Chapter 40
Marlie reached the wardrobe for something to wear. She was unimpressed as she examined the extensive array of clothing in the wardrobe. None of it suited her taste.
"What the fuck is this?!"Marlie said looking at all the long clothes in the wardrobe
"Was she running a fashion for nuns?! Oh, my dear sister, it's no surprise that guy of a husband never had any taste in you!"
Charlie was a respectable woman who preferred wearing long dresses, that mostly, covered her whole body.
Whereas Marlie, though also respectable, preferred short and revealing outfits. Despite this, Marlie had no choice but to hastily adorn herself in a blue dress for her outing with Spark. She stared at the dress for a few moments before reluctantly accepting that she had to wear it.
A glimmer caught her eye as she scanned the clothes hanging in the wardrobe, triggering a vivid recollection of her dream.
"It was just a dream but why does that dream feel so real?"
She continuously pondered over the identity of the young man from her dream. Nevertheless, she decided to proceed with wearing the clothes. She couldn't just think about the dream all day long. Who knows, maybe she might dream again and finally get a glimpse of that man.
After after few minutes of finding it hard to wear the dress, she finally managed to put it on. However, she struggled to close the zipper, exclaiming in frustration.
"Damn this zipper! Why won't it close?"
Marlie directed her frustration towards the zipper, even though she knew it was her own inability causing the frustration, as she remained clueless about the young man who seemed so familiar in her dream.
As she held the zipper in her hands, she suddenly felt another hand on hers, assisting her with closing it. She quickly glanced at the mirror, and her eyes met Chad's.
For a moment, Marlie stood there frozen, studying Chad's reflection in the mirror. It was the first time after a long time she had taken a proper look at a man whom she hadn't previously given much importance to.
Chad lifted his head and met her gaze in the mirror, allowing Marlie to fully appreciate the man she despised the most.
His deep blue eyes were captivating, complimented by long eyelashes and arched eyebrows. His well-defined, sharp jawline was accentuated by his pointed nose. His dark, silky, and semi-curly hair was perfect, with a slight cut on either side, evoking the appearance of a Greek god who could make any woman's heart race.
Marlie couldn't help but let her eyes trail down Chad's physique. With a heavenly and muscular body, his long legs gave him the appearance of a model or an athlete, which was perfect in Marlie's eyes.
Why hadn't she noticed Chad's extraordinary features before? If she had been resistant to properly observing him, why was she doing it now?
Perhaps it was something that no one could understand. Wait, there was a small hint for her - he had a broad chest, just like the man in her dream. She had to take a closer look at Chad once again.
"Is he the one from my dream?"
With a devilish smirk on his face, Chad grasped the zipper firmly. Marlie's subtle glances in his direction did not go unnoticed by him.
Through the mirror, Marlie could sense Chad's intent gaze fixed upon her delicate skin. Perhaps it was merely her thought.
Closing the zipper while closing his eyes was an impossible task for Chad. He felt compelled to keep his gaze fixed on her back, ensuring the zipper was properly secured.
Closing the zipper posed no difficulty for Chad, even though it had the potential to bring a blush to his cheeks. It was no fault of his as Marlie's stares made his thoughts wild.
Marlie's heart began to race, gradually increasing in tempo. She placed her hand on her chest in an attempt to calm its erratic beats.
However, it was not only her heart that was betraying her but rather her body too.
Combining the feelings from the dream and her closeness with the man who could possibly be the guy in her dream did the trick.
As Chad's finger brushed against her skin, a surge of electric charges shot through Marlie, causing her to tremble. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.
Chad, recognizing the effect he had on his wife. He observed her with awe through the mirror. A wave of desire coursed through his body upon witnessing Marlie's closed eyes, quivering lips, and trembling figure.
Determined to suppress this urge, Chad shut his eyes tightly. He clenched his jaw, but the overwhelming desire proved too much for him to handle, prompting him to flee from the room.
The sound of the door slamming brought Marlie back to her senses.
As she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, a fleeting image appeared in Marlie's mind. It was an image of the man from her dreams, a vision she had refused to acknowledge.
