside of town. Callum ordered everything to be taken care of including the unused deposit. Truthfully, Nyla had only herself to think about.
She saw the huge gate from about a hundred meters away...
Ahhhh now I remember this place. It's still beautiful as ever.
The gardens are breathtaking and the flowers, shrubs, and grass are well-kept. The birdbath looks ancient, adding to the charm of the place.
The car was parked beside Nyla's car. It was driven here yesterday by Mr. Grant. The servants took her luggage and guided her to her room.
"Can I ask where Mr. Humphrey's room is?"
"Sir Callum? It's beside your bedroom on the left ma'am. Would you like anything to drink?" The young servant named Mitchi, adorable as she is, smiled and asked her.
"Ah no. I will go down later. Thank you."
Nyla laughed at herself for asking "Mr. Humphrey's room". She forgot that this is the Humphrey Villa. His father also lives here.
She started unpacking. She only got a few clothes, mostly dresses because she was, after all, a kindergarten teacher. She looked around the room after. It's like she's staying in a hotel room. Mainly because she doesn't have a picture of a family. She never had any. Picture OR family.
Today is the first day we are living together. Last night she already decided to act as his wife. Exactly as he said: When I said my woman, I meant the whole package.
I can do that. I'm attracted to him anyway. Might as well enjoy all the perks including the man right?
She went out of the room and closed the door gently.
Just two more steps at the foot of the stairs and the front door opened. Callum entered with one of the servants carrying his bag and about 4 shopping bags from a branded women's boutique shop.
"Hi, welcome home." She approached him. He walked towards her. He reached for her face and rubbed her cheeks gently with his thumb.
"Hey... you think you are comfortable giving me a kiss?" His eyes are gentle when he is looking at her. But at work, he has this gaze that demands obedience.
"Ahmm, yes please?" She said, glad that he opened that up. She misses his super addictive kiss.
He lowered his head and gave her a sweet, deep kiss that she unconsciously held on to his chest. Afterward, he held onto her hand and pulled her upstairs.
Mitchi, the young servant was on her way out of the kitchen when she saw this. She blushed and giggled silently while covering her mouth.
"Come on, dinner is in another two hours. Let's talk upstairs."
He opened his bedroom door and pulled her inside.
"This is my room. You can come in anytime. This is my walk-in closet, my toilet, my coffee corner, overlooking the gardens below." He is seriously giving her a tour of his big bedroom without letting go of her hand.
"And right there," He pointed at the rattan garden set below, "was where I first saw you. You looked like a renaissance painting because of your baby blue dress and pale skin under the bright sun."
"Oh..." She stood beside him and touched the window sill.
He swiftly pulled her on the waist and kissed her hair then quickly turned away and got the tablet from his bag. His things were put by the servant at the console table together with the four shopping bags.
"Let's sit and discuss first." He pulled a chair so he could sit closer to where Nyla sat and started looking at his work calendar.
"Do you think you can start work two weeks from now?"
"Yes."
"I will send a quick message to the HR manager later. David, that's Mr. Grant, will unload his other duties to you. But you will be solely working for me. In my office. There are other bachelors there that might take interest in you. Anyway, I have a meeting on Monday that week in the morning. I will introduce you to the team."
He stood up and picked up the shopping bags from the console table.
"Here, these should fit you, but if not, let me know, and we'll have them exchanged. It's a mix of casual and a bit semi-formal which you can use for work. Mostly my choices though. So tomorrow, let's go around the shopping center. Will that work for you?"
"You're doing so much for me."
"You're my woman, it's your right to be spoiled by me. We can also pick up what you need for skin care and other woman's stuff. Your bruises have started to fade. I want you to focus on your total healing." He suddenly remembered and held her hand, "When is your next checkup? Your stitches should be removed this coming week right?"
"Yes, Wednesday around 11 in the morning."
"Then I will pick you up before your schedule. We can eat lunch together after. You can stay at my office then we can go home together."
"Is that okay? Wouldn't that be a hassle for you to go back here to pick me up?"
"Lean on me more. Lean on me for everything. I want you to."
She stood up and looked at one of the bags which had a dress that can be used at the office. She stood in front of the full-length mirror and started undressing.
In just a few steps, Callum was already behind her, stopping her hand from unbuttoning her blouse.
"I'm your woman, this shouldn't embarrass either of us. It all boils down to your restraint Mr. Humphrey. Now help me to try this one on please."