"What was that? What am I thinking? Chad? No way. Marlie, you're being ridiculous!"
These thoughts ran through Marlie's mind, but she refused to entertain them. Instead, she scoffed and pondered, "Was he trying to seduce me? Does he believe I am one of those girls who would fall for his cheap tricks? In his dreams, Chad!"
However, she just forgot what he had just done to her body.
Marlie reached for her phone and dialed a number. "Are they all prepared?" she inquired.
A female voice responded from the other end of the line, "Yes, madam. And it will be featured on the afternoon news." The person on the other end confirmed Marlie's instructions.
"Good! I hope you remember what I told you?!" Marlie exclaimed.
"Yes, madam. Mrs. Baristanas left it as a package on my doorstep. I will follow your instructions," the woman assured.
Marlie ended the call and placed her phone on the dressing table. She couldn't help but display a wicked smirk as she looked at herself in the mirror.
******
Meanwhile, Chad made his way to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water, which he quickly downed. Yet, it did little to quell the heat coursing through his body. He poured himself another glass and drank it down in one go. Unbeknownst to him, Vien stood nearby, observing him.
Upon entering the kitchen, Chad was oblivious to his surroundings. Little did he realize that his nanny had been watching him intently ever since he barged in.
Chad poured himself another glass, but before he could bring it to his lips, Vien interjected.
"If you're that parched, why not drink straight from the bottle?"
Chad was startled "Nanny...?" he called out to Vien.
Temporarily setting the glass of water on the island, Chad was surprised to find her there. "I didn't see you there," he admitted.
How could he when he was on fire and needed to cool himself? The torrent of emotions within him had temporarily dulled his senses.
Vien stood there analyzing Chad's face. She noticed something peculiar, his red face.
"Your face appears flushed," She observed as Chad reached for the glass of water.
But Vien's statement halted him. "Huh...?" Chad questioned.
Initially unaware that his nanny had discerned the reason behind his flushed complexion, but staring at the scrutinizing face of Vien, Chad knew she had caught him.
"No, I'm not flushed, nanny. I believe you're seeing things that aren't there," Chad retorted, attempting to deny the truth. However, Vien was no fool.
"I may be old, but not so old that I can't determine whether someone's face is flushed or not!" Vien defended herself with a chuckle.
Feeling utterly embarrassed, Chad could not deny the reason for his flushed face. His hormones had been raging, causing the reddish hue on his cheeks.
Yes, he knew his face would give away his inner turmoil, for the surges coursing through his body felt like fire. What else could he say? Vien saw right through his feeble denials.
"Perhaps the room is simply too warm nanny." Chad quickly offered, trying to salvage his pride.
Once again, he lifted the glass of water, this time sipping it slowly and discreetly, ensuring that Vien did not witness his nervousness. However, his nanny had long surpassed that stage in her life and thus was not easily fooled.
"Did you consume something spicy?" Vien jokingly teased, before posing the real question.
"Or perhaps your wife made you hot," she playfully added, causing Chad to choke on the water and cough.
Forced to briefly chuckle awkwardly, Chad cleared his throat and attempted to refute her words. "Nanny, stop jesting. I told you the truth, it might be the weather. Charlie wouldn't have the power to make anyone hot..." He hurriedly blurted it out.
Truth be told, Chad's denial only further embarrassed him. Hiding his face in shame, Chad conceded defeat.
Yes, Charlie didn't possess that capability before but now is different.
Vien heard his explanation clearly, and nodded in agreement to satisfy Chad, although she knew he was lying.
"The breakfast table will be set soon," she declared.
Chad nodded and proceeded to finish the last remaining drops of water in his glass.
"Don't worry, my dear. I promise to give you something to cool your body temperature."
Again, he choked on the water when he heard his nanny's statement.
Chad coughed when he heard Vien's statement. He was aware Vien was trying to tease him but in a fit of embarrassment, he couldn't show that he knew his nanny could see through him.
"Nanny..." He called out in an embarrassment.