It's a wonder to see a powerful man serve a weak woman like her by undressing her carefully. His hands are gentle and steady while unbuckling her belt, unbuttoning her jeans and zipping down the slider and eventually slipping the jeans off of her, revealing her lacy panties. She was also done unbuttoning her blouse leaving her in her bra. She put her hand on the back of his head, caressing his hair. He looked up at her. He stood up and when his face aligned with hers, she pulled him closer so they could kiss.
Ahhhh he really is a good kisser...
"Hmmm, it seems you like kissing."
"Yours is the only one I ever craved." She turned her back so she could slip on the dress. Callum closed the zipper slowly, outlining her spine, the dress fitting her body as if it were tailored for her.
"It fits you perfectly." He rested his hands on each side of her slender waist.
"Yes, it does. Thank you so much."
"Why don't you try the other white dress with pink butterflies? I'd like to see you wear it for our dinner tonight. You can stay here or bring your stuff to your room. I will take a quick shower, okay?"
"Okay, thank you. I will go to my room first." She began to turn but then she walked back and pulled his arm.
"Kiss?"
He smirked and kissed her slowly and passionately. Just the way she wanted it. She picked up the shopping bags and hurriedly went out of the room after he kissed her.
She took a shower too and put on the dress Callum wanted her to wear.
They had a nice dinner that night. The cook named Menandro is a plump man in his 40s, of Asian descent, very warm, and speaks softly but very excited to serve them. He is also clean-looking in his white uniform. Apparently, he dressed up for his 1st meeting with her. They gave him very satisfactory feedback which made him very happy.
Mitchi was there to help clean up when the two were done eating.
"Would you like some coffee or tea brought up in your rooms?" She asked gleefully.
"I'll have coffee, Mitchi. You seemed very happy. Your father too."
"It's our first time to have a woman guest in the villa sir!"
"Right... we'll be upstairs."
"Oh Mitchi, I'll be in Callum's room for a while so please bring me warm milk please." Nyla requested.
Mitchi giggled which made Nyla laugh a little. Callum smiled too.
"Why? We need to discuss with you my other duties once I start working." She slightly raised her eyebrows at Callum.
"I didn't say anything." He raised his hands as if admitting defeat.
They went upstairs to Callum's room and they sat at the table near the window. This time, he had his laptop open and slowly introduced her to the basics of the lending business.
Mitchi knocked. She held a tray in her hand with hot coffee and warm milk. She excused herself thereafter.
"Her father is here as well?" Nyla asked confused about Callum's words earlier.
"Ah yeah, Menandro adopted her when she was a baby. They don't look alike, no? So you must be confused. I hired him as a cook 5 years ago. I also sponsor her education. She's in junior high now but tries to help around the house whenever she can but I don't really require her."
"Oh, that's very nice."
"Because I'm a very nice person. People just think I'm menacing because of the nature of the business I'm running. We become the ruthless ones when we have the law take care of delinquent payers. By the way, my housekeeper will be back tomorrow from vacation. She's a cheery one too. I will introduce you tomorrow when she arrives."
"Okay. I can help around the house too. I was trained to."
"Trained?" His eyebrows arched.
"Uh yeah, my ex-husband had me learn and do everything before. Every other month I take care of the mansion."
"Mansion?" His face darkened. "You'll do no such thing here. You can help. Just help but I will never allow you to take on exhausting chores around the house. I'm okay if you have hobbies like gardening, art, whatever... so let me know." His words are commanding but controlled.
"Okay," she held his hand, "Don't be mad please?"
"Drink your milk so you can rest in your room. Are you still taking meds?"
"A few days more to complete antibiotics and I have one to be taken for 3 months. Also ointment for the wounds." She started drinking her milk little by little. Callum is staring at her.
Once done, he led her to her own room and stopped by the door.
"Huh?" Nyla was confused when Callum stopped.
"This is your personal space, Nyla. I won't go in."
"But how will you kiss me goodnight?" Nyla pulled him inside and pressed on him while his back leaned on the door. "Kiss?"
Callum kissed her tenderly. He can still taste the milk in her mouth when she opens them to let his tongue in.
"Nyla, I'm a possessive, jealous, and protective man. Hearing about how your past husband and lover treated you makes me angry, I admit. But you don't need to fear me. I just need you to trust and respect me. You understand?" He whispered while brushing her cheek with his thumb.
"Yes. I do, perfectly." She smiled and tiptoed a bit so she could give a peck on the lips.
"Alright. Have a good rest." Then he turned, walked out the door, and closed it gently.